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      Restless Alejandro Garnacho given warning by Erik ten Hag and stats show why Man Utd manager is demanding more of winger

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      ALEJANDRO GARNACHO has been warned to start producing a better end product if he wants to stop being hooked.The 18-year-old winger was clearly unhappy at being subbed off in both the win over Crystal Palace and draw against Leeds.
      Alejandro Garnacho has been disappointed with being taken off in recent gamesCredit: Alamy
      Erik ten Hag warned the youngster he must start producing in the final thirdCredit: Reuters
      He even took to social media on Wednesday night with a picture of him beating the floor captioned “When you don’t understand what is happening remember that God is in control”.
      But tough taskmaster Erik Ten Hag says he needs to start upping his goals and assists if he wants to be a Manchester United player.
      Ten Hag said: “For a Manchester United player, we expect you to have an impact, to influence the score, to influence the result, to positively influence the game by scoring goals and having an assist.
      “I think he is doing well, he has an impact on our game, I think he is a threat.
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      “Against Leeds, he had good actions, he was lively, created chances, but had to score.
      “And finally, it’s about that, that you have an effect. As a striker, you have to at least be on the scoring list, the assist list, key action list to have the right impact.
      “Of course, we expect him also to do the other stuff but the base stuff is also important and if you can’t do the others then you have to do that, so that is your base function.”
      Garnacho has two goals and four assists from his 22 appearances this season, with eight of them starts.
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      Against Palace last Saturday he was actually subbed after being brought on. That followed a red card for Casemiro as Ten Hag tried to shore the game up.
      He looked a disconsolate figure as he did when replaced in the 59th minute against Leeds along with Wout Weghorst with his team 2-0 down.
      It was a move that worked as their replacements brought the teams level with Facundo Pellistri helping set up the Red Devils’ first goal and Jadon Sancho scored the equaliser.
      Ten Hag says he does not mind Garnacho showing his disappointment, believing that such emotions are his strength.
      Garnacho has struggled to create chances and score goals
      He said: “When he is coming off, that emotion, that frustration is not that he’s not accepting it.
      “I don’t think that he doesn’t understand the decision.
      “He’s quite emotional, that is his strength, he brings that to his game.
      “He wants to win, he wants to play football, he doesn’t want to miss any minute and I think that is a good thing.
      “He’s totally convinced about himself, that is a good thing.”
      And Ten Hag does not want to stop the Spanish-born Argentine under-20 international to lose that confidence which makes him fearless in taking people on.
      He said: “I think all the players have to be brave, to try something if it’s in the interests of the team.
      “That is what he is doing quite well because he is taking players on and he is outplaying them, he is creating chances. Against Leeds, he should have scored.”
      The Argentine has impressed with his ability to take players on since breaking into the United team, and has completed on average three dribbles per game.
      He has also been heavily involved with 54 touches per game, ten of which have come in the opposition box.
      But his ineffectiveness in the final third is highlighted by Garnacho failing to create a single big chance in the eight Prem games he has started.
      Garnacho will probably find himself starting from the bench in the return Premier League fixture against Leeds at Elland Road on Sunday, and he has shown he is more effective when it comes to creating chances when coming on.
      With Antony still injured, Jadon Sancho’s scoring return should see him enjoy his first start since the 1-1 draw away at Chelsea on October 22nd.
      Ten Hag has eased him back into the first team after citing physical and mental problems for the £73million signing being sidelined.
      The Red Devils boss was beaming with a smile in his technical area when the 22-year-old Sancho got his goal on Wednesday.
      He said that such moments and when Marcus Rashford scored yet again makes his job so special.
      He said: “That makes the job so exciting, it’s wonderful to work with young people, to get the best out of them, but finally, they have to do it by themselves.
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      “But sometimes they need motivation, sometimes they need a push, sometimes they need interaction, sometimes they also need the inspiration of a plan.”
      The plan at Elland Road will be simply to get a win after earning just one from their last four league games, shipping seven points in the process. More

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      Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun back on AC Milan’s transfer radar after stunning form on loan at Reims

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      AC Milan have revived their interest in Arsenal youngster Folarin Balogun according to reports. Balogun, 21, is enjoying a superb loan spell at Reims and is currently top of the Ligue 1 scoring charts with 14 goals one clear of Kylian Mbappe and Alexandre Lacazette.
      Folarin Balogun in action for Reims in the French Cup.Credit: AFP
      The Daily Mail reports that Italian Giants AC Milan are set to revive their previously held interest in the youngster.
      The Italian champions are looking to revamp their centre forward options with Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Olivier Giroud both in the twilight stages of their careers.
      Free transfer Divock Origi hasn’t hit the ground running since his summer arrival at the San Siro either.
      The New York-born striker’s form has left both himself and parent club Arsenal with a dilemma.
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      In the summer Balogun will have two years left on his contract and regular first team football at Reims has accelerated his development.
      The report adds that Arsenal will decide their plan for Balogun in the summer as it will represent the last chance for the Gunners to get a good fee for their academy graduate.
      A return to the Emirates could see Balogun as third choice behind Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah.
      French club Marseille and Spanish outfit Villarreal are also said to be monitoring Balogun ahead of a potential summer move.
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      The north London side are currently five points at the top of the Premier League with a game in hand on nearest challengers Manchester City. More

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      Chelsea ‘to listen to offers for Christian Pulisic this summer’ with £58m winger expected to lead Stamford Bridge exodus

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      CHRISTIAN PULISIC is reportedly “set to lead a summer clearout” at Chelsea.The American winger, 24, joined the Blues from Borussia Dortmund back in 2019.
      Christian Pulisic looks to be heading out of the Chelsea exitCredit: Getty
      The star has tasted Champions League success in West London but he has struggled for regular action.
      And this term he has been restricted to 21 outings, most from the bench, and just one goal.
      Chelsea’s record January transfer outlay led to them bringing in EIGHT new players in.
      They include a whopping £107m upfront with a potential further £4m to follow in add-ons to Benfica for Enzo Fernandez.
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      And the arrival of Ukrainian Mykhailo Mudryk from Shakhtar Donetsk has only added more competition for minutes on the pitch. 
      Pulisic has entered the final 18 months of his Stamford Bridge contract and has several PremIer League clubs chasing his signature.
      One of those is Manchester United, while Arsenal and Newcastle are also keen.
      And now a bidding war could be about to begin as ESPN claims Pulisic is “expected to be made available” at the end of the season as the Blues look to trim their bloated squad.
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      However, Chelsea know that they stand to make a “significant loss” on the man they spent £58m on.
      Following his participation with USA at the World Cup, Pulisic refused to rule out an exit when quizzed on his future.
      Speaking on the Indirect Podcast, he said: “I mean, right now I’m absolutely back at Chelsea and focused and ready to finish the season.

      “But you know how things work in football. Things change quickly and anything can happen.
      “At the moment I am just pushing myself in training and working at Chelsea because that’s where I am right now.” More

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      Man Utd boss Ten Hag admits he is open to change in football just days after reviled European Super League re-emerged

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      ERIK TEN HAG says he is open to change in football after the controversial European Super League reared its head again this week.The potential of a breakaway movement caused fan outrage when Manchester United joined a number of other top English and European clubs in a proposed new league.
      Erik ten Hag has quickly become a respected figure on the Old Trafford touchlineCredit: Getty
      That was quickly shelved due to the objections but this week further plans emerged with a competition involving 60-80 teams with promotion and relegation rather than the original closed shop 20.
      While Ten Hag was not talking about any specific proposal he said he would look at any new ideas.
      United boss Ten Hag said: “I think the current structure is good but there will always be initiatives to make it better, to make the football better and that is what life is.
      “People always want to construct better, which is a good thing because if it is in favour of the football, it is always good.
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      “I’m aware of the dynamic of what’s going on in sections but if I see they’re coming up with new ideas I have to have a look at it and I will make an opinion.”
      Ten Hag admits that ultimately any decision will be taken out of managers’ hands.

      Ten Hag would, however, certainly oppose any change that clogged the fixture list up any further.
      He believes this season’s schedule, which has included a World Cup in November and December, is now having a knock-on effect on players.
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      He said: “Definitely, it’s a tough season, with the World Cup in between and an overload of games for the players, that’s quite clear.
      “The load on the players is too much.” More

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      ‘Go to CEOs, Daniel Levy, ask them’ – Bullish Pep Guardiola blasts Prem rivals as he breaks silence on financial charges

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      PEP GUARDIOLA has spoken out after Manchester City were charged with 115 financial breaches by the Premier League.The charges relate to breaching financial regulations over nine seasons between 2009 and 2018 – plus further charges of failing to cooperate and hand over documents as required over the last five seasons from 2018-19 to 2022-23.
      🗣 “My first thought is already that we have been condemned.” Pep Guardiola says that everybody has already decided that Manchester City are guilty pic.twitter.com/U7G5VbfUZ3— Football Daily (@footballdaily) February 10, 2023

      Pep Guardiola has spoken out about Manchester City’s chargesCredit: Alamy
      City released a statement revealing they were “surprised” by the charges and Guardiola commented on the matter in his pre-match press conference ahead of the game against Aston Villa.
      He said: “My first thought is already that we have been condemned.
      “What has happened after Monday is the same as happened with Uefa. We were condemned. We have just a charge.
      “Why should when they told me before they defend the accusation from Uefa, the club proved we were completely innocent, why should now be condemned?
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      “19 teams of the PL are accusing us without the chance to defend and the words of my chairman my CEO my owner explain everything, you know what side I am on.”
      City have been charged following a four-year investigation but have not yet been found guilty.

      If they are City could be expelled from the Prem and stripped of the titles they have won since 2009.
      Asked if he believed the charges were driven by their Prem rivals, Guardiola said: “Go to the chairman, CEOs, Daniel Levy, ask them.
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      Manchester City’s financial charges
      “These 19 Premier League have set a precedent. What they [rival PL clubs] have done to us, be careful with that.
      “Be careful in the future. Many clubs can make suggestions and there are a lot of clubs that can be accused, like we have been accused.”
      City chiefs plan to fight the accusations and could go all the way to the High Court or to the Supreme Court if necessary.
      And just as in their victory over Uefa after the Champions League ban three years ago, City will unleash an army of lawyers to defeat the Prem legal team and put the charges to bed for good.
      Guardiola is confident City will be able to defend themselves against the charges, and prevail even if they suffer expulsion.
      He added: “Another side I would say we are lucky we live in a marvellous country where everyone is innocent until proved guilty. We didn’t have this opportunity.
      “We are already sentenced. What is going to happen I don’t know. Personally I am happy we are here, like Uefa we have the chance to defend. I think we have good lawyers. I think the Premier League supported by 19 teams will have good lawyers too.
      “Just in case we are not innocent we will accept what the judge in the Premier League decides but what happens if in the same situation that Uefa happened we are innocent, what happened to restore or pay back our damage?
      “Because the damage is now for one decade, eight nine 10.
      “One week later, Uefa make a statement against us, nine teams (lists them) a letter out of the Champions League. They are not enemies or friends just interested.
      “Now it is not different in that moment, about zero, the same accusations, you have to be out of the Champions League, go to League One, no League One is too good, League Two.
      “Dickov, Mike Summerbee, we will be back I am sure. We should wait. The Premier League cannot decide. We are going to in the Uefa situations.
      “We are not part of the establishment of this league but at the same time I understand they can do it but let us defend please.
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      “In this country, everyone is innocent until proven guilty.
      “Now it is time for the lawyers for both sides to defend the positions of one side or the other one but I am not involved. In one month, two three it will be longer, I know it.” More

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      Chelsea make £15m Kendry Paez transfer bid… despite fact 15-year-old wonderkid can’t join them for THREE YEARS

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      CHELSEA have made an offer to sign 15-YEAR-OLD Kendry Paez, according to reports.That’s despite the teenager NEVER making a first-team appearance.
      Chelsea have made a shock bid to sign Kendry PaezCredit: Getty
      But Paez has starred for Independiente del Valle’s youth team with the youngster currently playing in Ecuador.
      His form recently saw him promoted to the senior team ahead of this season.
      Paez has also impressed on the international stage, scoring three goals in five U17 caps for Ecuador.
      And Chelsea are now interested in bringing him to Stamford Bridge.
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      According to journalist Eduardo Erazo, the Blues are one of many clubs trying to sign him.
      And they’ve already seen a £14.8m did rejected for his services.

      That’s despite him not being able to make the move to Europe until he’s 18.
      But Chelsea face competition from around Europe.
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      Borussia Dortmund have previously seen a bid turned down, while Manchester United reportedly launched an offer back in December.
      Chelsea have focused on signing Europe’s best talent under Todd Boehly, spending more than £600m in two windows.
      But the West Londoners are clearly also looking to the future. More

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      Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy slams his own club’s transfer spending that included £65m record fee for Ndombele

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      DANIEL LEVY has confessed Tottenham’s poor signings such as Tanguy Ndombele and Giovani Lo Celso are still hitting the club in the pocket.Spurs recorded a £50.1million loss for their financial results ending June 30, 2022.
      Daniel Levy slammed Tottenham’s recruitment of some big money starsCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
      Flop Tanguy Ndombele cost a club-record £65mCredit: Getty
      That was an improvement on the £83.8m loss from the year before, though the latest figures are from the first full season with fans back in the stadium after the pandemic.
      Ndombele was signed for a club-record £65m in 2019, with fellow midfielder Lo Celso arriving a year later for £55m.
      Both proved to be costly flops and, with Spurs unable to find buyers, are currently on loan at Napoli and Villarreal respectively, while £28m capture Sergio Reguilon has been farmed out to Atletico Madrid.
      Levy admitted the errors continue to harm the club financially but believes recruitment in recent windows, which has included splashing big money on the likes of Cristian Romero, Richarlison and most recently Pedro Porro, has been much improved.
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      In a statement on the club’s website, the Tottenham chairman wrote: “We have felt, and continue to feel, the financial impact of supporting player purchases which have not worked out as planned.
      “We have taken steps to improve this area of operations and we believe the recent transfer windows reflect this.”
      Amid fan groans of Spurs not spending enough, Levy pointed out that £500m has been invested into the first-team squad since the opening of the club’s new stadium in April 2019, “putting us in the top five of spending in the Premier League”.
      He said the goal remains to have Spurs being competitive while being financially sustainable in the long term.
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      That has been getting harder, he argued, over the last decade with the arrival of “increased sovereign wealth ownership” in the Premier League, following the mega-money takeovers of Manchester City and Newcastle.
      City are in the dock for breaching Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules and could even face expulsion from the Premier League as a result.
      Levy added: “It is understandable that some fans call for more spending, much of which is unsustainable for many clubs.
      “We are competing in a league in which we have seen increased sovereign wealth ownership and consortia finance.
      “And in a league where the spending power is now vested in the hands of a few who dominate and have the ability to distort the market.
      “We welcome the changes to the governance of the game which compel greater financial sustainability and financial fair play.”
      With fans returning, Spurs made £106.1m on match receipts for the results’ period – compared to a measly £1.9m from the year before when Covid-19 continued to deny supporters the chance to attend games.
      Uefa prize money was down on the year before though due to an embarrassing group-stage exit of the Europa Conference League compared to competing in the Europa League the prior season.
      Levy said “stricter control of our cost base, increased commercial and sponsorship revenues and consistent European qualification” would be key to continuing the club’s investment in the team. More

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      Wout Weghorst’s new nickname given by Man Utd team-mate Lisandro Martinez revealed and it’s inspired by Lionel Messi

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      WOUT WEGHORST’S new nickname given to him by Lisandro Martinez has been revealed.And it was remarkably inspired by the great Lionel Messi.
      Lisandro Martinez has given Wout Weghorst a new nicknameCredit: Reuters
      Lionel Messi described Weghorst as stupid at the World CupCredit: TyC Sports
      The PSG star slammed Weghorst following Argentina’s victory over Holland at the World Cup.
      Despite Messi’s team progressing to the semi-finals, tempers flared at the end of the contest and the legend was left far from happy.
      And in his post-match interview, with Weghorst walking close to the camera, Messi furiously told him to clear off.
      He said: “Who are you looking at, stupid? Go ahead, you stupid.”
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      And Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez, who’s a team-mate of both, has made a little fun out of the situation.
      According to SPORT, he now calls Weghorst “Bobo” which means fool or idiot in Spanish.
      But things aren’t exactly going great for the Dutchman on the pitch.
      He recently scored his first Manchester United goal in the Carabao Cup tie with Nottingham Forest.
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      But that remains his only goal in his seven Red Devils appearances.
      He’s averaging fewer shots per 90 minutes in a United shirt than the likes of Scott McTominay and Diogo Dalot.
      And Erik ten Hag is considering dropping him from the team.
      Weghorst failed to hit the net once more against Leeds on Wednesday and was hauled off around the hour mark for the third game running. More