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      Man Utd star Anthony Martial ‘begged’ to start Manchester derby despite fitness concerns and missing training

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      ANTHONY MARTIAL “begged” to start in the Manchester derby.The French attacker was given the nod by manager Erik ten Hag for the Red Devils’ win at Old Trafford.
      Man United boss Erik ten Hag revealed that Anthony Martial ‘begged’ to start the derby clashCredit: AFP
      However Martial could not finish the game as he was not 100 per cent at half timeCredit: AP
      But Martial was forced to be substituted at half-time for Brazilian winger Antony after picking up a knock.
      Ten Hag has since admitted that he did want the 27-year-old to get injured and that he had missed training due to concerns over his fitness.
      The Red Devils boss said: “I hoped to avoid that he was getting injured but he was complaining.
      “That’s why he also didn’t train in the week and was a question mark [for the derby].
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      “We decided — and he decided as well — to start. He begged to start.
      “I knew the start would be so important in this game and he is really good at pressing and he is a really big element in our pressing.
      “But I needed to re-evaluate at half-time as you saw he was not capable to go 100 per cent and this is what you need.
      “And also to avoid him getting injured so we took him off but it also had a negative impact on our game after half-time.”
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      Despite early season knocks and niggles, the attacker has been key in United’s recent good form.
      He has only missed one of the last ten games, in which he has netted twice.
      This run of form has helped the club climb up the table to fourth place, only one point behind second-placed Manchester City.
      If Martial is unable to play in United’s next game, which is against Crystal Palace, then a debut could be handed to loan signing Wout Weghorst.
      However, Ten Hag was not giving anything away, as he said: “I have to think about that [Weghorst featuring if Martial is out].
      “First, settle down after this game [Man City], make the right conclusions and then we will make a clear plan for Palace.
      “Of course, I know a lot about Palace, we faced them also in pre-season and know how their team is, but the total plan I don’t have now. I didn’t construct it until now.
      “So from this point on, we can construct the plan and prepare the team in the right way.” More

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      Everton ‘make contact with Marko Arnautovic’ as they plot January transfer for former Man Utd target

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      EVERTON have made contact with Bologna over the possibility of signing Marko Arnautovic, according to reports.The Austrian was a target for Manchester United in the summer but a transfer did not materialise.
      Marko Arnautovic could return to the Premier LeagueCredit: Getty
      But now the Toffees are keen to bring in the striker as they look to bolster their squad in an attempt to boost their Premier League survival hopes.
      Italian outlet TuttoMercatoWeb claim Everton have seen a loan bid for Atalanta forward Duvan Zapata rejected.
      Reports also suggest that Everton have had an offer turned down for Udinese striker Beto.
      Therefore, the club have turned their attention to Arnautovic, having already made contact with the player’s representatives.
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      The 33-year-old is best remembered for his spells in the Premier League with Stoke and West Ham.
      And he is still finding the net now at Bologna in Serie A, netting eight goals in 16 matches this season.
      Arnautovic is currently out with an injury that is expected to keep him sidelined until the end of January, handing him time to sort out the potential move.
      Everton are in desperate need for more players with Frank Lampard’s men joint bottom of the table on 15 points.
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      With pressure building on the Merseyside club’s board, they are keen to bring in a number of quality players.
      The team have found the back of the net only 15 times this term, the second lowest number by a side in the division.
      To solve their problems, they have also been linked with Man Utd’s Anthony Elanga and Lille’s Timothy Weah. More

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      Chelsea new boy Mudryk’s Instagram post from 2018 goes viral after fans spot random swipe at Neymar

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      CHELSEA new boy Mykhailo Mudryk has had an Instagram post from four years ago go viral after fans discovered a sly dig at Neymar.Blues supporters have been trawling through the Ukranian’s social media archives following his whopping £88million move to Stamford Bridge.
      Chelsea fans have been trawling through new signing Mykhailo Mudryk’s Instagram since his arrival at Stamford Bridge
      And they discovered a cheeky dig at Neymar in a 2018 post – in which he tagged the PSG star as a diverCredit: INSTAGRAM@MMUDRYK
      And they discovered one of the winger’s old posts branded Paris Saint-Germain and Brazil hitman Neymar a diver.
      Mudryk did so by tagging the Samba star in a picture of himself at the beach.
      The winger posted a tag of Neymar on a man swimming at the beach in a diver’s wet suit.
      Mudryk’s accompanying caption read: “I just gain strength and calm my mind before a long journey.
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      “#OnlyJesus #blessed #enjoyit.”
      Footy fans couldn’t help but help laugh at Mudryk’s cheeky dig, with one commenting: “This is hilarious.”
      Another said: “When you dive too much on the pitch you might as well try your skills in the pool?”
      And another said: “Well he is no wrong, Neymar is a good diver.”
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      One remarked: “He thinks he is so funny for this and he is absolutely right. I giggled.”
      And another said: “Who has been searching for this post to confirm that NEYMAR was tagged in?”
      Mudryk flirted heavily with a move to Chelsea’s Premier League rivals Arsenal but ultimately opted to join the Blues instead.
      The 22-year-old said: “I’m so happy to sign for Chelsea.
      “This is a huge club, in a fantastic league and it is a very attractive project for me at this stage of my career.
      “I’m excited to meet my new team-mates and I’m looking forward to working and learning under Graham Potter and his staff.”
      Mudryk could be in line to make his Chelsea debut on Saturday when Graham Potter’s troops travel to Anfield to take on Liverpool. More

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      Man Utd legend Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s brutal first words to Erling Haaland when pair met at Molde revealed

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      ERLING HAALAND admits he owes a huge thank you to Manchester United legend Ole Gunnar Solskjaer for teaching him the art of goalscoring.  The Manchester City hero signed for Molde when he was just 16 years old and spent two years working under the “Baby-Faced Assassin”.
      Erling Haaland has to work hard to become the scorer he is at Manchester CityCredit: Getty
      Haaland’s dad Alfie had played alongside Solskjaer in the Norway national team and knew he was just what his boy needed at that time.
      Now 22, the Etihad striker says Solskjaer was particularly influential in telling him how to head a ball – and Premier League defenders have been finding that out to their cost this season.
      Haaland told GQ: “The first thing Solskjaer said to me was ‘you have no idea how to head a ball’. We have to work on that.
      “This is what we did for two years, the whole period in Molde. And it was a good thing because now I’m scoring goals with my head. – thanks to them.”
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      Solskjaer was desperate to sign Haaland as United boss when he was leaving Red Bull Salzburg three years ago – but he opted to join Borussia Dortmund instead.
      His countryman was not the only forward to have influenced Haaland – he named ex-United favourites Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Robin van Persie as players he has watched closely.
      But having watched City’s rise from afar there are also a handful of their former players he has picked up pointers from.
      He said: “From Zlatan to Van Persie, to Jamie Vardy, to Sergio Aguero, Lionel Messi. Alvaro Negredo, Edin Dzeko, Mario Balotelli.
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      “I think in the end, it’s a lot about being aware in your mind.
      “I still try to do exactly the same things I did when I was 13 in my hometown, I still do exactly the same runs. Show clips of me at 13 and you will see exactly the same thing.
      “I try to be a bit more smart, a bit more sharp, ahead of the people I play against. I try to be a bit more turned on in my head.
      “Because If I do that if I get one second then I might be able to finish and he cannot block, for example.
      “They think I go here, and I go there and I score. Things like this – it’s something I’m always thinking of.”
      Haaland has scored 27 goals already for City this season – although he has failed to find the net in his last three appearances, a major drought by his sky high standards.
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      Erling Haaland revealed Ole Gunnar Solskjaer shared some brutal first words to help him improveCredit: Instagram @erling.haaland
      Yet the £51.4million ace will not be beating himself up about it.
      He said: “I like to be under pressure, I like to be challenged. I think you are born with it, a lot in your head. To be focussed to be ready, to be relaxed in your head.
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      “I think that’s one of the most important things as a footballer.
      “I’m not sitting on social media reading about myself. You cannot control what people say, think and write about you. So there’s nothing I can do about it. I don’t care.” More

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      Five keepers Tottenham could sign to replace Lloris including Oblak and Pickford after Frenchman’s derby blunder

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      TOTTENHAM are making plans to replace Hugo Lloris as their No1 this season.The Frenchman is under contract at White Hart Lane until 2024, but has endured a torrid season.
      Hugo Lloris made a terrible blunder against ArsenalCredit: Getty
      The Frenchman couldn’t believe his gaffeCredit: Alamy
      Lloris, 36, has made more errors leading to goals than any other player in the Premier League this term.
      His latest blunder came against Arsenal in Sunday’s North London derby, inexplicably fumbling the ball into his own net.
      Tottenham have begun the process of sounding out successors for Lloris, who has been at the club since 2012.
      Here, SunSport takes a look at some of the potential contenders to become Spurs’ new first choice stopper for next season.
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      JORDAN PICKFORD
      Tottenham possess an interest in Everton stopper Jordan Pickford.
      Despite the Toffees’ struggles this season, a more mature Pickford has impressed between the sticks.
      The England No1’s Goodison contract runs until 2024 and he is understood to be happy on Merseyside.
      But Everton getting relegated to the Championship could force them to sell their star stopper, with Spurs well placed to pounce.
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      Jordan Pickford has impressed despite Everton’s plightCredit: Getty
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      DAVID RAYA
      Like Pickford, Brentford’s David Raya will also have just one year remaining on his contract at the end of the season.
      The two-cap Spanish international was claimed to be “high on Spurs’ list of targets” by the Telegraph earlier this month.
      Raya, 27, could opt for a new challenge after four years at Brentford.
      Recently chatting to Spanish paper AS about his future, Raya said: “Every player has goals and wants to improve. Now I am focused on my team and in the summer, we will see what happens.”
      David Raya is a commanding figure for BrentfordCredit: Rex
      JAN OBLAK
      The Atletico Madrid stopper emerged as a shock Tottenham target earlier this season.
      Amid reports that his previous £107million release clause had been “significantly lowered”, Jan Oblak was linked with Spurs last September.
      Oblak, 30, has been at Atletico since 2014, but the Spanish side are now reportedly open to parting ways.
      He has made 377 appearances in total for Diego Simeone’s side, keeping an impressive 183 clean sheets.
      Jan Oblak emerged as a shock Spurs target earlier this seasonCredit: Rex
      ILLAN MESLIER
      Despite having already made over 100 appearances for Leeds United, Illan Meslier is just 22-years-old.
      The Frenchman is a compatriot of Lloris and has represented his country at youth level.
      Meslier will have an eye on succeeding the Spurs No1 as France’s first choice at some point and will likely feel that a transfer will boost his case.
      Chelsea and Newcastle have also been linked with the Leeds star.
      Illan Meslier could replace his French compatriot at White Hart LaneCredit: Getty
      ROBERT SANCHEZ
      Like Raya, Robert Sanchez has earned two Spain caps.
      The Brighton star, 25, hasn’t looked back since become the Seagulls’ No1.
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      A good shot-stopper that is competent with the ball at his feet, Sanchez is likely to be in demand.
      With his contract running until 2025, he has also been linked with Manchester United and Chelsea.
      Robert Sanchez quickly became a star at BrightonCredit: Reuters More

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      Amazing XI of biggest transfers that could still happen in January including Dusan Vlahovic to Arsenal

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      THE Premier League’s top clubs are gearing up to splash the cash in what could turn out to be the most exciting January transfer window yet.Chelsea have been the biggest spenders so far this month with £88million Mykhailo Mudryk their latest recruit.
      Chelsea have been the biggest spenders this month with Mykhailo Mudryk their latest recruitCredit: PA
      Leandro Trossard looks set to leave Brighton after a huge fall-outCredit: Alamy
      Meanwhile a host of their domestic rivals are also looking to add to their squads.
      Leaders Arsenal are desperate to bolster their attack while Manchester United have already brought in Wout Weghorst on loan.
      And it is not only in England that the prospect of big-money moves could occur.
      Here SunSport has compiled a best XI of the possible signings that could still take place during this January transfer window…
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      Jordan Pickford – GK
      The goalkeeper has told Everton he wants to STAY at the club but the England number one and the struggling Merseyside club are deadlocked in a row over pay.
      And that has alerted Manchester United and Tottenham, who are now both willing to nearly double his £100,000-a-week wages to secure his signature.
      It still seems unlikely that Pickford would jump ship this month from the Premier League’s joint-bottom club, but as we know in football, anything can happen.
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      Pedro Porro – RB
      Tottenham are set for fresh talks this week with Sporting Lisbon over the signing of defender Pedro Porro.
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      Spurs have identified Porro, 23, as one of their top targets this month.
      But Sporting are reluctant to let the Spaniard go in this window.
      So far they have insisted Spurs pay up the full £39.9million written into his release clause.
      Josko Gvardiol – CB
      Chelsea, Tottenham and Manchester City have all been linked with the Croatian – who has revealed Liverpool are his “dream club” in the Premier League.
      RB Leipzig’s Croatian star’s stock soared even higher thanks to his standout performances for Croatia at the World Cup.
      Gvardiol is adamant that he will stay at the club as are Leipzig, but a late big-money offer could quickly change everything.
      Piero Hincapie – CB
      Tottenham are also weighing up a £20m January move for Bayer Leverkusen defender Piero Hincapie.
      Spurs boss Antonio Conte has made a new left-sided centre-back one of his main priorities and is among the many admirers of Ecuador international Hincapie.
      The 21-year-old caught the eye at the World Cup in Qatar and is on the radar of a number of clubs following impressive performances for Leverkusen since his arrival in Germany in 2021.
      Sergio Gomez – LB
      Manchester City ace Sergio Gomez is reportedly being targeted by both Juventus and Inter Milan.
      Juve boss Massimiliano Allegri wants him to replace Alex Sandro, who might not renew his contract at the end of the season.
      City only signed him from Anderlecht last summer but he has yet to make a breakthrough, and Italian media claims they are ready to do business for around £35m.

      Gianluca Prestianni – RW
      Real Madrid and Barcelona are locked in a transfer battle to sign Argentina wonderkid Gianluca Prestianni.
      The 16-year-old is currently playing in his homeland for Velez Sarsfield.
      Despite his young age, the winger has already made his senior debut for the club.
      That made him the third-youngest player ever to appear in Argentina’s top-flight after legends Diego Maradona and Sergio Aguero.
      The two LaLiga giants are continuing to monitor his progress before opting to launch a bid.
      Scott McTominay – CM
      Newcastle are reportedly chasing Manchester United’s Scott McTominay with the star concerned by his lack of recent match action.
      He is “widely liked” by Eddie Howe and the management team at St. James’ Park.
      And he is also allegedly open to a move with Newcastle set to launch a transfer bid if they get the green light that he is available from Old Trafford chiefs.
      Declan Rice – CM
      Declan Rice has been identified as Arsenal’s No.1 target.
      West Ham midfield star Rice is entering the final year of his contract at the London Stadium this summer – although there is an optional extra year – and he may finally opt to jump ship.
      A number of top clubs are interested in the 24-year-old, but the Gunners are ready to battle Chelsea, Manchester United and Man City for his signature to bolster their title dream.
      Leandro Trossard – LW
      The Belgian is unsettled at Brighton after falling out with boss Roberto De Zerbi.
      Trossard, 28, has been frozen out by the Italian after reportedly being involved in a training ground bust up with a team-mate.
      Spurs have allegedly had a £12m bid for the winger rejected already.
      Memphis Depay – FW
      Newcastle have reportedly launched a transfer bid for Memphis Depay as they look to snap-up the Barcelona star.
      And they are ready to battle Atletico Madrid all the way to secure the Dutch forward’s signature this month.
      The former Manchester United man, who can play wide or up front, has fallen out of favour at the Nou Camp this term under Xavi.
      He has been limited to just four appearances all season and has allegedly been told that he can leave during the January transfer window.
      Dusan Vlahovic – FW
      Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is also keen to bolster his attack, and he is ready to launch another move for Juventus forward Dusan Vlahovic.
      The Serbian, 22, snubbed a switch to the Emirates last January when opting for Turin instead.
      But now Juventus could be tempted to let him leave due to the financial problems at the club.
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      It is claimed the North Londoners are preparing a £71m bid for Vlahovic, who has also attracted interest from Manchester United and Chelsea.
      He’s scored 16 goals in 36 games for Juventus.
      Arsenal are readying another move for Dusan VlahovicCredit: Getty More

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      Everton label Arsenal clash as ‘high risk’ amid safety concerns over attack on CEO as chiefs ramp up security

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      EVERTON have classified Arsenal’s trip to Goodison Park as “high risk”.There are safety concerns around the club as tensions grow between supporters and the board.
      Fans sat in at Goodison Park to voice their anger at the club’s boardCredit: Alamy
      The Toffees sit 19th in the Premier League table and are a serious risk of relegationCredit: Getty
      CEO Denise Barrett-Baxendale was reportedly put in a headlock and subjected to misogynist, sexist and threatening language after the 4-1 defeat to Brighton.
      Barett-Baxendale, chairman Bill Kenwright, chief finance and strategy officer Grant Ingles and non-executive director Graeme Sharp followed security advice to stay away from the stadium for Saturday’s 2-1 loss to Southampton.
      Everton fans chanted and held banners up demanding the resignation of the board and the exit of owner Farhad Moshiri during a sit-in protest as Frank Lampard’s Toffees plunged into further trouble in the relegation zone.
      There were ugly scenes after the match as defender Yerry Mina was confronted by fans, and striker Anthony Gordon was chased as he drove away from the ground.
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      Now the Daily Mail report further measures by increasing the security level for when Premier League leaders Arsenal, managed by ex-Everton man Mikel Arteta, make the journey to Merseyside on February 4.
      The board want to be at the game but are yet to confirm their attendance.
      SunSport can also reveal the board are ramping up their personal safety away from Goodison Park due to the growing risk.
      A source said: “All the directors and executives are receiving security advice and support to make sure they are kept as safe as possible. That’s not just when they are at work but when they are home too. 
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      “Obviously there is only so much you can do, but measures are being put in place to try and safeguard directors so they aren’t in danger as they go about their daily lives. 
      “The club has its own security team and also works closely with the police.
      “The atmosphere around the club at the moment is toxic. It’s as bad as it’s been in decades.”
      Everton are liaising with Merseyside police over the various threats, although the latter has not confirmed whether an official complaint has been made.
      A club statement revealed: “The board members received the instruction following malicious and unacceptably threatening correspondence received by the club and increasing incidents of anti-social behaviour – including targeted physical aggression – at recent home matches.”
      Moshiri has not attended an Everton game since October 2021 but Kenwright, Barrett-Baxendale, Ingles and Sharp, the second-leading goalscorer in the club’s history, are regular attendees.
      A club spokesperson added: “This is an unprecedented decision for Everton Football Club – never before has our entire board of directors been ordered not to attend a match on safety grounds. It is a profoundly sad day for Everton and Evertonians.”
      CEO Denise Barrett-Baxendale was allegedly attacked after the 4-1 loss to BrightonCredit: PA
      Supporters are desperate for owner Farhad Moshiri to sell the clubCredit: PA More

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      World Cup-style added time set to be brought to Premier League from next season in huge shake-up to rules

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      WORLD Cup-style time-keeping could be agreed by football’s law-makers today – signalling a major change in the Prem next year.England’s World Cup opener against Iran saw 27 minutes of added time across both halves, with an average “ball in play” of 58 minutes across the 64 matches.
      The Premier League is set to introduce World Cup style added timeCredit: Getty
      The change could come in from next seasonCredit: Reuters
      And the successful stance is one of three options to address time-keeping to be discussed by the law-making International FA Board at its business meeting at Wembley today.
      New PGMOL chief Howard Webb received the green light to stick with the approach in operation since the start of the season when football resumed at Christmas after the six-week Qatar break.
      That has seen referees urged to clamp down on time-keeping and add some extra time but has not addressed the issues with the ball in play for an average of just 54 minutes and 16 seconds.
      The IFAB – made up of the four Home Associations and four representatives of Fifa – will discuss the World Cup style stricter calculation of playing time as one of the debate points.
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      More consistent application of the current laws, including penalising goalkeepers who hold the ball for more than six seconds, is another option.
      Both of these ideas will not require Law changes but a more rigorous application of the existing statutes.
      But the third idea, of a stop-start clock operated by an independent time-keeper with a ball in play minimum of 60 minutes each match, would require a fundamental change in one of the key Laws.
      It would also further divide the top level of the game from grassroots football.
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      SunSport reported how Ifab bosses will address the “grey area” of offside, brought under further scrutiny by the Bruno Fernandes goal in the weekend’s Manchester derby.
      There will be an update on the Far East trial of Arsene Wenger’s proposed “daylight” offside Law as well as the success of the Semi-Automated Offside Technology applied in Qatar.
      And while final decision for next season will not be made until the AGM back at Wembley in March, Prem bosses are likely to be given a steer over whether they will be allowed to trial temporary concussion substitutes next term, as they have requested alongside France’s ligue 1 and the MLS. More