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    I’m a Man Utd star – my girlfriend and I sometimes play a game where we try to find Man City flags in town.. we never do

    MANCHESTER UNITED prospect Facundo Pellistri, 21, made a fiery statement ahead of this weekend’s clash with Manchester City.The winger, was speaking to the press in his native Uruguay after the national side’s recent qualifiers against Brazil and Colombia.
    Pellistri made a spicy comment about the Manchester derbyCredit: Rex
    He said he and his girlfriend look for Manchester City flags when out and about in the city… And don’t spot anyCredit: instagram @facupellistri
    And of course, the prospect of the looming Manchester derby came up as a topic of conversation.
    Pellistri was dismissive about how well Manchester City are actually supported in Manchester, and insisted that only one club in the city really matters.
    Speaking to Carve Deportiva, Pellistri said: “Manchester is all about United. You don’t see City shirts or flags.
    “Sometimes, with my girlfriend, we go out and say ‘let’s try to find one’ [a City flag] and we don’t see them.”
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    Pellistri has found himself becoming a key member of Marcelo Bielsa’s Uruguay squad, starting both games during the international break and registering two assists.
    He has found starts harder to come by in a Manchester United shirt however, starting just twice for the Red Devils during his six appearances in all competitions.
    That’s despite Jadon Sancho’s exile from the squad and Antony’s absence from the team while he was investigated over allegations of domestic abuse.
    Pellistri was the subject of interest from Real Betis and FC Twente this summer but opted to stay and fight for his place in ten Hag’s side.
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    According to reports in Uruguay this summer, the club were planning to extend Pellistri’s contract this season before handing him a loan to further his development.
    Pellistri’s current contract expires in July 2025 with United having the option to extend by another year.
    Pellistri has played 16 games in total for Manchester United, registering one goal and three assists during his time in a Red Devils shirt. More

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    Jamal Musiala sparks Premier League tug-of-war as Liverpool joined by rivals in huge transfer battle

    LIVERPOOL are set to be in a transfer tug-of-war with Manchester City over Bayern Munich youngster Jamal Musiala, a report claims.The midfielder is quickly emerging as one of the most promising talents in the Bundesliga.
    Liverpool and Manchester City are set to go head-to-head for Bayern Munich’s Jamal MusialaCredit: Getty
    Liverpool hoss Jurgen Klopp is said to be keen on the 20-year-old winger.
    The former Chelsea academy star left Stamford Bridge in 2019 to join the German side’s youth squad.
    Musiala became the youngest player to ever feature for Bayern’s first team in 2020 at age 17 and 115 days.
    The German superstar has since become a dribble merchant for Thomas Tuchel’s side.
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    He has scored two goals this term and made three assists for Bayern who currently sit third in the Bundesliga after eight league matches.
    His versatility and talent has attracted a host of club with Liverpool already declaring their interest in the midfielder.
    But according to German outlet Bild Premier League treble winners Man City are said to be keen on the youngster.
    The report claims Pep Guardiola has confirmed he “wants Musiala” at the Etihad.
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    Jurgen Klopp meanwhile is exploring options if Mo Salah opts to take the Saudi’s big-money offer in January or next summer.
    Musiala may not be the right replacement as the German is not a right winger.
    But this does not mean to say Klopp would not take the talented youngster at Anfield.
    The same goes for Guardiola who is looking to defend the league title this season.
    Man City are currently two points behind front-runners Spurs and the Spaniard may want to tweak his starting XI to boost his team’s chances of securing the top spot. More

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    RB Leipzig star Ilaix Moriba ‘cancelled flight’ to seal Man City transfer before Barcelona debut, his dad claimed

    THE father of Ilaix Moriba has revealed he cancelled his son’s flight to Manchester City so the teen could remain at Barcelona.Moriba, now 20, burst into Ronald Koeman’s team in 2019 and was tipped for a bright future with the Catalans.

    AFP OR LICENSORS

    Ilaix Moriba, now 20, was set to agree a deal with Man City before staying at Barcelona However, he chose to leave the Camp Nou in 2021 and joined RB Leipzig for around £16million after a row over his contract.

    He had a two-year spell on-loan with LaLiga giants Valencia, and his future is currently in limbo in Germany.

    Moriba was put up for sale in the summer, although there were no takers.

    But, Moriba came close to joining Pep Guardiola at City when doubts emerged over a Barca deal back in 2019.

    The Spain youth international, who plays internationally for Guinea, had even booked a plane ticket to the Etihad as he searched for his first professional contract.

    However, Moriba’s dad Mamady Kourouma cancelled the ticket on the morning of the flight after a breakthrough in contract talks with Barca.

    He told Sport: “With Barcelona, the negotiations did not advance. We met with Txiki Begiristain [City’s sporting director] and he explained his entire project to us.

    “We liked it because they bet a lot on him. A few weeks later we had the tickets to travel to Manchester and sign the contract.

    “I cancelled it the morning that we had to go there. I wanted Ilaix to be an example and a reference for the next generations of Barcelona.

    “His friends were gone. If he stayed, it was proof Barca was betting on the youth players. We managed to reach an agreement where we all came out winning.” More

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    Kevin De Bruyne ‘contacted by Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr with Saudis keen to meet Man City ace in shock transfer plot’

    KEVIN DE BRUYNE has reportedly been contacted by Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr over a shock transfer. The Manchester City star was made captain by Pep Guardiola at the Etihad this summer.
    Kevin De Bruyne is a shock transfer target for Al-NassrCredit: Getty
    Cristiano Ronaldo joined the Saudi Pro League club and sparked a wave of transfersCredit: Getty
    De Bruyne will enter the final 12 months of his current deal next year.
    But talks over a new contract have been postponed until he recovers from the hamstring injury suffered on the opening day of the season.
    And now Al-Nassr are said to be keen to pounce on the stall.
    According to reporter Rudy Galetti, the Saudi Pro League side got in touch with De Bruyne’s agent.
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    The club are keen to arrange a meeting with the Belgian’s representatives to sit down and discuss a possible move.
    Al-Nassr want to explain their long-term project in the hope of convincing the playmaker to make the incredible switch to the Middle East and link up with Ronaldo, Sadio Mane, Marcelo Brozovic and ex-City pal Aymeric Laporte.
    SunSport understands, though, that De Bruyne will reject any big-money offers from Saudi Arabia because he wants to finish his career at the Etihad.
    But even so, fans are already relishing the prospect of De Bruyne linking up with Ronaldo.
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    One said: “Ronaldo to reach 1000+ goals.”
    Another wrote: “If he joins then Al-Nassr are winning the league.”
    A third added: “Good. I like this. CR7 x KDB.”
    And a final user commented: “Cristiano scoring 60 goals with 40+ headers at 39.”
    De Bruyne has become a Manchester City legend since his then-club-record £55million move in 2015.
    He boasts an incredible return of 96 goals and 153 assists in 358 appearances and lifted 13 trophies – including last season’s memorable Treble.
    The former Chelsea man inherited the armband following Ilkay Gundogan’s exit but managed just 23 minutes against Burnley before limping off. More

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    Chelsea and Man City ‘consider £60m transfer bid for in-demand Italy star to bolster defensive ranks’

    CHELSEA and Manchester City are considering a move for Inter Milan star Alessandro Bastoni, according to reports.The centre-back is one of the most in demand players in the world having previously turned down opportunities to move.
    Chelsea and Manchester City are interested in signing Alessandro BastoniCredit: Getty
    He rejected Tottenham when former manager Antonio Conte made an approach over a year ago.
    Now Chelsea and City have turned their eye to Bastoni too, report Calciomercato.
    But Inter will hold out for a hefty transfer fee with the Italy defender priced at £60million.
    The Serie A giants are not under pressure to sell as Bastoni penned a five-year deal in the summer.
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    Manchester United have been linked to Bastoni in the past.
    While Pep Guardiola could decide to focus transfer funds elsewhere after signing Josko Gvardiol in the summer.

    Chelse have spent over £1billion since Todd Boehly took over.
    But the Blues are still exploring ways to improve their squad after a shaky start to the season.
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    Brentford star Ivan Toney is believed to be of interest, with Arsenal also keeping tabs on the striker.
    Toney could be available for as little as £65m too as he has not played for several months due to his ban for betting breaches. More

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    Kalvin Phillips ready to forfeit £17.5MILLION pay-off to seal Man City transfer exit in January

    KALVIN PHILLIPS will give up a multi-million pound pay-off if he cuts his ties with Manchester City in January.Phillips, 27, has finally accepted that his only chance of regular football will be a move away from the Etihad, with his place in Gareth Southgate’s Euro plans also at risk.
    Kalvin Philips has one eye on Euro 2024 as he appears to be deciding he’ll need to leave Man City to earn more regular game time in the PremCredit: Getty
    Several clubs were interested in the summer, but the midfielder insisted he wanted to stay and fight for his place at City.
    Yet he is no nearer forcing his way in, and knows playing cameo roles for the rest of the season is likely to affect his England hopes.
    Newcastle, West Ham and Bayern Munich are all keen.
    And if City recoup close to the £42million he cost from Leeds two seasons ago, a deal could be done.
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    They would also listen to loan offers – if the successful club covers his wages and gives a commitment to buy next summer.
    Phillips still has four-and-a-half years left on his £150,000-a-week contract, and City were resigned to paying a huge chunk of that to smooth an exit path.
    Yet City insiders claim the player is ready to accept around half that figure to get his career moving in the right direction again.
    Etihad chief Pep Guardiola has accepted failing to get the best out of Philips since his arrival in 2022.
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    And the player himself told Channel 4 during the international break: “I want minutes and I want to go to Euro 2024 and we’ll see what happens.
    “As a football player, you always want to be playing, and that’s the case with me.
    “I want to be playing as much as possible and obviously I haven’t done that over the last year and a half, so that’s one thing I want to do.” More

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    Man City fans taunt Man Utd supporters with cheeky Glazers chant after Sir Jim Ratcliffe takeover update

    MANCHESTER CITY fans taunted rival United supporters with a cheeky chant about the Glazers. The American Old Trafford owners have been under pressure by the United faithful to leave the club after 13 unpopular years.
    Man City fans taunted rival United supporters with a cheeky chant about the GlazersCredit: Getty
    And they looked set to finally do so having put the footballing giants up for sale.
    United fans looked on course to celebrate new owners after Sheikh Jassim closed in on a multibillion deal.
    But that was until he withdrew his £5BILLION offer – leaving Sir Jim Ratcliffe in the clear to take over.
    Britain’s richest man has since agreed a £1.35billion deal for a 25 per cent takeover of the Red Devils.
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    It will mean the Glazers will still remain at the club – something City fans are clearly happy with.
    They chanted during their home match with Brighton: “Glazers staying 10 more years.”
    Despite a slight delay to that being confirmed, the Ineos chief wants to be granted control of football operations at United. 
    And he is hoping to be in charge for the January transfer window.
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    Ratcliffe is believed to be an admirer of under-pressure boss Erik ten Hag.
    But the futures of Richard Arnold and John Murtough under Ratcliffe remain unclear.
    A number of the six strong Glazer family members on the United board were happy to sell to Sheikh Jassim entirely.
    But Joel Glazer, in control of the process, was in favour of keeping majority shares in the club, unless Jassim upped his bid again.
    Sir Jim Ratcliffe is closing in on a Man Utd takeoverCredit: AFP

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    Pep Guardiola ‘names next Man City manager during secret chat to players in tunnel’ in bitter snub to club legend

    PEP GUARDIOLA has reportedly told three Brighton players that Roberto De Zerbi will be the next Manchester City manager.The Spaniard is expected to leave the Etihad when his contract expires in 2025.
    Pep Guardiola told Brighton players that Roberto De Zerbi will be the next Man City managerCredit: Reuters
    The Man City boss has hailed De Zerbi as one of the most influential managersCredit: Reuters
    Guardiola has already won five Premier League titles, four Carabao Cups, two FA Cups and the Champions League with City, so his departure will inevitably mark the end of a glittering era.
    However, he believes that Brighton boss De Zerbi will be the perfect person to pass the baton to.
    According to The Telegraph, Man City manager Guardiola approached three Brighton players in the tunnel after the two sides met in May.
    He told them: “That’s the next Man City manager,” while nodding in the direction of De Zerbi.
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    Guardiola is a known admirer of the Italian and has even hailed him as one of the most influential managers of the last 20 years.
    Former Man City captain Vincent Kompany has been linked with the job in recent months.
    Burnley full-back Connor Roberts is convinced that he will take charge of the Cityzens one day.
    Roberts said: “Vincent will go and have that Man City job one day. I can’t express how good Vincent and his staff are.
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    “I thought I knew quite a lot about football about how to play and what to do. But this season working with them, now I know a lot more.”
    Despite their success in the Championship, Kompany’s Clarets have endured a slow start to life back in the Premier League.
    They currently sit 18th in the table with just four points from eight games.
    Vincent Kompany has been linked with the Man City jobCredit: Getty More