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      Man Utd manager Erik ten Hag gets beard shaved ahead of clash with Barcelona

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      YOU only trim when you’re winning! Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has his beard shaved — as he tries to make his side one of the Greatest Of All Time.
      Man Utd manager Erik ten Hag has his beard shavedCredit: Eamonn and James Clarke
      The flat cap-loving footie boss was pictured after getting his hair cutCredit: Eamonn and James Clarke
      Manchester United face Barcelona in the second leg of their Europa League knockoutCredit: PA
      The flat cap-loving footie boss, 53, was in Altrincham, Gtr Manchester, a week after his side had a close shave in a 2-2 draw in Barcelona.
      They face the Spanish giants again tonight in the second leg of their Europa League knockout.
      United enter the critical clash unbeaten in a month.
      On Tuesday the Dutch coach had a meeting with Old Trafford legend Sir Alex Ferguson.
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      The pair were seen deep in conversation over dinner in Cibo restaurant in Wilmslow, Cheshire.
      Sir Alex is a huge admirer of ten Hag and what he has done for the club since taking charge in the summer.
      He believes that the Dutchman has taken the control of the team and the squad that has been needed.
      Ten Hag is currently steering the Red Devils to trophy chances on four fronts.
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      And Sir Alex, who won United the treble in 1999, was clearly happy to share his wisdom on football and the club itself over dinner. More

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      Chelsea blow in Josko Gvardiol transfer hunt as RB Leipzig boss Marco Rose reveals plans for star after Man City draw

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      CHELSEA have been dealt a blow in their pursuit of RB Leipzig star Josko Gvardiol.The Blues have targeted Gvardiol for several months and tried to sign him in January.
      RB Leipzig boss Marco Rose said Josko Gvardiol is going nowhereCredit: AP
      Chelsea are believed to be favourites to land the centre-back but could face a big obstacle with Leipzig keen to keep him.
      And after Gvardiol scored against Manchester City in the Champions League Round of 16 manager Marco Rose issued a hands off warning.
      He told suitors the Croatia international is going nowhere despite his desire to play in the Premier League.
      Rose said: “Joško Gvardiol will be a RB Leipzig player next season as well. I am the coach and I am asking for that. He is happy here.
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      “He said he wants to play in the Premier League, but he didn’t say when.”
      Gvardiol revealed he wants to follow Leipzig team-mate Christopher Nkunku wherever he plays, and he is set to join Chelsea this summer.
      The centre-back also spoke about his collapsed move to Stamford Bridge last summer, saying he struggled with the decision not to let him leave.
      He said: “My agent called me and said that Chelsea is extremely interested and, of course, you definitely think about a serious offer from a huge club like Chelsea.
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      “Leipzig said they didn’t want to sell me.
      “In the end I really struggled with that decision but we didn’t make an agreement. It is what it is.” More

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      Chelsea undergoing huge training ground rebuild with Todd Boehly introducing luxury ‘chillout room’ for stars

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      TODD BOEHLY is splashing out on a luxury ‘chillout room’ for his Chelsea stars while they battle a crisis on the pitch.The chairman and manager Graham Potter are overseeing a multi-million-pound upgrade of their five-star Surrey training complex.
      Co-owners Jonathan Goldstein, left, and Todd Boehly, right, sandwich Chelsea manager Graham Potter at the training ground to be revampedCredit: Getty
      Chelsea want to add a more relaxing off-pitch feel to their training centre in Cobham, SurreyCredit: Alamy
      The Blues are planning a costly overhaul of the whole centreCredit: Rex
      In addition to a comfy lounge area there is a gym, pool and rehab centre.
      Specialist interior designers have been recruited to decorate the walls with motivational phrases.
      But Potter wants the whole area to be more ‘flowing’ to make his pampered players — who are currently struggling down in tenth in the Prem — feel happier and more relaxed when they come into work.
      The  new players’ lounge will include soft furnishings and possibly even video games.
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      At present the Blues have nowhere to go and hang around the medical centre before training starts.
      Work on the project began in secret during the World Cup with Boehly also spending a considerable sum improving facilities for the women’s team.
      The short-term priority, however, remains improving the mood and form ON the pitch.
      The Blues have won just two of their 11 games since the World Cup.
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      And the Evening Standard say technical director Christopher Vivell met Potter plus his staff for a “strategy meeting” at the Cobham training ground.
      All the indications are, though, that Boehly and Co remain fully behind Potter.
      Soft furnishings are likely to be added to the indoor facilitiesCredit: Alamy
      Co-owner Todd Boehly is already improving facilities at CobhamCredit: Alamy More

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      Pep Guardiola compared to Hull legend Phil Brown after holding team talk on pitch at full-time of RB Leipzig draw

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      PEP GUARDIOLA has been compared to Hull legend Phil Brown after giving his team a talking to on the pitch after the game. Manchester City were held to a 1-1 draw against RB Leipzig in the first leg of their Champions League last 16 clash.
      Pep Guardiola was furious with Man City’s performance against RB LeipzigCredit: EPA
      He then kept his players on the pitch for the post-match team talkCredit: Reuters
      It drew comparisons to Phil Brown at Hull CityCredit: PA:Empics Sport
      And a furious Guardiola kept his players out of the dressing room to lecture them on the pitch.
      It has seen the Spaniard draw comparisons to Brown, who famously gave a half-time team talk to his players on the pitch in 2008.
      Fans online rushed to comment on the similarity.
      One user wrote: “Pep grilling his boys on the pitch. Bro thinks he’s Phil Brown.”
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      A second said: “Pep giving it some of the old Phil Brown on the pitch after the final whistle.”
      A third commented: “Also, did I just see Pep pull a Phil Brown? Things going very wrong at City…”
      A fourth added: “Pep Guardiola taking notes from Phil Brown? 🤔.”
      One cautious responder remarked: “Didn’t Hull’s season nosedive after he did that?”
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      Ironically, Brown’s famous team talk happened with Hull losing 4-0 at half-time at the Etihad. It seemed to have an impact as they drew the second half 1-1, losing the game 5-1.
      City had a second half to forget again in Leipzig. Riyad Mahrez saw his first-half effort cancelled out by a Josko Gvardiol header.
      However, City were denied a penalty after Benjamin Henrichs appeared to handle the ball in stoppage time.
      The second leg will be held at the Etihad on March 14.
      In the meantime, Guardiola will take his side down to Bournemouth in hopes of maintaining their Premier League title push. More

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      ‘Please don’t be real’ – Arsenal new home and away kit for 2023-24 season ‘leaked online’ and fans are NOT happy with it

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      ARSENAL’S kits for the 2023-24 season have been ‘leaked’ online.And Gunners fans are NOT happy by the rumoured shirts.
      An unconfirmed Arsenal home kit for the 2023-24 season has been leaked onlineCredit: Twitter
      An away kit was also leaked on TwitterCredit: Twitter
      The away kit is similar to this season’s home goalkeeper kitCredit: Reuters
      The leaked away kit is also reminiscent of the 2021-22 away kitCredit: Getty
      Unconfirmed images of two shirts, home and away, were posted to Twitter on Wednesday.
      The rumoured home kit is a red shirt with white sleeves and gold trim, complete with a scaly looking pattern, and ditching the collar that is currently on this season’s shirt.
      Meanwhile the leaked away kit is a pale green colour with black trim and a funky arrow type pattern.
      It is not too dissimilar from the current yellow home goalkeeper’s kit, as well as the away kit from 2021-22.
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      But the reaction to the unconfirmed kits from Arsenal fans was not a positive one.
      One disbelieving Twitter user wrote in reply: “Please don’t let these be real.”
      Another said: “We can’t show up in front of people with these. Embarrassing.”
      A third begged: “I’m hoping these remain unconfirmed.”
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      And a fourth joked: “Imagine winning the league and then next season walking out in those. Hand the trophy back and get in the bin.”
      Although there was some fans who were impressed, with one gushing: “The gold is beautiful. I’d love to see those kits.”
      One thing Arsenal fans will be hoping for on next season’s kits are gold Premier League champions badges on the sleeve.
      Mikel Arteta’s side are currently two points clear or title rivals Manchester City at the top of the league, having also played a game less than Pep Guardiola and Co. More

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      Anthony Martial separated from Man Utd main group to train on own as striker battles back from injury lay-off

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      ANTHONY MARTIAL has been training on his own as he edges closer to a return to action. The Manchester United forward has not featured in the first team since the Manchester derby on January 14 due to a hip injury.
      Anthony Martial has been doing individual trainingCredit: PA
      Martial alongside assistant coach Mitchell van der GaagCredit: PA
      He has struggled with fitness throughout the seasonCredit: PA
      Martial, 27, has played just 14 times all season, and January signing Wout Weghorst has now played more Premier League games than the Frenchman.
      Martial’s record when he does play is impressive, with six goals and two assists in nine starts and five substitute appearances.
      Erik ten Hag has previously used individual training to get players into gear before returning to the first team, as seen with Jadon Sancho.
      Now he has chosen to use the same method on Martial to help boost the Frenchman’s return.
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      Ahead of Thursday’s Europa League play-off second leg against Barcelona, Ten Hag confirmed Martial would not be available, while providing an update on two other stars.
      He said: “I expect to have [Harry] Maguire and Antony back.
      “Anthony Martial is not available. He is back on the pitch, we wait for team training.”
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      In Sancho’s case, the move to give him an individual training regime has paid dividends.
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      The 22-year-old has scored twice in five games since his return to the team. More

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      Man Utd takeover by Qataris will be great for club as Sheikh is ‘very good person’ – reveals Barcelona boss Xavi

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      XAVI believes a Qatar takeover will be good for Manchester United.The Barcelona coach played for Qatar side Al Sadd between 2015-19 and went on to coach them from 2019-21.
      Barcelona and Spain legend Xavi warmed up for Thursday’s Europa League second leg at Old Trafford by praising United bidder Sheikh JassimCredit: EPA
      Man Utd would flourish if Sheikh Jassim took over, Xavi suggests
      He was also an ambassador for the recent World Cup and knows United bidder Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Al Thani.
      Ahead of Barca’s Europa League match against United he said the club-owning Glazers would do well to accept his bid.
      Xavi said: “I have a good relationship with the Sheikh and I think he would do a good job.
      “I think he is a very good person with serious responsibilities.”
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      Sheikh Jassim is up against Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s INEOS group to take control of the club after the Glazer’s put it up for sale for around £6billion.
      In a statement last week Sheikh Jassim made his intentions clear to buy the club out right and make it number one again.
      His statement said: “The bid plans to return the club to its former glories both on and off the pitch, and – above all – will seek to place the fans at the heart of Manchester United Football club once more.
      “The bid will be completely debt free via Sheikh Jassim’s Nine Two Foundation, which will look to invest in the football teams, the training centre, the stadium and wider infrastructure, the fan experience and the communities the club supports.
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      “The vision of the bid is for Manchester United Football Club to be renowned for footballing excellence, and regarded as the greatest football club in the world.”
      Xavi also believes that the Sheikh would be buying a club on the up again under Erik Ten Hag’s management.
      He said: “Manchester United are one of the best teams in Europe at the minute, showing their quality and competitiveness through great results.
      “They’re the best United I’ve seen in the last few years, with a great coach, and great players who show a lot of personality and passion.”
      To beat them tonight Barcelona will have to try and keep Marcus Rashford quiet.
      He scored in the 2-2 first leg of this tie, which has a place in the last 16 of the competitions as the reward.
      After his double at the weekend against Leicester he now has 16 in his last 17 games since returning from the World Cup and 24 in all for the season.
      Centre-back Joules Kounde had a tough time handling him in the first leg and Ten Hag was furious that he had not been sent off when coming into contact with the England international as he broke away in the second-half.
      But Kounde said: “I think it was 50-50. There is contact but I think it’s very light.
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      “I think it’s very light and the referee decided to not give me a red card, so I don’t feel lucky. I feel it’s part of the decision of the referee.
      “It’s true that I think I could have been sent off because it was 50-50 but the referee made the decision and obviously I’m very happy.” More

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      I had night of my life for Man Utd… then a pregnant woman knocked at my door the next day, reveals ex-star

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      DANNY SIMPSON has opened up on the time a woman turned up on his doorstep claiming to be pregnant with his child – hours after he played in the Champions League for Manchester United.After progressing through the club’s academy, Simpson made eight appearances for the Red Devils.
      Danny Simpson (second from right) came through the academy at Manchester UnitedCredit: Getty
      Simpson played eight first team games for the Red DevilsCredit: Getty
      One of those came against Roma in the Champions League in December 2007.
      He played 90 minutes in a 1-1 draw in the group stages, the same season United went on to lift the trophy in Moscow.
      Then, the day after his big night at the Stadio Olimpico, Simpson was told he was going to be a father at the age of 19.
      The claim turned out to be false, and Simpson has now spoken on the effect that period of time had on his life.
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      The now 36-year-old told the Under The Cosh podcast: “People don’t know this but I don’t mind saying it. I played Roma away in the Champions League, drew 1-1, think [Gerard] Pique scored.
      “Next day, my apartment buzzer has gone. ‘Hello?’ Ah it’s… I won’t say the name, but I was like ‘oh yeah, come in’.
      “This girls turned up at my door, five months pregnant, telling me I’m the dad.
      “So imagine, I’ve just played the Champions League, biggest night of my life, drew 1-1, got [Francesco] Totti’s shirt, come home buzzing, all my mates are buzzing, and then 24 hours later some bird is telling me she’s pregnant.”
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      The outing against Roma ended up being Simpson’s last game for Manchester United.
      While he went on to win the Prem title with Leicester in 2015-16, Simpson described that period of his life at United as “madness”.
      Simpson ended up joining Ipswich on loan in March 2008, before having further loan spells at Blackburn and Newcastle before he left Old Trafford for good in 2010.
      He continued: “When you’re playing you think you can deal with it. I’m a kid [at the time], I’ve got this lawyer saying she wants this house and this and that.
      “Cut a long story short, had the test and obviously it wasn’t mine. It was a mad four to six months. Madness.”
      Simpson revealed he didn’t tell boss Sir Alex Ferguson, but Rio Ferdinand was there “helping” him to get through a difficult period.
      He added: “Rio was helping me with that one. It was mad, when that test came, the results come through, it was mad.
      “I was on tele the night before playing against Roma – one of the best nights of my life, playing for United in the Champions League against Roma and Totti, Ludovic Giuly, I played some top players and I had a good game – and then next day a big bomb [was dropped] on me.”
      Simpson has not played since leaving Bristol City in March 2022. More