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    I lived in Cristiano Ronaldo’s house when I played for Man Utd, when he trained at 6.30am I slept on stretchers

    ANDERSON has recalled his days living with Cristiano Ronaldo during his time at Manchester United.The Brazilian, now 35, joined the Red Devils from Porto in 2007.
    Anderson enjoyed great success alongside Cristiano Ronaldo at Man UtdCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
    Ronaldo took his fellow native Portuguese speaker under his wingCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd
    With the midfielder just 19 at the time, his fellow Portuguese speaker Ronaldo, four years his senior, took him under his wing.
    Anderson had just won the prestigious European Golden Boy award but was left in awe by Ronaldo’s work-rate.
    Recalling their time together, he told Brazilian programme Globoesporte: “Nani and I lived at Cristiano Ronaldo’s house for almost a year.
    “Training was at 9:30, but sometimes we had to go at 6:30, because Ronaldo was at the club and we went with him.
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    “Nani and I, we slept there on the stretchers and waited, because his work had to start.”
    On just how willing to help Ronaldo was, Anderson revealed: “As soon as I arrived in Manchester I went to Cristiano’s house. I appreciated it very much. He adopted me.
    “Nani and I lived in CR7’s house for almost a year. We left because we wanted to leave. For him we would have stayed there. We didn’t spend anything.”
    He then added: “Cristiano took us to training, fed us and had a cook for us. There was a swimming pool inside and outside the house, a jacuzzi, a tennis court…”
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    Anderson went on to make 181 appearances over eight years at Old Trafford; winning four Premier League titles, a League Cup, Club World Cup and Champions League.
    Despite his many successes, he doesn’t feel that he lived up to his full potential.
    He continued: “If I had five per cent of Cristiano Ronaldo’s mentality, I would have been among the 20 best midfielders of that moment.
    “Something very Brazilian… to think that we have already won everything and that everything is resolved. Not wanting something a little more…”
    Anderson retired from football in 2019 aged 31.
    After leaving Man Utd he spent three years at Internacional in 2015, before finishing his career with Turkish side Adana Demirspor.
    Ronaldo and Anderson won the Champions League together in 2008Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd More

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    Man City’s new £12.5m signing suffers terrifying injury scare during match after complaining of ‘chest pain’

    MANCHESTER CITY January signing Claudio Echeverri suffered a huge heart scare while playing for River Plate.The wonderkid signed for City in a £12.5m deal last month before returning to the Argentine outfit on loan for the rest of the calendar year.
    Claudio Echeverri suffered a health scare while playing for Argentina Under-23s
    He is set to undergo tests with club doctorsCredit: AP
    Echeverri, 18, also represents Argentina at youth level and suffered a scare while playing for the Under-23s side in an Olympic qualifying match.
    The midfielder initially felt a pain in his chest in the first half and went down before receiving treatment.
    Echeverri received the green light to continue but only lasted until the 64th minute before being substituted.
    The youngster is set to meet with club doctors to diagnose the issue, which affected his breathing.
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    Echeverri said after the match: “I had a very strong pain in my chest, I couldn’t breathe well and I was very scared.
    “I jumped down to [catch] the air and then, thank God, it went away a little.
    “Afterwards I continued well. I’m going to talk to the doctors anyway, to see what it is. Something like this had never happened to me, I felt very scared. I’m fine, thank God.”
    A former captain of Argentina’s under-17 side, Echeverri is currently on international duty with the under-23s in South American Olympic qualifying.
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    He has made six appearances for River Plate, registering one assist for his boyhood club.
    Chelsea and Barcelona were previously linked with a move for the teen, who has been dubbed “the next Lionel Messi”. More

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    Inside the rise of Conor Bradley, the ‘gift from God’ who turned down Man Utd and Chelsea to become Liverpool star

    CONOR BRADLEY called his first Liverpool goal “a dream” but few back in Aghyaran will be surprised he is now living his fantasy.For them it was only a matter of when, not if, the kid from a hamlet in Northern Ireland would make it big.
    Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp hailed Conor Bradley after the win over ChelseaCredit: PA
    The Northern Irish ace is known as ‘a gift from God’ back in West TyroneCredit: PA
    Yet it was in this tiny place in West Tyrone, population 1,384, that Bradley became known as “a gift of God”.
    Everybody who knew him knew that and Jurgen Klopp now knows it too.
    From playing for Dungannon Swifts as a winger, to the organised violence of Gaelic football with St Davogs or becoming Northern Ireland’s primary school cross-country running champion all who knew him believed he would fulfil whatever dream he chose.
    Swifts head of development Dixie Robinson, who signed him aged 14, revealed: “He had tactical know-how beyond his years.
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    “He had a lot of talent to go with that and every time you stepped him up, he answered the call.
    “Conor was a gift of God and a ­fantastic young man.”
    At the right-back’s primary school St Patrick’s, five miles down the road in Castlederg where he was born, they speak of him with fondness, declaring: “He’s a great friend. What marked him out was his temperament and ability to include everyone at play.”
    Tommy Moss of St Davogs GAA said: “Everyone is so very proud of him because he’s really down to earth, a lovely fella, none of this will go to his head. 
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    “That  attitude is everything to do with why he’s made it.”
    His coach at first club St Patricks marvelled after Bradley, 20,  set up two goals in the 5-2 FA Cup win over Norwich last Sunday.
    And then he added another couple of assists plus that unforgettable goal in Wednesday’s 4-1 battering of Chelsea. Rory Lynch said: “His football brain always set him out — he was doing things no one else could do.”
    Manchester United and Chelsea had him over for trials but he had always supported Liverpool.
    By 2019 he was an Anfield academy player and in 2021  Ian Baraclough gave him his debut as a sub against Malta.
    Baraclough, now No 2 at Cheltenham, said: “What Conor shows every time he plays is energy and enthusiasm.
    “When a young lad like that comes into a team it gives everyone a lift.
    “He is  quiet but  there’s a glint in his eye. I suspect there’s a naughty side there — but it will be funny, not nasty.” More

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    Fears for Lisandro Martinez as Man Utd ace spotted having foot bandaged just two games after making injury return

    LISANDRO MARTINEZ was spotted with his foot bandaged after coming off against Wolves.The Manchester United defender appeared to injure his left foot during the 4-3 win at Molineux.
    There are fresh injury fears for Manchester United defender Lisandro MartinezCredit: Getty
    Martinez was spotted having his foot bandaged during the win at WolvesCredit: TNT Sports
    After being withdrawn by Erik ten Hag, he was spotted receiving treatment in the away dugout.
    Eagle-eyed fans saw a member of the United medical team bandaging up Martinez’s left foot.
    The potential injury is a concern following his recent return to action.
    Martinez had been sidelined since September with a foot injury before returning two matches ago against Tottenham.
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    His injury woes have limited the World Cup winner to just nine appearances so far this season.
    The Red Devils are already without fellow defenders Tyrell Malacia and Victor Lindelof, who are stepping up their comebacks on the training ground.
    Meanwhile, Anthony Martial, Mason Mount and Aaron Wan-Bissaka also remain sidelined.
    Reacting to Martinez’s potential setback on social media, one fan wrote: “This doesn’t look good.”
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    Another supporter simply commented a crying emoji in response.
    Martinez’s return had been highlighted as a potential turning point for United’s season under Erik ten Hag.
    Supporters praised his dominant display in the recent draw with Tottenham, his first appearance since coming back from injury.
    Since signing from Ajax last summer, the 26-year-old has made 53 appearances for United, scoring once. More

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    Wolves 3 Man Utd 4 LIVE REACTION: Kobbie Mainoo scores brilliant late winner in seven-goal THRILLER after Rashford goal

    KOBBIE MAINOO scored a superb late winner as Manchester United edged a seven-goal THRILLER at Molineux that had seen them blow a 3-1 lead with five minutes to go.Teenage sensation Mainoo, 18, scored a 97th-minute winner after Wolves thought they had snatched a draw from Erik ten Hag’s side.
    The build up to the game had been overshadowed by Rashford missing training after partying in Belfast – but the England forward stroked in a brilliant strike from the edge of the box after just five minutes.
    Rasmus Hojlund then doubled the lead for the visitors at Molinuex before Pablo Sarabia pulled a goal back from the spot after a Casemiro foul.
    The fight-back appeared short-lived, with Scott McTominay soon scoring a third, before United then blew a two-goal lead and Wolves drew level at 3-3 – Max Kilman and then Pedro Neto seemingly earning a point for the home side.
    But Molineux drama was not done as Mainoo scored a brilliant curling effort deep into injury time.
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    Wolves XI: Sa, Semedo, Dawson, Kilman, Toti, Doherty, Lemina, Doyle, Neto, Cunha, Bellegarde.

    Manchester United XI: Onana, Dalot, Varane, Martinez, Shaw, Casemiro, Fernandes, Mainoo, Garnacho, Rashford, Hojlund.

    Match report:
    MANCHESTER UNITED had wonderkid Kobbie Mainoo to thank after sealing a last-gasp winner.
    The midfielder’s 97th minute winner capped off a seven-goal thriller.
    Wolves had battled back from 3-1 to level late as Pedro Neto thought his 95th minute equaliser would see the points shared.
    But Mainoo left the Molineux as the hero with a winner at the death.
    You can read the full match report, here…
    Copy linkCopiedMatch stats:
    This is how the match stats look at full-time.
    It was a dominant display by United in the first half, and they could’ve had four goals in that 45 minutes alone.
    Wolves bit back in the second half, and created more chances than United, but a few moments of brilliance allows the Red Devils to take home all three points in the end.
    The match stats as Man Utd nicked a last minute winner against Wolves
    Copy linkCopiedWhip-Rash
    It was the return to the team Marcus Rashford would have been after, when he opened the scoring for Man Utd just a few minutes into this match.
    It was a plush right-footed finish into the top right corner, which Jose Sa couldn’t get anywhere near.
    Whether he has learnt his lesson from his Belfast bender remains to be seen, but with performances like that, no one will have a problem with actions like that.
    “Case closed” Said Erik ten Hag before the game, and it was case closed indeed just three minutes in.
    Marcus Rashford scored the opening goal in just three minutes for UnitedCredit: Getty
    Copy linkCopiedKobbie Mainoo reacts:
    The Manchester United academy starlet scored an absolute worldie to win the game for his side tonight in the dying moments.
    He nutmegged one player, before cutting onto his right foot and then curled an effort into the bottom right corner of the net.
    This is what he had to say to TNT Sports after the game:
    I’ve still not come down from it, I feel like I’m dreaming!”Kobbie MainooOn his first Premier League goal
    Copy linkCopiedFULL-TIME! Wolves 3-4 Manchester United
    90+10. What a game.
    The referee calls it to a close, after 10 added minutes.
    Incredible.
    Kobbie Mainoo scored the winner for Manchester United against WolvesCredit: Getty
    Copy linkCopiedGOALLLLL! Wolves 3-4 Manchester United
    AND NICK A WINNER THEY DO!MANCHESTER UNITED HAVE NABBED IT! IT’S KOBBIE MAINOO!Excellent skill from the youngster to nutmeg a Wolves midfielder, before he cuts inside and bends an effort beautifully into the far right corner!
    I can’t believe what I’m watching!

    Copy linkCopiedGOALLLLLLL! Wolves 3-3 Manchester United
    IT’S LEVEL! WOULD YOU BELIEVE IT?Manchester United left themselves vulnerable at the back with so many men forward attacking the corner.
    Wolves drove forward and found Pedro Neto who lashed a shot into the near post corner!
    It’s all level!
    And there is still time for someone to nick a winner!
    Copy linkCopiedWolves 2-3 Manchester United
    90+3. A late corner for Manchester United, and it has presented Man Utd with a HUGE chance to go a goal clear!
    Bruno plays the corner short, and Shaw’s cross takes a deflection off off of Evans and falls to the feet of Scott McTominay who’s shot is saved by Jose Sa.
    They’ve got a lot of players forward here though, and they could be vulnerable on the break…
    Copy linkCopiedWolves 2-3 Manchester United
    90. There will be NINE, yes, NINE minutes of added time here at Molineux.
    Copy linkCopiedWolves 2-3 Manchester United
    88. Just when you think it’s over, Wolves don’t give up.
    They are really putting the pressure on here.
    Omari Forson is on to replace Rasmus Hojlund, and Harry Maguire on to replace Lisandro Martinez.
    Copy linkCopiedGOALLLLL! Wolves 2-3 Manchester United
    86. WOLVES ARE STILL FIGHTING, AND THEY BITE BACK AGAIN!
    A corner is whipped into the box, and scissor kicked by Craig Dawson towards goal.
    It doesn’t go in, but falls to Max Kilman who hits home!
    They couldn’t… Could they?

    Copy linkCopiedWolves 1-3 Manchester United
    84. Joao Gomes and Nathan Fraser are coming on for the home side here.
    They are replacing Toti and Tommy Doyle.
    Copy linkCopiedWolves 1-3 Manchester United
    82. Excellent composure from Kobbie Mainoo in a dangerous position there to turn away from two oncoming Wolves attackers and then pick out Bruno Fernandes.
    Two warming up for Wolves here…
    Copy linkCopiedWolves 1-3 Manchester United
    80. Erik ten Hag will be very pleased with the character shown by his team to concede a goal and almost immediately respond with a goal of their own.
    Copy linkCopiedWolves 1-3 Manchester United
    78. That’s an excellent finish from McTominay.
    The ball was swung in by Bruno Fernandes from the corner, and although it was poor defending by Wolves to leave McTominay with a free header, it was a great finish that bounced into the top corner.
    Copy linkCopiedGOALLLL! Wolves 1-3 Manchester United
    IT’S THREE! THAT IS HOW YOU RESPOND!IT’S SCOTT MCTOMINAY WITH HIS FIRST TOUCH!
    He’s Manchester United’s top goalscorer in the Premier League this season, and that is why!

    Copy linkCopiedWolves 1-2 Manchester United
    75. Anthony is on in place of Marcus Rashford, and Scott McTominay is coming on for Casemiro.
    Copy linkCopiedWolves 1-2 Manchester United
    74. Manchester United should have been home and dry in this game, with two disallowed goals and two huge chances missed by Casemiro and Hojlund.
    Wolves will smell blood now, and you can bet your bottom dollar that they are gonna go for this now…
    Copy linkCopiedGOALLLL! Wolves 1-2 Manchester United
    70. The penalty is given, but Casemiro survives without a card.
    Sarabia steps up…
    AND HE SCORES! HIS FIRST TOUCH OF THE GAME!
    Manchester United’s lead is HALVED!
    Copy linkCopiedPENALTY! Wolves 0-2 Manchester United
    68. A huge chance for Wolves to get back in the game here, as Casemiro brings down Pedro Neto inside the box.
    VAR will check this though…
    Copy linkCopiedWolves 0-2 Manchester United
    66. Erik ten Hag has spoken a lot about injuries, and this game might just be proving his point.
    Dalot lines up a half-volley just outside the box, but his effort is poor and drops wide of the post.
    Copy linkCopiedWolves 0-2 Manchester United
    64. A moment of chaos for the Wolves defence, as Jose Sa comes out of his box and appears to handball it when he slips.
    Lemina clears up his goalkeepers mess and no free-kick is given.
    Wolves survive.
    Copy linkCopiedWolves 0-2 Manchester United
    61. Wolves look like they are growing into the game a bit now, and a few more chances are coming their way following that first chance.
    They are pinning United into their own half for the first time in the game now.
    Could the Red Devils live to rue their missed chances?
    Copy linkCopiedWolves 0-2 Manchester United
    59. HOW ON EARTH HAS HE SAVED THAT?
    That looked almost destined to be a way back into the game for Wolves, but Andre Onana has somehow saved his side.
    The ball was in his close quarters, when Dawson’s attempt at goal was heading in, that was before the Cameroonian keeper saved the ball with HIS FACE…
    Copy linkCopiedWolves 0-2 Manchester United
    57. ANOTHER chance for Man Utd WASTED.
    Garnacho nicks the ball from the Wolves defence once again and drives into the box.
    He sets up Hojlund perfectly, but his first touch lets him down and his shot is saved.
    United should be out of sight here.
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    Wolves 3 Man Utd 4: Mainoo the hero after incredible injury-time winner as Rashford scores on return after tequila party

    THERE was no ‘dentist’s chair’ celebration from striker Marcus Rashford.And Erik ten Hag, that most sober of Dutchmen, resisted the temptation to ape Paul Merson’s old beer- swigging routine.
    Kobbie Mainoo was the hero at Wolves for Man Utd with the winnerCredit: Getty
    𝐊𝐎𝐁𝐁𝐈𝐄 𝐌𝐀𝐈𝐍𝐎𝐎, 𝐓𝐀𝐊𝐄 𝐀 𝐁𝐎𝐖 👏THE YOUNGSTER STRIKES LATE TO MAKE IT 4-3 🤯🤯 pic.twitter.com/wFeWXQWZu9— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 1, 2024

    But there was plenty of champagne football from Manchester United — a first-choice United for the first time this season — as Ten Hag’s decision to start his thirsty England forward turned out to be a masterstroke.
    Last Thursday night, Rashford was on the tequila slammers in Belfast, before sending Ten Hag a dodgy sick-note.
    This Thursday, it was a different kind of shot for United’s bad-boy, but with equally intoxicating results.
    An amazing night saw Rashford open the scoring after just five minutes and then teen star Kobbie Mainoo clinched a dramatic winner after a seven-goal thriller.
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    The smart-Alec Molineux DJ had been playing tequila-related tunes in the warm-up.
    But his attempts at winding up the visitors did not look too clever when Rashford hammered home early on, propelling Ten Hag’s team to their most impressive win of the season against in-form Wolves.
    It was a bold selection from Ten Hag, who fancies himself as a disciplinarian, to restore Rashford to the starting line-up after he missed Sunday’s FA Cup win at Newport.
    But it was a logical one, given that Rashford had doubled his season’s goals tally with strikes in his previous two league appearances. It was a huge night for both boss and player, as patience had been wearing thin with both among the United faithful.
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    Marcus Rashford opened the scoring after just five minutesCredit: Getty
    It was the perfect return for Rashford after his Belfast bender – but there was no cheeky booze-themed celebrationCredit: Getty
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    It was not just because of Rashford’s booze bender and failure to turn up to work, but also a run of form which had not been a patch on last season’s heroics.
    But here he showed considerable strength against self-inflicted adversity and controversy as he fired United towards a mood-altering win before Rasmus Hojlund, Scott McTominay and Mainoo completed the job.
    In fairness to Ten Hag, whenever he has been asked about his own future, he has continually answered by saying ‘wait until everyone is fit’.
    And with the possible exception of Mason Mount, here was the Dutchman’s preferred line-up and here was a very different United, as a Wolves side unbeaten in seven matches were skewered.
    United are still only seventh, and eight points off the Champions League places, but a continuation of this form might just convince Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Co to stick with their manager.
    Rashford had been benched here last season, after missing an alarm call and a team meeting, but Ten Hag hauled his England forward off the naughty step at half-time and saw him score the winner.
    This time, the crime was more serious but there was no extended punishment, as Rashford returned to the starting line-up along with keeper Andre Onana, after his fleeting visit to the Afcon with Cameroon.
    United’s opener was a gem of a team goal, a square ball from Diogo Dalot, dummied by Bruno Fernandes before Hojlund held off his marker and laid off for Rashford to lash it into the bottom corner.
    The England man had barely touched the ball before that but it was an emphatic and assured finish, especially given the background noise.
    It’s a 𝐃𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐌 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐓 for Man United 🤩Rasmus Hojlund has his 3⃣rd Premier League goal of the season! 🤩 pic.twitter.com/gB1vAgyDrl— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 1, 2024

    Rasmus Hojlund got on the scoresheet when he bundled home Luke Shaw’s crossCredit: Getty
    It was Hojlund’s first Perm goal to be made by a United playerCredit: Reuters
    Pablo Sarabia pulled one back from the spotCredit: Getty
    Sarabia celebrates getting Wolves back into the gameCredit: Getty
    His celebration was a standard knee-slide, followed by handshakes — not a patch on Paul Gascoigne’s most famous celebration after a Hong Kong hoo-ha prior to Euro 96.
    But this is a different era.
    Back in George Best’s heyday, drinking heavily with Irish waitresses was the norm for a United winger.
    This is a more po-faced age, if you are an elite footballer.
    Wolves then pinned United back for a period without seriously troubling Onana but midway through the second half it was 2-0.
    This time Rashford weighted a pass down the left for the overlapping Luke Shaw, whose driven centre deflected off Max Kilman before Hojlund dived in front of Craig Dawson to poke over the line.
    Casemiro headed narrowly wide from a Fernandes free-kick, Hojlund charged down an attempted Jose Sa clearance and almost diverted it into the goal and then Fernandes steered a shot narrowly wide.
    United were enjoying a purple patch, the like of which they have managed frequently this season without sustaining it for 90 minutes.
    𝟏 𝐌𝐈𝐍𝐔𝐓𝐄, 𝟐𝟑 𝐒𝐄𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐃𝐒 is all it takes for Scott McTominay! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 pic.twitter.com/AWEGYuOTQo— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 1, 2024

    Scott McTominay gave United some breathing spaceCredit: AFP
    McTominay celebrated his goal which should have put the game to bedCredit: Reuters
    Max Kilman revived Wolves’ hopes, making it 3-2Credit: Getty
    Wolves began to believe again after Kilman’s strikeCredit: AP
    The visitors found the net twice more before half-time — but both were ruled out for offside.
    First, Hojlund beat Sa from a Rashford pass, then Casemiro headed in from a Fernandes free-kick.
    It was as dominant a 45 minutes United had enjoyed all season.
    In the second half, Alejandro Garnacho fed Hojlund, only for Sa to charge down his shot.
    Wolves were briefly back in it when Casemiro’s boot brushed against Pedro Neto, who went down.
    Ref Jarred Gillett pointed to the spot, VAR Paul Tierney refused to overrule him and Pablo Sarabia drilled home.
    Rashford then made way for Antony before United restored their two-goal lead, sub McTominay applying a header to a Fernandes corner.
    There was late drama for United when Kilman swivelled to poke home and reduce the deficit.
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    And it looked like United had undone all their good work when Neto fired home a leveller in injury time.
    But Mainoo kept his cool and danced through to curl in the winner for his first-ever Prem goal.
    Pedro Neto made it 3-3 deep into added timeCredit: Reuters
    Wolves thought they had fought back to nick a drawCredit: Getty
    But Mainoo scored a dramatic late winner just minutes afterCredit: Reuters
    The 18-year-old celebrated his winner on a dramatic nightCredit: Reuters More

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    Rasmus Hojlund breaks long-standing Cristiano Ronaldo record as Man Utd star nets at Wolves

    RASMUS HOJLUND has broken a long-standing Cristiano Ronaldo record with his latest Manchester United goal.The Danish striker scored in the Red Devils 4-3 win over Wolves on Thursday night.
    Rasmus Hojlund has broken a long-standing Cristiano Ronaldo recordCredit: Getty
    Ronaldo was 21 when he scored and assisted in back-to-back matches for UnitedCredit: PA
    Hojlund doubled United’s lead after setting up Marcus Rashford’s fifth minute opener at Molineux.
    It is the second Premier League appearance in a row he has both scored and assisted in.
    At the age of 20 years and 362 days, Hojlund is the youngest Manchester United to achieve the feat.
    The previous record had been set by a 21-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo in 2007.
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    Hojlund’s goal was also his FIRST in the league to be assisted by a United team-mate.
    His previous two league strikes had come without an assist before Luke Shaw set him up to score.
    The 20-year-old had appeared to be growing frustrated with his lack of service in recent matches.
    He was spotted screaming at Alejandro Garnacho in the FA Cup win over Newport on Sunday after the winger failed to pick him out.
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    However, Hojlund has now netted in three consecutive Premier League appearances.
    The summer signing had failed to score in the league in his first 14 appearances.
    He has now notched nine goals and added two assists in 27 appearances since arriving from Atalanta. More

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    West Ham 1 Bournemouth 1: James Ward-Prowse spares Kalvin Phillips’ blushes after loanee’s horror blunder on debut

    IF Kalvin Phillips came to West Ham to secure his place in the England squad ahead of the summer, he may have been better off staying in Manchester.With Gareth Southgate’s right-hand-man, Steve Holland, watching on, the Three Lions midfielder gifted Bournemouth’s Dominic Solanke a goal in shocking fashion three minutes into his West Ham debut.
    James Ward-Prowse levelled from the spotCredit: Getty
    Another England hopeful, James Ward-Prowse, spared his new team-mate’s blushes as he grabbed a point from the penalty spot.
    But on a night after West Ham had spent the day trying to shift two forwards having brought none in this month, they had an alarming lack of cutting edge.
    Not a great sign when the January window has only seen your attacking options diminish.
    West Ham’s only January signing was thrown straight into the starting XI.
    Moyes had challenged Phillips to make the same impact as Jesse Lingard during his six months with the club and the England midfielder had an assist after just three minutes.
    It was just a shame that it was for Bournemouth. Phillips was dumped right in it by his new captain, Kurt Zouma.
    The Frenchman played a terrible ball across the back line and towards his new teammate, who was instantly under pressure from Ryan Christie.
    Phillips got his foot to it first but, with just his second touch in a West Ham shirt, handed the ball straight to Solanke, who fired home his 13th Premier League goal of the season.

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    All the Hammers’ new No11 could do was stand with hands on hips and puff his cheeks out.
    Moyes admitted this week that he had tried to sign Solanke in the summer. West Ham are already sixth without having had a proper striker for most of the season, many will wonder where they could have been had one been signed.
    West Ham tried to respond quickly but could not get anything going across a first half which would have been painful to watch for anyone in the home end.
    With Lucas Paqueta still injured and two wingers – Said Benrahma and Pablo Fornals – heading out of the door, Moyes opted to start four very old fashioned midfielders.
    Phillips, Ward-Prowse, Edson Alvarez and Tomas Soucek, who was almost playing up front at times, are a quartet of true ‘does what it says on the tin’ players.
    Running and working hard they can do all day but the stardust often sprinkled by Paqueta is above their pay-grade.
    It was not working, leaving Mohammed Kudus and Jarrod Bowen largely feeding off scraps as those behind them struggled for rhythm and control.
    Ben Johnson handed the ball over cheaply to the Cherries, who moved forward swiftly to the returning Antoine Semenyo, his effort stopped well by Alphonse Areola.
    West Ham started to get their act together towards the end of the half, Bowen’s stooping header was saved by Neto before Soucek nodded one over the bar.

    Dominic Solanke was gifted an openerCredit: Reuters
    Solanke celebrates his openerCredit: Reuters
    Kalvin Phillips gifted Solanke the goalCredit: PA
    But still they could not keep it up and Semenyo was causing trouble, his late effort only just deflected over the bar.
    Moyes stuck to the same plan after the break which would have baffled many in attendance, but they were soon level thanks to some individual brilliance from Kudus and a helping hand from Stockley Park.
    Kudus, who returned from disappointment with Ghana at the Africa Cup of Nations earlier this week, broke past Lloyd Kelly and was dragged back by the Cherries defender.
    Somehow the referee, Tim Robinson, missed the blatant penalty but was quickly sent to the monitor by VAR, Simon Hooper.
    Ward-Prowse duly converted, straight down the middle, and brought some life back to the London Stadium.
    Kelly almost made amends immediately at the other end but his near-post effort was parried by Areola.
    Ward-Prowse does not bring the samba style of Paqueta but, having converted one set piece he was causing trouble from another as Bowen headed his free-kick narrowly wide at the back post.
    West Ham were much more responsible on the ball after the restart, with Phillips improving until being replaced after 69 minutes.
    Danny Ings came on in his place from a very thin West Ham bench but could not grab his first of the season.
    Having been in the shop window at the start of the month, the ex-Aston Villa man will have to start showing something given Moyes’ attacking options have become more limited.
    James Ward-Prowse levelled from the spotCredit: Alamy
    The points were shared at the London StadiumCredit: Getty More