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      Man Utd fans go wild as loanee Hannibal Mejbri catches West Brom goalie out to score cheeky free kick for Birmingham

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      MANCHESTER UNITED loanee Hannibal Mejbri wowed fans of his parent club after scoring a superb free-kick for Birmingham.The 20-year-old joined the Midlands club on a season-long loan back in the summer and has featured in every Championship game since his arrival.
      Hannibal Mejbri’s free-kick was his first goal of the seasonCredit: Rex

      Man Utd fans were impressed by Hannibal’s strikeCredit: Getty
      But, while he had contributed five assists heading into their clash with West Brom on Friday night, he was yet to score for the Blues.
      That changed after just 10 minutes at St Mary’s as he executed a superb free-kick.
      Hannibal looked set to whip the set-piece into the penalty area as his team-mates waited to attack the six-yard box.
      But he then stepped up and whipped the ball around the wall and into the unguarded corner, catching Albion keeper David Button out in brilliant fashion.
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      And his first goal of the campaign attracted the attention of Man Utd fans.
      Reacting on social media, one person said: “HANNIBAL MEJBRI, THAT IS BRILLIANT! ❤️”.
      Another added: “People keep doubting his future, I think he’ll be class for us as back-up to Bruno. My boy is killing it!!! 😍😍”.
      Referencing former Man Utd man Tahith Chong, a third responded: “Standing there with Chong as well, my boys 😭♥️”.
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      And a fourth replied: “Only few players try this and accomplish it by the way”.
      John Eustace’s Birmingham went into the clash with West Brom in 18th place, seven points above the relegation zone and nine adrift of the play-offs.
      Carlos Corberan’s West Brom sat sixth knowing a win would move them above Watford and three points clear of seventh-placed Blackburn.
      Hannibal has received plenty of game time at BirminghamCredit: Getty More

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      Arsenal stars in good spirits as Xhaka, Saka and Zinchenko are put through paces in training ahead of Brentford clash

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      MIKEL ARTETA’S Arsenal squad were in high spirits as they prepared for Saturday’s clash with Brentford.The Gunners suffered a second Premier League defeat of the season last time out as Everton secured a 1-0 win at Goodison Park.
      (L-R) Oleksandr Zinchenko, Bukayo Saka, Granit Xhaka. Thomas Partey and Amario Cozier-Duberry at Arsenal training on FridayCredit: Getty
      The Arsenal team seemed in good spirits on FridayCredit: Getty
      Mikel Arteta will be looking for a response following the defeat to EvertonCredit: Getty
      Nketiah was all smiles at the training groundCredit: Getty
      But the league leaders were then bailed out 24 hours later when local rivals Tottenham did them a favour by beating Manchester City.
      It means the gap between Arsenal and Man City remains five points ahead of this weekend’s fixtures, with the Gunners also holding a game in hand.
      And before Pep Guardiola’s men host Aston Villa on Sunday, Arteta’s side will take on Brentford at the Emirates on Saturday afternoon.
      Arsenal prepared for the clash with a training session on Friday and appeared to be all smiles despite coming off the back of a loss.
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      Captain Martin Odegaard has been sensational so far this seasonCredit: Getty
      Emile Smith Rowe is looking to work his way back into the teamCredit: Getty
      The likes of Granit Xhaka, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Bukayo Saka, Eddie Nketiah and club captain Martin Odegaard were put through their paces ahead of the crucial game.
      And Arteta will be wary of what Brentford can bring given they beat Man City 2-1 at the Etihad in November.
      The Bees are flying high in seventh place and could leapfrog Brighton with a victory.
      Meanwhile, Arsenal will be determined to avoid back-to-back defeats for the first time this season.
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      And Paul Merson feels the Everton slip-up was a huge opportunity missed by his former club.
      Speaking to Sky Sports, he said: “Arsenal would have won the league on Saturday with a win at Goodison Park.
      “With what happened with Man City at Tottenham on Sunday, it would have all been wrapped up in my opinion.
      “They are the fine margins you are dealing with at this stage of the season.”
      Arsenal hold a five-point lead over Man City at the top of the tableCredit: Getty
      Aaron Ramsdale has been ever-present in Arsenal’s sideCredit: Getty
      Arsenal will bid to avoid back-to-back defeats when they host BrentfordCredit: Getty More

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      Christian Atsu’s kids learned on radio ex-Prem star was missing after believing he’d been found, agonised partner says

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      CHRISTIAN Atsu’s kids learned their dad was still missing through the radio after believing he had been found, his heartbroken partner said.The whereabouts of former Chelsea star Atsu, 31, remain unclear after he became trapped under rubble when the building he was in Turkey collapsed during a horror earthquake.
      Christian Atsu, 31, remains missing following the horror earthquakes in TurkeyCredit: PA
      His partner Marie Rupio said their kids found out he still hadn’t been found from the radioCredit: BBC
      An aerial view of collapsed buildings in Kahramanmaras as search and rescue efforts continueCredit: Getty
      Atsu, who joined Hatayspor last summer, was on the ninth floor of an apartment block when a powerful 7.5 magnitude quake struck on Monday.
      Hatayspor’s vice president reported on Tuesday he had been found alive in the wreckage and rushed to hospital in Kahramanmaras.
      But the following day, Atsu’s agent Nana Sechere said his whereabouts were “unconfirmed”.
      Atsu’s tearful partner Claire Rupio said their two sons and daughter found out he was still missing when they heard it on the radio.
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      She told BBC news from Newcastle: “It was quite shocking, as you can imagine, with the club confirming that he has been found alive and taken to hospital.
      “And 11 hours later, my children had to hear it from the radio saying that they still don’t know where he is.

      “I know that his agent is there and they are trying their best to find him, so I trust that he will bring me the news that if he sees him or speaks to him.
      “But it’s quite confusing, everything.”
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      Claire said the Ghana ace was living with his teammates in Turkey and she and their kids last spoke to him on Saturday morning
      The mum added: “All I know is that currently his agent is in Turkey, and he’s trying to get to the place where it happened.
      “They know where the building is, and they’re trying their best to rescue everybody.
      “They know that there are people still under the rubble, but the problem is that they don’t have the equipment necessary to get them out.
      “So he is still missing, and we don’t know where he is.”
      The massive 7.8 magnitude quake stuck early on Monday with such force that it moved the country 10ft.
      Two further earthquakes struck in the 24 hours after the initial tremor, leaving a trail of destruction stretching for hundreds of miles along Turkey’s border with Syria.
      Video showed rescuers with searchlights sifting through the wreckage of Atsu’s apartment block on Monday night.
      His voice was then heard in the rubble, along with that of Hatayspor’s Sporting Director Taner Savut, local media reported.
      But despite reports he had been pulled from the wreckage, his whereabouts remain unclear.
      Just hours before the first quake struck, Atsu scored deep into stoppage time on Saturday to secure a 1-0 win over Kasimpasa.
      He tweeted: “Important win for the team. Happy to be on the scoresheet.”
      The death toll has now surpassed the grim milestone of 22,000.
      Turkey’s disaster-management agency said more than 19,300 people had been confirmed killed in the disaster so far in Turkey, with more than 77,000 injured.
      More than 3,300 have been confirmed killed in Syria, bringing the total number of dead to more than 22,000.
      Some 12,000 buildings in Turkey have either collapsed or sustained serious damage, according to Turkey’s minister of environment and urban planning, Murat Kurum.
      Generous Sun readers have now raised £850,000 and Britain will send aid workers to help those whose lives have been shattered by Monday’s destructive 7.8 earthquake.
      Atsu joined Chelsea from Porto for £3.5million in 2013 but didn’t make a single appearance for the Premier League giants.
      He also took in loans at Vitesse, Everton, Bournemouth, Malaga and Newcastle.
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      And the Magpies made his deal permanent in 2017 after Atsu played a key role in their promotion from the Championship.
      He then signed a one-year contract with Hatayspor last summer.
      Rescuers used searchlights to hunt for survivors in Atsu’s apartment blockCredit: Twitter/@ajansspor

      It is thought thousands remain trapped under rubbleCredit: Reuters
      Rescuers are trying to listen for survivors stuck under collapsed buildingsCredit: Reuters More

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      Prem clubs get HUGE cash boost after £488m EA Sports deal that QUADRUPLES previous agreement after record transfer spend

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      PREM clubs have cashed in with a huge new £488m deal with video games giant EA Sports.A fall-out with world bosses means the company’s marquee football game will no longer have the “Fifa” tag from next year.
      EA Sports’ football game will NOT wear the Fifa tag anymore next yearCredit: Getty
      But the six-year deal, signed off by club bosses, represents almost a QUADRUPLING of the previous three-season agreement.
      That deal had been worth around £23m per year, adding up to just over £1m per club.
      But the new contract to run from the start of next term will be worth £81.3m each year.
      The new agreement will extend the relationship between EA Sports and the Prem, which started in 1998, to 31 years.
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      Prem January spending almost doubled the previous record last month.
      A total of £815million was splurged by English top flight clubs during the mid-season transfer window.
      Chelsea accounted for a staggering £326m of this sum – with big money buys including Enzo Fernandez and Mykhailo Mudryk.
      The Blues’ spend was more than that of clubs in Spain, Germany, Italy and France put together.
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      The Premier League spent more than all the other top five leagues in January
      Meanwhile, Prem clubs have ridiculed rebooted “reverse Brexit” plans for a European Super League WITHOUT English teams.
      Conspirators Real Madrid, Barcelona and Juventus are refusing to give up on their breakaway project despite it crashing and burning inside 48 HOURS two years ago.
      Now the three rebels are using Madrid-based sports marketing firm A22 to rehash another version of the plan that would see up to 80 clubs leave Uefa to form a new competition.
      But that would NOT include any Premier League clubs, with A22 using the success of English football as a justification for the new tournament.
      Prem club bosses last night accused the Super Leaguers of wanting to boot English teams OUT of Europe. One insider revealed: “This is a reverse Brexit.
      “We are talking about a closed league that is trying to justify itself by pitting Europe against England.
      “At the same time, they claim they want to emulate the Prem’s success. To say people are bemused is an understatement.”
      Real Madrid chief Florentino perez is refusing to give up on the hated Super League projectCredit: EPA More

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      Mason Greenwood speaks with Man Utd manager Erik ten Hag for the first time since attempted rape charges dropped

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      MASON Greenwood has spoken with Manchester United manager Erik Ten Hag for the first time since attempted rape charges against the striker were dropped.The Dutch manager phoned Greenwood days after the Crown Prosecution Service discontinued allegations of attempted rape, controlling and coercive behaviour and assault. 
      Mason Greenwood has spoken to Manchester United manager Erik Ten Hag for the first time since his charges were droppedCredit: AFP
      The Dutchman called Greenwood who is still unable to play for UnitedCredit: Getty
      It was the first time Ten Hag had spoken to Greenwood, 21, since taking over as United boss last summer.
      All previous contact with the club, which suspended Greenwood after his arrest in January 2022, had been through a third party.
      Earlier this month we revealed how the Crown Prosecution Service had withdrawn charges of attempted rape, actual bodily harm and coercive or controlling behaviour.
      It came after 12 witnesses, including the woman at the centre of the allegations, refused to co-operate.
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      Greenwood is still unable to play for United or train while the Red Devils  carry out an internal probe.
      But a source said: “Mason has spent a long time with very little — if any — contact from the club. As and when they were in touch, it was never direct and always through a third party. So for the manager to call him  was a big step for him and one he really appreciated.
      “The manager enquired how he was feeling physically and mentally and said he was pleased the charges had been dropped.
      “He thought it was the right thing to do to get in touch with Mason.
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      “But he was clear it will be the club rather than him which will decide if Mason can play for United again.”
      They continued: “Mason’s spirits were lifted by it. He has been at United since he was six and just wants to get back to playing football for them.
      “He is happiest with a ball at his feet and wants to get his career back on track.
      “But he knows the club has a massive decision to make.”
      Greenwood, who earns around £100,000-a-week, is still contracted to United until 2025.
      Prior to his arrest, he was valued at around £50million and regarded as one of European football’s hottest young talents.
      But Manchester United’s women’s players reportedly don’t want him to return to the club.
      According to reports in The Athletic, “the feeling is strong” amongst the team that Greenwood should be let go.
      This feeling is reportedly even shared amongst his teammates in the men’s dressing room, who are not all in favour of having him back.
      Fans are also said to be uncertain of welcoming Greenwood back to the club despite charges being dropped.
      Some have even demanded that he be released from his contract.
      He first kicked a ball competitively aged five when  dad Andrew, 53, took him to local youth club Idle Juniors FC.
      He made his debut after his sixth birthday, scoring ten goals.
      United’s academy scouts offered him a place at  their development centre in Halifax, West Yorks.
      Greenwood was pictured with Red Devils legend Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who would later become his manager, at United’s Cliff training ground.
      In 2018 then manager Jose Mourinho picked the 16-year-old for a pre-season US tour.
      A few months later he signed his first pro contract for £800 a week.
      The talented striker made his first team debut in March 2019. Prior to his arrest, Greenwood was valued at  £50million.
      He last played  on January 22, 2022 in a 1-0 Premier League win  against West Ham.
      Greenwood has made 129 appearances for United, scoring 35 goals and winning one England cap.
      Following his arrest he was dropped from a multi-million pound boot deal by Nike.
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      And EA Sports also removed him from the popular FIFA 22 video game.
      Earlier this week Nike said it had no plans to work with Greenwood while United bosses are believed to be sounding out sponsors for their views on whether he could play again. More

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      ‘He’d be a great asset’ – Dele Alli backed to make Premier League return despite horror spell in Turkey with Besiktas

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      DELE ALLI has been backed to return to the Premier League one day.The Tottenham cult hero joined Besiktas from Everton last summer after a brief stint with the Merseyside club.
      Dele Alli has been backed to return to English footballCredit: Getty
      The 26-year-old is mobbed after a recent goalCredit: Getty
      He was frozen out by the Turkish side following Senol Gunes’ arrival as manager, but recently produced a goal-scoring, man of the match display against Alanyaspor.
      Alli, 26, had Besiktas fans raving about his performance.
      And fellow former Tottenham star David Bentley thinks that the 37-cap England international could still make an impact back on home soil.
      Chatting to Bitcoin Casinos, the 38-year-old said: “I’ve got a slight connection with Dele as he was with my agency.
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      “He left and I think his brother took over the day-to-day runnings and maybe his personal life hasn’t been managed correctly – but it’s such a shame as he’s such a talent.
      “But I think he had a good game the other day for Besiktas – I think he scored and put in a man of the match performance, but for a talented player and the age he is it’s a shame it’s just not working out for him.
      “If someone can get him right again, he’d be a great asset to any PL club.”
      Dele has made 14 appearances in total for Besiktas, scoring three times.
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      Dele started just one game during his time at EvertonCredit: Reuters
      After leaving Tottenham for Everton in January 2022, Alli started just ONE game under Frank Lampard.
      He appeared from the bench in the Toffees’ opening two games of this season before being shipped off to Besiktas.
      Alli plays alongside fellow Englishman Nathan Redmond in Turkey, as well as ex-Prem stars Arthur Masuaku, Cenk Tosun, Georges-Kevin Nkoudou, Romain Saiss, Gedson Fernandes and Rachid Ghezzal.
      Dele is dating model Cindy KimberlyCredit: https://www.instagram.com/wolfiecindy/ More

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      Tottenham ‘eye Benfica talent guru’ if transfer chief is banned over Juventus scandal

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      TOTTENHAM are reportedly eyeing up Benfica “transfer guru” Rui Pedro Braz if director of football Fabio Paratici is handed a ban from English football.Paratici, 50, was given a two-and-a-half-year suspension from Italian competition last month for his part in the Juventus transfer scandal.
      Fabio Paratici has been banned in Italy for his part in the Juventus scandalCredit: Getty
      Spurs could turn to Rui Pedro Braz if Paratici is banned from English footballCredit: Getty
      He spent 11 years with the Serie A giants from 2010 to 2021.
      And he could yet be banned from English football too if the Italian FA call on Fifa to enforce a sanction on him.
      If that does happen, The Mirror are reporting that Spurs will look to snap up Benfica man Pedro Braz.
      The 44-year-old joined the Portuguese giants in 2021 and has performed a sensational role in selling players for huge profits.
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      They have included the sale of Enzo Fernandez for £107million and Darwin Nunez for £85m.
      Braz, who was linked with Chelsea before they announced Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley as their new sporting directors earlier this month, has a masters in communication and leadership and an MBA in sports management.
      Before being put in charge of scouting talent, he also worked as technical secretary for Benfica’s futsal side.
      Spurs will be keen to invest in the summer in a bid to convince Antonio Conte to remain at the club.
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      The 53-year-old is set to enter the final 12 months of his deal and is yet to confirm he will be in North London beyond the end of the season.
      Spurs sit fifth in the Premier League table, one point adrift of the top four.
      They are also still in the Champions League, with the first leg of their last-16 tie against AC Milan on February 14. More

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      Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard reveals what Cristiano Ronaldo was REALLY like in dressing room during Real Madrid spell

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      MARTIN ODEGAARD has revealed Cristiano Ronaldo was one of three players who helped him settle at Real Madrid. The Arsenal captain was the hottest property in European football when he joined Los Blancos for £3million in January 2015.
      Martin Odegaard replacing Cristiano Ronaldo for his Real Madrid debutCredit: Getty
      Martin Odegaard became Real Madrid’s youngest debutant at 16 years and 157 days old.Credit: AFP
      Odegaard couldn’t speak Spanish when he arrived in Madrid at just 16 years old but luckily there were a few players he could communicate with in English.
      Former Premier League stars Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modric as well as World Cup winner Toni Kroos spoke the language.
      Speaking to The Players’ Tribune the Arsenal captain, 24, said: “All I’m thinking is about how these guys will treat me when I walk into their dressing room. This little kid who didn’t speak any Spanish.” 
      The Norwegian added: “But they were all very kind and the ones who spoke English, Kroos, Modric and Ronaldo, they took extra care of me in the beginning.”
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      He concluded: “They gave me advice and helped me a lot. But, honestly, I don’t think any of them were particularly worried about a 16-year-old from Norway taking their place in the team.”
      Odegaard would go on to become the youngest Real Madrid debutant in history back in May 2015 at just 16 years and 157 days old when he replaced Ronaldo during a 7-3 win over Getafe.
      The now Arsenal captain’s time in the Spanish capital wasn’t a success and he only made 11 appearances in total during six and a half years on Los Blancos’ books.
      He had loan spells at Dutch side SC Heerenveen and Spanish outfit Real Sociedad before going on his third loan spell to Arsenal in January 2021.
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      The move to North London was made permanent the following summer for £30million. More