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      Three ways Man Utd could line up for Carabao Cup final without Marcus Rashford with red-hot striker a doubt with injury

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      MANCHESTER UNITED could be without star forward Marcus Rashford for the Carabao Cup final against Newcastle this Sunday.The England international, 25, is in sensational form and already has 24 goals this season.
      Marcus Rashford came off injured towards the end of Man Utd’s win over BarcelonaCredit: PA
      How Man Utd could line up without Rashford
      But he was taken off in some discomfort towards the end of Man Utd’s 2-1 win over Barcelona on Thursday evening.
      He then shared a snap on social media of him heading down the tunnel holding his right boot.
      That has sent a chill through the United faithful as they fear they could be without their in-form attacker at Wembley.
      But manager Erik ten Hag does still have options if Rashford is sidelined.
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      Another way Erik ten Hag could choose to line up without his star forward
      The Dutch head coach, 53, is looking to win the club their first trophy in nearly six years.
      And he will almost certainly start with Wout Weghorst leading the line – whether Rashford is available or not.

      But the left flank is a position he will have to reconsider if Rashford cannot start.
      Jadon Sancho is one option, but Bruno Fernandes could also play off that side.
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      A third possible Man Utd XI without Rashford
      Antony and Alejandro Garnacho will be battling it out for the right side.
      And Ten Hag could even go to a 4-3-3 in the midfield if he wants to play the trio of Casemiro, Marcel Sabitzer and Fred.
      David de Gea will be in goal, with an expected back four of Luke Shaw, Lisandro Martinez, Raphael Varane and Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
      But there is potential for change as club captain Harry Maguire and Diogo Dalot push for places in the defence.
      Tyrell Malacia is also an alternative to Luke Shaw at left-back.
      Ten Hag is searching for his first silverware as Man Utd bossCredit: PA More

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      Paul Merson shares Carabao Cup final prediction with Arsenal legend revealing ‘shocking’ reason

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      ARSENAL legend Paul Merson has revealed who he thinks will win the Carabao Cup, with a “shock” reason behind his claim.Newcastle take on Manchester United in Sunday’s final, with both clubs looking to end trophy droughts and kickstart a new era of success.
      Paul Merson has revealed who he thinks will win the Carabao Cup finalCredit: Rex
      The Arsenal legend believes the absence of one player will see the final swingCredit: Getty
      Erik ten Hag’s Man Utd have form on their side, having won seven of their last nine games, including a 2-1 comeback victory against Barcelona.
      Meanwhile, Eddie Howe’s outfit have failed to win in any of their last three games.
      However, form is not the key factor for Merson, rather player availability is.
      Speaking to Sportskeeda, he explained: “If there was one player Eddie Howe couldn’t afford to miss in this final, it would be Nick Pope. He has won them so many points this season.
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      “I’d be shocked if Newcastle won this one without Pope in goal. He is that big for Newcastle United. Unfortunately, he is suspended and that’s going to cost Newcastle dearly.
      “When they’re keeping clean sheets, Pope is making big saves. Off the top of my head, in the draw against Arsenal, he made a world-class save to deny Eddie Nketiah.”
      Pope became suspended for the final after receiving a straight red card for handling the ball outside of his area.
      And with No2 Martin Dubravka cup-tied due to playing in the tournament for the Red Devils earlier in the season, it means Loris Karius or Mark Gillespie will don the gloves for the Magpies.
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      Nick Pope cast a frustrated figure after being sent off against LiverpoolCredit: PA
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      Merson added: “Manchester United are going to create chances and they are going to score goals.
      “Put [Marcus] Rashford down for one goal already. He is playing so well that you’ll be shocked if he doesn’t score in this game.
      “United are the team to beat in the final. Newcastle United are not a free-scoring side. They don’t blow teams away.
      “If they don’t score two or three goals, they are not winning this one. I just don’t see them doing that against United on Sunday.
      “For me, the Magpies are desperate to win a trophy more than getting into the top four and these players can attain legendary status if they win silverware.
      “Unfortunately, it looks unlikely that will happen. I’m going 2-1 to Man United.”
      While Merson is backing a United victory, it may not come about with any involvement from Marcus Rashford.
      The 25-year-old, who has scored 24 goals this season, is now a doubt for the final after picking up an injury in the match against Barcelona.
      Marcus Rashford is now doubtful for the finalCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun More

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      I was Chelsea coach for 2019 Carabao Cup final.. I still remember how Kepa reacted to infamously refusing to be subbed

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      FORMER Chelsea coach Massimo Nenci has revealed keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga cried in the dressing room after refusing to be substituted during the 2019 Carabao Cup final.With the Blues and Manchester City locked in a stalemate at Wembley, Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri attempted to replace Kepa with No2 shot-stopper Willy Caballero towards the end of extra-time.
      Chelsea keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga refused to come off in the 2019 Carabao Cup finalCredit: Getty
      Kepa’s antics left manager Maurizio Sarri furious as he attempted to bring on Willy CaballeroCredit: AFP
      But Kepa, who had gone down with an injury moments earlier, waved away his manager’s instructions and remained on the pitch.
      Sarri was fuming with his keeper, but ended up aborting the change as Man City went on to win on penalties.
      And Nenci, who was the goalkeeping coach at the time, has given his take on what happened during the bizarre event.
      Speaking to The Mail, he said: “The day before, Kepa had a little bit of an injury but it wasn’t that important. Then the day after he played the match.
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      “At the end of the 90 minutes he was receiving some treatment for the injury, and Antonio Rudiger said to him, ‘wait wait wait, we are in a difficult moment. We need you to stay on.’
      “Kepa stayed there with the doctor, who said that his situation was good.
      “But in extra-time Maurizio thought we should substitute Kepa with Caballero, because Caballero is a big penalty saver, and against City [his former club] he would have been perfect for us.
      “But Kepa didn’t understand that the substitution was for tactical reasons, not because of the injury. Willy is a big, big penalty saver.”
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      Revealing the aftermath of the controversial moment, Nenci went on to explain just how devastated Kepa was.
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      He added: “All the team was angry in the dressing room.
      “But first of all, I want to tell you that Kepa is a very, very good guy. And when he recognised his mistake he cried, he cried. He is a very good guy.
      “He was saying, ‘I’m sorry mister, I’m sorry. I didn’t understand.'”
      Kepa, who was signed by Sarri for £72million in 2018, publicly apologised for his actions after Chelsea’s defeat in the final.
      He said: “I have thought a lot more about yesterday’s events.
      “Although there was a misunderstanding, on reflection, I made a big mistake with how I handled the situation.
      “I will learn from this episode and will accept any punishment or discipline the club decides is appropriate.”
      Four years on and Kepa is still at Chelsea, but Sarri lasted just a few months before departing Stamford Bridge.
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      The Italian coach did finish on a high, winning the Europa League at the end of the campaign.
      But he swiftly departed after lifting the trophy as Chelsea brought in Frank Lampard.
      Massimo Nenci was the keeper coach during the 2019 Carabao Cup finalCredit: Getty More

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      Erik ten Hag’s tactical genius revealed as stats show Man Utd boss is officially best in Europe for substitutions

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      ERIK TEN HAG has been the master of substitutions this season as Manchester United subs have scored more than any other team.Antony scored the winner from the bench against Barcelona on Thursday to send the Red Devils through to the next round of the Europa League.
      Manchester United have more goals from subs than any other team in Europe’s top five leagues
      Antony scored the winner from the bench against BarcelonaCredit: PA
      That is one of 19 goals scored by United substitutes this season, per Opta.
      No other team in Europe’s top five leagues can match Ten Hag’s ability to impact a game with Napoli and Villarreal next best.
      Both sides have 17 goals from substitutions this season with Napoli 15 points clear at the top of Serie A as a result.
      Ten Hag has got the best out of attackers like Marcus Rashford, Antony and Alejandro Garnacho, particularly in the last few weeks.
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      And his tactical genius is underpinned by the fact that no other English club is even in the top ten for goals by substitutes.
      Instead three other Spanish sides are included – Barcelona have while Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid each have 12.
      Five other teams are tied on 12 – Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, Fiorentina, Monaco and Stade Reims.
      Ten Hag has transformed United this season and he has been compared to Sir Alex Ferguson by Peter Schmeichel.
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      He said: “It has taken 10 years to get to this point,’ for me this season anything can really happen.
      “Manchester United can win everything or nothing but we have seen the progress.
      “Every situation has been dealt with properly by Erik ten Hag, like a good manager should.
      “Like vintage Sir Alex Ferguson… I am sitting here thinking ‘wow, we have got the right man’.” More

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      Arsenal and Man City fined by FA following feisty Premier League clash with Gunners hit with extra punishment

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      ARSENAL and Manchester City have been hit with fines after their heated Premier League encounter – but the Gunners have come off worse. Both sides were charged by the FA after the match earlier this month for failing to control their players.
      Arsenal and Man City were both judged to have lost control of their playersCredit: Getty
      Man City won 3-1 and went top after the match but the 90 minutes saw several flashpoints as the Prem’s top two battled for supremacy at the Emirates.
      The FA’s charge came after both sets of players surrounded the referee at multiple times during the game.
      And the Independent Regulatory Commission have today fined the clubs with Arsenal having to take a bigger punishment due to previous incidents.
      Man City have been fined £75,000 after admitting the players did not behave in an orderly fashion in the 42nd and 64th minutes of the game.
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      Arsenal were fined £65,000 after admitting they failed to ensure their players conducted themselves in an orderly fashion in the 56th minute.
      An independent appeal board has added an additional £20,000 fine for a suspended charge after the club also drew the FA’s ire for their behaviour during an FA Cup game at Oxford.
      It’s been a repeated issue for Arsenal with the players’ behaviour against Newcastle in January also seeing the club charged.
      Fans jokingly suggested that supporters may need to set up direct debit payments to help financially support the London side after all of their punishments.
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      With the club leading the way in the title race, players have shown an intensity that has occasionally boiled over as they scrap for every point.
      Mikel Arteta has shown a similar energy with his passionate outbursts on the touchline coming under scrutiny.
      While City went top with the victory over Arsenal, Pep Guardiola’s side quickly spoiled their advantage by drawing at Nottingham Forest.
      The Gunners now have a two point lead after grabbing three points in a 4-2 win at Aston Villa. More

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      Vladimir Putin gives Russian citizenship to two Brazilian footballers including ex-Barcelona star

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      VLADIMIR PUTIN has given two Brazilian football stars Russian citizenship.Ex-Barcelona winger Malcom, who interested Arsenal and Tottenham, plus midfielder Claudinho are key men for Russian top-flight leaders Zenit.
      Malcom was tipped as a future Brazil hero when he joined Barcelona in 2018 but the Zenit player has now accepted Russian citizenshipCredit: Getty
      Claudinho, seen tangling with Chelsea’s Reece James in the Champions League in December 2021, can also now get a Russian passportCredit: Getty
      It’s claimed both former Brazil under-23 internationals wanted their new status for tax reasons.
      But Zenit were quick to celebrate after the pair were amongst 38 foreigners granted citizenship by a special decree from Russian president Putin on Friday.
      The Saint Petersburg club stated: “Everyone at Zenit congratulates Malcom and Claudinho on becoming citizens of Russia. 
      “We wish them the best of luck and many more victories with the blue-white-sky blues!”
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      Putin’s decision might be seen as a propaganda move, exactly a year after he launched his country’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine.
      And Dmitry Khomukha, the ex-head coach of the Russian youth team, suggested the two players were motivated only by money.
      Khomukha, who won 15 caps for Turkmenistan, is now boss of Russian third-tier club FC Kaluga.
      Just before the duo’s citizenship was granted, Sport24 quoted the 53-year-old as saying: “I have a negative attitude towards the naturalization of football players.
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      “Especially in the current situation that the national team does not participate in the tournaments and the foreign transfer has nothing to do with football.
      “Here the monetary interests of the players themselves play a role. Income tax will be reduced to 15 per cent, but now they pay much more – this is the main reason.”
      Former Bordeaux hero Malcom, 25, was linked with Premier League clubs before joining Zenit from Barca in 2019.
      And Claudinho, 26, switched from Brazilian top-flight team Red Bull Bragantino to Zenit two years ago.
      Vladimir Putin gave Russian citizenship to 38 people by decreeCredit: AFP More

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      Graham Potter claims Chelsea stars have slammed Thomas Tuchel for pre-season blunder.. but fans aren’t convinced

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      GRAHAM POTTER has claimed senior Chelsea stars have slammed the club’s pre-season as the “WORST” they’ve had – though fans seem to have little sympathy. The Chelsea boss explained how he had spoken to senior stars in the team, with them giving their thoughts about the pre-season tour to America.
      Graham Potter has claimed senior stars have blasted the pre-season tourCredit: Reuters
      Potter claims it was the “worst” they had experiencedCredit: EPA
      Then boss Thomas Tuchel was later sacked by owner Todd Boehly in SeptemberCredit: AFP
      Ahead of Sunday’s clash against Tottenham, he said: “Speaking to a few of the experienced guys, they said it was the worst pre-season they’ve had.
      “Organisationally, the tour didn’t work as well as they’d like. I wasn’t there so I can’t say.”
      The tour saw Chelsea travel across the United States, playing in Las Vegas, Charlotte and Orlando before returning to Europe for a double-header in Italy.
      Results were far from ideal on the tour too.
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      Tuchel’s side lost 5-3 on penalties to Charlotte FC and were on the end of 4-0 drubbing by Arsenal three days later.
      However, given the poor results seen throughout the season, particularly in recent weeks, fans appeared to be in anything but a sympathetic mood for Potter.
      In response, one fan wrote: “Another excuse for the way the season is panning out?”
      A second said: “Did Tuchel not say the same thing and the owners sacked him and said he sold them out in his presser after the Arsenal game in pre-season 🤣🤡.
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      “They took the guys to the USA to do commercials and no room for manager to work.”
      A third commented: “It’s really easy blame it on Tuchel! Potter is soft and he’s only good at giving excuses!”
      While a fourth declared: “He is looking for excuses now.”
      A fifth added: “New excuse.”
      After a rocky start to the season, Tuchel was given the boot by owner Todd Boehly in September, with Potter coming in as his replacement.
      And despite a massive transfer outlay of £320million in January, results have not really picked up after the World Cup break with the Blues winning just two of their 11 games since. More

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      Arsenal new-boy Jorginho compares Mikel Arteta to legendary former Chelsea manager and singles out incredible similarity

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      ARSENAL midfielder Jorginho has likened Mikel Arteta’s management style to one of his former Chelsea bosses.The Italian, 31, made the switch from the Blues to the Gunners in the January transfer window in a £12million deal.
      Jorginho is impressed with the detail of Mikel Arteta’s managementCredit: Getty
      And he has been thrown straight into Arsenal’s starting line-up following an injury to Thomas Partey.
      Jorginho is a seasoned operator having played for Napoli for five seasons before his four-and-a-half-year stint with Chelsea.
      He was brought to Stamford Bridge by Maurizio Sarri – who he worked under in Italy.
      And the midfielder feels there are similarities between Sarri and his new head coach Arteta.
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      Speaking to beIN Sports, he said: “He [Arteta] reminds me a little bit of Sarri.
      “I am used to working with a manager that looks into the details.
      “For me, details make the difference in the end between a good team and a winning team.
      “I am sure, 100 per cent, that he worships [the details] so much.
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      “I’ve only been here a short time but I’m sure every day there is going to be something new and that’s why I’m so excited as well because I can see that I have so much to learn here.”
      Arsenal sit top of the table, two points clear of defending champions Manchester City.
      On Saturday, they will bid to extend their lead to five points when they travel to Leicester, before Man City head to Bournemouth in one of the late games.
      Jorginho failed to win the Premier League title during his time at Chelsea.
      But he did lift the Champions League with the London club in 2021 under Thomas Tuchel.
      And he also won the European Championships with Italy the same year.
      Jorginho worked with Maurizio Sarri at Napoli and ChelseaCredit: Getty – Contributor More