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      Pep Guardiola slams Gary Neville, Jamie Carragher and Richards in bitter put-down after Man City accused of complacency

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      PEP GUARDIOLA has slammed Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher in a bitter put-down after Manchester City were accused of being complacent.And the angry Treble–winning Etihad boss also took aim at his club’s former player Micah Richards too in a show-us-your-medals blast.
      Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher’s recent criticism of Manchester City has riled up Pep GuardiolaCredit: Getty
      Former Manchester City star turned pundit Micah Richards also irked GuardiolaCredit: GETTY
      City chief Guardiola has launched a scathing rant on the trioCredit: AFP
      Former Manchester United skipper Neville claimed City were letting their bid for a fourth successive Prem title slide after last Sunday’s 3-3 meeting with Tottenham.
      He said: “What he won’t like, Guardiola, is [the] decision, the complacency, defensive lapses and giving up points again to Tottenham.”
      His fellow Sky Sports pundit Richards added: “Something’s just not right, too easy to play against on counter, individual mistakes again.”
      But Guardiola, bidding to become the first manager in history to win four top-flight crowns, sneered: “Maybe I’m wrong but it’s not about complacency.
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      “I know the players, I know how they run. How we behave is extraordinary.
      “I have a feeling that if we maintain that level, we’ll win the Premier League. We will win it again.
      “He knows how difficult it is otherwise Gary Neville would’ve won four Premier Leagues in the best period of Manchester United.
      “But he didn’t do it, you know?
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      “Jamie Carragher didn’t win one once. Micah Richards didn’t win four Premier Leagues in a row.
      “Never, ever. It’s never happened. There is more chance of it not happening than happening.
      “Just one Treble before us. It’s so difficult to do it again and again.
      “We don’t have what others have, who haven’t done it for many, many years.
      “Normally it happens that when you drop points, people say : ‘OK you drop points, against Liverpool, Chelsea and Tottenham – what a disaster.’
      “It’s Chelsea, Liverpool and Tottenham – what do people expect? That we get 120 points and be 20 points in front?
      “Of course our behaviour in some moments, after winning the Treble and three leagues in a row, you need sometimes to defend a cross more aggressively, how we attack a ball.
      “They are the little details. It happens. They come because we won a lot.”
      Guardiola, who leads his side tomorrow tonight against Aston Villa, rejects suggestions that three successive draws means standards are slipping in his team – that will be without Rodri and Jack Grealish with doubts over Jeremy Doku.
      Villa could go above City into third place but the City manager declares: “We talk a lot about how we still need to be there.
      “But I saw how we pressed Tottenham, the game against Liverpool, even against Chelsea.
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      “How we’ve done doesn’t give me the feeling that we say, ‘Look how good we are’ or we play a little bit naïve or play like we don’t respect the opponents.
      “Not at all. I don’t have that feeling.”
      Pep Guardiola is adamant Manchester City will win a fourth consecutive Premier League titleCredit: GETTY More

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      Man Utd legend breaks silence over ‘unfair’ sacking at EFL club but refuses to accept his career is over

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      MANCHESTER UNITED legend Mark Hughes has finally spoken out after Bradford City “unfairly” sacked him – and claims he is not finished yet.The League Two club axed the former Manchester City boss and ex-Barcelona striker, 60, two months ago.
      Mark Hughes took Bradford to the League Two play-offs last season but was axed on October 4 this term with the Bantams in 18th placeCredit: Alamy
      Hughes celebrates his second successive top-flight title with Man Utd in 1994 alongside Ryan Giggs, Lee Sharpe and Clayton BlackmoreCredit: Getty – Contributor
      But the 72-cap Welshman believes, after “shocking a few people” by stepping down the divisions to take the Bantams job, he can pull off another surprise by returning to management.
      Hughes won the Premier League twice and the FA Cup three times as a United frontman.
      The former Southampton and Everton ace also lifted the FA Cup with Chelsea, as well as twice being named PFA player of the year.
      After hanging up his boots in 2002, he bossed Wales, Blackburn, Man City, Fulham, QPR, Stoke and Southampton, before taking over Bradford in February 2022.
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      And he feels the Bantams acted too quickly to dismiss him, despite winning just three of their first 11 EFL matches this season.
      Bradford sat in 18th place when he departed on October 4 after finishing sixth last term.
      But Hughes told ex-England chief Sam Allardyce’s No Tippy Tappy Football podcast, said: “We did okay last year and got to the play-offs, the best season they’d had at League Two level in this current period.
      “But you’re at risk as a manager early in the season if you don’t set the tone.
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      “Everybody thinks that if you have a bad start, that’s how the whole season is going to pan out. That’s not the case, in fairness.
      “When I got the sack, it was the first time since December I’d lost back-to-back league games.
      “I thought it was a little bit unfair, if I’m honest. But the perception was that I needed to go.”
      Hughes insisted criticism from fans “wasn’t fazing me” and added: “I was quite happy to wait until it turned round.
      “I don’t feel I’m done. I possibly did before the Bradford role because I’d been out for three years. It looked like I wouldn’t get another opportunity, for whatever reason.
      “I had the opportunity to go to Bradford and took it. I probably shocked a few people.
      “But it was just a case of getting back in. I thought it was a good club with a good fanbase.” More

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      The 10 most valuable Premier League matches of all-time based on squad cost, including TWO from this season

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      MONEY talks on the pitch in the Premier League.To compete for titles every season, teams spend billions on the best players from around the world.
      Man City and Liverpool have spent the heaviest on their teamsCredit: PA
      The 2019 clash between Liverpool and Man City tops the listCredit: Reuters
      And now the most valuable clashes in the league’s history have been revealed.
      The two starting XI’s as Liverpool took on Man City in the 2019-20 campaign worth a staggering £1.3bn combined.
      Jurgen Klopp’s men won the mega-money clash 3-1 at Anfield, with the goals coming from Fabinho, Mo Salah, Sadio Mane and Bernardo Silva.
      Liverpool’s team that day are valued at an incredible £707m.
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      The biggest fees came via Virgil van Dijk, who they purchased from Southampton in 2017 for £80m and goalkeeper Alisson, signed from Roma a year later for £67m.
      Luckily, Trent Alexander-Arnold cost them nothing as he came through the Reds’ academy and Andy Robertson also cost a relatively cheap £8m from Hull six years ago.
      Both are now up their with the best in their positions.
      Man City’s side was worth £604m with the largest amounts coming from the £55m they spent on Kevin De Bruyne and the £63m for Rodri.
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      Over £1bn was spent on players in all ten of the games
      Pep Guardiola could have made his starting XI even more pricey but decided to leave £120m duo Joao Cancelo and Riyad Mahrez on the bench.
      Matches featuring Man City and Liverpool dominate the top ten, while Manchester United don’t appear on the list at all, despite spending close to £400m on players in the past two years.
      Tottenham feature regularly with £63m man Tanguy Ndombele and £42m signing Davinson Sanchez bumping up the cost of Spurs’ XI.
      Harry Kane came through the club’s academy but left for Bayern Munich for £104m showing his value.
      Since Chelsea were purchased by Todd Boehly, the club has spent over £1billion on transfers and it is therefore no surprise to see the Blues make the rich list.
      Their thrilling 4-4 draw against City earlier this season makes the cut with a combined £1.15bn value of players in the starting XI’s that day.
      Also coming from this campaign, the 1-1 draw between the current champions and Liverpool completes the top ten.
      The players on show last month were worth a combined £1.14bn.
      £1.15bn was spent on the starting XI’s in Chelsea’s 4-4 draw with Man City this seasonCredit: Getty More

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      Erling Haaland could be hit with FA charge for meltdown and Twitter rant after Man City’s 3-3 draw with Tottenham

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      ERLING HAALAND could be hit with an FA charge after criticising the performance of the match officials during Manchester City’s 3-3 draw with Tottenham on Sunday.Haaland was absolutely raging after ref Simon Hooper denied City the chance of a 94th-minute winner.
      Haaland was furious after referee Simon Hooper failed to play advantage in the 94th minuteCredit: Getty
      Hooper played an advantage as Haaland was fouled but inexplicably blew up when the Norwegian’s pass sent Jack Grealish through on Tottenham’s goal.
      Haaland let rip and later posted a clip of the incident on X, saying: “WTF”, an abbreviation for ‘What the f***’ which could land him in hot water with the FA.
      Haaland blew his top at ref Hooper and, before storming down the Etihad tunnel, he fired an F-word rant at Gio Lo Celso after the Spurs scorer barged into him at full-time.
      But Pep Guardiola, whose team conceded a 90th-minute leveller, bit his tongue and said: “Next question. I will not do a Mikel Arteta comment.”
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      Guardiola’s old assistant has been charged by the FA for branding VAR “embarrassing” and a “disgrace” after Arsenal lost 1-0 to Newcastle last month.
      City’s boss added: “On the touchline sometimes I lose my mind and my gestures aren’t proper. But here normally for many years as a manager I’m not a guy to comment.
      “It surprised me because when Erling went down, if you whistle in that moment it’s fine.
      “But he stands up and continues and the referee in that moment makes that gesture to ‘play on, play on’.
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      “And after Erling makes the pass he then stops the game.”
      Asked about Haaland’s angry reaction, he said: “It’s normal and it’s the same for ten players.
      “The rules are you cannot talk with the referees or fourth officials so we should have had ten players sent off today.
      “He’s a little bit disappointed. Even the referee — if he played for Man City today he would be disappointed for that action, that’s for sure.”
      City could also be in trouble with the FA over their players surrounding the ref.
      They will be without Rodri and Grealish for Wednesday’s trip to in-form Aston Villa as both reached five bookings yesterday, while Jeremy Doku limped off.
      Earlier this season, Virgil Van Dijk received an additional one match ban from the FA for abusing officials after he was sent off against Newcastle.
      Van Dijk labelled the decision a “f***ing joke” to John Brooks on the field and continued his ire as he marched down the tunnel.
      Van Dijk was also slapped with a £100,000 fine for his comments.
      Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou was asked if his team had got away with one after Hooper blew the whistle prematurely with Grealish on the counter.
      He smiled and said: “Yeah, I guess so, mate.”
      Yet he was thrilled by the performance of his players, who twice fought from behind to claim a point through Dejan Kulusevski’s dramatic header.
      He said: “First half we were lucky to still be in it, City could have blown us away.
      “But we hung in there — we had to calm down and the effort second half was outstanding.
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      “A day like this will give us character and belief.”
      Guardiola said: “It was a good game, everyone enjoyed it. Spurs are so happy, we are less so.” More

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      Sky Sports viewers in stitches as cameras spot Pep Guardiola doing his best Louis van Gaal impression after Spurs goal

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      PEP GUARDIOLA showed shades of Louis van Gaal during Manchester City’s six-goal thriller with Tottenham. The Premier League champions were denied three points thanks to a late Dejan Kulusevski leveller and some controversy.
      Pep Guardiola showed shades of Louis van Gaal by laying on the groundCredit: Getty
      Van Gaal infamously laid down in front of Mike Dean against ArsenalCredit: Getty – Contributor
      At one point, it all proved too much for Etihad boss Guardiola, as he laid on the ground in protest.
      The hilarious moment drew comparisons to when former United manager Van Gaal did the same thing in 2016 to signal a dive.
      One fan said: “Pep Guardiola with his best Louis van Gall impression.”
      Another added: “Louis Van Pep Guardiola.”
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      Son Heung-min opened the lead in Manchester before then conceding an own goal to equal the match.
      Phil Foden put City ahead on the half hour mark before Giovani Lo Celso squared the game again.
      Jack Grealish thought he had wrapped up the game on 81 minutes only for Kulusevski to make sure the points were shared.
      But the drama did not stop there as City were through on goal in the dying embers until referee Simon Hooper brought play back for a free kick.
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      City’s Erling Haaland was absolutely livid with Hooper’s decision but the striker was defended by his manager.
      Guardiola said: “His reaction was the same for ten players.
      “The rules are you cannot talk with the referees or fourth officials so we should have had 10 players sent off today. He’s a little bit disappointed.”
      Erling Haaland fumed at Simon HooperCredit: Getty More

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      I coached Man Utd star Kobbie Mainoo, but Gary Neville is right – he’d be perfect for Man City

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      KOBBIE MAINOO was hailed by Gary Neville as a player Pep Guardiola would want in his side after his first Prem start for Manchester United.And if his boyhood coach Ian Kelly had his way, the 18-year-old would now be playing for ­Manchester City rather than their greatest rivals.
      Manchester United ace Kobbie Mainoo could have been playing for Manchester CityCredit: Getty
      Mainoo oozed incredible calm and authority in United’s 3-0 victory at Everton on Sunday — even if it was Alejandro Garnacho’s sensational overhead-kick opener that attracted the global headlines.
      Former United star Neville declared: “The biggest compliment I can pay him — and it hurts to say this — he looked like a Manchester City player.
      “Honestly, I was watching him and thinking that’s a player that Pep Guardiola will be looking at and thinking, ‘I want him in my midfield, that’s what my midfield players do’.”
      Mainoo was a treble-winner — just like City’s players last season — with a league title and two cup triumphs during his last season playing for Failsworth Dynamos in the Manchester Youth and Mini Soccer League.
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      Kelly, 60, who coached the quiet, intense kid, said: “I couldn’t be prouder of the progress that Kobbie is making —  but I’ve got one little regret because I’m a Blue.
      “When he was with us he was training at the City academy as well as at United, starting when he was about seven.
      “By the time he turned nine the time had come to sign on with one of them and he had to make a choice — it turned out to be Old Trafford.
      “Good for him, too, even if I wish he was at the Etihad.
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      “Kobbie was always a nice kid, quiet but he always stood out — a bit like he did against Everton the other day.
      “I couldn’t help but think what he might be under Pep.
      “I am delighted to say he still remembers me and Failsworth Dynamos. After he won the FA Youth Cup last year he messaged me to say how much he appreciated the time he spent with us.
      “That was typical of a lad who only ever gave me one bit of trouble.
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      Man Utd legend Gary Neville claims Mainoo would be great at Man CityCredit: PA
      “We would normally sign ten players and the games would be six-a-side so everyone had to be rotated to get them all time on the pitch.
      “Kobbie wouldn’t half moan when it was his turn to be hooked but hat-trick or not, he had to let other lads have a chance.”
      Mainoo may not have had an opportunity at Failsworth but for Kelly changing the goalposts for him.
      His dad Felix was looking for a strong team that would challenge his son after he found things too easy with Cheadle and Gatley Juniors, based near the Stockport-born midfielder’s home.
      Kelly recalled: “One Sunday morning I was approached by a quiet gentleman who had been standing on the touchline with his lad watching our under-sevens play. He asked me if I had any spots left in our team. Although we were already full I got Kobbie to come along and start training with us anyway.
      “The rest is, of course, history and now I see how they are talking about him having this vision on the pitch.
      Mainoo’s former manager Ian Kelly wanted him at Man CityCredit: Getty
      “But if anybody had a vision about Kobbie and how good he might be it was his dad.”
      Mainoo was aged five when he first joined Cheadle and Gatley but even at such a tender age he was an instant standout according to Steve Vare, his first coach.
      Vare recognised immediately he was too good for the reception side and wanted him to be challenging himself at under-sevens — but there was no room at that age level.
      He recalls: “It was all too easy and I was trying to make it more difficult to test him.
      “His dad asked whether he would be pushed up into some of the teams, a couple of ages ahead of himself, but at the time we were already fully ­subscribed.
      “We used to hand out man-of-the-match trophies but you could have given it to him pretty much every week.
      Mainoo has left a lot of promise at Man Utd after some impressive performancesCredit: Getty
      “So it was a case of handing out the award for best effort and that sort of thing.
      “If it was just based on man of the match, Kobbie would have won it each time.
      “He needed to play maybe one or even two years up, or in an academy.
      “I would always say to his dad that Kobbie is basically too good to be down here but I haven’t got ­anywhere else in the Cheadle and Gatley set-up that would challenge him.
      “We obviously only played a small part in his development but everyone here is still delighted for him.”
      Mainoo again looked comfortable as a second-half sub during United’s error-strewn 3-3 Champions League draw with Galatasaray in midweek.
      He seems certain to feature again for United at Newcastle after boss Erik ten Hag declared him ready for a third big test in six days.
      After so many years of playing against older kids, the son of dad and mum Felix and Abela Herold has finally found his proper level.
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      And the choice he made as a nine- year-old is one that has convinced former United skipper Neville that the Reds now have a midfield talent for the ages.
      Right from under City’s noses. More

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      Kalvin Phillips in line for huge transfer to Euro giants with Premier League sides behind in £45m race for Man City star

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      JUVENTUS are leading the race to sign England midfielder Kalvin Phillips next month.  The Manchester City bit-part player knows he needs a move in the January window to keep his Three Lions Euro 2024 dream alive. 
      Juventus are keeping tabs on Manchester City ace Kalvin PhillipsCredit: EPA
      There is plenty of interest in the £45million former Leeds man. 
      But the Italian giants are showing the most — and Phillips is interested in trying his luck abroad.
      Phillips, 27, turned down the chance to go on loan in the summer but has just one start this season in the EFL Cup. 
      His chances of action will not improve either with John Stones close to a return from injury.
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      Juventus, though, will face “intense” competition for Phillips’ signature as Newcastle are also interested.
      In fact, the Magpies have had a boost in their hopes of landing the England international.
      The midfielder is seen as the ideal option to replace the suspended Sandro Tonali.
      Tonali was slapped with a 10-month ban in October due to betting breaches.
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      It has been reported that City would not stand in Phillips’ way if he decided to move to Newcastle.
      West Ham and Tottenham have also expressed interest ahead of the January transfer window.
      Phillips has amassed a total of 29 appearances since his arrival from Leeds last year. More

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      Newcastle ‘consider recalling £7m teen in January’ and receive boost in Kalvin Phillips transfer chase

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      NEWCASTLE are reportedly considering recalling Yankuba Minteh from his loan spell at Feyenoord.The Magpies have seen the limits of their squad tested this summer after suffering an injury crisis.
      Newcastle are considering recalling Yankuba Minteh from loanCredit: Getty
      Newcastle have also had a boost in their chase for Kalvin PhillipsCredit: Alamy
      Minteh, 19, has been impressive in the Netherlands while playing under Arne Slot.
      The winger has netted three times and bagged two assists in 10 Eredivisie games.
      According to The Telegraph, this form has got Newcastle thinking about bringing him back to St James’ Park in January.
      The deal could prove difficult to pull off as the report claims that Feyenoord may not agree to the recall as they paid a fee to have the Gambian for the entire season.
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      To make it harder for Howe’s side, there was no recall option in the loan deal when it was signed off.
      However, it is said that the clubs have a good relationship and that a “compromise” could be found.
      Minteh joined Newcastle from Danish club OB Odense in the summer for around £7million but was sent straight out on loan.
      Newcastle are expected to have some of their stars return from injury soon to lighten the load on the stretched squad.
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      Harvey Barnes and Jacob Murphy are both set to be back before the end of January.
      What has made it worse is summer signing Sandro Tonali’s ban for breaching betting rules.
      The report also claims that Newcastle have had a boost in their hopes of signing Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips.
      Phillips would be an ideal option to replace Tonali while he is away from the pitch.
      It says that City would not stand in his way if he wanted to move north to Tyneside.
      However, there is “intense” competition to sign the England international.
      Juventus, West Ham and Tottenham are all among the sides interested in signing the 27-year-old. More