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      Man Utd vs Fulham: Erik ten Hag’s side look to continue superb winning form in Premier League as they host Cottagers

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      MANCHESTER UNITED host Fulham in a huge Premier League clash on Saturday afternoon.Erik ten Hag’s side have been in superb form of late as they continue to chase down a Champions League spot.
      Rasmus Hojlund’s quick-fire double secured a 2-1 win for Manchester United against LutonCredit: GETTY
      Rodrigo Muniz was on the scoresheet for Fulham last weekendCredit: GETTY
      The Red Devils got the better of Luton Town last time out – running out 2-1 winners at Kenilworth Road.
      Rasmus Hojlund’s quick-fire double was enough to edge a frantic Premier League clash with the Hatters.
      Elsewhere Fulham are sitting fairly comfortably in mid-table, nine points clear of the bottom three.
      They are looking to get back to winning ways, and their season back on track for a top-half finish.
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      Last time out, Marco Silva’s side were beaten by 2-1 at home to Aston Villa, with Ollie Watkins bagging a brace at Craven Cottage.
      United currently sit sixth, just three points behind Tottenham and five points behind Unai Emery’s men.
      However, they remain fairly inconsistent at Old Trafford with only five teams having scored fewer league goals at home.
      But the Cottagers are one of the Prem’s tamest sides away on their travels, with just a single away win all season and zero in 2024.
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      What is their form like?
      Fulham have recorded one victory since their 2-0 defeat to Newcastle in the FA Cup fourth round.
      Marco Silva’s men ran out 3-1 winners over Bournemouth at home before their defeat to Villa.
      Before that victory, Fulham were held to two successive draws against relegation strugglers Everton and Burnley.
      Erik ten Hag’s side are undefeated in their last seven games in all competitions.
      United have recorded four consecutive league wins, and scored 11 goals across those fixtures.
      Kobbie Mainoo scored a late grasp winner to win 4-3 at Wolves, before a 3-0 victory over West Ham, and 2-1 away win at Villa Park.
      Team news
      Luke Shaw was withdrawn just before half-time during the 2-1 win at Luton last weekend.
      The England left-back was also taken off with a knock the week before against Aston Villa and is a doubt for Saturday’s clash.
      Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Lisandro Martinez, Mason Mount, Anthony Martial and Tyrell Malacia all remain out.
      Fulham will be without midfield stalwart Joao Palhinha as he misses out through suspension after collecting ten yellow cards.
      The Portugal international has made more tackles than anybody else in the top flight this term and is a vital screen in front of the defence for Marco Silva’s side.
      Raul Jimenez will be unavailable with a thigh injury, while Chelsea loanee Armando Broja could return from illness.
      Star players
      Hojlund proved invaluable to United in his last six games
      United forward Hojlund is in red hot form and will be the biggest threat Fulham face going forward.
      Hojlund, 21, now has 14 goals in all competitions, notching all seven of his Premier League goals in his last six outings.
      His goal inside 37 seconds at Luton saw a Prem record smashed.
      He became the youngest ever player to score in six consecutive league games.
      Pereira will be the one to watch for the visitors
      As he normally is, Pereira will be the main problem the Red Devils need to look out for.
      The Belgian midfielder’s electric pace and vision in the final third means he can turn any moment into a dangerous situation.
      The former United man will likely step up to punish his former side.
      After all, this will be a necessity in Palhinha’s absence.
      Predicted line-ups
      Here’s how we think United will line up
      Here’s how we think the away side will line up
      SunSport prediction
      Fulham haven’t beaten United since 2009, with only two draws since 2014.
      Also, other than the most recent meeting between the two, this fixture has had both teams on the scoresheet in every game since 2019.
      But Fulham have been unlucky, suffering a stoppage time goal from Bruno Fernandes in their 1-0 defeat in the reverse fixture.
      United are returning to last season’s goal scoring form, but remain vulnerable at the back with a makeshift defence again likely on the weekend.
      United 2-1 Fulham
      When is Man Utd vs Fulham?

      Man Utd vs Fulham will take place on Saturday, February 24.
      Kick off will be at 3pm GMT.
      Old Trafford will host.

      What TV channel is Man Utd vs Fulham on and can it be live streamed?

      Man Utd vs Fulham will not be broadcast on live TV in the UK.
      This is due to the 3pm blackout.
      However, SunSport will have minute-by-minute coverage of the huge match at Old Trafford.

      What are the odds?
      Match result
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      Man Utd – 1/2
      Draw – 7/2
      Fulham – 9/2

      *Odds courtesy of Paddy Power and are correct at the time of publication. More

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      New Tottenham wonderkid Lucas Bergvall slams Bojan Krkic’s dad after Spurs transfer sparks bitter row with Barcelona

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      NEW SPURS wonderkid Lucas Bergvall has hit back at claims that he used Barcelona to get a better deal out of Tottenham.Ex Barca scout Bojan Krkic snr, dad of the former Stoke star of the same name, also questioned Bergvall’s ambition after the highly-rated midfielder chose to leave Swedish side Djurgarden for North London instead of the Nou Camp.
      Tottenham beat off competition from Barcelona and other big clubs to sign Lucas BergvallCredit: Rex
      But Bergvall, 18, said: “They can say what they want. I know what the truth is.”
      Krkic snr claimed Bergvall’s girlfriend and mum steered him towards Spurs and his camp played Barca along to improve Tottenham’s offer.
      Krkic said: “Where is the player’s ambition? Barça would be the opportunity of his life right now.”
      When asked if the smears could be bitterness on Barcelona’s part, Bergvall said: “That could be the case, absolutely.
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      “There was a lot of speculation, but it’s nice that everything has settled down and that I can focus only on Djurgården.”
      Tottenham beat off a late challenge from two Premier League rivals to sign Bergvall, who had a trial at Manchester United when he was 14.
      Bergvall, who cost Tottenham an initial £8.5m, and is currently on loan at Djurgarden, will arrive in the Premier League – midway through the Swedish season that runs from late March to November.
      He revealed Spurs are working behind the scenes to prepare for his arrival, with either his mum or dad set to join him in England to help him settle.
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      Bergvall told Aftonbladet: “One of them is moving with me for the first month so that I can get into it, then we’ll have to take care of things. 
      “It’s nice to have someone you can lean on, especially in the beginning. 
      James Maddison gives young Tottenham fan ‘memory to last a lifetime’ as England star shows his true colours
      “It is clear that we are in contact [with Spurs] and they are working to sort everything out, but not so much as regards football.” More

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      Man Utd legend Gary Neville’s bizarre Valentine’s Day gift leaves Rooney and Carragher in stitches

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      MANCHESTER UNITED legend Gary Neville left Wayne Rooney and Jamie Carragher in stitches after revealing what he received for Valentines Day.Neville was joined by ex-United and England team-mate Rooney on the latest episode of the Stick to Football Podcast this week.
      Gary Neville left colleagues in stitches after revealing his Valentines Day presentCredit: Reuters
      Wayne Rooney couldn’t help but laugh
      The group – which also included Roy Keane and Jill Scott – discussed Valentines Day at the beginning of the episode, prompting Carragher to ask if anyone had received anything special.
      Former defender Neville responded: “I got a card, I got a t-shirt, I got some chocolates…”
      But before he could continue, Carragher chimed in to ask: “What was the t-shirt?”
      Neville quickly replied: “Stone Island,” before the pair, along with Rooney, burst out laughing.
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      Sky Sports pundit and former Manchester City star Micah Richards previously teased Neville about his fashion sense.
      Richards jokingly accused the 49-year-old of “thinking he’s 18” after the ex-United star showed up to work wearing Stone Island.
      Speaking on the Stick to Football podcast, Rooney also admitted that he would “walk” to Manchester City to be Pep Guardiola’s assistant.
      When asked if he would be willing to become an assistant manager, the former England striker responded: “It depends.
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      “If Pep Guardiola comes in and asks me to be his assistant, you’d walk there!
      “But you see what Arteta is doing now and I strongly believe a lot of that is from learning what Guardiola was doing and so it depends on what the situation is.”
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      Watch bizarre moment Bernardo Silva takes ‘worst free-kick in history’ as fans left baffled during Man City vs Brentford

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      MANCHESTER CITY midfielder Bernardo Silva left fans stunned after taking “the worst free kick in history” against Brentford.Pep Guardiola’s side played host to the Bees on Tuesday evening.

      Bernardo Silva took the ‘worst free kick’ in history against BrentfordCredit: AP
      The midfielder sent the ball out for a throw-inCredit: BEIN Sports
      Erling Haaland scored the decisive goal in the 71st minute to send the Cityzens up to second in the Premier League table and within one point of leaders Liverpool.
      But just 10 minutes before the deadlock was broken, Silva raised eyebrows with a bizarre free kick.
      After placing the ball down around 40 yards out from goal, the Portugal international looked as though he was about to cross it into the box.
      However, he instead attempted to pass it out to the right but none of his team-mates were prepared.
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      The ball subsequently rolled out of play for a Brentford throw-in, prompting a furious reaction from the home supporters.
      Fans took to social media to react, with one person tweeting: “BERNARDO SILVA WITH THE WORST FREE KICK IN PREM HISTORY.”
      Another added: “Bernardo Silva just knocked his free kick out for a throw in…??”
      A third wrote: “Bernardo Silva that might be the worst free kick I’ve ever seen.”
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      While a fourth commented: “Silva needs to be taken off for that free kick alone.”
      Man City’s win over Brentford saw them leapfrog Arsenal and into second in the Premier League table.
      Erling Haaland SHOVES camera after worst-ever Man City game as Sky Blues drop points to Chelsea, More

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      Mason Holgate suffers vile racist abuse following red card for horror tackle as club releases statement

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      MASON HOLGATE suffered vile racist abuse after his red card against Brighton.The Everton defender is on loan at Sheffield United and made his bow in Sunday’s clash against Brighton.
      Mason Holgate suffered vile racist abuse after his red card against BrightonCredit: Getty
      The defender was making his debut after joining from Everton on loanCredit: Getty
      However, Holgate got off to the worst possible start for his relegation-threatened side.
      He received a straight red card in the 13th minute for a brutal challenge on Kaoru Mitoma.
      And bottom-place Blades went on to suffer a heavy 5-0 defeat in front of their own fans.
      But Holgate, 27, has now revealed he received disgusting racist messages following the match.
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      Taking to social media, the centre-back hit out at the bigots targeting him — while also apologising to Sheffield United for his early dismissal.
      Holgate said: “I can only apologise for letting my teammates, club and fans down on the weekend, and have done so this week personally.
      “However, the last 48 hours has been difficult to take. The constant racist abuse across my social media.
      “As a sport and society we need to do more and there needs to be consequences for racism.”
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      Holgate was backed to the hilt by the Blades, who released a statement of support.
      It read: “We condemn, in the strongest possible terms, the racist abuse received by Mason Holgate.
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      “We will support Mason and applaud him bringing this to light on social media.
      “The club will work with relevant bodies to investigate. There is no room for racism in our game.”
      Speaking after the defeat to Brighton, United boss Chris Wilder lamented Holgate’s early bath.
      Wilder said: “He [Holgate] has got it wrong, I want us to be competitive, I want us to win tackles, we can’t have a passive game. 
      “It is a competitive game, it is not a non-contact game but we have to get that right, Mason has to get that right.
      “It is a huge setback for us in the approach to the overall game. 
      “I am torn, I am a competitor and I understand that it was a very, very strong challenge and the game has moved on.”
      Holgate began his career at Barnsley before being snapped up by Everton in 2015.
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      He’s since featured 149 times for the Toffees while taking in a loan at West Brom.
      And Holgate spent the first half of the term with Southampton, playing five times for the Championship outfit. More

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      Kyle Walker booked for rash lunge on Neal Maupay just two weeks after pair’s furious on-pitch bust-up

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      MANCHESTER CITY star Kyle Walker was booked for a rash challenge on Brentford’s Neal Maupay, just two weeks after their on-field spat.Maupay, 27, had only just come on after starting the match on the bench.
      Kyle Walker flew into a 50-50 challenge with Neal Maupay
      The Man City star produced a full-blooded challenge
      Maupay was sent flying by the City skipper
      Having been on the pitch for 13 minutes, Maupay found himself going into a 50-50 challenge with Walker.
      The City skipper went in full-blooded, sending the forward flying and subsequently receiving a yellow card.
      Maupay’s evening had already got off to a poor start when he gave the ball away just two minutes after coming on, with Erling Haaland going on to score what would be the winning goal on the counter attack.
      The match marked the first time that Maupay and Walker had met since their furious clash a fortnight ago.
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      On that occasion, a visibly furious Walker, 33, complained to referee Jarred Gillett and fourth official Stuart Attwell late on in the match.
      A lip reader claimed that the England star had threatened to “knock out” the Brentford forward after he “spoke about my kids”.
      Maupay was claimed to have denied doing so to the referee, allegedly saying: “I didn’t, it’s okay.”
      The incident was subsequently not included in Gillett’s match report, meaning the FA took no further action.
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      City boss Pep Guardiola did not comment on the matter following his side’s 3-1 win.
      While Brentford manager Thomas Frank said: “No (I know nothing). I saw they were talking to each other.
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      “No (I haven’t talked to Maupay). It’s not my first focus after a game that we lost.”
      During the previous week, the Frenchman had wound up Tottenham stars after mimicking James Maddison’s celebration during a clash with the North Londoners.
      He recently defended his on-field antics while speaking to The Times, saying: “People say footballers are boring, then all of a sudden a player does this and everyone goes, ‘Why, Neal?’ ‘He’s the most disliked player.’ Blah blah blah.
      “For me, football is a game, it’s entertainment.
      “I’m just having fun and, on the pitch, I’m trying to do everything to win.
      “If I can say something that puts you off or makes you overthink and make a mistake, I’ll do it.
      “People don’t realise how much tension and emotion is involved at the highest level.
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      “I think it works quite well and if I can get a reaction, great.”
      Maupay did claim that he would never talk about a rival’s “private life or family”.
      Walker furiously complained about Maupay to the refereeCredit: Getty
      The duo clashed a fortnight agoCredit: AP More

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      Premier League cult hero set for shock return to England as part of new Crystal Palace boss Glasner’s backroom team

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      CRYSTAL PALACE boss Oliver Glasner is set to appoint Emanuel Pogatetz as part of his backroom staff.Glasner, 49, was confirmed as Eagles boss yesterday after Roy Hodgson stepped down.
      Oliver Glasner was confirmed as Crystal Palace’s new manager yesterdayCredit: Rex
      Emanuel Pogatetz played for Middlesbrough between 2005 and 2010Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      Announcing the Austrian as their new boss, Palace revealed that his coaching staff would be “confirmed in due course”.
      According to the Mail, Glasner is set to appoint ex-Middlesbrough and West Ham ace Pogatetz as part of his backroom team.
      The 41-year-old signed for Middlesbrough from Bayer Leverkusen in 2005.
      He went on to play 158 times for Boro, becoming a fans’ favourite in the process.
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      In 2010 he left to join Hannover in Germany, but eventually returned to England for a brief loan spell at West Ham in 2013.
      He played six times for the Hammers, with the deal not made permanent.
      Since hanging up his boots in 2019, Pogatetz has held three coaching roles.
      He began as an assistant manager with Austrian side FC Juniors OO.
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      Pogatetz has since held No2 roles at LASK Linz and SKN St Polten.
      Upon seeing their former star’s new role, one Boro fan wrote: “Pogatetz will be the palace assistant manager. Absolute hero back in the day him. Loved him.”
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      The former defender was spotted alongside Glasner at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium last weekend.
      Palace are set to play Spurs on March 3.
      Upon being announced as Eagles boss, Glasner said: “I am very happy to join Crystal Palace F.C. as manager.
      “I am looking forward to working with the talented squad, meeting the club’s supporters and experiencing the Selhurst Park atmosphere I have heard so much about.
      “It has been a pleasure to meet with Steve (Parish) and Dougie (Freedman), and I am looking forward to working with them to achieve our goals.”
      Glasner attended Palace’s 1-1 draw with Everton last night, but did not take charge.
      Instead he watched the game from the director’s box alongside Parish and Mark Bright.
      Pogatetz became a cult hero at MiddlesbroughCredit: Reuters More

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      Man City 1 Brentford 0: Haaland’s now scored against EVERY team he’s faced in Prem as City keep heat on Liverpool

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      PEP GUARDIOLA said there was no room for slip-ups in what looks set to be a nip-and-tuck title race.Luckily for Manchester City, the only one here came from Brentford defender Kristoffer Ajer.
      Erling Haaland broke the deadlock in the second halfCredit: Rex
      The goal proved to be the winnerCredit: Reuters
      The defender stumbled 19 minutes from time under pressure from his countryman Erling Haaland – of all people.
      Eat your heart out Steven Gerrard.
      And he would have known better than anyone that when it’s Haaland stood nearby, you know what happened next.
      The forward answered his critics by bursting through on goal and beating Mark Flekken for his 17th league goal of the season.
      Did anyone really doubt him?
      He missed nine chances in the draw against Chelsea on Saturday and for the first time there were a few questions about him.
      Yet the former Borussia Dortmund forward provided the answer in the only way he knows to put City firmly back on heels of Liverpool.
      It was also a good time for Haaland to complete the set.
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      He had scored against every Prem team in his 18 months in England – apart from Brentford. Well he has now.
      Thomas Frank sprang a surprise by leaving out Neal Maupay – who was involved In a heated row with Kyle Walker when the two teams met 15 days ago.
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      That meant the pair were spared an awkward handshake when the teams lined up before the game.
      Yet Guardiola had a surprise up his sleeve too, leaving Kevin De Bruyne on the bench and giving a first Prem start to Oscar Bobb.
      Former Borussia Dortmund forward Haaland looked up for it as he won possession on the wing but then fired his shot straight at  Flekken.
      Phil Foden, given a more central role in the absence of KDB, saw a stinging volley blocked then dragged another shot wide.
      And Haaland – who wasted NINE chances against Chelsea at the weekend – saw a header and a volley go too high.
      City had been well on top without getting their noses in front and they were almost caught out when Yoanne Wissa’s delightful pass sent Frank Onyeka away.
      He shot tamely straight at Ederson – much to the dismay of Ivan Toney who was in a much better position to score.
      The Bees forward took out his frustration on a 25 yard free-kick that whistled over the bar – but City were not having things their own way.
      Rodri’s pass to the back post was nodded back across goal by Kyle Walker and Bernardo Silva got his bearings all wrong and planted his header wide.

      Manuel Akanji’s dipping 25-yarder was pushed over by Flekken, who also got down well to palm away a Ruben Dias header.
      The Bees keeper had an outstanding first half in the reverse fixture earlier this month – despite eventually conceding three – and was doing his bit again.
      Watching Netherlands international boss Ronald Koeman must have been impressed.
      When the Dutchman was finally beaten after some clever play from Bobb he was rescued by a goalline clearance from former City youth captain Ben Mee.
      Just like in their games here against Everton and Chelsea, the treble winners had been below par in the first half.
      Even so, they had managed 17 efforts on goal in the first half – six of them on target – but had not found a way through.
      And Onyeka fired a warning that the Bees still posed a danger as his header needed a flying save from Ederson on the stroke of half-time.
      You had to admire the way Frank’s men had dusted themselves down and regrouped after a thumping at the hands of Liverpool on Saturday.
      Guardiola was trying to gee up the crowd in the early minutes of the second half but there was little from his team to get them going.
      The manager made a change on the hour – throwing on Jeremy Doku in place of Bobb as his team had gone flat.
      With the whole game on a knife edge, the last thing City needed to see was Maupay entering the stage a few minutes later.
      He was booed onto the pitch but as one of the Prem’s leading pantomime villains he would probably have liked that.
      He’d have liked the clattering challenge he got from- yep, you guessed it – Walker a few minutes later a little less.
      Foden had a sight of goal when the ball was worked out to him on the edge of the box – but skied it miles over the bar.
      It was beginning to look like it wasn’t going to be City’s night.
      But when you have Haaland in your team, you always have a chance.
      And after good work from Foden and Julian Alvarez he burst clear, took advantage of a slip from Ajer and slotted home.
      Foden had the chance to put the seal on things when he went round the keeper but Flekken did enough to push it round the post. 
      See how the game unfolded below… More