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OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER blamed ‘two mistakes by the referee’ for Manchester United’s defeat against Sheffield United. The Blades dealt Solskjaer’s side a major blow in their pursuit of the Premier League title. A deflected winner from Oliver Burke 15 minutes from time saw Chris Wilder’s men leave Old Trafford with an unlikely three points. But […] More
RIO FERDINAND fumed at Manchester United for their defending that led to Sheffield United’s winning goal. United were dealt a major blow in their pursuit for the Premier League title, losing 2-1 at home to relegation-battling Blades. Oliver Burke scored the winner 15 minutes from time – with the help of some lackadaisical defending. And […] More
SHEFFIELD UNITED dealt Manchester United a massive blow in the Premier League title race. The Blades took a first half lead through Kean Bryan before Harry Maguire equalised against his old club. But, just as it seemed the inevitable Red Devils comeback was on, Olivier Burke’s strike deflected in to earn Chris Wilder’s strugglers a […] More
BRUNO FERNANDES admitted if he was Donny van de Beek he ‘would not be happy at all’.
It comes after Dutchman Van de Beek was handed a rare start, lining up in Manchester United’s midfield in the FA Cup.
Bruno Fernandes and Donny van de Beek Credit: PA:Press Association
Fernandes was rested from the off but came on in the second half, eventually scoring the winner as United won 3-2.
The Portugal international praised Van de Beek for his role and highlighted the competition for places within the side.
Fernandes told MUTV: “Donny had a great game.
“Playing in the position I play, watching him he moves really good and played really well. It’s important for us.
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“If I was in the position of Donny I would not be happy at all but the most important is doing what he does today, coming in and helping the team.
“We have a really good squad and we have options. If you look at the bench and the first XI today and the ones at home we have a really good squad.
“It will not be a problem if we change the team or someone is tired because we have really good players.”
Van de Beek arrived at Old Trafford last sumer for £39million, joining from Ajax.
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But his role in the team has been limited, due to the importance of Fernandes and resurgence from record signing Paul Pogba.
Van de Beek, 23, has started in just ten of his 22 appearances this season, scoring just once, on his debut against Crystal Palace.
United sit top of the Premier League, and progressed into the next round of the FA Cup, where they will play West Ham.
Having been knocked out of the Champions League, they will instead challenge for the secondary Europa trophy.
And Fernandes is hungry to win them all.
He said: “They’re all important competitions for us.
“We have to go in the same way whatever the competition. We play in them all to win.
“Everyone knows winning the league is more special but for us players, it’s about winning trophies regardless and this is a trophy we want to win.”
Watch Jurgen Klopp in heated conversation with referee in tunnel at half-time of Liverpool’s FA Cup loss to Man Utd More
BRUNO FERNANDES defended Liverpool and insisted the Premier League champions are not ‘playing poorly’ despite their winless run.
United’s bitter rivals have failed to win in their last five games and surrendered their four-year unbeaten home record.
Bruno Fernandes battling against Fabinho Credit: Getty Images – Getty
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Despite Burnley’s shock 1-0 win at Anfield, Fernandes has shown his support to Liverpool.
It comes as United prepare to host Jurgen Klopp’s side in the FA Cup on Sunday.
And midfielder Fernandes, 26, appears to have started the kidology, as he leaped to the defence of Sadio Mane, Mo Salah and Roberto Firmino.
He told United’s website: “I think teams have moments. I don’t think Liverpool are playing poorly. I think they don’t win and this is the point.
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“When teams don’t win, everyone talks about that. When players don’t score, everyone talks about that.
“I feel that on me because I know the standard is high, because I arrived and I scored a lot of goals and make a lot of assists, and everyone is wanting goals and assists from me.
“It is the same – everyone expects goals from Salah, from Firmino and from Mane.
“They are not scoring in the last games and it starts feeling like ‘oh, they are not playing well’.”
Despite Liverpool’s declining league form, which leaves them fourth, Fernandes admitted it would be foolish to underestimate the champions.
He said: “Every team goes there to play maybe without the pressure of the fans.
“Teams play a little bit more comfortably and, as I say, I think it is a moment.
“They create, they play, but the other teams are playing better and, as I said before, they have more qualities to play.
“We don’t have to look at that moment because big teams and big players can show in every moment.”
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RAPHAEL VARANE wants to quit Real Madrid with his contract expiring in 2022, reports say.
The Frenchman has been at the club since 2011, joining aged 17, and has since won 18 trophies in the Spanish capital.
Raphael Varane is reportedly considering his Real Madrid future Credit: Represented by ZUMA Press, Inc.
But according to SPORT, Varane feels his time with Madrid is drawing to a close, leaving him considering a new challenge.
His contract expires next summer, meaning he is allowed to talk to clubs over a free transfer in 12 months time.
To avoid losing the 27-year-old for nothing, Madrid need either cash in and sell him or convince the defender to stay and extend his deal.
But, it is understood Varane, who has been linked with Manchester United in the past, will not sign a new contract.
That is despite having a strong relationship with manager Zinedine Zidane, both World Cup winners for France.
Zidane also faces losing club captain and Varane’s defensive partner Sergio Ramos.
Ramos’ contract runs out in just six months time and the player is yet to commit his future to the club.
Contract talks with Bernabeu bosses have reportedly dragged on due to disputes over the length and financial terms.
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Sergio Ramos pictured with defensive partner Raphael VaraneCredit: Represented by ZUMA Press, Inc.
They have a policy of only offering one-year contracts to players over the age of 30 but Ramos, 34, wants a two-season guarantee.
It leaves the LaLiga champions fearing he could make a similar exit as Cristiano Ronaldo, who made the shock move to Juventus in 2018.
Zidane said this month: “Are we going to have a Cristiano case? I don’t know what will happen with Ramos.
“He is here with us at the moment.”
Martin Odegaard shows off his skills at Real Madrid training More
GARY NEVILLE reckons Manchester United’s ‘slim’ chance of winning the Premier League depend on Paul Pogba producing ‘two or three months of brilliance’.
Neville’s former side still sit top of the table after they held champions Liverpool to a 0-0 draw at Anfield.
Paul Pogba missed a late chance for Manchester United Credit: EPA
Gary Neville says Paul Pogba is key to Manchester United’s success Credit: PA:Press Association
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Frenchman Pogba had a golden chance to win the game late on, but he blasted his effort inside the penalty box right at keeper Alisson.
And ex-United captain Neville – who lifted the title EIGHT times at Old Trafford – said the World Cup winner is key to club’s success this season.
He said on Sky Sports: “I think Manchester United’s chances of winning this league are slim – Liverpool and Man City are still the best two teams in this league.
“But the slim chance they have to win this league will depend on something like Paul Pogba delivering a cameo of two or three months of brilliance, which he is capable of.
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“He’s got confidence, he’s got arrogance – good arrogance, in a sense that he believes in himself.
“He thinks he should be playing in the biggest games in the world, and winning titles, and thinking positive thoughts, thinking you’re the best is a big thing when you’re looking to win.”
United have not won the league since 2013, but Pogba recently revealed Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s squad have the belief to pip rivals City and Liverpool.
But boss Solskjaer admitted he was frustrated with his side’s showing on Merseyside with performances needing to improve in their title race.
He said: “We didn’t deserve the three points because we didn’t play well enough.
“We didn’t impose ourselves on the game, especially first half.
“We grew in the game and thought it was there to win in the second half and created two massive chances.
“We can play better than this, we know that. We can be more composed; we can have the ball more.
“We had to defend really often, and we gave the ball away too often. A couple of things we need to improve on.”
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer reacts to Man Utd’s draw with Liverpool at Anfield More
MANCHESTER UNITED star Juan Mata could be on the verge of a return to Valencia, according to reports in Spain.
Owner Peter Lim has welcomed the signing of the former Spanish international, who is out of contract at the end of the season.
Mata, 32, has featured just six times in the Premier League this seasonCredit: Getty Images – Getty
According to Spanish newspaper La Razon, Lim is happy to sign Mata because Valencia will not have to pay a transfer fee.
The 32-year-old has struggled to hold down a place at United in recent years, making just 19 Premier League appearances last season.
He played for Valencia between 2007 and 2011 before moving to Chelsea.
But Mata may reject Lim’s advances due to the owner’s lack of popularity at the club.
Valencia reportedly gave their players IOU notes in August 2020 because they could not afford to pay them.
They are also at risk of being relegated from LaLiga for the first time since 1986.
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They currently sit 14th, just three points above Elche in the relegation zone having played two games more.
A win against Valladolid last weekend has boosted their survival hopes.
Mata has won plenty of trophies during his career, including the World Cup, Euros and Champions League.
He joined Manchester United from Chelsea in January 2014 for a then club-record fee of £37.1million.
Lim purchased Valencia in 2014 and was responsible for hiring Gary Neville as manager in December 2015.
Neville was sacked in March 2016 with the lowest win percentage in LaLiga history for a Valencia manager.
Lim is also a shareholder in League Two side Salford City, which Neville co-owns.
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