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    Bruno Fernandes shows off his leadership skills in Man Utd training as he turns mentor for younger stars

    BRUNO FERNANDES was praised by Manchester United fans after appearing to mentor Facundo Pellistri during a training session.The Portuguese playmaker, 28, was praised by Red Devils legend Roy Keane at the weekend following his impressive display in a 2-0 win over Nottingham Forest.
    Bruno Fernandes appeared to be mentoring Facundo Pellistri during trainingCredit: Getty
    United are preparing for the second leg of their Europa League quarter-finalCredit: Getty
    Harry Maguire is set to start against Sevilla on ThursdayCredit: Getty
    And that feel-good atmosphere around Fernandes continued on Monday.
    The former Sporting Lisbon man could be seen putting an arm round Uruguayan youngster Pellistri, 21, as he gave him some words of wisdom.
    It is an image that has circulated on social media and been greeted positively by the United faithful.
    One said: “Learning from the best.”
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    Fernandes is suspended for the second leg against SevillaCredit: Getty
    Pellistri will be hoping to feature on Thursday eveningCredit: Getty
    Another replied: “Bruno here looks like Pellistri’s coach.”
    And a third added: “Bruno Fernandes x Facundo Pellistri.❤️🤝.”
    Erik ten Hag’s men are preparing for the second leg of their Europa League quarter-final against Sevilla on Thursday evening.
    United spurned a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 in the first leg at Old Trafford last week.
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    Man Utd will book their place in the last four of the Europa League with a winCredit: Getty
    United could still win the Europa League and FA CupCredit: Getty
    And they will be without centre-backs Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane after they came off with injuries.
    Marcus Rashford faces a late fitness test as he bids to return to the squad following a groin injury.
    Luke Shaw could also be back in contention after a hamstring issue.
    Donny van de Beek and Alejandro Garnacho are definite absentees, with Marcel Sabitzer also set to miss out.
    Fernandes is suspended for the clash after picking up a booking in the first leg.
    But Ten Hag is hopeful Tyrell Malacia and Scott McTominay can recover from minor knocks.
    They have already claimed Carabao Cup glory this seasonCredit: Getty More

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    Man Utd legend Roy Keane leaves crowd in hysterics with brutal Frank Lampard comment after his Chelsea return

    ROY KEANE had a London crowd in hysterics with his brutal verdict on Frank Lampard’s return to Chelsea.The Sky Sports pundit and former Manchester United captain continued The Overlap live tour with Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher.
    Frank Lampard returned to Chelsea as interim boss until the end of the seasonCredit: Getty
    Roy Keane had a typical response to the newsCredit: .
    And the one in London was staged just after Chelsea re-appointed Lampard as interim manager until the end of the season.
    Host Kelly Cates announced the news of Lampard’s audience to the Stamford Bridge dugout, cue wild cheers from the crowd, and asked Keane for his reaction.
    But in typical fashion from the no-nonsense Irishman, he dismissively said: “Good luck to him.
    “The way things have changed in football, a lot of managers are under pressure and a lot of clubs are looking for managers until the end of the season.
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    “Good luck to him.”
    Then shrugging his shoulders, he savagely added: “I’m not bothered.”
    That prompted sniggers from fellow panellists Neville and Carragher as the rest of The Overlap crowd descended into laughter.
    Lampard was sacked by Chelsea in January 2021 then by Everton two years later.
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    But he was given the Blues gig on a temporary deal following Graham Potter’s axe.
    Since then, though, he has lost all three matches in charge – 1-0 at Wolves, 2-0 at Real Madrid and then 2-1 at home to Brighton, which prompted Todd Boehly to spend an hour inside the dressing room ranting at the players.
    And Keane is not expecting much from the club’s record goalscorer between now and June.
    He added at the Wembley Arena after the first-leg defeat to Real Madrid: “I can’t see Chelsea winning the Champions League. Chelsea know that they’ve got some excellent players, but there is something missing at the moment.
    “Even the last couple of performances, not finding a way to win – I look at the personality of the team and stats would be positive in terms of possession and chances, but they haven’t got that nastiness that the Chelsea teams have had over the last few years.  
    “Frank is a lucky boy. He’s had some good jobs. You need a bit of luck in the game, but do I see Chelsea going on to win the Champions League or getting top four? I can’t see it.  
    “They do have quality players, but because they’ve brought so many in together, it does take time to gel, and I don’t think they’ve got that spirit and unity at this moment in time.” More

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    Man Utd legend Rio Ferdinand reveals ‘rumour’ about Mikel Arteta leaving Arsenal fan co-host worried

    RIO FERDINAND left the Arsenal supporting co-host of his podcast terrified after sparking a rumour that Mikel Arteta could be leaving.The Gunners’ title hopes suffered a major blow as they were held to a 2-2 draw at West Ham on Sunday.
    Rio Ferdinand has sparked a rumour about Mikel Arteta’s futureCredit: Alamy
    The defender made the cheeky remark on the latest episode of his podcastCredit: YouTube
    But despite that, Gooners are firmly behind the Spaniard after the way he has transformed the club since taking charge in 2019, three years after his six-year stint as a player ended there.
    Arteta guided Arsenal to the FA Cup in 2020 and his team are still top of the Premier League, four points clear of second-placed Man City, who have a game in hand and still have the leaders to play.
    The future still looks extremely bright at the Emirates even if they fall just short this term.
    However, during the latest episode of the Vibe With FIVE podcast, Manchester United legend Ferdinand appeared to throw a spanner in the works.
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    While smiling and laughing, he said: “You’ve got to keep Arteta, first and foremost.
    Co-host and Arsenal fan Joel Beya replied: “What is this about? You’ve been doing this all afternoon.”

    “I heard something,” Ferdinand responded.
    “I heard that Real Madrid and when they come knocking your players will be coachless.
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    “I heard Ancelotti, Don Carlo, the eyebrow, he might be getting off, and that Arteta is looking to go to Real Madrid.
    “That’s the rumour on the streets. The streets are talking. I hope he stays.”
    There has been no suggestions elsewhere to back up Ferdinand’s cheeky rumour.
    And it remains to be seen whether Arteta, who came through Barcelona’s academy, would even be interested in a move to their bitter rivals if Ancelotti does depart and the opportunity arises. More

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    Chelsea and Spurs in battle to land top new boss but which London giant would be the better club to manage?

    CHELSEA and Tottenham are both on the hunt for new managers.Frank Lampard has taken over as interim boss at Stamford Bridge following Graham Potter’s dismissal.
    Luis Enrique has been linked with both Chelsea and TottenhamCredit: Getty
    Julian Nagelsmann is also on both clubs’ list of potential candidatesCredit: Getty
    And Antonio Conte’s exit from Spurs has seen his assistant Cristian Stellini assume control.
    But both temporary head coaches are expected to step aside once the 2022/23 campaign has been dealt with – although Spurs could move earlier than that.
    And the two London rivals are being linked with the same names as they search for the right manager to lift their respective dressing rooms.
    Luis Enrique and Julian Nagelsmann are two high-profile candidates that are attracting interest from Chelsea and Tottenham.
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    Vincent Kompany is another possible option for both Premier League sidesCredit: PA
    Burnley boss Vincent Kompany is another coach being mooted for both roles following his Championship promotion with the Clarets.
    But which is the more appealing role?
    Well, Jamie Carragher seems to think all of those in the frame would choose Chelsea over Spurs.
    Speaking on The Overlap, he said: “If a manager has an option between Chelsea and Spurs, I think they will choose Chelsea in terms of giving them more chance of window, and maybe a bigger transfer kitty.
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    “The fact that they put Frank Lampard in tells me they may already have someone lined up, but that person will come in the summer.
    “I wouldn’t be surprised if it comes out in the next few weeks that Julian Naglesmann has agreed to join Chelsea, but he wanted some time out and to get ready for the summer and have a pre-season.
    “I might be totally wrong, and they might not have anyone and are still working on it, but to sign Frank straight away and not give it another week to get someone in for a couple of months, makes me feel they have something already lined up to the summer.”
    But is Carragher right? SunSport have taken a look at the pros and cons of taking over at both clubs.
    Chelsea
    Todd Boehly has already sacked managers Thomas Tuchel and Graham PotterCredit: Getty Images – Getty
    Owner Todd Boehly’s arrival at Chelsea less than 12 months ago has sparked a chaotic period at Stamford Bridge.
    The Blues have axed Thomas Tuchel and Potter since the American assumed control of the Blues.
    And after one game with assistant Bruno Saltor in charge, Lampard has now taken interim charge until the end of the campaign.
    The managerial merry-go-round has coincided with a £600million spending spree.
    But the swarm of new players has only seen Chelsea drop further and further down the Premier League table – where they now sit 11th.
    It is evident Boehly has great ambition for the club given he has already sacked two coaches in his first season.
    And that may well be a daunting prospect for any coach coming to West London.
    Under Roman Abramovich, managers were expected to win trophies quickly or face the chop.
    And Boehly has shown little sign of changing that outlook in his first year – averaging a new appointment less than every four months.
    The transfer budget may also concern incoming managers as Chelsea have spent so much money in recent windows and are required to stay within Financial Fair Play regulations.
    Players are also set to depart in the summer in order to comply with these rules.
    And Chelsea have plans to build a new £1.5billion stadium which will need to be budgeted for over the coming years.
    But it is a squad brimming with talent – with more than 30 players at the new head coach’s disposal.
    The Blues also have a history of winning trophies.
    Many of the squad still at the Bridge were there when Tuchel helped them win the Champions League in 2021.
    And that winning mentality is something that Boehly has over his rivals across London.
    Managers are also handed generous compensation packages when they depart Chelsea – with Potter receiving more than £20m – another plus for interested candidates.
    Tottenham
    Daniel Levy is searching for a 12th managerial appointment since becoming chairmanCredit: Alamy
    Spurs chairman Daniel Levy was given little choice but to sack Conte following his outburst in the wake of their 3-3 draw with Southampton last month.
    The Tottenham chief, who had to fork out over £15m to Conte, assumed control of the Lilywhites in 2001 and is now searching for a 12th permanent manager in 22 years.
    It is a relatively high number of coaches, but Levy has shown he can give managers time with the likes of Martin Jol, Harry Redknapp and Mauricio Pochettino.
    Spurs’ downfall under Levy has been their lack of trophies – with the club still waiting for their first piece of silverware since 2008.
    And they have also shown a reluctance to spend like some of their rivals.
    Eight of Chelsea’s current squad were brought in for more money than Spurs’ club record transfer fee of £53.8m.
    So it is evident any incoming manager will be working with a smaller budget than Chelsea.
    And they may also lose their most important player in Harry Kane.
    The Spurs talisman’s future remains up in the air as he enters the final 12 months of his contract – with Manchester United heavily linked with the England captain.
    However, Tottenham fans’ expectations are – at least at the beginning – likely to be lower than that of the Chelsea faithful – who have seen their club win five Premier Leagues, two Champions Leagues, five FA Cups and three League Cups over the past two decades.
    Spurs supporters wish for a return to the attacking style Pochettino provided – after defensively-minded coaches in Jose Mourinho, Nuno Espirito Santo and Conte.
    So while success may be tougher to achieve than at Chelsea, the fans will almost certainly be more patient.
    Verdict
    Ultimately there are major concerns for any manager taking both jobs.
    Chelsea have big goals and demand success immediately, but are unable to guarantee the finances or time in order to achieve it.
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    Tottenham hold a more attainable level of perceived success – even if getting there may be a challenge – but funds, past failures and Kane’s potential departure could make it an almost impossible task.
    When it comes to the likes of Enrique and Nagelsmann, it might just be easier to hold out until the Real Madrid or Paris Saint-Germain job comes up. More

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    Everton set for huge shakeup with transfer overhaul on pitch and big changes at top of crisis-club

    EVERTON are set for a shakeup with owner Farhad Moshiri reportedly close to landing fresh investment.The Toffees have been in rapid decline in recent seasons and find themselves 17th in the Premier League table.
    Sean Dyche’s side are 17th in the Premier League tableCredit: Rex
    Owner Farhad Moshiri is aware of the scrutiny surrounding his positionCredit: PA
    Sean Dyche’s side are only separated from the relegation zone on goal difference, with the threat of relegation ahead of their final season at Goodison Park a very real one.
    Fans have protested against owner Moshiri this season, having witnessed the way their club has fallen since his 2016 arrival.
    According to Sky Sports, the Iranian is very much aware of how the supporters feel, and is doing what he can to address the club’s problems.
    They add that he is close to securing new investment, and that despite the lingering threat of relegation, Everton’s new 52,888 capacity Bramley Moore Dock stadium will be fully funded.
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    Following the new investment, there will be significant changes at the top of the club, with a potential board reshuffle to follow.
    While fans will hope to see significant investment in the team, with Moshiri feeling “let down” by recruitment in recent years.
    Due to being hamstrung by Financial Fair Play regulations, Everton spent just £1.7million in the summer of 2021, signing Demarai Gray.
    They subsequently forked out £29m on Vitaliy Mykolenko and Nathan Patterson in January 2022.
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    This season, the sales of Richarlison, Moise Kean and Anthony Gordon have helped ease the financial pressures on the club.
    Everton have spent £85.5m on the likes of Amadou Onana, Dwight McNeil, Idrissa Gueye, James Garner, Neal Maupay and James Tarkowski, while recouping £135m in sales.
    On the Toffees’ spending since his sacking, unpopular former boss Rafael Benitez told the Telegraph: “After my time there they have invested a lot of money again and they have the squad to get out of relegation.
    “The fans were decisive last year and they can be again this year.”
    Everton travel to in-form Crystal Palace this weekend before a mid-week Goodison assignment against Newcastle.
    They then face relegation rivals Leicester at the King Power and high-flying Brighton at the Amex, ahead of a tricky clash with title-chasing Manchester City at home.
    Their last two games see them face Wolves away, before a final day Goodison showdown with Bournemouth.
    Everton are only outside of the relegation zone on goal differenceCredit: Reuters More

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    Man Utd target Jurrien Timber’s girlfriend sparks talk of shock transfer to Premier League rivals by ‘house-hunting’

    MANCHESTER UNITED reportedly look set for transfer disappointment as Liverpool close in on a move for Ajax’s Jurrien Timber – with the star’s girlfriend house-hunting on Merseyside.The Holland centre-back shone at the World Cup finals, where he played alongside Reds and national captain Virgil van Dijk.
    Liverpool appear to be leading the chase for Jurrien TimberCredit: Getty
    Timber, 21, has won two Eredivisie titles and a Dutch FA Cup in the past two seasons with Ajax.
    Manchester United wanted to sign Timber last summer, but saw their pursuit fall flat as he signed a contract extension.
    However, the 21-year-old recently indicated that he may leave the Dutch champions with the Red Devils still keen.
    But Anfield boss Jurgen Klopp has set his sights on the Utrecht-born ace – and Timber is tempted by the potential move, says Voetbal.
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    Ajax will seek around £50million for the versatile defender, who can also operate at right-back and is under contract until 2025.
    He has made 41 appearances for the Amsterdam club this season, but is eager to leave with Ajax eight points behind leaders and arch-rivals Feyenoord.
    Experts discussed Timber’s future on Dutch TV show Veronica Offside on Monday night.
    Presenter Wilfred Genee insisted: “It appears that Timber’s girlfriend is looking for a house in Liverpool.
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    “He is also very preoccupied with it, so he will probably make a quick departure.”
    Ex-Ajax and Everton winger Andy van der Meyde said: “You can sometimes see now when he’s on the pitch that he is thinking: ‘If only I’d left sooner!’ ”
    And Holland great Wesley Sneijder added: “Timber is a bright lad, and a genuinely good defender.”
    However ex-Real Madrid playmaker Sneijder warned: “He will lose every aerial battle against the ‘wardrobes’ in the Premier League.
    “That will be his downfall. Manchester United’s Lisandro Martinez is also short, but he comes out on top everywhere.”
    Timber has won 15 caps, and helped Holland reach the World Cup quarter-finals last December. More

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    Cristiano Ronaldo’s ‘best ever XI of team-mates’ including three Man Utd legends

    CRISTIANO RONALDO’S best XI of team-mates has been revealed including three from Manchester United.The 38-year-old has played alongside some of the most brilliant footballers of his generation.
    Ronaldo has played alongside some of the best in the world during his long careerCredit: EPA
    Gareth Bale combined with Ronaldo to cause chaos for opposition defences at Real MadridCredit: Getty
    Casillas played alongside Ronaldo at MadridCredit: Corbis
    Ronaldo also won countless trophies for United, Real Madrid and Juventus.
    The best ever XI of his team-mates, according to Goal Arabia, is made up of players from those sides, with no one from his current team of Al-Nassr nor his first team of Sporting Lisbon making the cut.
    Instead there are three players from the Red Devils – but the trio all only featured in his first spell at Old Trafford between 2003 to 2009.
    Wayne Rooney, Paul Scholes and Rio Ferdinand all made it into the team.
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    Along with Ronaldo, those three were among the most important stars in Sir Alex Ferguson’s dominant late noughties side who won three Premier League titles in a row and the 2008 Champions League.

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    Ronaldo left for Real Madrid in 2009 and the bulk of the selection comes from his nine years at the Bernabeu.
    Club legends Iker Casillas, Sergio Ramos, Luka Modric, Marcelo and Karim Benzema are in with Toni Kroos and Gareth Bale.
    The Portuguese international won four Champions Leagues and two league titles while in Spain.
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    He then left for Juventus and played alongside the final player who makes it into Goal’s line-up.
    The star in question is Juve legend Giorgio Chiellini, who played for the club for 18 years including four alongside Ronaldo.
    The forward won two Serie A titles before heading back to Old Trafford for his ill-fated second spell.
    There is no shortage of legends in the team
    Italian legend Giorgio Chiellini was the only Juventus player to make it inCredit: Getty
    Luka Modric is one of seven Real Madrid players in the XICredit: Getty More

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    How Cristiano Ronaldo’s ketchup advice got Liverpool star Diogo Jota scoring again

    DIOGO JOTA admits he’s relieved to rediscover his goalscoring form.And the Liverpool star has Cristiano Ronaldo to thank after his Portugal pal gave him advice about KETCHUP.
    Diogo Jota ended his year-long goal drought with two strikes against LeedsCredit: Reuters
    The Liverpool star thanked Cristiano Ronaldo for his advice about ketchupCredit: AFP
    Jota had gone over a year since scoring in the Premier League before last night’s 6-1 win at Leeds.
    The versatile forward helped himself to two goals in the Elland Road rout.
    And Jota will now be hoping the strikes come easily as Liverpool ambitiously target a top four finish.
    However, it’s an ex-Man Utd star Jota has thanked for helping him get back on target.
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    The Portuguese ace is close with compatriot Ronaldo, who left United for Al-Nassr at the start of the year.
    And Jota says Ronaldo told him that scoring goals was like “opening a bottle of ketchup.”
    That’s because “when the first drop comes out, everything comes out.”
    Jota explained: “That’s one of the sentences Ronaldo said and it really stuck in my mind all these years.
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    “I think football is unpredictable and these are the things we like in this game. Things can change very quick.
    “[Top four?] Yes and no. We have great results this season, great score lines.
    “But we need to stick with our feet on the ground because the next one is a completely different game.”
    Liverpool’s next match sees them host relegation battlers Nottingham Forest.
    They then travel to fellow strugglers West Ham before playing top four rivals Spurs in a season-defining fixture. More