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      How Man Utd could line up against City with Dean Henderson CONFIRMED to start and Solskjaer facing defensive dilemma

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      MANCHESTER UNITED travel to rivals City with Dean Henderson confirmed as a starter – but Ole Gunnar Solskjaer faces a defensive dilemma.
      David de Gea has returned to Spain for the birth of his first child, meaning Henderson keeps his place in goal.

      How Man Utd could line up against City

      For the same reason, the England stopper played and kept a clean sheet in the 0-0 draw with Crystal Palace on Wednesday.
      Solskjaer said: “The beauty of having good players around is they’re ready to step in and Dean did really well against Palace and he’s done really well throughout the season.”
      At Selhurst Park, Eric Bailly partnered Harry Maguire at centre-back, with Victor Lindeolf on the bench while managing an ongoing back injury.
      Solskjaer remained tight-lipped on whether Lindelof, as well as sidelined pair Paul Pogba or Donny van de Beek, will be involved against City.

      He said: “We’re still hoping to get one or two back of course.  
      “We can’t promise any of them being available that weren’t available in the last game against Palace. So we’ll go with the same squad if not.”
      It means Luke Shaw and Aaron Wan-Bissaka will remain at full-back with Maguire and Bailly set to make up the back four.
      In midfield, McTominay was rested from the start against Palace but can be expected to return at the Etihad.

      How Man Utd could alternatively line up against City
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      It leaves Nemanja Matic and Fred – the pair who played earlier in the week – contesting to join McTominay in the pivot.
      Going forward Bruno Fernandes had another uneventful night at Palace, but will likely keep his place for the big occasion.
      Marcus Rashford and Mason Greenwood filled the flanks out wide, with Anthony Martial out injured.
      Daniel James, who showed promise against Chelsea, is another option on the wing.
      Edison Cavani returned midweek and could keep his place through the middle.
      But, if the veteran is benched, Greenwood has been trusted centrally as of late, with Rashford and James on the flanks.
      Winter arrival Amad Diallo has made the bench for the last three games, but is yet to make a league appearance.
      Phil Jones and Juan Mata have both been confirmed as unavailable, while Martial was recently ruled out with a knee problem.

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      Solskjaer NOT right manager to bring glory days back to Man Utd as his toothless side enter City game in top four battle

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      TOOTHLESS United have become predictable and now find themselves in a race for top four, rather than focusing on cementing second place.
      Following another dour 0-0 league draw at Crystal Palace, one Twitter follower said to me that United looked like a team ‘without a plan, and reliant on a piece of brilliance’ to see them through.

      Man Utd have become predictableCredit: Reuters

      And in a nutshell, that’s it.
      Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has received praise over the last few months, and in mid-January, after the 1-0 win at Burnley, United reached the top of the Premier league.
      It’s the first time they’d done so after New Year’s Day since Sir Alex Ferguson’s final year at the club in 2013.
      But, has the Norwegian taken United as far as he possibly can? Does he have the answer to United’s lack of creativity? And, should he be rewarded with a new contract?

      Since the win at Turf Moor – and other than an impressive 9-0 hammering of Southampton – United have wilted under the pressure.
      Manchester City have hit record breaking form and sit 14 points clear, but United didn’t really make a fight of it, and are now more concerned about the chasing pack, than what’s going on with champions-elect City.
      There weren’t many United supporters who thought they’d actually go on and win the league this season, and because of the upheaval at other clubs, they’ve been given a ‘leg up’ into second spot.
      Liverpool are in the middle of their poorest run of form since Jurgen Klopp took over, but next season Virgil van Dijk will return from injury, and they are unlikely to be as inconsistent.

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      Chelsea have started their upward curve since Thomas Tuchel replaced Frank Lampard as manager and will be expected to challenge for at least a top four spot, not just this campaign, but next, which will be an added threat to Solskjaer’s hopes.
      On the pitch, Solskjaer has more immediate worries.
      Bruno Fernandes’ magic has dried up in the big games, and Anthony Martial and Mason Greenwood are badly out of form, which means there’s a lot of pressure on Marcus Rashford to deliver.
      Edinson Cavani has done well since he arrived but at 34 struggles to play three times in a week.
      The supporting cast from the bench, which includes the likes of Dutch international Donny van de Beek, don’t have the trust of the coaching staff, because if they did, they’d feature more when required.

      Bruno Fernandes’ magic has dried up in the big gamesCredit: Rex Features
      Solskjaer said earlier this week that the club is unlikely to spend huge amounts in the summer transfer window, which means it’ll be down to Ed Woodward and Matt Judge to hunt down a couple of bargains, and hope that Solskjaer and his staff can do the rest of the work on the training ground.
      There’s still the FA Cup and Europa League to try and win, and if Solskjaer delivers a trophy and a top four finish, then that’s progress and something positive to cling on to.
      It’s ‘ifs and buts’ though, and the biggest of all questions still remains; have United got the right manager to lead them back to trophy success?
      If the last four semi-finals are anything to go by, Solskjaer isn’t the man to take United to the next level.
      Twitter.com/MrTomMcDermott

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      Solskjaer claims Man Utd are still nowhere near their best and won’t be complete until squad start winning trophies

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      OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER says Manchester United are still nowhere near where they should be.
      A third place league finish and three semi-finals last season showed how far they have come and how far they still have to go.

      Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says Manchester United are still nowhere near where they should beCredit: Rex Features

      Currently they are second, still in the Europa League, drawing AC Milan in the last 16, and face Leicester in an FA Cup quarter-final.
      But without that top spot and some silverware to show for his work, the Manchester United boss will not be satisfied.
      Solskjaer said: “Every club will have to run their own journey, we’re on a good path we feel we have improved but we’re nowhere near where we want to be and that’s higher up the table and winning trophies.
      “The hunger in the group and the mentality in the group is good and that’s the main thing now that we keep on improving.”

      Runners-up spot to this Manchester City team will be no embarrassment.
      But they remain in a battle to hang on to that place and even one in the top four.
      Only goal difference separating them from third placed Leicester.
      A rejuvenated West Ham under former United boss David Moyes are just four points back while Sunday’s opponents Chelsea are now a threat again under Thomas Tuchel.

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      It makes the run they are now facing absolutely crucial to where they will finish this season.
      They face Chelsea, Manchester City and West Ham in three of their next four league fixtures.
      And Solskjaer said: “We just have to focus and tick one game off at a time.
      ”The three games are massive we’ve got Chelsea who are just behind us and we’ve got City, away, who are in front of us and of course we can’t let them run further away if we have ambitions of catching them and we can’t give Chelsea too much hope to catch us either.
      “I think it’s going to be a long run in. I don’t think the positions will be decided early.
      “This season has been unpredictable we’ve seen teams going through bad phases, then a run and who knows what’s going to happen with injuries and how players react to circumstances.”

      Man Utd have only goal difference separating them from third placed LeicesterCredit: AFP
      United were challenging for the title until they hit the rocks dropping nine points in five games, five of which were surrendered to the bottom two Sheffield United and West Brom.
      An impressive 3-1 win over Newcastle steadied the ship and Solskjaer says it is time to set sail again with a good run of results.
      He knows Chelsea away is going to be a severe test. They are unbeaten under Tuchel in all competitions winning six games and drawing two.
      Solskjaer said: “Thomas has come in and it’s changed a little bit at Chelsea and it’s going to be a great challenge for us.
      “You can see the results, the stats, the possession they have had, they keep teams away from their own goal and keep possession.
      “He’s done really well, it’s never easy coming into a season half way through he must be pleased.
      “Hopefully we can stop that run, that’s my job now.”

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      Man Utd transfer target Christos Tzolis was eyed by Barcelona and is ranked among world’s most highly-rated wonderkids

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      CHRISTOS TZOLIS was only 13 years old when his incredible talent caught the eye of Barcelona.
      Six years later, barely a month after his 19th birthday, the PAOK winger finds himself linked with Manchester United.

      PAOK wonderkid Christos Tzolis has been linked with a move to Manchester United

      In a stunning 2020-21 so far, Tzolis has scored 15 goals in 33 matches across all competitions.
      There used to be almost excessive excitement in Greece when a young homegrown talent emerged with a string of scintillating displays right out of the gate.
      But that same enthusiasm has been replaced with a sense of contained optimism in recent years following the fall from grace of previous wonderkids.
      Sotiris Ninis and Giannis Fetfatzidis, both formerly dubbed the ‘Greek Messi’, faded quickly and were forgotten by most.

      However, there are also Greek prospects who lived up to expectations and moved on to bigger and better things.
      Napoli star Kostas Manolas, ex-Arsenal ace Sokratis Papastathopoulos and Liverpool defender Kostas Tsimikas all spring to mind.
      And Tzolis, 19, is currently on a fine path.
      The Man Utd target was born in Salonika on January 30, 2002 and joined PAOK’s academy at the age of eight following a brief stint with Doxa Pentalofos.

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      PAOK star Christos Tzolis has also attracted interest from Borussia Dortmund

      The youngster stood out in the world-renowned Lennart Johansson Academy Trophy tournament in 2015 as he netted 11 goals in just FIVE matches for the Under-13s.
      From that day he’s been attracting interest from some of the world’s biggest clubs, including Barcelona who were looking for the next big addition to their famous La Masia academy.
      The winger, who can also play as an attacking midfielder and a centre-forward, went on to enhance his skills in Germany a year later.
      Tzolis turned out for Rosenhohe Offenbach and Alemannia Konigstadten before returning to the Salonika giants in 2018.
      Former Real Madrid midfielder Pablo Garcia – then PAOK Under-19s coach, now senior manager – saw Tzolis as the future of the club and quickly built his squad around him.
      It proved a smart decision, too with the youth side immediately winning title.
      Tzolis was the star too, with a total of 19 goals in 26 appearances.
      Former PAOK manager Abel Ferreira took a chance on the fledgling forward and promoted him to the senior squad.
      And in a real baptism of fire, Tzolis made his first-team debut against Olympiacos.
      Two weeks later, the youngster scored his first goal against OFI – becoming the youngest scorer of the 2019-20 Superleague campaign in the process.

      PAOK ace Christos Tzolis was previously linked with Barcelona

      Tzolis continued to turn heads during the Champions League qualifiers when.
      He scored two goals against Besiktas and shone brightly against Benfica before receiving his first call-up to the Greece national team.
      Prior to his move to the senior squad, Tzolis had scored six goals in nine games for the Under-17s.
      Borussia Dortmund are reportedly among the clubs most keen to snatch the Greek sensation, adding him to their growing pool of talented youngsters, like Erling Haaland, Jadon Sancho, Giovanni Reyna and Jude Bellingham.
      But United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer could be set for a bidding war with Dortmund.
      The Old Trafford chief also has a proven track record of developing youth prospects like Marcus Rashford, Mason Greenwood and Amad Diallo, who was signed from Atalanta in January.
      In September, Tzolis extended his contract with PAOK until 2024 without a buy-out clause.
      But reports suggest the 2019 Superleague champions are willing to sell him for a fee of around £17million in the summer.
      PAOK are expected to receive a raft of offers for the Greece international, who was recently ranked among Uefa’s top 50 young talents.
      Despite the hype, Tzolis remains humble and doesn’t let it go to his head.

      Christos Tzolis has been ranked among the top 50 young talents
      But what should United expect from the Greece ace should he sign in the summer?
      Tzolis is quick, strong and boasts impressive dribbling skills.
      He’s got a mean shot on him, is two-footed and can be played in every single position in attack.
      The young Greek star also seems to possess the right character for Old Trafford with many singing his praises for his professionalism.
      Tzolis maintains a low public profile and concentrates solely on the job in hand.
      He’s got an impressive list of sporting idols, too.
      Tzolis looks up to some of the most hard-working athletes today, such as Cristiano Ronaldo and tennis great Novak Djokovic.
      Tzolis is an immensely talented player with great potential and ambition.
      But a potential move to United would probably make him more of a prospect for the future, most-likely limited to Under-23s games.
      Nevertheless, the forward looks to be on his way out of PAOK for a more competitive league where the biggest challenges of his career await.

      Man Utd eye shock transfer swoop for young PAOK striker Christos Tzolis More

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      Man Utd youngster Hannibal Mejbri ruled out for a month with injury after first-team squad breakthrough

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      MANCHESTER UNITED youngster Hannibal Mejbri has been ruled out for a month with injury – just after his first-team breakthrough.
      This month the attacking midfielder, alongside Shola Shoretire, were promoted to the senior squad after impressing with the Under-23s.

      Hannibal Mejbri has been ruled out for a month with injuryCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Shoretire made his debut coming off the bench to replace Marcus Rashford in United’s 3-1 win at home against Old Trafford.
      And Mejbri appeared on his way to following, but manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has confirmed the 18-year-old is sidelined.
      He is now expected to be out for a month, ruling him out of United’s Europa League second-leg tie against Real Sociedad.
      They lead the Spaniards comfortably 4-0, paving the way for Solskjaer to rest some stars ahead of their trip to Chelsea on Sunday.

      But Solskjaer refused to confirm whether Amad Diallo, 18, or Shoretire, 17, will play against Sociedad.
      He said: “It’ll be more or less the same squad that we had against Newcastle.
      “Hannibal is injured for about a month. Amad and Shola will, of course, be involved.
      “They are in the squad but I am not going to tell you if they are starting or not.”

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      Edinson Cavani, 34, and midfield pair Donny van de Beek, 23, and Scott McTominay, 24, are all ruled out, however.
      Paul Pogba, 27, is stepping up his recovery amid a thigh problem, as Solskjaer confirmed his four absences.
      He said: “They’ll still be missing. They’ve not joined training so they won’t be ready, no.
      “Paul has been outside on the grass and is starting to step up his recovery but he’s not near the team for this game.”

      Man Utd offered Eintracht Frankurt striker Andre Silva for £30m More

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      Man Utd wonderkid Shola Shoretire, 17, makes long-awaited debut vs Newcastle after snubbing Barcelona and Juventus moves

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      THE buzz around Shola Shoretire extended far beyond Old Trafford.
      The Manchester United wonderkid, 17, was being courted by the likes of European giants Barcelona and Juventus before he signed his first professional deal with the Red Devils recently.

      Shola Shoretire replaced Marcus Rashford for his debutCredit: PA:Press Association

      Shola Shoretire came on as a sub against NewcastleCredit: PA:Press Association

      Mason Greenwood warming up with Shola ShoretireCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer with Shola ShoretireCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Shoretire was then fast-tracked to the first team and added to the club’s Europa League squad ahead of their tie against Spanish side Real Sociedad.
      He sat on the bench against Sociedad in Europe but his patience prevailed as manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer brought him on against Newcastle in the league, handing the youngest his pro debut.
      Shoretire replaced Marcus Rashford with just a minute to go but got a sense of the big-time at Old Trafford.
      His rapid ascension through the youth ranks has United big-wigs purring that the Nigerian-born star could be the answer to the club’s problems out wide after missing out on Jadon Sancho.

      The skilful attacker’s game has also been compared to African football legend Jay-Jay Okocha, who graced Premier League pitches with Bolton Wanderers in the early 2000s.
      WHAT’S ALL THE FUSS ABOUT?
      The diminutive teen, comfortable with both feet, can play out wide and through the middle.
      It’s testament to his ability that United were already confident he has the ability to succeed at the highest level by eyeing him for a deal before he turned 17.
      Shoretire, pronounced Shor-ay-ti-reh, joined Manchester United’s youth set up at the age of nine from Newcastle and has continued to blossom.

      In last season’s FA Youth Cup, he fired United into the semi-final scoring at Old Trafford in the 2-1 defeat of Wigan Athletic.
      Incredibly, earlier that day he was studying for his GCSEs at school.
      “He was at school today, all day! Then he came over to Old Trafford to play,” Under-18 coach Neil Ryan revealed.
      “It’s incredible really. Different day for him compared to other players.”

      First team star Aaron Wan-Bissaka puts Shoretire through his paces ahead of the Europa League tie against Real SociedadCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Starlet Shoretire has been added to Man Utds Europa League squadCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Shoretire is one of a number of promising United youngsters coming through the ranksCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Blessed with quick feet, Shoretire has been likened to Jay-Jay OkochaCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      UEFA YOUTH LEAGUE HISTORY
      Shoretire appeared at the Milk Cup in Northern Ireland at the age of 13 in 2017. And in 2019 he made history.
      Aged just 14 years and 314 days he came on as a sub in United’s 2-1 win over Valencia, and became the  youngest player to appear in the UEFA Youth League – a competition reserved for Under-19 teams.
      “We want to keep them humble, hard-working,” Ryan explained.
      “It’s not just the coaching staff who do that, there are a number of staff throughout the academy, right throughout the place, feeding the same messages. It’s what we pride ourselves on.
      “When you see the professionalism of the likes of Marcus Rashford, he’s the shining example. Scott McTominay, so on. These boys are products of the academy and the staff who work with them. They are our examples.
      “Good players can enjoy the big stage. [Shoretire] is a really exciting player. He’s evolving and developing, can play a number of different positions, he showed a great maturity I thought.”

      In 2019 Shoretire made history as the youngest ever Uefa Youth League playerCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Shoretire was born in NigeriaCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Shoretire celebrates scoring at Old Trafford in the FA Youth Cup against WiganCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      NIGERIA OR ENGLAND?
      With the stage set, Shoretire has joined first teamers Rashford and McTominay in training at Carrington ahead of the Europa League fixture against Real Sociedad.
      Should he grasp his opportunity, like fellow youngster Mason Greenwood has, international honours will surely come to.

      But a tug-of-war between Nigeria and England will ensure for which country he represents.
      Although he was born in Africa, Shoretire has been invited to join England’s youth set-up in the past.
      At the age of 17, with the world at its feet, decisions on who he could play for can wait for now. His first step is to conquer United. More

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      How Man Utd could line up with Haaland up front if they land Dortmund goal machine this summer

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      MANCHESTER UNITED are being strongly linked with a sensational swoop for Borussia Dortmund star Erling Haaland.
      Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is set to be handed a summer war chest – and Haaland could well top his shortlist.

      United were in the hunt for Haaland, the most wanted striker in Europe, before he joined Borussia Dortmund last January.
      A £65million release clause only kicks in next year, meaning anyone wanting to sign the 20-year-old before then will have to pay an inflated premium.
      The striker has been in sensational form this season, scoring 17 Bundesliga goals in as many games.
      Haaland made the headlines yesterday after scoring a stunning scissor kick against bitter rivals Schalke.

      Manchester City and Real Madrid have also been linked with a move for the 20-year-old.
      If United win the battle, Haaland could be the long-term replacement for Edinson Cavani.
      The Uruguayan has impressed since he joined in the summer but he is 34 and is yet to agree an extension to the one-year deal he signed.
      Haaland could well be joined by another of Europe’s in-form players this summer.

      Jack Grealish is starring as captain at Aston Villa, and despite being a boyhood fan he could well leave in the search of big trophies.
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      Erling Haaland is one of the most in-form strikers in EuropeCredit: AFP or licensors

      United have still shown some weaknesses at the back, with Victor Lindelof and Eric Bailly hardly proving themselves just yet alongside Harry Maguire.
      Real Madrid centre-half Sergio Ramos is one big name linked with a switch to Old Trafford.
      The Spaniard is still to agree a new contract with Los Blancos and at 34-years-old he might fancy one last challenge.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

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      Eduardo Camavinga’s agent says Man Utd and Real Madrid transfer target will cost more than £43m

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      EDUARDO CAMAVINGA’S agent reckons the midfield prodigy will cost more than £43million.
      The Frenchman has emerged as one of the hottest properties in Europe since his debut for Rennes in 2018 aged just 16.

      Rennes midfielder Eduardo CamavingaCredit: AFP or licensors

      His contract runs out in the summer of 2022 and only ‘four or five clubs’ could convince him to leave Julien Stephan’s side.
      But his agent Jonathan Barnett warned it would come at a price.
      Asked by Goal if he vaulues the 18-year-old at more than €50m (£43m), Barnett said: “I would think so.”
      Camavinga has made 26 appearances this season with just the one goal but made his debut for France last year.

      Real Madrid and Barcelona have both been linked with the starlet.
      And a move to one of Spanish giants appears to be the preferred destinations if Camavinga was to be prized away from Rennes.
      Barrett said: “At the moment, he’s a Rennes player.
      “He likes Rennes and, at the moment, we haven’t really taken to other clubs. It isn’t our position.

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      “Let’s see what happens later on, but he’s doing well in Rennes and that’s fine.
      “Being the best midfielder in the world, that’s how I see his future, [with] a lot of medals and a lot of trophies.
      “[Madrid are] a great club, a great club to play for. Eduardo will have a choice of a lot of clubs if Rennes decides to release him. 
      “They will be one of the four of five clubs in the world he might go to.
      “Eduardo would love to play for a top club. Madrid are one of those top clubs in the world, so are Barcelona.”

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