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      Man Utd are FAVOURITES to win the Premier League ahead of ‘stuttering’ Arsenal and Man City says ex-Liverpool star

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      MANCHESTER UNITED are the “FAVOURITES” to win the Premier League, according to a former Liverpool star.After a terrible start to the campaign, the Red Devils remain in the hunt for silverware on four fronts.
      Arsenal will blow the lead in the race for the Premier League, says an ex-Liverpool aceCredit: Alamy
      The former goalie says Man Utd are ‘favourites’ to win the titleCredit: EPA
      Boss Erik ten Hag is masterminding the downfall of Barcelona ahead of their Europa League second-leg on Thursday, he has them in the fifth round of the FA Cup and they take on Newcastle in the final of the Carabao Cup on Sunday in search of their first trophy since 2017.
      And despite trailing leaders Arsenal by five points and sitting third, the Red Devils are still in the Premier League title race.
      Many would have them as the outsiders to win the top-flight, but ex-England goalkeeper David James believes they will go all the way and punish the recent up-and-down form of the Gunners and second-placed Man City.
      Speaking to The Games Cabin, the 52-year-old said: “It’s so difficult to say and I don’t want to sound like a flag in the wind here, but Manchester United are probably the favourites at the moment to win the league with all the stuttering that Arsenal and Manchester City have been showing in recent weeks.
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      “Manchester United just seem to be cruising at the moment, however, as with Arsenal and Manchester City, every team’s run comes to an end, so there’s obviously a chance that Manchester United’s run will come to an end at some point.
      “If that was to happen, then that will put the advantage back with Arsenal and Manchester City, who you’d expect to pick up some good form between now and the end of the season.

      “Essentially, I believe those three teams will be in the top four at the end of the season.”
      United could fall eight points behind Arsenal over the weekend as the Gunners play their game in hand when they travel to Leicester on Saturday.
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      Meanwhile City, who have also played 24 top-flight matches and sit three points ahead of Ten Hag’s side, head to Bournemouth.
      The Red Devils will not be in Premier League action due to their date with destiny at Wembley.
      But they face a bumper challenge when they return to league duty with a trip to Anfield to face Liverpool on Sunday 5 March.
      David James spent seven years at Liverpool in the 1990sCredit: PA:Empics Sport More

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      Erik ten Hag spotted in talks with Man Utd legend Sir Alex Ferguson at dinner ahead of Barcelona clash in Europa League

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      ERIK TEN HAG has had a meeting with Sir Alex Ferguson ahead of Manchester United’s huge clash with Barcelona on Thursday.The pair of them were seen deep in conversation over dinner in Cibo restaurant in Wilmslow on Tuesday night.
      Sir Alex Ferguson was snapped at dinner with Erik ten HagCredit: Red Issue
      Ten Hag will look to book Man Utd’s place in the Europa League last-16Credit: Getty
      After Sunday’s 3-0 win over Leicester City, Ten Hag shouted towards the Stretford End that he needed their help for the Barcelona game.
      Now he has gone to the club’s greatest boss for the same.
      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.
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      Ten Hag is currently steering the Red Devils to trophy chances on four fronts.
      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 on Tuesday evening.
      Ten Hag has United in the title race, the fifth round of the FA Cup, and they take on Newcastle in the final of the Carabao Cup on Sunday in search of their first trophy since 2017.
      But the next game is a huge one against the La Liga leaders.
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      Old Trafford will host the second leg of United’s play-off with Barcelona to get into the last 16 of the Europa League.
      The tie stands at 2-2 after the first leg in the Nou Camp last week.
      Ferguson of course claimed Manchester United’s last win over Barcelona by 1-0 in the Champions League semi-final second-leg in 2008 having fought out a goalless draw in the Nou Camp.
      They went on to lift the last of their three European Cups in the final on penalties against Chelsea.
      Of course, Barcelona and current Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola would also inflict two final defeats on Ferguson, the following year by 2-0 and then 3-1 in 2011.
      Sir Alex was in the stands for the first leg at the Nou Camp last weekCredit: Getty More

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      Man Utd star Marcus Rashford impressing with hot scoring form… but stats show defenders doing their bit just as much

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      MARCUS RASHFORD may be scoring for fun — but he is just as pleased with CLEAN SHEETS.The forward, who has already hit a career-high 24 club goals this season, heads into a crucial three days for Manchester United.
      Marcus Rashford is in red-hot form in front of goal for Manchester UnitedCredit: Getty

      They face Barcelona in tomorrow’s Europa League second leg at Old Trafford with the score level at 2-2.
      United will then take on Newcastle in Sunday’s Carabao Cup final, hoping to lift their first trophy since 2017.
      Rashford, 25, is under pressure to continue his scoring run — but will also be feeling the strain from the other end of the pitch because of boss Erik ten Hag’s non-stop demands for perfection.
      And Rashford said: “It’s his determination. He doesn’t rest on anything and one of the big changes is the new manager and new coaches.
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      “They got the mentality back to what it was like previously. That’s been a massive thing for me and the team.”
      Rashford’s renaissance under Dutchman Ten Hag has been remarkable.
      Last season, beset by injury, self-doubt and thoughts of a move away from his boyhood club, Rashford hit the net just five times in 32 appearances.
      His double in Sunday’s 3-0 victory over Leicester meant he has scored 16 goals in 17 games since returning from World Cup duty with England.
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      But he is just as pleased with keeper David De Gea and his defensive team-mates at the way they are performing.
      Victory over the Foxes was the 18th time this season United have not conceded — with the Spaniard unbeaten on 15 occasions.
      De Gea has ten Prem clean sheets over 24 games, while at the same stage last season he had five.
      Rashford stresses the whole mindset has changed since Ten Hag replaced the hapless Ralf Rangnick.
      He added: “If we are 3-0 or 2-0 up and concede a goal, he’s not happy about it and that starts to spread.
      David de Gea has proved his worth between the sticks once againCredit: AFP
      Erik ten Hag has helped revolutionise the Old Trafford clubCredit: Getty
      “Now, all of a sudden me and the forwards are desperate to help David and the defence keep a clean sheet.
      “If we are winning 1-0, yes, it’s massively important while if we were winning 4-0, in the past it was less important if the other team scored a goal.
      “Now we are striving to be the best we can be — and at our best, we don’t concede.”
      While Rashford gives credit to Ten Hag and his backroom staff for helping him return to form, he claims to be feeling fresher than ever.
      He told Astro SuperSport: “It’s down to having had a proper rest in the summer.
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      “Being able to wind down and switch off, which I haven’t really done since I started.
      “That was one of the reasons I was just hungry and wanted to get the season started.” More

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      Man Utd fans demand Victor Osimhen transfer this summer after scoring AGAIN for Napoli in Champions League win

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      MANCHESTER UNITED fans have begged the club to sign Victor Osimhen after his latest goal for Napoli.The striker is in red-hot form and continued his scoring streak for the Italian side against Eintracht Frankfurt in the Champions League.
      Manchester United fans are desperate for the club to sign Victor OsimhenCredit: Getty
      Osimhen opened the scoring in the first half as Napoli beat 10-man Frankfurt 2-0 in the first leg of their Round of 16 tie, with another United transfer target Kolo Muani receiving a red card.
      And United fans only had eyes for one man after the match – Osimhen.
      He has fired Napoli to the top of Serie A with 18 goals in 19 league games, while he also has two goals in Europe.
      The Red Devils have been linked with his signature but it could take a club record £115million for Napoli to consider selling.
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      But many United supporters believe Osimhen is worth every penny so have called on the club to pull out all the stops to sign him.
      After the Nigerian scored against Frankfurt one fan wrote: “Man Utd NEED to sign Osimhen he’s unbelievable.”
      Another added: “Osimhen always proving why we should sign him.”
      A third said: “Osimhen scores. Deadly striker. Man Utd needs you my man.”
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      And another commented: “United should do anything to get Osimhen this summer.”
      Osimhen is believed to have a £107m release clause in his contract and United could look to activate it if they fail to sign Harry Kane. More

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      Man Utd braced for transfer bids for FOUR players from West Ham as David Moyes looks to overhaul squad this summer

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      WEST HAM could target FOUR out of favour Manchester United stars this summer, sensational reports claim.The Hammers are currently in the relegation zone having won just five Premier League games so far this season.
      David Moyes could reportedly target FOUR Manchester United stars in the summer windowCredit: Alamy
      Erik ten Hag needs to raise funds in order to make more signingsCredit: Getty
      And it’s said they could look to Old Trafford at the end of the campaign in order to freshen up the squad.
      CBS journalist Ben Jacobs, writing for CaughtOffside, claimed West Ham could even look at signing a quartert of United stars.
      Jacobs claims Scott McTominay, Harry Maguire, Donny van de Beek and Anthony Martial are all possible options.
      United are reportedly willing to let McTominay leave in the summer for £25million.
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      Moyes’ side may be left needing to sign a holding midfielder if talisman Declan Rice leaves the club.
      Arsenal have made Rice, 24, a top target for the next transfer window.
      United club captain Maguire has also been linked with a move away from Old Trafford.
      Former United striker Louis Saha has even urged Maguire to quit the club with the defender out of favour under Erik ten Hag.
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      Martial meanwhile has been plagued by injuries this season, and has started just six Premier League games.
      The Frenchman spent the second half of last season on loan at Sevilla, and is one of six players that could be sold in the summer.
      Another of those is Van de Beek, who is currently sidelined with a long-term knee injury.
      The Dutch midfielder has failed to ever nail down a starting spot at Old Trafford.
      Van de Beek was previously linked with a move to Valencia before suffering the knee injury during a rare start in January.
      Harry Maguire and Donny van de Beek have been linked with summer moves away from Manchester UnitedCredit: Reuters
      Anthony Martial could be sold after struggling with injury this seasonCredit: Getty
      The Red Devils are said to be willing to let Scott McTominay leaveCredit: Getty More

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      Loris Karius has chance to resurrect career and write new chapter in Carabao Cup final, claims Newcastle’s Eddie Howe

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      NEWCASTLE boss Eddie Howe claims Loris Karius has been handed a dream chance of resurrecting his crumbling career in Sunday’s Carabao Cup final.The former Liverpool keeper looks set to start in goal against Manchester United at Wembley after Nick Pope’s red card on Saturday evening.
      Loris Karius is set to start for Newcastle at Wembley on SundayCredit: Getty
      Eddie Howe has backed Loris Karius to impress in the Carabao Cup finalCredit: Getty
      Karius, 29, suffered a nightmare in the 2018 Champions League final against Real Madrid and has not played a competitive game for two years.
      Toon boss Howe said: “It would be a magnificent chance for him to rewrite the story of his career. There’s been loads of stories through the times in football where these things have happened and there’s been a really positive outcome – or not.
      “As soon as it happened (Pope’s red card) there was a feeling of whether there was another page in Karius’ career to write. Who knows what that chapter will look like?
      “That’s the beauty of football. We never know what is going to happen. This unpredictability is what makes it such an amazing thing to watch.”
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      Karius is Newcastle’s No3 keeper but No2 Martin Dubravka misses the final as he is Cup tied, having played on loan at Man Utd this season.
      German keeper Karius, who spent last year frozen out at Liverpool, received an urgent phone call from Howe on Saturday night following Pope’s dismissal in the 2-0 loss at home to Liverpool.
      Karius was in Milan with his girlfriend until Monday but was back training with the squad on Tuesday, along with No4 keeper Mark Gillespie.
      Howe said: “I had a chat with Loris on Saturday night. I felt the need to connect with him and speak with him. He was great, very relaxed. That’s the kind of guy he is – a very cool customer.
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      “Mark and Loris are fine. They’re part of a goalkeeping unit that is committed to that work every day, since pre-season started, so they’ve done lots of different things within training this season that people wouldn’t have seen. There have been training games and friendlies. They’ve been involved in all of them. They’re match ready.”
      Howe was asked whether he would have done anything differently in hindsight. Knowing his keeper situation, Howe could have started Dubravka against Liverpool on Saturday or maybe not let him go on loan to United.
      The Toon boss said: “I think if you go right back to the start of the season you would do things differently. We don’t have that ability to do so.
      “We’ve ended up in the situation we’re in. As for the Nick Pope sending off, it’s amazing how these things work. That’s how the footballing gods work.”
      Howe also confirmed Newcastle have not appealed against Pope’s red card.
      The former Bournemouth boss said: “We won’t be appealing. We looked at the footage and decided it wouldn’t have had a chance of being successful.
      “We’ve been thrown a challenge here. Nick’s suspended, he’s been a rock for us but I don’t see the group concerned about that. I just see strength.” More

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      N’Golo Kante on brink of signing new Chelsea contract as midfielder returns to training after long injury lay-off

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      N’GOLO KANTE is on the brink of signing a new Chelsea contract, according to reports.The news comes as the French midfielder makes his long-awaited return to first-team training in a double Blues boost.
      N’Golo Kante is eyeing up a return to Chelsea action and a new contractCredit: Getty
      Kante’s current Stamford Bridge contract expires at the end of the season in just four months’ time.
      But according to The Telegraph, talks between Chelsea and his representatives have been successful.
      And now Kante, 31, is close to putting pen to paper over an extension – just as Thiago Silva did earlier this month.
      The former Leicester man will therefore leave the likes of Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid and even Liverpool disappointed, with the European giants both interested in a free transfer swoop.
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      Kante, who is said to be settled in London after his 2016 move from the King Power, has won every trophy available in his six-and-a-half seasons at Chelsea except the Carabao Cup.
      The 53-cap star earns a reported £290,000 per week at Chelsea after signing his latest contract in 2018.
      He has made 262 Blues appearances, chipping in with 13 goals.
      But the World Cup winner is yet to feature under Graham Potter, despite the ex-Brighton manager replacing Thomas Tuchel in September.
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      His two appearances this term came at Everton and against Tottenham in August but has been out of action since due to his hamstring injury picked up in that 2-2 draw that forced him out of the World Cup.
      The report adds that Kante warmed up with his team-mates on Tuesday morning as part of the preparations for Sunday’s trip to Spurs – although he did not take a full part in the training session. More

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      Leeds stars face brutal new regime under new boss Javi Gracia as horror fines at Watford revealed

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      LEEDS’ stars are facing a tough new regime if Javi Gracia’s Watford tenure is anything to go by.The Spaniard was appointed Elland Road gaffer on Tuesday on a “flexible contract” after the club sacked Jesse Marsch.
      Javi Gracia was announced as Leeds manager on TuesdayCredit: Reuters
      Leeds’ stars could be in for a brutal new regime under GraciaCredit: Rex
      Gracia, 52, previously spent time at Watford, where he implemented a strict fine system.
      And Leeds stars could be in for some tough love if Gracia instils another stern regime.
      As revealed by the Guardian in 2018, Gracia took over from the Watford players to be in charge of the fine system after arriving at the club.
      And anyone late to training was brutally fined at a rate of £100-A-MINUTE.
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      Gracia also increased the amount players were fined for missing physio appointments and yoga sessions.
      Speaking in 2018 on the fine system at Vicarage Road, Troy Deeney said: “They used to be done by the players
      “This year the gaffer took charge and he’s made it so all the fines are very steep and nobody’s messing about.
      “I think everybody likes their money too much.”
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      Gracia himself spoke on his ruthless regime, insisting the reason for such hefty fines was to make players “respect the rules”.
      He said at the time: “I think the group needs discipline.
      “For me it’s most important to convince the players we don’t need the rules. If we have good behaviour, if all of you are thinking in the same way, we don’t need the rules. Then it’s perfect.
      “But you need to show them the way and they have to respect that. If one of them makes a mistake then they pay, but the objective is not to take away money.
      “The objective is they respect the rules.”
      Gracia guided Watford to the FA Cup final in 2019 before losing 6-0 to Manchester City at Wembley.
      Leeds say he will be in the dugout for Saturday’s mammoth game against Southampton “subject to obtaining the necessary work permissions”. More