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      Erik ten Hag gave simple two-word team talk in Man Utd dressing room after Wigan FA Cup win

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      ERIK TEN HAG told his players “job done” after Manchester United’s 2-0 FA Cup victory over Wigan on Monday night.After a nervous start which saw Andre Onana making an early save at the DW Stadium, the Red Devils coasted through to the fourth round.
      Manchester United secured a 2-0 win against Wigan on Monday night with Bruno’s penaltyCredit: Getty
      With a difficult start to the season, the Red Devils have secured a favourable next round tie against either Newport or Eastleigh away.
      Diogo Dalot’s strike opened the scoreline for United before Bruno Fernandes won and converted a penalty after half-time.
      Ten Hag admitted he was satisfied with the result but gave a very simple team talk after the match.
      He said to ITV: “The FA Cup is all about winning, it is knockout. You want to finish the job. That is what I said in the dressing room, ‘job done’.”
      READ MORE ON MAN UTD
      Rasmus Hojlund, Marcus Rashford and Scott McTominay all missed golden opportunities to make the win more comfortable.
      And Ten Hag felt his side could have made more of their opportunities.
      Speaking on their slip-ups against the League One side Ten Hag added: “In the first half I think we created five or six very good chances.
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      “I think it was very good football. We should have taken more, but if you don’t score you have to stay focused and I think we did that tonight.
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      “I don’t know why the chances were misses. You can’t always say why you’ve missed chances.
      “There were some good attacks and good chances, but we didn’t take them, but the way we created them was OK.”
      United will turn their heads back to the Premier League as they prepare to take on Tottenham on Sunday at Old Trafford.
      Ten Hag’s side needs a victory in their battle for a place in Europe next term.
      Speaking on his chances of winning the FA Cup, the former Ajax boss said: “It is too far. You have to go game to game, especially in the Cup. Our focus is on Spurs now.” More

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      Brighton ‘closing in’ on stunning transfer for most bought star on FM24 after beating Man City to sign wonderkid

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      BRIGHTON are set to sign Argentinian wonderkid Valentin Barco, according to reports.The 19-year-old has been on the radar of several top clubs since the summer.
      Valentin Barco is wanted by Brighton and Man CityCredit: Getty
      Brighton tried to snap him up prior to the start of this season but were unable to get a deal over the line.
      They have now re-entered talks with Boca Juniors and hope to sign Barco for £8million, claim the Mail.
      Brighton appear to be in pole position due to their reputation of improving young talents from South America.
      They brought the likes of Moises Caicedo and Alexis Mac Allister over to Europe, going on to sell them to bigger clubs for huge fees.
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      Roberto De Zerbi’s men are also able to tempt Barco by offering him first-team opportunities.
      However, Manchester City are not out of the running yet and hope to hijack Brighton’s move.
      Barco is known to many fans via Football Manager as he is the most bought star on the game due to his high potential.
      The teenage sensation is predominately a left-back, but he can also play higher up the pitch as a winger.
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      He has featured 35 times for Boca Juniors, having first joined the club at the age of nine.
      Barco has also been capped twice by Argentina’s Under-23s. More

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      Newcastle vs Man City preview: Guardiola’s Treble winners look to close gap on Premier League table toppers

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      MANCHESTER CITY visit struggling Newcastle in the Premier League on Saturday. Pep Guardiola’s men are hoping to close the gap to Liverpool to two points with a win over the Magpies.
      Bruno Guimaraes will brilliant in Newcastle’s win over SunderlandCredit: Getty
      Kevin de Bruyne could return to Premier League action against NewcastleCredit: Getty
      Man City won the previous fixture between these two sides thanks to Julian Alvarez’s brilliant goal.
      Manchester City will be looking forward for the return of Kevin De Bruyne after the Belgian maestro came off the bench in a 5-0 win against Huddersfield Town.
      De Bruyne provided an assist for Jeremy Doku in a 33 minute cameo against the Championship strugglers.
      What is their form like?
      Newcastle United have the 3rd best home record in the Premier League by only loosing twice all season to Liverpool and quite recently, Nottingham Forest.
      READ MORE ON MAN CITY
      However recent form does not go for good reading for The Magpies.
      Eddie Howe’s men have endured seven defeats out of TEN matches in all competitions which has left his side currently sitting 9th in the league.
      After being 6 points adrift in early December, Manchester City have certainly found their form by being unbeaten in their last eight games in all competitions.
      Pep Guardiola’s men are currently leading the Premier League with the most goals with 45, which is seven goals less after 19 games in their treble winning season.
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      Not to mention, The Citizens away form in the league is better than any other side which makes Saturday a very compelling game due to Newcastle’s impressive home record at St .James’ Park.
      Who will be the star men?
      Fresh off a brace at the Stadium of Light, Alexander Isak is a man on a mission with the Newcastle forward scoring 13 goals in all competitions this season.
      The Swedish forward has already beaten his previous season tally which was 11 goals.

      If Newcastle end up getting a result on Saturday, there would be no surprise if Isak contributes to that with the striker scoring 4 goals in his last 3 games.
      Silky Phil Foden is in fine form this season with the midfield maestro scoring 11 goals and producing 8 assists for his side.
      Similarly, the Stockport born midfielder is also coming off the back of a brace last weekend by scoring two instinctive goals in the sides win over Huddersfield Town.

      The England International has certainly stepped up for the treble winning side after Premier League’s leading goal scorer Erling Haalandendured a small period on the side lines with an ankle injury.
      What is the team news?
      Injury hit Newcastle United still have several key players out for the fixture.
      Nick Pope, Matt Targett, Jacob Murphy, Harvey Barnes, Callum Wilson, Joe Willock and Elliot Anderson will be unavailable on Saturday.
      Brazilian midfielder, Joelinton, is currently being assessed ahead of the game.
      Manchester City will be without defender John Stones after sustaining an ankle injury at Goodison Park in late December.
      Bernardo Silva and Kalvin Phillips are expected to feature after the duo missed the FA Cup win against Huddersfield due to illness.
      Pep Guardiola will be hoping that his star man, Erling Haaland, will be available for the trip to St. James’.
      What have the managers said?
      Pep Guardiola said: “[Erling has had] two or three sessions and feels good. Hopefully, [he can play soon but], I don’t know for Sunday or for Newcastle.”
      Eddie Howe said after his sides win over Sunderland on the weekend that: “It’s been a frustrating time for us and our injuries are still a big problem.”
      “Physically we look stronger. That extra gear was back. And we’ve not just won the game but kept a clean sheet.”
      When is Newcastle v Man City?

      Newcastle United will face Manchester City on Saturday, January 13.

      The match is scheduled to get underway at 5:30pm GMT.
      St. James’ Park will host approximately 52,000 fans in Tyneside.

      What TV channel is Newcastle v Man City on and can it be live streamed?

      Newcastle United v Manchester City will be broadcasted LIVE on BT Sport 1 and BT Sport Ultimate.
      Coverage of the tie will be expected to be at 4:45pm GMT.
      Alternative, you can watch Newcastle United V Manchester City LIVE on the streaming platform, discovery+.

      SUNSPORT prediction
      Newcastle United 1-2 Manchester City
      Read more on The Sun
      What are the odds?

      Newcastle to win 9/2
      Draw 16/5
      Manchester City to win 4/7

      *Odds courtesy of Ladbrokes and are correct at the time of publication. More

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      Chelsea 2024-25 home kit LEAKED online as disgusted fans slam ‘toothpaste special’

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      CHELSEA fans are not happy after discovering what their new 2024-25 season home kit will look like.The new strip has been leaked online but its blue, white and red wavy design has been compared to “toothpaste”.
      Chelsea’s home kit for the 2024-25 season has been leakedCredit: FOOTYHEADLINES.COM
      Fans have compared the shirt’s red stripes and wave design to ‘toothpaste’Credit: FOOTYHEADLINES.COM
      The new kit shows the badge being wrapped around in redCredit: FOOTYHEADLINES.COM
      Chelsea’s are struggling in the Premier League this term, sitting tenth in the table.
      But despite their lack of wins this campaign fans are more concerned about the Blues’ kit for the next season.
      Footy Headlines revealed a kit that has Chelsea’s traditional blue and white colours in a wavy design across the shirt, appearing like an ocean wave.  
      There is also a red strip on the neckline, down the side and around the badge.
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      After supporters spotted the new design of the Nike shirt they were enraged.
      One fan said: “The toothpaste special.”
      Another added: “Nike is genuinely and truly pranking us. What a horrible partnership this has been.”
      A third then added: “What is this😭.”
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      However, one fan disagreed and said: “Obviously this is not final but you know what, I’m actually liking this. The design is new and daring.”
      Chelsea confirmed a new front-of-shirt sponsorship with Infinite Athlete earlier this term as the US data company is set to remain on the kit for the rest of the season.
      While crypto firm BingX will become the West London club’s sleeve sponsor for the season.
      Chelsea will next face Middlesbrough in the EFL Cup semi-final on Tuesday night.
      The winner of the two-leg tie is set to face either Liverpool or Fulham, who will go head-to-head in their first leg at Anfield on Wednesday night. More

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      Chelsea hit with bizarre transfer conundrum as ‘Blues BANNED from offloading Ian Maatsen despite agreeing Dortmund loan’

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      CHELSEA star Ian Maatsen has agreed to join Borussia Dortmund on loan, according to reports.However, the left-back is unable to sign for his new club with the Blues currently banned from offloading him.
      Ian Maatsen is set to join Borussia Dortmund on loanCredit: Getty
      Dortmund have a £2million deal in place to sign Maatsen on loan until the end of the season.
      Reports suggest the player will pen a new contract at Stamford Bridge to put Chelsea in a strong negotiating position amid talk of a permanent move in the summer.
      But Maatsen’s switch this month is on hold due to a little-known transfer rule.
      Clubs are allowed to loan out up to seven players to foreign sides at one time.
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      Chelsea have already hit the maximum amount and they now must rip up a current deal to see Maatsen leave.
      Romelu Lukaku, Kepa Arrizabalaga, Angelo Gabriel, Hakim Ziyech, David Datro Fofana, Gabriel Slonina and Diego Moriera are all on loan with clubs abroad.
      There has been rumours that Ziyech could see his spell end with Galatasaray after struggling with injuries and form.
      Meanwhile, Moriera has found it tough to get minutes at Lyon and is another recall option.
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      Speculation also suggests that Fofana may see his time end at Union Berlin – but he would then be sent back out on loan to Sevilla.
      The maximum of seven foreign loans rule was put in place two years ago to stop teams stockpiling talent.
      Players are exempt from the regulation if they are both club-trained, meaning they have spent at least three years in the club’s youth academy, and are aged under 21.
      Maatsen is not spared from this rule because his 21st birthday came before the cut off at the end of last season.
      Chelsea have already been busy in the loan market this January, sending Alex Matos to Huddersfield and recalling Andrey Santos from his season at Nottingham Forest. More

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      Why are only half of the Premier League playing this weekend?

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      It has been a thrilling start to the 2023/24 Premier League campaign, with battles at both ends of the table starting to heat up.And as we enter the second half of the season, fans are wondering why only half of the top flight are playing this weekend – SunSport has the reason why.
      The Premier League winter break is in full forceCredit: PA
      Why are only half of the Premier League playing this weekend?
      There will only be ten Premier League teams in action this weekend.
      This is because the other ten sides will be on their winter break following a gruelling Christmas period.
      Gameweek 21 has been split across two weeks, so each Premier League team will have a weekend off, but limited live football will still be on for fans to enjoy.
      Five games will take place between the 12th and 14th of January, while the other five will take place between the 20th and 22nd.
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      The Premier League will then return back to normal with a full round of fixtures between January 30th and February 1st.
      What are the Premier League fixtures over the winter break?
      Gameweek 21 Premier League fixtures:
      Friday, 12 January

      Burnley vs Luton Town – 19:45

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      Saturday, 13 January

      Sunday, 14 January

      Saturday, 20 January

      Arsenal vs Crystal Palace – 12:30
      Brentford vs Nottingham Forest – 17:30

      Sunday, 21 January

      Sheffield United vs West Ham – 14:00
      Bournemouth vs Liverpool – 16:30

      Read more on The Sun
      Monday, 22 January

      Brighton vs Wolves – 19:45 More

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      Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag set to avoid axe this season with Sir Jim Ratcliffe planning bizarre structural review of club

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      ERIK TEN HAG looks set to avoid the sack this season.That is because Sir Jim Ratcliffe is planning a detailed structural review which will likely take up to two months.
      Erik ten Hag is expected to keep his job until the summerCredit: Getty
      Sir Jim Ratcliffe, left, and Sir Dave Brailsford are conducting a lengthy review of Manchester UnitedCredit: Getty
      Ineos owner Ratcliffe bought 25 per cent of Manchester United on Christmas Eve for £1.3billion and is undergoing the Premier League’s Owners’ and Directors’ Test.
      As part of his takeover, he and right-hand man Sir Dave Brailsford want to do a huge audit of the football side of the club in an attempt to grasp the “performance challenge” on their hands.
      And according to the Independent, that could see the Red Devils bring in not just a sporting director – but a director of football as well in a radical move to split the responsibilities across two people.
      John Murtough is the current football director but he is at risk while Darren Fletcher is the technical director.
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      Monaco sporting director Paul Mitchell is the current frontrunner for the sporting director role – especially as he has family in Manchester – while ex-Liverpool duo Julian Ward and Michael Edwards could be targeted.
      But the report adds Edwards would likely want £10million to return to club football while it would take a special offer to convince Dan Ashworth to leave Newcastle.
      A new United CEO is also going to come in following Richard Arnold’s exit, with Jean-Claude Blanc the No1 candidate.
      The report adds that the eight-week review will also assess other roles and significant appointments.
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      But Ratcliffe and Brailsford are unlikely to make any major changes until the audit is completed in the spring.
      And that should see Ten Hag keep his job as first-team boss until the end of the campaign, with the club unlikely to sack him so close to the off-season.
      The Dutchman has been under pressure and remains the favourite to be the next Premier League manager to go amid poor form and various difficulties off the field, including a public fall-out with Jadon Sancho.
      United sit eighth in the table – 14 points adrift of leaders Liverpool – and have already been knocked out of the Champions League and Carabao Cup.
      Reports continue to swirl around Ten Hag’s future with rumours he does not have the full backing of the entire playing squad who are split on the ex-Ajax chief.
      SunSport revealed Ratcliffe is an admirer of Graham Potter and was considering bringing the former Chelsea manager in to replace Ten Hag at Old Trafford.
      However, the new minority shareholder sat down for extensive talks with Ten Hag last week following his Christmas arrival.
      ‘FANTASTIC FEELING’
      The gaffer insisted they are “on the same page” on many areas and was keen to stress the meetings were “very positive and very constructive”.
      However, he also added he does not feel under any extra pressure to deliver trophies despite the new arrivals upstairs.
      Ten Hag said: “That is not up to me. But from my talks I had a fantastic feeling after it.
      “The personalities, their ideas, the process they want to go in — I am very positive about it.
      “And I am sure it will be beneficial for Manchester United.”
      Roughly a fifth of Ratcliffe’s £1.3bn investment will go towards improving Old Trafford’s dated and leaking infrastructure.
      But fans hoping to see an immediate splashing of the cash in the January transfer window have been left disappointed.
      Read more on The Sun
      The club confirmed there will not be major, big-money signings arriving this month due to Financial Fair Play constraints.
      Instead, the transfer window provides the chance for outgoings with Sancho expected to leave for Borussia Dortmund on loan – following fellow outcast Donny van de Beek to Germany for the second half of the season.
      Ten Hag has exiled Jadon Sancho and does not have the full backing of his playersCredit: Getty
      Paul Mitchell is the leading candidate to become sporting directorCredit: AFP More

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      What is FFP? How Financial Fair Play is affecting Man Utd and Arsenal in January transfer window

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      THE January transfer window is in full swing, with many Premier League clubs looking to strengthen ahead of the business end of the season.But some clubs may have to be more careful than others due to FFP restrictions – and SunSport has all the details why.
      Premier League clubs spent a total of around £2.4bn in last summer’s transfer windowCredit: GETTY
      What is FFP and how will it affect Premier League sides during the January transfer window?
      Mikel Arteta admitted that signing a new striker in the January transfer window was unlikely, many Arsenal fans blamed three things – F, F, P.
      FFP – or Financial Fair Play – is a concept originally introduced by Uefa in 2009, officially to prevent clubs from spending money they could not afford.
      Yet many critics have rounded on the system, accusing it of being a protective instrument, drafted by the so-called “legacy clubs” to prevent insurgent and wealthier clubs from buying their way onto the top table.
      The Premier League introduced its own FFP regulations which came into effect for the 2013-14 season and which, while less stringent than Uefa regulations, they do impact on club spending.
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      Under the current Prem “Profitability and Sustainability” regulations, clubs who are constant members of the top flight for a three-year period are allowed total losses of £105m over those three campaigns.
      But it is not as simple as totting up outlay and income.
      The biggest outlay, of course, is transfer fees. The 20 Prem clubs spent a total of around £2.4bn in last summer’s transfer window.
      Yet that does not mean they “spent” that money as far as the Prem rules are concerned.
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      Transfer fees are “amortised” over the length of the contract, so, for example, a £100m fee for a player who signs a five-year deal is amortised at a cost of £20m per season for each of those five campaigns.
      Chelsea’s splurge in the summer once again saw them offering deals of up to eight years, spreading the P&S “cost” of the deals even further, although club chiefs agreed to close that loophole and amortise all deals across a maximum of five years going forward.
      Of course, that is storing up trouble if the players do not work out, as the “loss” each does not reduce as quickly.
      On the other side, all transfer fees received can be accounted for in full – minus what is left on the initial amortised cost.
      Using Chelsea as an example, they could bank the full combined £82m received for the home-grown Mason Mount, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Kwame Ampadu.
      But while Arsenal paid £65m for Kai Havertz, the “profit” was around £40m as he still had two years on his initial Blues contract, while they would have made a small loss on the £17m sale of defender Kalidou Koulibaly.
      Kai Havertz joined Arsenal from Chelsea this summerCredit: GETTY
      Wages to the first team squad and managerial staff also have to be factored in, as well as agents’ fees and any compensation payments to sacked bosses.
      But clubs can deduct cash spent on stadium infrastructure, academy costs, their women’s teams and, until last season, the impact of the pandemic.
      After Everton received a 10-point penalty for breaching the regulations – the Toffees are appealing the sentence but admitted guilt – other clubs are aware of the potential repercussions.
      It is those concerns that appear to be an issue for Arsenal and Newcastle in particular this month.
      The Gunners, who had a net spend of around £140m in 2022-23, lashed out nearly £200m this summer to land Declan Rice, Jurrien Timber and Havertz, although they recouped £70m from sales.
      Declan Rice joined Arsenal for a club-record £105m feeCredit: GETTY
      Newcastle, under their new Saudi owners, had a net spend of around £170m last season and a further £95m in the summer.
      In simple terms, a number of clubs are worried they might break the spending limits – and do not want to suffer the consequences, forcing a degree of constraint in this window.
      Both Newcastle and Arsenal also have to contend with new Uefa spending rules, which not only limit losses to £77.7m over three years but also restrict the total outlay on transfers and wages to 90 per cent of a club’s total income this season, reducing to 70 per cent by 2025-26.
      Read more on The Sun
      Meanwhile, Prem lawyers and accountants are combing their way through the books presented by all 20 clubs before the end of last year to discover if any teams breached the spending limits for last season.
      Under new League rules agreed by the 20 clubs in the summer, any charges must be brought by next week with commission hearings that would be completed by the start of April. More