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    Roma manager Jose Mourinho’s all-time XI of players he managed includes Ronaldo and Ozil… but NO Man Utd stars

    JOSE MOURINHO revealed his all-time XI of players he has managed – but it had NO Manchester United stars selected.The Special One was appointed as United boss in May 2016, but despite winning the Europa League and Carabao Cup in his first season, fans never really took to him.

    Mourinho was sacked in December 2018, his time at the club blighted by rumours of fall-outs with Paul Pogba.
    Unsurprisingly the French midfielder doesn’t make the all-star XI, as reported by AS in 2020.
    And there are certainly plenty of surprise omissions considering some of the world class players Jose – who now manages Roma in Serie A – has worked with in the past. Perhaps Tammy Abraham might have made the cut, if he had picked the team more recently.
    Sergio Ramos, David De Gea, Iker Casillas and Zlatan Ibrahimovic could easily have bagged a spot in the team too.
    And, of course, there is Mourinho’s former star striker Harry Kane at Spurs – but he failed to make the cut as well.
    In goal Mourinho has gone for Petr Cech, who was his No1 during some glorious spells at Chelsea.
    In defence, John Terry and Ricardo Carvalho, two of Mourinho’s rocks during his Chelsea days, are at centre-half, with William Gallas and Javier Zanetti occupying the full-back slots.
    Zanetti is the only player to feature from Inter Milan, where Mourinho coached between 2008 and 2010 and won the Champions League as part of a treble in his final season.
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    The Chelsea core continues throughout the rest of the team.
    Claude Makelele sits in the defensive midfield position. Frank Lampard plays just in front of him alongside ex-Arsenal star Mesut Ozil, who Mourinho managed during his time at Real Madrid between 2010-13.
    Eden Hazard and Cristiano Ronaldo will cut in from the flanks to provide the goals and assists for frontman Didier Drogba.
    Jose Mourinho has managed some of the greatest footballers of all timeCredit: Getty Images – Getty More

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    Hugo Lloris OUT for season with Tottenham captain likely to have played last ever game for club

    RYAN MASON has confirmed Spurs skipper Hugo Lloris is out for the rest of the season with a muscle problem.While Ryan Sessegnon will also not play again this term due to his hamstring injury.
    Hugo Lloris is reportedly an injury doubt for the rest of the seasonCredit: Getty
    But there is hope Yves Bissouma, sidelined since February with a fractured ankle, could play again before the campaign ends.
    Lloris, 36, was taken off at half-time during last month’s 6-1 pasting at Newcastle.
    Speaking ahead of Spurs’ hosting of Crystal Palace on Saturday, interim boss Mason said: “Hugo is out for the season,
    “We had the results back. Obviously disappointing. We feared that initially and now we’ve had the results.”
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    Doubts had already been raised that Lloris could end his 11-year stay at the club after a difficult season where he has made a number of errors.
    Tottenham are keen to sign a new stopper in the coming months with Everton’s Jordan Pickford and David Raya of Brentford under consideration.
    The Frenchman’s current contract expires next summer but if he is to depart during this close-season, it would mean his last game would unfortunately be that thrashing on Tyneside.
    Asked about Lloris’s future, Mason added: “I can’t speak about that but we need him as our captain for the remainder of this season.”
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    Sessegnon’s last game came in the 1-0 win over Manchester City in February, but Emerson Royal should come back into contention after recovering from knee surgery.
    Mason, 31, said: “Ryan had a significant injury and he won’t feature for the rest of the season.
    “Emerson is day by day now and hopefully he can help us before the end of the season.”
    Bissouma also went under the knife for a stress fracture to his left ankle in February.
    Encouragingly, Mason said: “We’re hopeful [he can play a part before the end of the season]. “Some hurdles he’s got to overcome.”
    2018 World Cup winning goalkeeper Lloris joined Spurs from French club Lyon way back in 2012.
    A great servant to the club, Lloris has played 447 games for Spurs, and was named captain by Mauricio Pochettino in 2015.
    He has the most Premier League appearances in the club’s history. More

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    Paul Ince urges Gareth Southgate to call up ‘wonderful player’ to England squad and confused by lack of recognition

    PAUL INCE has urged Gareth Southgate to call Lewis Dunk up to the England squad.The Brighton captain has starred since the club’s promotion to the Premier League.
    Paul Ince believes Lewis Dunk should be in the England squadCredit: TWITTER – @SKYSPORTSPL
    He has been one of Brighton’s standout players since promotion in 2017Credit: Getty
    He has only earned one cap for the Three LionsCredit: PA:Press Association
    Since coming up in 2017, the center-back has become one of the best in the top flight.
    Dunk, 31, has developed his game under managers Chris Hughton, Graham Potter, and now Roberto De Zerbi.
    This season, the defender has excelled even more and has helped Brighton keep one of the stingiest defenses in the league.
    This solidity along with an exciting attack filled with young players has seen the Seagulls challenge for a spot in Europe next season.
    READ MORE MAN UTD NEWS
    Dunk was vital again last night in the club’s win over Manchester United at the Amex Stadium.
    And after his performance, former Red Devil Ince argued that he should play for the Three Lions.
    He told Sky Sports: “I think he is a wonderful, wonderful player.
    “And I think it is strange that he has never played for England as we do sometimes struggle for center-halves.
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    “If he keeps playing like this then he should get more caps, he has one cap.
    “He does not get enough recognition as he should do.
    “He has been here [Brighton] all his life I think and he is a completely different player to what he was two or three years ago.
    “I would like to see him in the England squad and he is a leader.”
    He displayed his leadership against the Red Devils as he fumed with Antony for kicking matchwinner, Alexis Mac Allister.
    Dunk’s one cap for England came back in November, 2018 as he played the whole game in a 3-0 win over USA. More

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    Leicester City’s £100m training ground boasts 14 pitches, a nine-hole golf course and is named after late chairman

    LEICESTER CITY unveiled their stunning new £100million training complex in 2020, which is as good as anyone else’s in the country.Chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha delivered the legacy promised by his late father Vichai, who first had the vision to transform a former golf course in Leicestershire into a state-of-the-art futuristic facility.
    Leicester City unveiled their £100million training complex in 2020
    The club trained in the ground for the first time in December, 2020
    It includes 14 full-size training pitches
    Nine of those 18 holes have been kept intact with Jamie Vardy and co free to test their skills.
    The Foxes’ new lair also boasts 21 training areas, 14 full-size training pitches and a 499-seater pitch for youth team matches.
    The seven-building complex includes a dedication to Vichai – with the administrative and medical hub named after the late owner.
    It’s the most significant investment in the club’s history, if you think of everything they’ve done, the owners, since they’ve been hereBrendan Rodgers
    Their former Belvoir Drive facility – which has been Leicester’s training since 1964 – is now home to the club’s women’s team.
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    Meanwhile, the training complex possesses a swimming pool with room for a restaurant and features such as customised gym.
    Former Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers said at the time of its opening: “To be able to move into one of the most advanced training facilities in the whole world is something we’re all so excited about.
    “I’ve been dropping in there over the last number of months and now it’s finally arrived, the time that we can look to go in, we’re really looking forward to it.
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    “It’s amazing and, now we’re going to this new site, it just takes you into a different world altogether and it’s a world we’re looking forward to being in.
    “It’s the most significant investment in the club’s history, if you think of everything they’ve done, the owners, since they’ve been here. This facility is going to help improve players, but also people.
    “The essence of Leicester City – and I’ve really found this since I’ve been here – is a genuine want to develop people and help people, whether you’re a player or a member of staff.
    “That’s something which comes from the very top. To have that at the top of your club, of course we’re all very lucky to be able to work here and experience that.”
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    Leicester transformed a former golf course into a state-of-the-art facility
    Ex-Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers claimed it was the most significant investment in the club’s history
    Leicester had been training at the Belvoir Drive facility for nearly 60 years More

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    Fans say the same thing after Sky Sports cameras show Brighton’s dressing room celebrations following Man Utd win

    BRIGHTON boss Roberto De Zerbi led the dressing room celebrations after leading his side to victory over Manchester United on Thursday.The Seagulls successfully avenged the FA Cup semi-final defeat to the Red Devils from two weeks ago, and in doing so completed a league double over United for the first time in their history.
    Roberto De Zerbi led the dressing room celebrations after Brighton’s win over Manchester UnitedCredit: Sky Sports
    The Seagulls sealed a dramatic late win over the Red DevilsCredit: Sky Sports
    Sky Sports cameras captured the dressing room celebrationsCredit: Sky Sports

    Alexis Mac Allister’s dramatic 99th minute penalty to seal a 1-0 win was also a huge step towards European qualification for Brighton.
    And Italian boss De Zerbi, who was initially a doubt for the game due to illness, made sure his side celebrated in the dressing room after the game.
    He clapped along and waved his hand in the air while a member of his backroom staff danced away.
    However, some United fans poked fun at the Seagulls after seeing Sky Sports air the celebrations.
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    Supporters pointed out that Erik ten Hag’s side had come out on top when the two sides faced off at Wembley just days ago – in what most would argue was the bigger game.
    One joked in response to the dressing room scenes: “Celebrating like they’ve made it to the FA cup final.”
    Another said: “It’s like they won a semi final or something!!!”
    A third added: “We’re their cup final shame they couldn’t do it when it really mattered at Wembley.”
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    And a fourth quipped: “Every teams cup final when United comes to town.”
    The game at the Amex seemed to destined to end 0-0 until a late Luke Shaw handball gifted Brighton a penalty.
    Referee Andre Marriner initially waved away the home side’s claims but changed his decision after consulting the pitchside VAR monitor.
    Mac Allister stepped up and coolly slotted the from the spot.
    Shaw admitted to making a “silly mistake” after the match, telling Sky Sports: “It hurts a lot, last minute, last action.
    “I got a little nudge but my hand shouldn’t be there and I own up to it.
    “Take it on the chin, cost us the game, it’s tough I can’t even explain why my hand’s up there, I got a nudge, maybe that helps but still it shouldn’t be there.
    “Even before the corner the free-kick that was given away was never a foul. I’m not looking for excuses for what I did but there’s no way that should have been given a foul.
    “For me that corner shouldn’t have happened, I can’t change that, not accusing the ref of anything but for me it wasn’t a foul but hands up, silly mistake. But it cost us a point at the end.” More

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    Man Utd target Ansu Fati lined up for shock transfer to rival Premier League club as Barcelona ‘offer huge swap deal’

    ANSU FATI is being lined up for a shock Wolves transfer, according to reports.The Barcelona wonderkid is set to be on the market this summer, having fallen out of favour under Xavi.
    Ansu Fati could make a shock move to Wolves this summerCredit: Rex
    Fati, 20, has started just 11 LaLiga matches this term, with his agent Jorge Mendes now keen to bring him to the Premier League.
    According to Catalan paper Sport, Wolves are willing to offer £26million plus midfield talisman Ruben Neves for Fati’s services.
    The winger himself is yet to be convinced by a move to Molineux, and would like to transfer to a bigger club, should he leave Barca.
    It’s claimed that Mendes, who has many clients on the books at Wolves, has begun the process of trying to convince Fati that a move to Molineux could be a good idea.
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    Mendes reportedly believes that the Spanish international could use Julen Lopetegui’s side as a stepping stone, in order to settle in the Premier League before moving on to a bigger club.
    Fati is yet to be convinced, however, and could yet opt to stay at Barcelona.
    But Xavi is believed to have indicated that Fati’s game time will be severely limited should he not depart.
    While the Barca boss would be keen to get Fati off the books, he is claimed to not be a huge fan of Neves.
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    Xavi would rather pursue other midfielders, but understands Barcelona’s financial situation and would make it work, should they bring in Neves.
    Fati has also drawn concrete interest from Manchester United.
    But so far the Red Devils have been unwilling to meet Barcelona’s demands.
    Fati emerged as a 16-year-old starlet at Barca, before injuries stunted his progress.
    He penned a six-year contract in October 2021, with a £1billion release clause.
    The wing wizard has made 104 appearances in total for Barca, scoring 26 goals and laying on nine assists.
    Ruben Neves could be included in a deal for FatiCredit: Reuters More

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    Watch Paul Ince’s hilarious reaction after fellow pundit Jamie Redknapp ‘sneaks up on him’ after Brighton beat Man Utd

    JAMIE REDKNAPP hilariously snuck up on Paul Ince in the aftermath of Manchester United’s loss at Brighton. The ex-Liverpool team-mates watched as Alexis Mac Allister’s penalty in the 99th MINUTE sealed the game.
    Jamie Redknapp hilariously snuck up on Paul Ince at the AmexCredit: Sky Sports

    But no one was in as much shock as Ince when Redknapp returned from the tunnel having interviewed Lewis Dunk.
    The former England midfielder turned around and flinched as he saw Redknapp over his shoulder.
    Ince said: “Don’t sneak up on me Jamie.”
    United’s defeat leaves them still in the Champions League places four points above fifth-placed Liverpool with a game in hand.
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    A top four finish is well within their reach as manager Erik ten Hag called for focus in the last four matches of the season.
    He said: “The last five games, we had four wins, one draw. We were in a good run, we are improving. But we still have a way to go.
    “We have to stay focused. We have everything in our hands, and we have to bounce back.
    “We have to take the lessons from tonight and then we move on and we go to West Ham. Then we have to bounce back.”
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    United’s five-match unbeaten run in the league was snapped at the Amex but Ten Hag insisted he is not concerned.
    He said: “I have seen our physical outputs in the last games, we still have high levels, performing really well. We are still going up.”
    For Brighton, they sit in sixth with two games in hand over Liverpool, leaving them dreaming of European football next season.
    Brighton beat Man Utd with a late penaltyCredit: Getty More

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    Major change to VAR could come in next season and fans have been asking for it for ages

    PREMIER LEAGUE fans could be able to listen to conversations between referees and VAR next season, according to reports.Supporters have been calling for the ability to hear what is being said for ages to help their understanding of why some decisions are being made.
    Supporters could be able to listen to conversations between referees and VARs from next seasonCredit: Getty
    The change could give fans more understanding as to why decisions are being madeCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
    However, discussions between players or managers and referees will be kept confidentialCredit: PA
    It has also been pushed for by PGMOL boss and former Premier League referee Howard Webb since he started his current role in December.
    The aim would be to reduce confusion around controversial calls and give fans more appreciation toward referees and VARs.
    Especially in decisions such as the Kaoru Mitoma goal for Brighton against Tottenham that was incorrectly ruled out for handball.
    The Daily Mail has reported that football lawmakers IFAB would have “no problem” making audio recordings available to the public.
    READ MORE ON VAR
    However, they would only be able to be heard after the games have finished and not broadcast live.
    The report also suggests that Premier League clubs are “open” to the idea as well as the officials.
    Although it is very unlikely to be implemented before the end of the current campaign.
    The report says that this is because managers would want to hear audio from decisions earlier in the season that have gone against them.
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    Fans would only be able to listen to conversations between stadium officials and those at Stockley Park.
    But they would not be able to hear the talk between the managers or players and referees such as Jurgen Klopp’s discussion with Paul Tierney during the win over Tottenham, these are considered confidential.
    There would be hope that with more transparency and accountability there will be fewer mistakes.
    This season PGMOL has issued at least ten apologies to clubs for getting decisions wrong this season, including three to Brighton.
    MLS’s refereeing body PRO publishes audio after every match round and did so while Webb was working in the United States.
    It is called ‘Inside Video Review’ and is published on PRO’s YouTube channel. More