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      Man Utd fans say ‘Ole got it right’ as Solskjaer’s valuation for Antony before Ten Hag made transfer is revealed

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      MANCHESTER UNITED fans have approved of their former boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s valuation for Antony before Erik ten Hag signed him.In 2022 the Brazilian winger was signed for a near club record at the time of £86million by his former Ajax coach Ten Hag.
      Fans have agreed with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s valuation for Antony before he was signed in 2022Credit: Getty
      The Brazilian winger was rated a £25illion by the NorwegianCredit: EPA
      Solskjaer spent three years as manager at Old Trafford after taking over from Jose Mourinho in December 2018.
      During his time trying to revive the Red Devils back to Premier League and European glory, the Norwegian boss had his eye peeled for a midfielder.
      Man Utd scouts alongside Solskjaer valued Ajax winger Antony at only £25million.
      And fans could not have agreed more with the United legend.
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      One supporter said: “Ole got it right 🔥.”
      Another added: “And then they went on to sign him for 80M.”
      Whereas some fans still think this valuation was too high as a third put: “They valued him for 25m? That’s too much bro!”
      When Antony’s former Eredivisie boss Ten Hag hoped across the channel to succeed in Solskjaer in 2022 he was keen to recruit from his old squad in Amsterdam.
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      Midway through the summer of 2022 United privately came to terms with Ajax and agreed they would not pay more than £60m for the then 22-year-old Antony.
      However, in the final days of the transfer window, Ten Hag was desperate to reinforce his squad and United agreed on a staggering fee of £82m with £4.27 million in add-ons for the midfielder.
      But he has been bitterly disappointing for the Red Devils, scoring just eight goals and providing three assists in 62 appearances.
      He is yet to register a single-goal contribution in 18 games so far this season.
      And Ten Hag is already seeking a potential replacement for the ex-Ajax man.
      Their top transfer target is Real Sociedad winger and Japanese international Takefusa Kubo. More

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      Chelsea ‘contact Sporting Lisbon over double transfer swoop’ but face paying more than £150MILLION for duo

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      CHELSEA have reportedly enquired about signing two current Sporting Lisbon stars.Mauricio Pochettino is keen to add to his squad in January and is already making moves ahead of the window re-opening.
      Chelsea have made contact with Sporting Lisbon for Viktor GyokeresCredit: Getty
      The Blues boss is understood to have a new central defender and striker at the top of his transfer wishlist.
      Sporting duo Ousmane Diomande and Viktor Gyokeres could both fill those areas, but would cost Chelsea £156million to sign.
      According to The Standard, Chelsea have made contact with the Portuguese league leaders about signing both players.
      Diomande has been identified as a primary defensive target, but Chelsea’s initial enquiry has been knocked back.
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      Sporting are said to only be willing to sell for his £69million release clause, having signed Diomande from Midtjylland for just £6.5million in January.
      His former club would also be owed 20 per cent of any transfer fee, further complicating the deal.
      The Ivory Coast international has already made 37 appearances for Sporting, missing just one match this term across all competitions.
      Pochettino is keen to add to his defensive options following Wesley Fofana’s long-term injury.
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      The Blues have also been told to pay Ousmane Diomande’s £69million release clauseCredit: Getty
      Meanwhile, Trevoh Chalobah is also up for sale and Thiago Silva could leave when his contract expires in the summer.
      As for Gyokeres, Sporting have again demanded the Blues meet his £87million release clause.
      The Portuguese giants are reluctant to sell their top scorer, who signed from Coventry for £17million in the summer.
      Gyokeres has scored 17 goals and provided eight assists in 20 appearances for Sporting, including a goal and assist against Porto on Monday.
      Victor Osimhen, Ivan Toney and Club Brugge’s Antonio Nusa are also striker targets for Chelsea.
      Meanwhile, Pochettino is also said to be eyeing a midfielder, but as a lower priority.
      The report adds he could use Andrey Santos if he is recalled from his loan at Nottingham Forest instead of making a new signing. More

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      Aston Villa vs Sheffield United LIVE SCORE: Premier League latest as Villans look to snatch top spot

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      ASTON VILLA have a huge chance to climb to the top of the Premier League with three points against Sheffield United.Unai Emery’s men pulled off an incredible comeback win against Brentford to keep the pressure on league leaders Arsenal.
      While Chris Wilder’s side were beaten on the road 2-0 by struggling Chelsea.

      Kick-off time: 8pm GMT
      Live stream: NOW TV
      TV channel: Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League

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      Follow ALL the action from Villa Park with our live blog below… More

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      Bournemouth star Neto opens up on shock at Tom Lockyer collapse and admits ‘when I close my eyes, the image comes back’

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      BOURNEMOUTH captain Neto has confessed he will never forget the image of stricken Tom Lockyer fighting for his life on the pitch.The Brazilian goalkeeper described the incident as a “very scary, very heavy” moment after the Luton captain suffered a cardiac arrest and collapsed onto the grass.
      Bournemouth skipper Neto was deeply affected by Tom Lockyer’s cardiac arrestCredit: Reuters
      Lockyer had been in action against the CherriesCredit: Getty
      Quick medical attention saved the Hatters skipper, with players, management and club officials in tears after the game was abandoned.
      Yesterday Luton announced the good news that Lockyer had been discharged from hospital after surgery.
      The player has had an Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD) fitted which is a small device that will kick-start the heart to beat should it ever stop again.
      And a relieved Neto, 34, said: “Thank God he is okay and with his family.
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      “We have to keep moving, but after you close your eyes, that image can come back.
      “It was a very scary, very heavy moment and everybody on the pitch can put themselves in that situation.
      “You think, ‘Oh my God, this can happen to anybody here’ – of course, we try to do checks, but it can happen.
      “It was a very bad feeling but thank God he is okay and he is alive, that is the most important thing.
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      “It’s difficult. I’ve had loss in my life and we can understand the world does not stop for it.”
      Cherries head coach Andoni Iraola said: “I think we feel now more relieved, you know, that we have good news about Tom.
      “Some of our players know Tom better than the others as well as their families so it’s probably been more difficult for them but now we need to keep going and we hope the best for Tom for his recovery.
      “Obviously, there were tough moments last week. Everyone reacted very well, the supporters, obviously the medical staff were amazing.
      “I think it was the logical decision also not to continue the game.
      “When something like this happens, you forget about the game, about football, about everything.
      “Now after hearing the good news, it’s may be easier and we need to put our focus again and start thinking about the next game against Forest.” More

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      Man Utd face another YEAR without a sporting director with rivals to demand big money for Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s top target

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      MANCHESTER UNITED have identified Newcastle sporting director Dan Ashworth as their top target for the same role at Old Trafford.They may have to be patient if they are determined to appoint him, however, as he has a 12-month notice period at Newcastle.
      Dan Ashworth joined Newcastle from Brighton last yearCredit: Getty
      Ashworth, 52, left Brighton to join the Toon last year.
      He spent his final four months with the Seagulls on gardening leave as they haggled with Newcastle over what ended up being a £5million compensation fee.
      Ashworth has no release clause in his £1.5m-a-year Toon contract.
      According to the Mail, it will take a fee far greater than his annual salary for Man Utd to prise him away from St James’ Park.
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      Sir Jim Ratcliffe has identified Ashworth as his top target for the important role at Old Trafford.
      The British tycoon, 71, is finally set to complete his 25 per cent Man Utd takeover alongside Dave Brailsford imminently.
      Should Ashworth decide to leave for Old Trafford, Newcastle could turn to Bournemouth transfer chief Richard Hughes.
      SunSport revealed that boss Eddie Howe would be delighted to reunite with Hughes with the pair having worked together at Bournemouth.
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      Should Man Utd land Ashworth, he could still be joined by another senior scout.
      Former Tottenham transfer chief Paul Mitchell has been strongly linked with the role.
      While Crystal Palace’s Dougie Freedman is also in the frame.
      Sir Jim Ratcliffe is finally set to complete his partial Man Utd takeoverCredit: PA More

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      Arsenal and Liverpool only two of Prem’s Big Six NOT to reject new Super League plot as football descends into war again

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      FOOTBALL was thrust into an all-out Super League scrap last night.Judges decided Uefa CANNOT punish any breakaway rebels.
      Stan Kroenke’s Arsenal are yet to come out against the reformed Super LeagueCredit: PA
      John W Henry’s Liverpool were part of the original ‘Dirty Dozen’ and have also stayed silentCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
      The shock ruling opened up a second attempt to form a new competition.
      Last night Arsenal and Liverpool were the only Big Six outfits yet to reject a second version of the scheme, which is loathed by fans.
      And the Government warned they will try to ban clubs from joining it under new laws.
      Nearly three years after the initial plot collapsed in 48 hours, European Court of Justice yesterday ruled that Uefa “abused a dominant position” when it threatened sanctions against the breakaway clubs.
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      Judges in the Luxembourg court insisted it was not ruling on the merits of the Super League concept but only Uefa’s attempt to “unlawfully” block its development.
      The shock decision opened the door to a second attempt to form a new competition — led by Real Madrid and Barcelona.
      Within hours, Super League’s PR firm A22 unveiled a new 64-team competition split into three tiers and effectively ring-fencing Europe’s elite teams at the top of the pile.
      It was met for anger and derision from fans — but is sure to tempt owners of European giants.
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      A22 boss Bernd Reichart hailed: “Under our plan, clubs that almost never play each other would compete regularly on the European stage.
      “It will guarantee fantastic, exciting matches through the entire year, not just part of the year.
      “We are now talking about an open, accessible, meritocratic league system in Europe side by side with domestic leagues, late mid-week leaving the national leagues untouched.
      “If we convince clubs and convince their fans, why wouldn’t fans not join?”
      We will not try to stop them. They can create whatever they want. I hope they start their fantastic competition as soon as possible, with two clubs. Football is not for sale.Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin
      Fifa, Uefa, the Premier League and the influential European Club Association all joined the furious backlash, insisting that protecting the current system was essential for the good of the game.
      Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin conceded he had lost the sanctions threat and could not ban rebel players from playing in the Euros or World Cup.
      But he mocked: “I watched the so-called presentation and didn’t know whether to be shocked or amused.
      “It’s close to Christmas, they saw a box under the tree and started to celebrate, but then when they opened the box they realised there was not much inside.
      “We will not try to stop them. They can create whatever they want. I hope they start their fantastic competition as soon as possible, with two clubs. Football is not for sale.”
      ‘European Zombie League’
      Fifa president Gianni Infantino appeared to agree with Ceferin but added: “With the greatest respect for the European Court of Justice, today’s judgement does not change anything, really.”
      Manchester United, one of the Big Six to initially sign up to the £3bn scheme in 2021, came out in support of the status quo, joined by Atletico Madrid and Bayern Munich.
      United said: “Our position has not changed. We remain fully committed to participation in Uefa competitions, and to positive cooperation with Uefa, the Premier League, and fellow clubs through the ECA on the continued development of the European game.”
      It took some five hours for Chelsea, Manchester City and Tottenham to follow suit with similar statements.
      Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, Inter Milan and Atletico Madrid were among those to rule themselves out of A22’s plan.
      But none of Arsenal, Liverpool or Newcastle made ANY comment.
      Meanwhile, Real Madrid and Barcelona were crowing at the victory and Napoli owner Aurelio de Laurentis — omitted from the original ‘Dirty Dozen’ rebels — signalled he was ready to sign up to any new plan.
      Arsenal fans protested against the initial plot three years agoCredit: Alamy
      The original breakaway plot was stopped by furious fans across the continentCredit: Getty
      Real Madrid president Florentino Perez said: “European club football is not and will never be a monopoly again.
      “The Europe of freedoms has triumphed again and football and its fans have also triumphed.”
      That feeling of “triumph” was not shared by the fans. The Football Supporters Federation blasted the “European Zombie League” and added: “There is no place for an ill-conceived breakaway.
      “Supporters, players and clubs have already made clear they don’t want a stitched-up competition.”
      In its response the Prem pointed out the judgement “does not endorse the so-called Super League” and promised to “continue to reject any such concept”.
      The Government added its new Independent Regulator would have the power to block any English clubs from joining the rebels.
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      It said: “The attempt to create a breakaway competition was a defining moment in English football and was universally condemned by fans, clubs and the Government.
      “We will shortly be bringing forward legislation that will stop clubs from joining any similar breakaway competitions in the future.” More

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      Tottenham boost as centre-back target Tosin Adarabioyo tells Fulham he will leave on a free transfer

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      TOSIN ADARABIOYO has told Fulham he wants to leave at the end of the season as a free agent.The Cottagers have offered the centre-back, 26, a new deal with his current terms due to expire in the summer.
      Tosin Adarabioyo has told Fulham he plans to leave the clubCredit: Rex
      But Tosin, who attracted interest from Tottenham and Monaco during the last transfer window, is expected to snub it as he wishes to move on for nothing when the campaign ends.
      At present, Fulham still expect the Manchester City academy product to stay in January despite there only being months remaining on his deal.
      Tosin will be able to agree a pre-contract agreement with foreign clubs from the start of next month.
      Manager Marco Silva described the centre-back as “special” following his side’s penalty shootout win over Everton in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals on Tuesday night.
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      Tosin struck the winning penalty and his Portuguese boss added: “He is a key player for us. He is one of the leaders in our dressing room.”
      Silva is believed to have not given up hope that Tosin will have a change of heart before the season ends.
      Tosin has racked up 113 appearances for Fulham since joining from Manchester City in 2020, experiencing both promotion and relegation to and from the Premier League in that period.
      He has missed 11 Prem games this season after groin surgery.
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      Spurs have made signing a new centre-back their top transfer priority in January.
      Postecoglou’s side take on Everton on Saturday and will again have to deal with a long-list of absentees.
      The club have found a way to deal with missing the likes of James Maddison and Micky Van De Ven to injury but they will be joined on the sidelines against Everton by Destiny Udogie and Yves Bissouma after they picked up suspensions against Forest. More

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      Mo Salah in line to miss TWO Liverpool clashes with Arsenal in huge boost to Gunners

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      MO SALAH is preparing for Liverpool’s top-of-the-table showdown with Arsenal – but could miss TWO more clashes against the Gunners.The Reds forward, 31, will be desperate to fire Jurgen Klopp’s men above the Gunners and into first place when they meet at Anfield in the Premier League on Saturday.
      Mo Salah could miss a host of key games for Liverpool due to AFCONCredit: Reuters
      However, Liverpool’s 15-goal top scorer will soon switch his attention to representing Egypt in the Africa Cup of Nations.
      The prospect of losing their top marksman for around four weeks every two years for the tournament is a problem Klopp has become accustomed to since signing Salah from Roma in 2017.
      But that scenario does still not get any easier, and once more the Kop boss will have to adapt his tactics next month for his absence.
      Afcon starts on January 13 in Ivory Coast with the final due to take place on February 11.
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      Salah and his side, who will be hoping to avenge their heartbreaking defeat to Senegal in the last tournament, have been drawn in Group B alongside Ghana, Cape Verde and Mozambique.
      He is not the only top-flight ace to be heading out for international duty, and that has led the Premier League to introduce a fortnight break in fixtures – although games will still be played each weekend in that period.
      But even though some players will get a rest, Salah could potentially miss SEVEN games.
      After helping Liverpool reach the Carabao Cup semi-final by beating West Ham 5-1, they now face Fulham in a two-legged tie which will take place on January 10 and 24.
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      The Reds also have an FA Cup third round tie with Arsenal on January 7.
      Liverpool return to Prem action away to Bournemouth on January 21, and they have a further three top-flight games until the weekend of the Afcon final.
      And they include bumper clashes with both Chelsea and Arsenal again.
      It remains uncertain the exact number of matches that Salah will miss, especially since it has yet to be confirmed when he will link up with the Egypt squad.
      And it also depends on how well Egypt do – but should they go on and reach the final again then the marksman won’t be back in action domestically until they face Brentford in the Premier League on February 17.
      MO SALAH’S POTENTIAL ABSENCEThese are the Liverpool games the star could miss due to AFCON:
      Arsenal A – Jan 7 (FA CUP)
      Fulham H – Jan 10 (EFL Cup)
      Bournemouth A – Jan 21 (PL)
      Fulham A – Jan 24 (EFL Cup)
      Chelsea H – Jan 31 (PL)
      Arsenal A – Feb 4 (PL)
      Burnley H – Feb 10 (PL) More