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      New book reveals how Lionel Messi ‘pleaded with Pep Guardiola for Man City transfer before receiving brutal response’

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      LIONEL MESSI supposedly met with Pep Guardiola about joining Manchester City in 2020.The Argentine legend had a meeting with him a year before his Barcelona deal was set to end.
      A reunion between Messi and Guardiola at Man City was turned down by the managerCredit: AFP
      Messi eventually ended up signing for PSG when his contract expired – but discussions took place over a move to the Premier League.
      A new book named “God Save Pep” written by Marti Perarnau, who has previously been given behind-the-scenes access to write about Guardiola, has made the claims.
      It states that Messi texted his friend Sergio Aguero and asked how long the manager plans to stay at Man City.
      It reportedly led to the World Cup winner contacting his old boss and they scheduled a meeting at his house in Barcelona.
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      Messi was told about the tough training sessions at City and he was also warned about the rainy British climate.
      The book claims Guardiola said: “In Manchester we train very hard and I make long tactical talks. Maybe you’ll get bored.”
      But Messi was still keen to join the club as he reportedly pleaded: “I will train hard, I’m not worried. I will put up with everything you do.
      Although it proved not enough to convince the Spaniard over a reunion.
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      Guardiola apparently replied: “Leo, we have grown older. Maybe we can’t stand each other anymore.”
      Messi stayed for just two seasons at PSG before joining Inter Miami in July. More

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      Robbie Savage’s praise of Man Utd star instantly backfires in awkward moment live on TNT Sports against Galatasaray

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      ROBBIE SAVAGE’S praise for Bruno Fernandes instantly backfired as the Manchester United captain gifted Galatasaray a goal.Fernandes had doubled his side’s lead in Turkey after Alejandro Garnacho’s opener.
      Bruno Fernandes’ foul led to a Galatasaray goal
      The host’s were on the break when Fernandes sprinted back and gave away a foul.
      He was initially praised by TNT Sports commentator Savage for tracking back.
      Savage said: “Look at Fernandes, just look at the captain. Look at that recovery run! Recovery runs, look at him now, he’s still going.”
      The former player-turned pundit then let out a laugh and said “that’s unlucky” as Fernandes conceded a foul.
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      And the resulting free-kick led to ex-Chelsea winger Hakim Ziyech curling home to pull one back and leave egg on Savage’s face.
      One fan said: “Robbie Savage getting so excited by Bruno tracking back and ends up committing a foul which leads to a goal.”
      Another added: “Robbie Savage wetting himself over Bruno tracking back, just for him to give away the free they concede from.”
      One joked: “Hilarious for Robbie Savage to be gagging over Bruno Fernandes just before he gave away a silly foul and also left a gap in the wall for Galatasaray’s goal.”
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      Another posted: “Funny Robbie Savage waxing lyrical about Fernandes led to their goal.”
      Alejandro Garnacho got United off to a flyer by opening the score on 11 minutes with Fernandes soon doubling the lead.
      But former Chelsea winger Hakim Ziyech pulled one back on the half hour mark with a sublime curling free kick.
      Scott McTominay made it 3-1 on 55 minutes but another Ziyech goal again tightened the score leading to a nervy last half hour.
      And the pressure proved to much for United as Muhammed Kerem Akturkoglu made it 3-3 with the game ending in a six-goal thriller.

      Hakim Ziyech curled the free kick homeCredit: Reuters
      The ex-Chelsea star pulled one backCredit: Reuters More

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      Man Utd given frightening reception at Galatasaray as fans once again display huge ‘Welcome To Hell’ sign

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      MANCHESTER UNITED were given a frightening reception at Galatasaray as fans displayed a huge “Welcome To Hell” sign. The Turkish giants are notorious for their hostile treatment of visitors to RAMS Park.
      Galatasaray fans hold up a ‘Welcome To Hell’ signCredit: PA
      And United’s Champions League trip was no different as the welcome to hell warning lit up in Galatasaray colours.
      The Turk side infamously offered a similar welcome when the Red Devils visited in 1993.
      Galatasaray had shown they were no pushovers with a 3-3 first-leg draw at Old Trafford a fortnight earlier and an ominous message from manager Reiner Hollmann.
      Vowing “they’ll be waiting for you,” for the return leg was a huge understatement.
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      The “Welcome to Hell” banners at Istanbul airport were more accurate.
      United’s coach was pelted with missiles en route to their plush hotel and even the walk to reception was menacing.
      Once there, a young bell boy drew a finger across his throat. United were not short of battle-hardened warriors, either.
      Steve Bruce, Bryan Robson, Roy Keane, Paul Ince, Eric Cantona and Peter Schmeichel were all in the side.
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      This is how Galatasaray fans welcomed United players and officials to Istanbul in 1993Credit: PA
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      But nothing they had faced before came close to the Ali Sami Yen Stadium.
      The match itself was a drab 0-0, which KO’d United on away goals.
      Erik ten Hag’s side needed a win in Turkey to guarantee qualification into the knockout stages.
      And Alejandro Garnacho got United off to a flyer by opening the score on 11 minutes with Bruno Fernandes soon doubling the lead.
      But former Chelsea winger Hakim Ziyech pulled one back on the half hour mark with a sublime curling free kick.
      Scott McTominay made it 3-1 on 55 minutes but another Ziyech goal again tightened the score leading to a nervy last half hour.
      And the pressure proved to much for United as Muhammed Kerem Akturkoglu made it 3-3 with the game ending in a six-goal thriller.
      Alejandro Garnacho opened the scoring in TurkeyCredit: Rex More

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      Man Utd fans moan ‘it seems Ten Hag doesn’t want Champions League anymore’ after seeing lineup to face Galatasaray

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      MANCHESTER UNITED fans fumed after wonderkid Kobbie Mainoo was dropped against Galatasaray. The 18-year-old was given his senior debut in United’s 3-0 win at Everton and was named man of the match.
      Kobbie Mainoo was dropped against GalatasarayCredit: Getty
      And despite travelling with the squad to Turkey, the midfielder was replaced by Sofyan Amrabat which caused anger amongst fans.
      One said: “No Kobbie mainoo in the starting lineup???”
      Another added: “We definitely not winning seems Erik Ten Hag doesn’t wanna play champions league no more.”
      One raged: “Very surprised not to see Kobbie Mainoo on the starting lineup after his performance the other day.”
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      Another slammed: “Kobie Mainoo on the f***ing bench.”
      There was no certainty the match would go ahead due to torrential rain in Turkey.
      Uefa checked the pitch before kick off but deemed that it was playable despite the horror weather.
      And with such difficult playing conditions, some concluded that was the reason Mainoo was benched.
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      One said: “I would like to think Kobbie Mainoo drops to the bench to prevent the risk of his injury flaring back up after just one start.
      “That pitch is a minefield for injuries. I’d expect him to be back in for the trip to Newcastle.”
      Another argued: “This is not a pitch for Mainoo to play on. Sensible decision.”
      One claimed: “Reckon if the pitch wasn’t butchered then maybe Mainoo would’ve started.
      “This line-up seems like a reaction to the conditions and so is well equipped for direct football.” More

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      Kylian Mbappe brutally silences Newcastle fans after late equaliser in PSG Champions League clash

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      PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN superstar Kylian Mbappe brutally slammed Newcastle by claiming “they have nothing”.The Magpies drew 1-1 with PSG at Parc Des Princes in a controversial Champions League encounter on Tuesday thanks to Mbappe’s late penalty kick.
      Paris Saint-Germain superstar Kylian Mbappe slammed Newcastle at full-timeCredit: Rex
      Mbappe claimed Newcastle ‘have nothing’ after their Champions League matchCredit: Rex
      Tino Livramento was harshly punished with a questionable handball during stoppage time while Eddie Howe’s men were still 1-0 up thanks to Alexander Isak’s opener.
      However, the Toon were almost absent after Isak’s opener on 24 minutes as they couldn’t register a single shot on target.
      The French champions, on the other hand, produced a total of 31 shots and dominated Newcastle.
      Mbappe wasn’t impressed with the Premier League giants’ performance in Paris.
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      However, the star striker was also critical of PSG’s inability to take their chances as they only managed seven shots on target.
      Mbappe said: “It’s frustrating because we dominated this team from start to finish.
      “They have nothing. We knew it was their game to have nothing but we have to finish our chances better.
      “We have too many chances for a Champions League match. It’s not the structure or the organisation, it’s us the players. We need to be much more diligent in front of goal.
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      “In tough matches, we have to kill, we had too many chances. Normally we should win the match by a wide margin.
      “There is nothing to be relieved about. We have to stay under pressure because we have a match to win and we are going there to win it.
      “Now there is the championship where we have to win the matches, but we go to Dortmund to win and I believe there is always an opportunity to be first.
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      “This has been our objective from the start so it is up to us to go to Dortmund with the ambition and the certainty of winning.
      “You have to play with personality. The idea was that we were there today, now we have to work. You have to work in front of goal. We can’t afford to have so many actions and not score.
      “If we play like that, with the same opportunities and we are more skillful, things will go well in Dortmund.’ More

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      Newcastle star Fabian Schar hints at career change as he takes on major new role with contract expiring next summer

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      NEWCASTLE star Fabian Schar is set to swap the dressing room for the boardroom… after becoming a director of Swiss club FC Wil.The central defender began his career with the second-tier outfit, based in his hometown.
      Fabian Schar is the director of Wil, where he started his career before moving to NewcastleCredit: Getty
      Newcastle ace Schar’s contract runs out in JuneCredit: Getty
      Schar spent 13 years with Wil before landing a move to FC Basel in 2012.
      Newcastle signed him from Deportivo La Coruna in 2018, and he has since made over 150 Toon appearances.
      The 31-year-old will be out of contract next summer.
      Wil officials voted Schar onto the northeastern club’s board on Tuesday.
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      The defender said: “FC Wil are the club of my childhood, youth and lifeblood.
      “Being now able to help shape their strategy is perfect preparation for life after my playing career.
      “I will try to bring my sporting knowledge to the club to help it progress.
      “I’ve seen and experienced a lot in football, and will try to pass on the benefit of my experience.
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      “I’m happy to be a part of FC Wil once more.  It is my home town, and this means a lot.
      “I used to stand behind the goal as a fan, and it’s wonderful to be part of the club again.
      “I love football, and hope to keep active as long as possible.  I am proud of my playing career.
      “Could I end it with Wil?  I don’t know whether that would be possible alongside being a director.
      “But I’ve learned things don’t turn out as you expect in football.  So I’ll take it a day at a time, and see where I end up.”
      Schar has won 78 Switzerland caps, and has also played for German club Hoffenheim. More

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      You don’t have to be good to play in the Premier League anymore – two attributes are all you need, says Michael Owen

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      MICHAEL OWEN reckons the quality of the Premier League has dropped.That’s because modern players only need TWO attributes to succeed in England’s top flight.
      Michael Owen reckons just two attributes are needed to succeed in the Premier League these daysCredit: Getty
      Owen knows a thing or two about England’s top flight after starring for LiverpoolCredit: Action Images – Reuters
      Owen, 43, is a Premier League icon and title winner after starring for Liverpool, Newcastle, Manchester United and Stoke City.
      The former England striker’s travels also saw him spend a year in Spain with Real Madrid.
      Owen scored 222 club goals while he also netted 40 times in 89 games for the Three Lions.
      And he now works as a pundit delivering his thoughts on the next generation of superstars.
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      However, Owen is not that impressed with the current crop.
      The 2001 Ballon d’Or winner believes players no longer need “real skill” to become a top footballer in the modern game.
      Instead, Owen reckons that being an “athlete” who can “run a bit further”, while also being able to “pass the ball from A to B”, is enough to become a “top player” these days.
      He told William Hill’s podcast Up Front with Simon Jordan: “Back in the day there were loads of great players that were absolute ballers, properly talented footballers. 
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      Owen also enjoyed spells at Newcastle, Man United and StokeCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      “Now, if you can just run a bit further than everyone else and pass the ball from A to B, then you can have a decent career in the Premier League. You don’t even have to be that good anymore.
      “You used to have to have real skill and attributes to be a top player – you had to be a footballer. Now you have to be an athlete. 
      “If I was playing in today’s game I would be scoring at the same level as all of the top strikers. I absolutely believe that.
      “You look at some of the players in my generation, Brazilian Ronaldo for example – is Erling Haaland really better than him? Thierry Henry is another. 
      “I love Haaland but can you really say that if you put Henry or Ronaldo in this Manchester City side, that they wouldn’t score at the same rate? Of course they would.” More

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      Chelsea’s forgotten man to be recalled after playing just SEVEN minutes all season – but transfer options limited

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      CHELSEA are set to recall Andrey Santos from his loan spell at Nottingham Forest.The teenage midfielder has played just seven minutes in the Premier League since arriving at the City Ground.
      Chelsea are set to recall Andrey Santos from his loan spell at Nottingham ForestCredit: Getty
      Santos was loaned to Forest for the season back in August as part of the next step in his development.
      Chelsea swooped to sign the 19-year-old in January before loaning him back to Vasco da Gama until the summer.
      However, he has struggled to break into the team at Forest and could now return to his parent club early.
      The Standard report that Santos can be recalled if he fails to play a certain number of matches.
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      Chelsea are said to be disappointed with his lack of opportunities and are expected to trigger the option in January.
      Santos’ loan options would be limited once he returns to Chelsea, though, due to new FIFA regulations.
      Clubs are now limited to only having seven players on loan overseas at once, an amount which Chelsea have already reached.
      Porto are understood to be the only side open to signing Santos when the window re-opens, with no current Premier League interest.
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      Santos has played just seven minutes in the Premier League for ForestCredit: Alamy
      Chelsea would therefore need to recall another player before they can loan Santos to a foreign club.
      Winger Diego Moreira has been tipped to return early from his spell at Lyon, but the Blues would miss out on their £2.5million loan fee if they recall him.
      Santos has made just two appearances for Forest so far this term, a seven-minute cameo off the bench against Liverpool last month and the full 90 as they lost to Burnley in the Carabao Cup in August.
      He has also been left out of Steve Cooper’s last two matchday squads. More