Premier League

GABRIEL MARTINELLI stunned fans by recreating Dimitar Berbatov’s famous spin trick in Arsenal’s 2-0 victory over Sevilla.While most were in awe, one joked that “my ACL would rupture” if they replicated the skill.
Gabriel Martinelli recreates Dimitar Berbatov’s famous trickCredit: X/@footballontnt
Fans said if they tried to recreate the trick their ‘ACL would rupture’Credit: Getty

Arsenal are one step closer to sealing a Champions League last-16 spot after a 2-0 victory against Sevilla.
Leandro Trossard’s sublime team goal fired Arsenal ahead in the first half.
And Bukayo Saka’s brilliant finish wrapped up the points in North London.
While the pair won the game with their goals Martinelli, 22, won over fans with his unbelievable skill that only ex-Spurs and Manchester United forward Berbatov could pull off.
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The Brazilian reached the ball just before it crossed the by-line and pulled out the “Berba Spin” leaving a dazed Juanlu Sanchez behind.
And fans were impressed by his stunning display of the trick.
One wrote: “Martinelli is absolutely on fire today.”
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Another added: “That’s absolutely beautiful.”
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Berbatov pulled off an arguably even more unbelievable turn against West Ham for United in 2008.
With one agreeing: “This is beautiful but Berbas one was too classy.”
Martinelli arrived from the lower tiers of Brazilian football in 2019 for just £6million.
The forward has gone on to score 35 goals and provide 22 assists in his 143-game North London career. More

MANCHESTER UNITED sit eighth in the Premier League and rock bottom of their Champions League group.As we approach the middle of November, we are now past the point where a coach can claim they are still waiting for new signings to adapt.
Erik ten Hag has watched his team struggle so far this seasonCredit: Getty
Man Utd suffered yet another defeat at the hands of Copenhagen on Tuesday nightCredit: Getty
So, at what point does the performance of Man Utd become enough of a concern that Erik ten Hag’s position as manager comes under threat?
The answer should surely be soon.
Ten Hag, however, is still adamant that injuries and suspensions have acted against him to the point where he has not been able to field what he considers to be his best XI.
This is potentially true, but not just because of injury and suspension.
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The signing of Andre Onana was supposed to signal the start of Man Utd becoming a team that can play out from the back.
But Harry Maguire, United’s best ball-playing central defender, has only just come back into the team after they tried to sell him in the summer.
But what is Ten Hag’s “best” team?
Here we consider which players would play in his best side in a 4-3-3 formation.
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Goalkeeper – Andre Onana
The signing of Onana, from Inter Milan was supposed to signal the start of United playing out from the back with a possession-focused style of play.
Last season United had to use their long-standing goalkeeper David de Gea in this position but the Spanish international was always too poor with the ball at his feet to play out accurately. 
Now, with Onana in place, United can play out from the back. The Cameroonian international is strong in possession with the ability to receive and then play out from the back and between the lines of the opposition press. 
Goalkeepers, however, also have to be able to play with their hands and so far this season we have seen Onana make too many errors that have led to goals that were easily avoidable.
League minutes played this season: 1,119
Right-Back – Diogo Dalot
Diego Dalot is now one of the long-serving players in the United squad and the versatile Portuguese defender has established himself as the first choice at right back.
Dalot is a more complete option for United in this position than Aaron Wan-Bissaka and he offers more for United when they are in possession.
So far this season we have also seen Dalot play at left-back to provide cover in multiple positions.
While Wan Bissaka is perhaps better defensively, there is little doubt that Dalot is the better all-round fullback option.
League minutes played this season: 949
Central Defenders – Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martinez
Perhaps this is the first controversial take as we have selected Maguire instead of Raphael Varane.
While Varane is an exceptionally experienced central defender he does not fit the profile of central defenders for Ten Hag as he struggles to effectively play out from the back in possession.
That’s before you even get to his failure to head clear Copenhagen’s winner on Tuesday night.
Maguire, on the other hand, has gone from strength to strength since breaking back into the United first-team.
League minutes played this season: 448
Harry Maguire offers more in possession with his ability to pass the ball and break the lines
The injury to Lisandro Martinez has perhaps been the biggest disruptor to United’s performances in the league this season.
When the Argentinean defender was signed there was a concern that he was too small for the position but his performances and his aggressive approach against the ball have impressed since he came into the team.
His profile would complement Maguire well.
League minutes played this season: 412
Left-Back – Luke Shaw
Despite the signing of Tyrell Malacia from Feyenoord early in the reign of Ten Hag, it is fair to say that Luke Shaw remains the best left-back in the squad.
In recent weeks, with Shaw and Malacia both injured we have seen the likes of Dalot, Victor Lindelof and even Sofyan Amrabat used at left-back.
With Shaw missing from the team United are missing a consistent attacking threat on the left side of the pitch and Marcus Rashford, playing on the left wing, is being isolated.
League minutes played this season: 204
Luke Shaw makes intelligent runs around the outside to exploit the defensive block
Central midfield – Casemiro, Mason Mount and Bruno Fernandes
Yes, Casemiro has made the team, but only due to a lack of other options who can play as the deepest midfielder.
While the club did sign the Moroccan international Sofyan Amrabat, on loan from Fiorentina, it is fair to say that Amrabat has found the adaptation to the Premier League difficult.
Casemiro was very impressive at the base of the United midfield last season but this season his performances have dropped off.
With that said, however, with a more consistent team around him his experience could still be important over the course of the season.
League minutes played this season: 730
Mason Mount is the first of our two more advanced central midfielders in Ten Hag’s best team.
The English international midfielder was signed this past summer from Chelsea and he was expected to provide drive and creativity from the centre of the park, although at times for Chelsea he played wide.
So far, however, we have not seen the best of Mount as United have struggled to find a midfield unit that can work as a group.
Going forward though it is likely that Mount will develop into a key midfielder for United.
League minutes played this season: 380
Mason Mount can break the line from deeper positions
Bruno Fernandes is arguably United’s most important player.
The Portuguese international midfielder is often at the heart of everything that United do well in the attacking phase.
His ability to find space and receive the ball in pockets of space and his aggressive nature in terms of passing forward or finding space to shoot really opens the game up for United.
So far this season the lack of consistency in the midfield for United has impacted how strong Fernandes has been.
League minutes played this season: 1,119
Bruno Fernandes is dangerous when it comes to shots from range
Attack – Antony, Marcus Rashford and Rasmus Hojlund
Antony… just. The fact that we are selecting the Brazilian international as the starting right-winger in Ten Hag’s best team says a lot about United’s options and their recruitment so far this year.
Antony was a big-money signing from Ten Hag’s former side Ajax and his transfer was thought to be key for United going forward.
Instead, Antony has flattered to deceive and, amid off-field issues, he has struggled to really put his stamp on the Premier League.
We would expect United to be targeting a right-winger in the transfer window sooner rather than later.
League minutes played this season: 504
Rashford is another player who was extremely impressive last season although his form this season has fallen away.
On his day the English international forward is almost unplayable with his combination of power and pace but his game intelligence and movement also impresses.
He carries a real goal threat from the left side of the attack although the lack of a recognised left-back has certainly affected his performances so far this season.
League minutes played this season: 917
Marcus Rashford’s creativity is an underrated key component to Man Utd’s team
Hojlund was the last of the big-money players signed this past summer by United as the Danish international joined from the Serie A side Atalanta.
He is a powerful forward who is at his best when able to use his pace to run in behind the defensive line although his finishing shows more control than we might expect from such a young striker.
Hojlund is a striker in the image of United’s counter-attacking history.
He will terrify opposition defenders and they will drop deeper and deeper to try to take away space that Hojlund can run into.
This should, in turn, allow United to control more games.
League minutes played this season: 633
Rasmus Hojlund frequently makes moves in between defenders
How Man Utd should line up with everyone fit
Conclusion
There does seem to appear to be some truth to the idea that Ten Hag has not been able to play his best team this season.
The signings of Onana, Mount and Hojlund combined with significant injuries to Martinez and Shaw and the lack of game time for Maguire has seen to this.
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If United are going to be able to rebuild their season, however, they need to start getting the most out of their key players by using them together as often as possible.
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CHELSEA hero John Obi Mikel revealed players were “not having” Rafa Benitez as manager and claims John Terry played a major role in the Spaniard’s exit.Mikel spent 11 years at Stamford Bridge after arriving from Norwegian side Lyn in 2006 and won every title available with the Blues.
John Obi Mikel revealed Chelsea players didn’t put up with Rafa BenitezCredit: Getty
The former midfielder was also part of the squad that saw the controversial appointment of Benitez as interim manager in 2012.
The West Londoners’ fans didn’t warm to the Spanish tactician due to his past as Liverpool boss and the ex-Nigeria international claims the players were also not very keen on him.
The 36-year-old added that Chelsea captain Terry was particularly not interested in working with the ex-Real Madrid manager after he dropped him.
The Nigerian claims the former England skipper decided Benitez had to go and used his influence to get his wish, even though he led the team to a third-place finish and the Europa League trophy.
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When asked by talkSPORT hosts Jim White and Simon Jordan whether Chelsea players were “not having” the current Celta Vigo boss, Mikel said: “No, we were not.
“We made that clear. I think obviously Liverpool was a big rival for us, but coming into the club as well, I think the fans also didn’t like Rafa.
“I think there was something about Rafa that the fans didn’t take to him. Same as the players, we didn’t accept him as one of us.
“Then we had the thing with JT where JT got dropped, JT wasn’t playing as much as he wanted.
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“Obviously JT always played and Rafa comes in and was like, ‘You’re not going to play every game’.
“Obviously JT wanted an explanation, ‘Why am I not played?’ And Rafa didn’t give him that. JT got together by himself and decided, ‘Yeah, your time is gone’!
“I think, obviously, one man that actually absolutely did run it was John Terry. JT was the man. In a good way. On the pitch, JT was the man.
“Sometimes, when the dressing room was not together, he was the guy that always brought us together. On the pitch, off the pitch, he was the leader.
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Mikel claims John Terry used his influence to offload BenitezCredit: Reuters
“Like you’ve just said, there’s too many players there with big egos. The likes of Didier Drogba, Frank Lampard, Petr Cech, Ashley Cole. You know, everyone has their opinion. But at the end of the day, JT was the guy who made the decisions.
“We had the power. I think JT, Frank, Didier – Didier was very opinionated, had a lot of voice in the dressing room – Petr Cech, these guys were the ones who run the dressing room.
“When they feel like, ‘Ok, this manager is not giving the players what we want, we’re not playing as much as we want, or not enjoying ourselves in the way we want, we’ll come together and figure out a way of getting someone in that we want’.” More

MANCHESTER UNITED legend Roy Keane doesn’t regret stamping on Gareth Southgate in 1995 because he “tried” to break his leg.United took on Crystal Palace in an FA Cup semi-final replay at Villa Park 28 years ago and disaster struck in the second half.
Manchester United legend Roy Keane doesn’t regret stamping on Gareth SouthgateCredit: The Overlap
Keane insists England boss Southgate tried to break his leg in 1995Credit: Getty
Southgate, who played for Palace at the time, moved the ball forward in midfield where Keane stopped him with a rough challenge.
The now England boss didn’t take kindly to that and lunged at the legendary midfielder with both legs.
And notorious hardman Keane wouldn’t let that slide as he then stamped on the former defender’s torso twice.
That led to a major scuffle between the two sets of players until the referee sent the Republic of Ireland legend and Southgate’s team-mate Darren Patterson off.
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The now Sky Sports pundit joined fellow legends Gary Neville, Ian Wright and Jill Scott and looked back at that incident.
The panel discussed the 52-year-old’s disciplinary record and revealed he was sent off a total of 13 times during his 17-year career.
And United’s legendary captain insists he has absolutely no regrets looking back.
The Irish star is especially not sorry about the incident with Southgate as he insists the Aston Villa legend tried to hurt him that night when the Red Devils won 2-0 and qualified for the final.
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The ex-Nottingham Forest ace admits he has buried the hatched with the former England international but insists people are not totally right when they assume he is a “nice guy”.
Keane said during the latest edition of Stick to Football: “I don’t regret any of them.
“Obviously the one everyone remembers is the [Alf-Inge] Haaland one. I got sent off [against] Newcastle a couple of times with your mate [Alan] Shearer.
“Sent off at Blackburn, sent off once for Ireland, sent off against Chelsea…”
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Crystal Palace legend Southgate lunged at Keane with both legs in 1995Credit: Man Utd Retro | Rever7z
Keane responded by stamping on Southgate’s torso twiceCredit: Man Utd Retro | Rever7z
Neville intervened: “Against Crystal Palace, Gareth in the semi-final…”
Keane responded: “Gareth… Gareth deserved that. Gareth lunged at me.”
Wright nodded in agreement: “He’d done the same with me at Villa.”
Keane continued: “Everyone thinks Gareth is a nice guy [but] he lunged at me. He tried to break my leg. I can tolerate him now, yeah.” More

A NEW dawn at Old Trafford under the guidance of Sir Jim Ratcliffe could be just days away.With the British billionaire reportedly nearing taking over a 25 per cent stake in the club, he is also said to be planning on taking over football operations as a part of the £1.4 billion deal.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe (left) and Sir David Brailsford (centre) could be set to begin their revolution of Manchester United next weekCredit: PA
Pressure has continued to mount on Erik Ten Hag after their 4-3 loss to CopenhagenCredit: Getty
And it seems that amidst a string of poor results under manager Erik ten Hag, Ratcliffe isn’t planning on wasting any more time to kickstart his revolution.
Following United’s controversial 4-3 loss to Copenhagen in the Champions League, Sun on Sunday’s Alan Nixon reports that the 71-year-old INEOS boss is aiming to take on his new role starting Monday.
What’s more, Nixon added that INEOS director of sports Sir Dave Brailsford will be leading Ratcliffe’s team as they look to tackle the faltering giant, via UtdPlug.
As such, the future of Ten Hag will lie in the hands of Brailsford, while the position of football director John Murtough could also come under scrutiny.
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Brailsford’s involvement in Racliffe’s reboot of the club has been rumoured for some time.
He has previously led Team GB’s cycling team to eighteen golds at the Olympics in Athens, Beijing, and London.

The 60-year-old is also credited as having played a key role in the incredible success of the Team Sky/INEOS Grenadiers cycling team which won the Tour de France six times since assuming the role of team principal.
Ten Hag has faced heavy criticism throughout this season, with United eighth in the Premier League having won just six of their eleven games.
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The reigning Carabao Cup champs were also recently dumped out of the competition in the Round of 16 by Newcastle United who waltzed to a 3-0 win at Old Trafford.
And while the pressure was somewhat eased last weekend with United defeating Fulham 1-0 at Craven Cottage, their loss to Copenhagen on Wednesday has once again turned up the temperature on the Dutchman’s seat.
Whether or not this loss is enough to convince Ratcliffe and Brailsford to consider a replacement in the near future remains to be seen.
As recently as Saturday, Ten Hag’s position was not considered at risk by Ratcliffe, according to The Mirror.
Rather, Ratcliffe’s main focus for change was the club’s questionable transfer business in recent years.
This could include the big money shelled out on the likes of Jadon Sancho and Antony whose United careers look in danger at best.
As for the decision-makers, along with Murtogh, United’s chief executive officer Richard Arnold’s days with the team could also be numbered, as per The Manchester Evening News.
Changes could be inbound at Old Trafford in the coming weeksCredit: Reuters More

LIVERPOOL legend Roberto Firmino’s career has plummeted to a new low just months after his heroic hat-trick debut at Saudi side Al-Ahli.In July, the Saudi Arabian club secured the Brazilian striker for three years on a whopping £17million-a-year deal.
Roberto Firmino’s career has plummeted in Saudi ArabiaCredit: Getty
Jurgen Klopp praised the Brazilian during his Liverpool daysCredit: AFP
Firmino, 32, made a blistering start for Al-Ahli with a hat-trick in a 3-1 win over Al-Hazm in August.
The former Reds star was undeniably one of the Pro League’s most high-profile signings this summer.
He moved to the Gulf State on a free transfer in June after his deal at Anfield ran out – which seemed like a smart decision at the time.
Since his breakthrough, the Brazilian has disappeared from the limelight, despite being praised by Jurgen Klopp throughout his time in Liverpool.
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The forward has not found the net again since his debut.
Despite him firing blanks, the season has started well for Al-Ahli who sit fourth in the table with only three losses in 12 games.
But a 10-match goal drought will be a concern for the striker, despite him never being a prolific scorer at Liverpool.
The other Al-Ahli players including fellow ex-Premier League stars Riyad Mahrez and Allan Saint-Maximin are outshining Firmino.
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Such has been the concern, Firmino was dropped from Al-Ahli’s starting line-up against Al-Riyadh at the weekend.
There have been calls for the Anfield icon to be sold in the January transfer window but the Saudi side is understood to have no intention of giving up on Firmino just yet.
But the star does need to deliver some goals if he is set to see out his lucrative three-year deal.
The ex-Hoffenheim star joined Liverpool in 2015 and quickly rose to stardom at the Kop.
The centre-forward amassed a total of 111 goals and 79 assists in 362 appearances with the Reds.
He also helped Jurgen Klopp’s side win their first Premier League title in 30 years back in 2020.
Right now however, he seems unlikely to be the man helping to deliver a title in Saudi Arabia. More