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      Luke Shaw’s blistering Man Utd form is because ‘confidence is back’ and warns Roma’s Smalling he won’t go easy on him

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      LUKE SHAW has warned former Manchester United team-mate Chris Smalling he won’t go easy on him during the Red Devils’ Europa League semi-final against Roma.The left-back also said his outstanding United form is down to the return of his confidence.
      Luke Shaw is full of confidence again which is why he is playing so well for Man UtdCredit: Getty
      Shaw also issued a warning to former team-mate Chris SmallingCredit: Getty
      United host the Serie A side in the first-leg of the Europa League semi-final on Thursday night.
      Shaw is playing the best football of his career and says he is loving being out on the pitch again.
      The 25-year-old said: “My form has been much improved, I’m enjoying my football. I’ve got my confidence back and I’m just loving playing football again.
      “Personally it’s nice for me to have a good season but that doesn’t really matter if we don’t have a successful season and that is to win a trophy.
      “If we don’t win a trophy and I’ve still had a good season I’ll be disappointed because the most important thing – and it’s why we play for a big club like Manchester United – is to win trophies.
      “Yeah I’ve been good but I want to help the team push for this trophy and cap off a great season and one I’ll be happy with if we do win the trophy.”
      Shaw’s former team-mate Smalling spent 10 years on the Old Trafford books since he signed from Fulham in 2010 and played 323 games and scored 18 goals for the Reds.
      He joined Roma on loan in August 2019 before making the switch permanent last October.
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      Former Red Devil Henrikh Mkhitaryan also plays for the Italian side but Shaw has no time for sentiment ahead of the European showdown.
      He added: “Mkhi and Chris, I was here with both of them, and I really missed them when they left, they were really good guys and brilliant players.
      “It’ll be really nice to see them, they’ve both been doing really well. They’ve both been a bit unfortunate with injuries but they’re back fit now and they will obviously make their team much stronger than before.
      “I’m looking forward to seeing them tonight but the game is the most important, so we won’t be friends during it but maybe after we’ll have a chat.”
      But asked if he will be taking it easy against his old mates, Shaw was emphatic.
      He added: “No, there’s none of that. We’re all professionals and it’s our job, we’re doing it for ourselves but also the fans so it’s very important to keep being professional.
      “It’ll be very nice to see them but we’ll leaving the talking until after. We need to win the game and doing everything to win it.”
      Watch the UEFA Europa League exclusively live on BT Sport, with coverage of Manchester United v Roma from 7.15pm this evening on BT Sport 2. Sign up for BT Sport Monthly Pass to watch BT Sport for a simple monthly fee of £25 with no contract. For more info go to bt.com/sport
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      Juventus chief Agnelli ‘didn’t know’ about Luis Suarez’s ‘farce’ Italian citizenship exam before failed transfer

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      JUVENTUS president Andrea Agnelli has insisted he knew nothing of a plot to aid Luis Suarez’s transfer by cheating on a citizenship test.Italian prosecutors are investigating the Serie A club after finding that the striker, 34, already knew the answers to an exam he sat in September.
      Andrea Agnelli’s evidence in the Luis Suarez exam fiasco has been revealedCredit: AFP
      It was deemed necessary for the player to gain citizenship after it emerged he was not an EU citizen and therefore did not fit into Juve squad quotas.
      The transfer collapsed and Suarez later signed for Atletico Madrid.
      The issue has not gone away for Juventus amid an investigation into what exactly went on when he arrived at University of Perugia for the exam.
      A handful of staff members from the university were suspended in December after it was found that the answers had been passed on before the test.
      And a number of Juventus chiefs have since given evidence, with club president Agnelli’s testimony revealed by Corriere della Sera.
      The Italian, 45, is said to have claimed that he knew nothing of the test and that in charge of the deal was managing director Fabio Paratici, who denies any wrongdoing.
      He is quoted as saying: “Paratici has ample delegation within the limits of the assigned budget.
      “He is responsible for the club’s choices in relation to the recruitment of the players. Of course, he informs me occasionally and casually.”
      Suarez took the citizenship test on September 17 and was later found to have cheatedCredit: EPA
      Agnelli reportedly detailed a text message from Suarez to vice-chairman Pavel Nedved to signify the player’s desire for a move from Barcelona.
      He added: “I remember that during a lunch held at the end of August, Nedved told me that the Barcelona player had proposed moving to Juventus via text message.
      “At that time, negotiations were underway for [Edin] Dzeko, [Arkadiusz] Milik, [Edinson] Cavani and [Alvaro] Morata, who was later signed, in addition to the hypothesis relating to Suarez.
      “At the beginning of September I was informed that Suarez’s move was difficult because it turned out that he did not have EU citizenship.”
      Agnelli then asserted that he had learned of the test fiasco ‘from the newspapers’ before wishing Suarez well when the deal collapsed.
      However, investigators highlighted an email from the time of the deal, which Agnelli confirmed that he had received.
      Agnelli said: “I don’t remember that mail.
      “However, I do not deal with the contractual conditions as the negotiations are overseen by the sports department within the limits of the budget.
      I don’t remember if I was informed about the exam. I knew about it from the newspapers.Andrea Agnelli

      “I have checked now and found that the email had been sent, however I still do not remember receiving it.
      “I don’t remember if I was informed about the exam. I knew about it from the newspapers and I remember I called the player once to thank him for his interest.”
      The report outlines how the Juventus chief’s evidence may not line up with the recollection of former club manager Maurizio Lombardo, who insisted that Paratici told him to contact Agnelli before the exam.
      He stated in his evidence: “The president never replied to my email, but Paratici told me he’d spoken to him and I could proceed in dealing with [Suarez’s lawyer, Ivan] Zaldua.”
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      Atletico Madrid offer Alvaro Morata for Paulo Dybala in Juventus swap transfer as alternative to £39m permanent fee

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      ATLETICO MADRID have offered Alvaro Morata to Juventus in a swap deal for Paulo Dybala, according to reports in Italy.The Serie A giants are facing huge uncertainty ahead of the summer as Andrea Pirlo’s side struggles to qualify for the Champions League.
      Paulo Dybala could be sold this summer ahead of his contract expiringCredit: Getty
      Juventus have reportedly been offered loanee Alvaro Morata for the ArgentineCredit: Rex
      And the futures of both loanee Morata and Dybala, out of contract in 2022, must be sorted against this backdrop.
      Juve have the option to permanently sign the Spanish striker for £39million or extend his loan deal for another year, at a cost of £8.7m.
      Tuttosport detail an Atletico bid to replace that fee with a straight swap for Dybala.
      The report suggests an exchange could be negotiated to allow Juventus an additional fee as part of the deal.
      The Italians may be forced to consider cashing in on 27-year-old Dybala if they cannot agree on a new contract.
      Talks are set to begin next month despite his paltry tally of four goals for the season, with Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester United among the clubs reportedly interested in him.
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      Losing Dybala for free would be unpalatable and the player has already spoken openly of a possible move to Spain.
      He said last week: “I have received calls from Atletico.
      “Not directly for myself, they have called my agent.
      “[They] call the player or those around him to find out his situation or how he is at the club. These discussions sometimes last three days or six months.
      “Alvaro comes from there and has spoken very highly of the club, the city, the people, the fans… Atletico are a big club today.”
      Morata, 28, joined the Old Lady from Atletico last year and recently admitted to wanting to remain in Turin ‘for life’.

      He stated: “Everyone knows that I would stay here for life, but football is a business and sometimes footballers don’t have the choice.
      “I am a professional and I will give it my all until I am here, where I am very happy.”
      Juve may attempt an alternative route in the player-exchange market with PSG’s Mauro Icardi said to be another swap option.
      Likewise, the Ligue 1 side’s Everton loanee Moise Kean is named as a favourite for another stint at the club, with Adrien Rabiot or Merih Demiral potentially heading in the opposite direction.
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      Chelsea line up £90m Romelu Lukaku return as Blues accept defeat in Erling Haaland transfer pursuit

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      CHELSEA will step up plans to re-sign Romelu Lukaku in a £90million-plus deal.Inter Milan’s star is seen as the most achievable of boss Thomas Tuchel’s targets.
      Thomas Tuchel wants Romelu Lukaku to lead the line for Chelsea next season after the Blues accept defeat in the chase for Erling HaalandCredit: Getty
      Lukaku is on a list that includes Borussia Dortmund’s Erling Haaland, but the young Norwegian star looks out of reach with Manchester City in pursuit.
      So the Blues are turning to a player with proven Premier League experience, firstly with them seven years ago, followed by spells at West Brom, on loan, Everton and Manchester United.
      Chelsea believe they need a strong centre-forward to lead the team next season.
      And frustration with current striker Timo Werner is also growing after Tuesday’s 1-1 Champions League semi-final first-leg draw at Real Madrid.
      The German, 25, missed a golden chance to score, just like he did at West Ham three days earlier.
      And the £48m forward is failing to convince Tuchel he is the man to spearhead Chelsea’s attack for the next few years.
      At 27, Lukaku is at his peak.
      He has scored 27 goals for Inter this term and is considered mentally strong enough to handle leading the line for a club like Chelsea next season.
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      Tammy Abraham, 23, failed to persuade Tuchel he is what Chelsea needs, despite being top scorer with 12 goals this season.
      He is being linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge this summer with West Ham favourites to sign him.
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      Chelsea and Man Utd transfer target Gianluigi Donnarumma ‘puts AC Milan contract talks on hold’

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      CHELSEA and Manchester United transfer target Gianluigi Donnarumma has put AC Milan contract talks on hold, according to reports. The goalkeeper’s current deal at the San Siro expires this summer.
      Gianluigi Donnarumma has put contract talks on hold because he is desperate to play Champions League footballCredit: Getty

      And with the Italian desperate to play in the Champions League, Sky Sport Italia state he slammed the brakes on negotiations.
      Milan put a two-year extension on the table worth £130,000 per week.
      But Donnarumma’s agent Mino Raiola is holding out for £200,000 per week for his 22-year-old client – who is closing in on 250 first-team appearances for the Rossoneri, six years after his breakthrough.
      None of those, however, have been in Europe’s elite club competition with the club last featuring in it way back in 2013-14.
      The shot-stopper was also holding discussions with Juventus over a potential Serie A switch as the Old Lady offered around £167,000 a week.
      But neither AC nor Juve have guaranteed Champions League football next season.
      The two giants are tied on 66 points each – along with Napoli in third – with Juventus occupying the fourth spot and Milan fifth, 16 goals adrift.
      They meet at the Allianz Stadium on May 9.
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      Lazio sit sixth, five points further back but with a game in hand.
      Inter are closing in on a first title since 2010 while Atalanta are two points ahead of the chasing pack in second.
      In England, United look certain to finish second this season while Chelsea are well placed to qualify – either by finishing in the top four or winning the Champions League.
      That could boost the chances of luring the 25-cap international to the Premier League on a free transfer.

      However, United already have David De Gea and Dean Henderson battling it out for the No1 spot.
      Edouard Mendy remains Chelsea’s undisputed first choice since his arrival at Stamford Bridge last summer.
      Milan want Donnarumma to make a decision by May 23 – the final game of the season – because they will want to find a replacement as soon as possible.
      Lille’s Mike Maignan is a potential option and would cost around £10million.
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      Roma fans line streets to send off team for Man Utd after pinning up ‘disrespectful’ quote from Solskjaer at training

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      OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER has denied being disrespectful to Roma when Manchester United booked their date in the Europa League semi-finals.Having got past Granada in the last eight the United boss was asked about facing the Serie A side next.
      Roma fans lined the streets to send off their heroes to ManchesterCredit: Twitter / @ASRomaEN
      The Giallorossi are out to win their first-ever Europa LeagueCredit: Twitter / @ASRomaEN
      He said he ‘didn’t know them and hadn’t seen them play’, a quote that has been pinned up by Roma’s ultras around the club’s training ground beneath a picture of Solskjaer to wind up their players.
      But Solskjaer said: “Of course, that was straight after the game and with all the games we’ve had I was just relieved we’d gone through.
      “But we have analysed them down to the ground since we drew them. We are ready for them.
      “It was not meant as any disrespect, I think everyone knows that. I’ve got loads of respect for them.”
      Indeed Solskjaer says that two of his most coveted keepsakes from his career came from swapping shirts with Roma legends Francesco Totti and Daniele De Rossi.
      He said: “It’s a fantastic club with a great history.
      “I’ve actually got two prized possessions back home, a Totti shirt and a De Rossi shirt that I’ve swapped with them and they’re actually signed, so I know about the history, I know about the quality.”
      The Roma squad left for Manchester on Wednesday and thousands of fans turned up to provide a huge send-off.
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      Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has insisted he did not mean to offend the ItaliansCredit: EPA
      A number of players came out to applaud the Lupi faithful as they chanted and waved banners, before hopping in the bus for the airport.
      The quality of the Europa League has obviously come into sharp focus this past fortnight after United’s owners tried to break away from it and the Champions League to be part of a European Super League.
      Solskjaer denies that failed bid will in any way devalue United’s achievement this season if they do go on to win the trophy – which they last lifted under Jose Mourinho in 2017.
      He said: “We have had a great night in this tournament before at the club and we know how much it means for a team and the whole club.
      “Our focus now is to get to the final and make sure that the end of the season can finish with a celebration.
      “As soon as we went out of the Champions League, our eyes and focus was on getting to this final.
      Roma fans gathered in their thousands on WednesdayCredit: Twitter / @ASRomaEN
      A number of players applauded their fans before hopping on the team busCredit: Twitter / @ASRomaEN

      “I’ve noticed with the players that these games have been very important for them and us.
      “When you’ve got Real Sociedad and Granada, two Spanish LaLiga teams, good teams, when you’ve got AC Milan with their history and Roma with their history, we feel we’ve been in a proper competition.
      “Now we’re one step away from the big one. It will be a dream come true the day I lift a trophy for this club as manager.
      “That’s what we’re building for. I know how much that can mean for a group moving forward.”
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      Capello blasts Hodgson for selling Roberto Carlos from Inter Milan and says he ‘did not understand’ Brazil star

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      FABIO CAPELLO has slammed Roy Hodgson for his treatment of Roberto Carlos at Inter Milan.Inter sold Carlos to Capello’s Real Madrid in 1996 and the Italian said it was ‘all Hodgson’s fault’ for not handling the legendary left-back properly.
      Fabio Capello slammed Roy Hodgson for his treatment of Roberto Carlos at Inter MilanCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Inter sold Carlos to Real Madrid when Hodgson was in charge at the San SiroCredit: PA
      Carlos has previously criticised the Crystal Palace boss for playing him out of position in his one-year spell at Inter.
      He was sold to Real at the end of the 96-97 season and went on to become a Los Blancos icon and will forever be remembered as one of the greatest left-backs of all time.
      But Capello could not believe it when he heard Carlos was available and says Hodgson and Inter ‘did not understand’ the Brazilian.
      Capello said: “One day [Giovanni] Branchini arrived and told me that Inter wanted to sell Roberto Carlos.
      “I thought he was joking and I didn’t believe it. But he sent me a fax where there was even the price already fixed and not questionable.
      “I immediately called the president of Real and told him to fly immediately to Italy, because as soon as the news spread, they would all arrive in Milan.
      “We closed his purchase in less than 24 hours. Inter did not understand what player Roberto Carlos was.
      “In Milan they were convinced that he could not mark, all Hodgson’s fault.”
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      The legendary left-back previously criticised Hodgson for playing him out of position

      Hodgson has previously had his say on Carlos’ criticism and labelled the claims he played him out of position ‘nonsense’.
      The former England boss said: “Well that’s nonsense.
      “Anybody who watched us play at that time, he no more played left wing than I did. Every game he played for Inter when I was there was at left back.
      “What I remember, when I was at Inter, he scored four goals I think in the first six or seven games from free kicks. During the rest of the season he took about 28 free kicks and never scored one.
      “So I don’t know if that was my fault as well.
      “But him playing out of position? Unless he wasn’t a left back, but that’s where I was told he played and what he came to the club as.
      “He was a very attacking left back, he was much better going forward than he was defending.
      “But he was young, I was new to the job. We didn’t have a bad relationship I wouldn’t say per se while we were actually working together. But of course, when he left, all hell broke loose.
      “The decision to let him go was a club decision, and it was mainly to do with the fact that the new managing director of Inter, Luigi Predeval, was very anxious to reduce the amount of money that was being spent on transfers and to bring some money back into the club.
      “And Roberto Carlos was one of the players who was sellable. So he got sold.”
      Hodgson managed Inter twice, the first between 95-97 and then again as a caretaker coach during the first part of 1999.
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      Inter Milan stars ‘will give up bonuses for winning Serie A to help financial crisis’ with club £548m in debt

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      INTER MILAN players are reportedly ready to give up their Serie A title bonuses to help the club’s crippling debt problem.Despite being set for a first Scudetto in over a decade, the Italians are reportedly the most in-debt club in the country.
      Inter Milan are on the verge of a first league title since 2010Credit: Getty
      A figure topping £548million has been reported with Serie A clubs owing a total of £2.4bn.
      Inter owners Suning and club president Steven Zhang have sought emergency investment for some months now following financial difficulties in their home country of China.
      And the coronavirus pandemic, alongside the team’s early exit from the Champions League, have exacerbated their problems.
      Therefore, according to FCInter1908, the Nerazzurri squad has come to an amicable agreement with club bosses.
      They will reportedly waive their title win bonuses if they see out their 11-point lead in the final weeks of the season.
      The decision comes after the dressing room agreed to a wage deferral late last year.
      Reports have outlined the potential need for a fire sale if Inter’s finances cannot be fixed, with Achraf Hakimi one player said to be up for grabs.
      The club were one of three Italian teams to sign up for the lucrative European Super League, before pulling out days later.
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      Antonio Conte may face a fire sale of his best players in the summerCredit: AFP

      Antonio Conte has fought off a strong start from AC Milan to set up his side for the Scudetto, having lost only two league matches all season.
      Scoring just four goals in their last four games, Inter are grinding their way towards a title that can be won this weekend.
      If the Nerazzurri beat Crotone on Saturday and Atalanta fail to beat Sassuolo the following day, the crown will be heading back to Milan.
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