Premier League

SIR JIM RATCLIFFE cannot publicly criticise Manchester United’s owners, the Glazer family, following his 25 per cent takeover of the club.It was confirmed on Christmas Eve that the British billionaire’s minority takeover of the club had been agreed and is in the process of being signed.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe is not allowed to criticise the Glazer familyCredit: Getty
The Glazers are hated among Manchester United supportersCredit: Getty
The deal ensures the Glazers – unpopular with the Red Devils’ fanbase – remain in control, but they have passed the football operations over to Ratcliffe.
And among the details of the 241-page document is a paragraph outlining that both Ratcliffe and the Glazers cannot publicly criticise one another.
According to The Times, the agreement contains a section which says Ratcliffe’s company Trawlers Limited will not make public statements that “constitute an ad hominem attack on, criticise, or otherwise disparage, the sellers [The Glazers], the company [United] or their respective affiliates”.
The same conditions also apply to the Glazers, with the document submitted to the New York Stock Exchange stating they must “refrain from any public criticism of their new investor”.
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Ratcliffe’s 25 per cent acquisition came at a price of £1.3billion.
It has also been reported his final share of the club will grow to 29 per cent “if the completion process goes to plan”.

Ratcliffe is set to invest £237million into the club and will have two of his most trusted lieutenants keeping a close eye on the club from January.
Former British Cycling and Team Sky boss Dave Brailsford, who headed up Ratcliffe’s takeover of Nice, will join the board.
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Man Utd fans have held numerous protests calling for the Glazers to sell the clubCredit: PA
The Glazers have been in charge at Old Trafford since 2005Credit: The Mega Agency
He will be joined by Jean-Claude Blanc – Ratcliffe’s CEO at Ineos Sport.
Brailsford was in the directors’ box for Man Utd’s thrilling 3-2 win over Aston Villa on Boxing Day.
It is understood the ratification process of Ratcliffe’s takeover could take up to two months.
During this period, Ineos must be alerted to any sporting decisions made by the Glazers.
This includes transfers such as the potential departure of Jadon Sancho.
The investment vehicle used by Ratcliffe to complete the deal – Trawlers Limited – is named after an iconic speech made by Man Utd legend Eric Cantona following his infamous kung-fu kick back in 1995.
After the announcement, boyhood Man Utd fan Ratcliffe said: “As a local boy and a lifelong supporter of the club, I am very pleased that we have been able to agree a deal with the Manchester United board that delegates us management responsibility of the football operations of the club.
“Whilst the commercial success of the club has ensured there have always been available funds to win trophies at the highest level, this potential has not been fully unlocked in recent times.
“We will bring the global knowledge, expertise and talent from the wider Ineos Sport group to help drive further improvement at the club, while also providing funds intended to enable future investment into Old Trafford.
“We are here for the long term and recognise that a lot of challenges and hard work lie ahead, which we will approach with rigour, professionalism and passion.
“We are committed to working with everyone at the club – the board, staff, players and fans – to help drive the club forward.
“Our shared ambition is clear: we all want to see Manchester United back where we belong, at the very top of English, European and world football.”
Read more on The Sun
Despite Tuesday’s comeback win over Villa, Man Utd remain six points adrift of the Premier League’s top four.
Erik ten Hag’s men were also eliminated in the group stage of the Champions League after just one win from six games.
Ratcliffe’s minority takeover leaves the Glazers firmly at the helmCredit: Getty More

MANCHESTER UNITED fans are excited as Mason Mount has returned to training after being out for nearly two months.The £60million midfielder was spotted back at Carrington on Wednesday after he picked up a calf injury in November.
Mason Mount has been spotted back at training after nearly two months out injuredCredit: Getty
Mount moved to Man Utd in the summer for £60millionCredit: Getty
The midfielder has been out since United’s victory against LutonCredit: Alamy
Since the Red Devils’ 1-0 win over Luton on November 11 Mount has been unavailable to start for Erik ten Hag’s side.
The 24-year-old only arrived at Old Trafford in the summer from Chelsea but has been limited to just four league starts this term.
But fans are over the moon to see the England international back on the training pitch after United’s 3-2 victory against Aston Villa on Tuesday night.
As one supporter said: “WE’RE SO BACK.”
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While another put: “Money Maseeeee 😍💪.”
And a third fan added: “Very happy to see him back.”
Ten Hag’s team have struggled for consistency this season and crashed out of the Champions League after a miserable performance in the group stage.
However, some fans are not convinced Mount’s injury boost will be the key to solve United’s problems.
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“Back with his Mid performance”, a not-so-happy supporter said.
While another asked, “Who?” suggesting Mount has not made an impact since his big-money move in the summer.
An injury forced him out of six matches between August and September, stalling Mount’s start to life at United.
Since his debut against Wolves at the beginning of term, the former Chelsea boy has not scored a single goal.
He has created just one assist in the EFL Cup against Crystal Palace in September.
With midfielders Casemiro and Lisandro Martinez sidelined, Ten Hag will be desperate for Mount to hit the ground running on his return. More

RYDER CUP hero Tommy Fleetwood watched his golfing pal Pep Guardiola get Manchester City back on course.The newly-crowned world champions have been below par for the last few weeks domestically – winning just one of their previous six games.
Bernardo Silva, Phil Foden and Julian Alvarez were all on target against EvertonCredit: Alamy
Bernardo Silva scored as Manchester City came from behind to beat EvertonCredit: Getty
And that rough patch looked set to continue as Evertonian Fleetwood saw his team take a first half lead.
But second half goals from Phil Foden, Julian Alvarez and Bernardo Silva ensured they remain handily placed on the fair way.
City returned to the UK on Saturday after winning the World Club Cup in sweltering Saudi Arabia the previous night.
They proudly sported the gold FIFA badge on their shirts for the first time to mark their fifth trophy in seven months.
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But the question was do they still have the appetite and hunger to do it on a windy night at Goodison.
The answer – in the end – was yes, thanks to a sparkling second half show. But for a while it was in some doubt.
It should have been much more straight-forward as they failed to turn their early dominance into goals.  
A Jack Grealish cross was stabbed goalwards by Alvarez – but Jordan Pickford made a smart save at his near post.
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Ryder Cup winner Tommy Fleetwood could not inspire Everton to victoryCredit: Getty
Foden pounced on some indecision from James Tarkowski but then blasted his shot over the angle.
Matheus Nunes saw his low shot saved by the legs of Pickford and the England keeper got up to deflect the rebound from Alvarez wide of the post.
And the Three Lions number one had to be alert again to save a toe poke from his international team-mate Grealish.
City had been in total control for the opening 28 minutes but then somehow found themselves behind.
Their fans would have rolled their eyes as this is becoming the story of their season.
And this time, they only had themselves to blame as it was a comedy of errors from the treble winners.
Silva failed to control a pass from Manuel Akanji and then Rodri stumbled as he played the ball into the feet of Dwight McNeil.
His low cross was turned in from close range by Harrison – who was once an employee of the City Football Group at New York City.
Phil Foden equalised for City after Jack Harrison put Everton in frontCredit: Alamy
At one point, Guardiola even had a look at signing him but declined and he joined Leeds instead.
Perhaps the former England Under 21 man had a point to prove as he almost added a second with a curling shot which Ederson clawed away at full stretch.
The worry for City was that the Toffees had not lost once they have taken the lead in Sean Dyche’s time in charge.
And their task got more difficult when former Everton defender John Stones hobbled off after a last ditch tackle on Beto.
What would have frustrated both him and Guardiola was that the giant striker was clearly offside but the linesman waited until the passage of play was over to raise his flag.
Pep is in no doubt how important the centre back is to his team and already he has missed large parts of the current campaign.
Already without Erling Haaland, Kevin de Bruyne, Jeremy Doku and Ruben Dias, he looked distinctly unimpressed with the officials at the break.
The former Barcelona boss had one of his worst days at City boss seven years ago next month when his team slumped to a 4-0 defeat at Everton.

They have won their last seven trips here since – but this was shaping up to be a similarly damaging evening.
Whatever he said at the interval seemed to work as his team had more purpose after the break and were level soon after the re-start.
Bernardo Silva slipped the ball back into the path of Phil Foden who thumped a low shot from 25 yards that caught out Pickford.
The keeper took a step to the right and then had too much to do as he flung himself to his left and got nowhere near it.
Now the home side were up against it – and it felt like it was a matter of time before City completed the turnaround.
Sure enough, just after the hour a goalbound effort from Nathan Ake struck the arm of Amadou Onana.
The Belgium international was unlucky as he was only a couple of yards away – but he did have his arm up – and the VAR upheld the decision of John Brooks to award a penalty.
Alvarez thumped the penalty straight down the middle and Pickford could not get enough on it to keep it out.

Even then sub Dominic Calvert-Lewin could have levelled as he got to a Harrison cross but turned it the wrong side of the post.
But the visitors finally had breathing space when Pickford’s clearance from near the touchline was charged down by Alvarez.
The keeper found himself in no man’s land and knew when the ball fell to Silva he could be in trouble.
Sure enough the Portuguese maestro chipped in with the kind of precision that Fleetwood would no doubt have appreciated.
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Foden – who was outstanding all night – could even have added a fourth as his piledriver smacked the post.
City’s rivals should be in no doubt – that’s why they’re world champions. More

CHELSEA fans slammed Mauricio Pochettino for a “terrible” tactical change against Crystal Palace.A well-taken goal from one-time Blues transfer target Michael Olise cancelled out Mykhailo Mudryk’s opener at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea fans slammed Mauricio Pochettino’s substitutions but Noni Madueke came off the bench to win the matchCredit: Reuters
Fans were confused by the decision to switch Malo Gusto left-backCredit: Premier League
And with Chelsea in search for a second-half winner Pochettino made the bold choice to take off attacker Christopher Nkunku.
That confused some fans, who were also upset the Argentine replaced left-back Levi Colwill with Thiago Silva, who moved into central defence.
That meant right-back Malo Gusto switched flanks, with some Chelsea supporters suggesting Ian Maatsen would have been a better option at left-back.
Maatsen was taken off for Romeo Lavia instead and Benoit Badisahile operated in an unfamiliar role at right-back.
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Chelsea fans fumed with Pochettino with one saying: “The changes Poch made have been terrible.
“Keep Nkunku in the middle and sub on Madueke. Should have sent Maatsen to left-back and kept Gusto at right-back. Has to be sacked if Chelsea lose.”
Another added: “Colwill hooked at 50 minutes again after another dreadful left-back performance thanks to Poch. Then instead of moving left-back Maatsen there, he also takes him off and then moves right-back Gusto to left-back. Poch. Is. Clueless.”
A third wrote: “Instead of having Gusto & Maatsen on the flanks. We now have zero width on the right & a wrong footed player on the Left. Poch is clueless.”
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And another commented: “Poch is clueless.”
However Pochettino’s changes were vindicated as substitute Noni Madueke, who replaced Nkunku, won and converted a late penalty to win the match 2-1.
Some Blues fans are already thinking about who could replace Pochettino.
One fan eyed another Premier League boss saying: “When Chelsea eventually sack Poch they should swipe up Gary O’Neil.” More

CONOR GALLAGHER shined for Chelsea in their 2-1 win over Crystal Palace on Wednesday.The midfielder revelled in a new role for Mauricio Pochettino’s side as they snatched a late win at Stamford Bridge.
Conor Gallagher shined as Chelsea beat Crystal Palace at Stamford BridgeCredit: Getty

Mykhailo Mudryk and Noni Madueke were on the scoresheet for the Blues either side of Michael Olise’s equaliser.
However, summer signing Romeo Lavia looked rusty as he made his long-awaited debut.
Here is how SunSport rated the performances of the Chelsea stars.
Djordje Petrovic – 7
Looked a little nervous early on, colliding with team-mate Alex Disasi. Good save after the break to deny Jean-Philippe Mateta and another from Michael Olise late on.
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Malo Gusto – 7
Great double link up with Mykhailo Mudryk for the opening goal. Made crucial intervention in the other box straight after. Popped up all over the pitch.
Axel Disasi – 7
Helped keep Palace at bay in a solid performance at the back. Switched from centre of defence to right back when Thiago Silva came on.
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Benoit Badiashile – 6
Baled out by his keeper after Mateta turned and then out-paced the centre-back early in the second half. Not the most convincing display.
Levi Colwill – 5
Nodded off for the goal that made it 1-1 as Michael Olise gave him the slip at the back post. Olise had been at him from the first kick. First to be hooked.
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Moises Caicedo – 6
Could have been booked early on for clattering Olise. Did it again early in the second period and was cautioned this time.
Conor Gallagher – 7
Acting skipper is revelling in his midfield enforcer role as well as play-making. Corners not so hot though. Set up Nicolas Jackson for what should have been a goal.

Mykhailo Mudryk – 7
Great throughball for early chance for Ian Maatsen, took his first one superbly to open the scoring. Hurt in the second period and had to go off.
Christopher Nkunku – 5
Long-awaited first start for the summer signing from RB Leipzig. Might have had a pen before the break, though VAR probably got it right. Looked understandably rusty.
Ian Maatsen – 6
Lively down the right, Dutchman almost marked his first Blues start with an early goal. Caught in possession for the equaliser though.
Nicolas Jackson – 6
Missed great chance to make it 2-1 and then netted a much better one straight after that was ruled out for offside.
Subs
Thiago Silva (58, for Colwill) – 7
Veteran ended Colwill’s torment by coming off the bench.
Romeo Lavia (58, for Matsen) – 4
First sighting of the £58million summer signing. Should have been booked. Looked very rusty.
Romeo Lavia looked rusty on his long-awaited Chelsea debutCredit: PA
Noni Madueke (71, for Nkunku) – 7
Won and converted the spot-kick that sealed it.
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Armando Broja (71, for Mudryk) – 4 
Great touch but hurried finish for late miss.
Alfie Gilchrist (90, for Badiashile)
On to use up some stoppage-time. More