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      Man Utd favourite Dimitar Berbatov says Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo ‘don’t deserve’ to win Fifa awards this year

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      DIMITAR BERBATOV has stated Robert Lewandowski deserves to win the Best Fifa Men’s Player award ahead of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
      The trio are on the three-man shortlist for the trophy that will be presented to the winner on December 17.

      Dimitar Berbatov believes Robert Lewandowski has been the best player in 2020Credit: Reuters

      Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have also been nominated for the Best Fifa Men’s Player awardCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Lewandowski, 32, is the favourite to win the award following his spectacular 2019-20 season where he helped Bayern Munich win a historic treble.
      He scored 55 goals in just 47 games for the Bavarian outfit last term, and he has already found the back of the net 18 times in 17 fixtures this campaign.
      Barcelona ace Messi, 33, failed to win any piece of silverware last season as his side were thrashed 8-2 by Bayern in the Champions League semi-final.
      Meanwhile Juventus star Ronaldo, 35, couldn’t help the Old Lady advance past the last-16 stages of the Europe’s premier competition.

      And former Manchester United and Tottenham striker Berbatov believes the Poland international has to be named as the Fifa Best Player.
      The 39-year-old told Betfair that Messi and Ronaldo shouldn’t even be in the running as he stated Lewandowski was robbed of winning the Ballon d’Or after it was cancelled.
      He said: “I’m surprised Ronaldo and Messi are among finalists for the Fifa Best award as I’m not sure they deserved to be there.
      “I think they should give it to Robert Lewandowski. I think he deserves it. I’m not that sure who else should be there. People will always argue and speculate about who should be there.

      Dimitar Berbatov believes Lewandowski should have won the Ballon d’Or this yearCredit: Getty – Contributor

      The best players of 2020, according to quantitative analysis from Carteret
      “It is these three players and I think Lewandowski deserves to get the award. It would be unfair if he didn’t win it.
      “I think it was unfair the Golden Ball didn’t happen this year as he was my favourite and a lot of people’s favourite. I think he should have got that award and hopefully this will be compensation.
      “Sometimes unfortunately football is business and behind the curtains and the PR/Agents work way more away the camera from what you see.
      “For me, Lewandowski is up there with the best strikers in modern football.
      “This is a subject where nobody can agree on one player as in my opinion you cannot compare players from different times.

      “(Harry) Kane, Messi, Ronaldo, Aguero who have been scoring goals for many years are among the best.
      “There are others, but with Lewandowski the way he plays the game and moves around the pitch, he should be in my three top strikers; he is great.”
      For more from Betfair Ambassador, Dimitar Berbatov, head to www.betfair.com/berbatov/ More

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      Watch Morata’s HORROR miss before Ronaldo scuffs penalty as Juventus blow chance to beat Atalanta and close gap on Milan

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      ALVARO MORATA missed an open goal from six yards out after BACK HEELING wide before Cristiano Ronaldo fluffed a penalty as Juventus drew with Atalanta.
      The 1-1 stalemate meant the reigning Serie A champions missed the chance to gain ground on leaders AC Milan.

      Alvaro Morata’s back heel slipped wide with the goal gapingCredit: Sky Sports

      Morata can only watch on as his effort fails to find the target from just over six yards outCredit: Sky Sports

      The former Chelsea man was reprieved by the offside flagCredit: Sky Sports

      Chelsea flop Morata, 28, has hit some form of late for the Old Lady but will not want to see this one back.
      He had the assistant referee to thank for sparing his blushes as the flag went up after his horror miss.
      Morata was played in by American midfielder Weston McKennie who had won the ball back from Atalanta at the Allianz Stadium.
      The Spanish striker ran in on goal with no defenders in sight only to feebly underhit his square pass for the onrushing Cristiano Ronaldo.

      With the lay off behind him, Ronaldo struggled to collect the ball and it ricocheted off the Portuguese superstar – as well as defender Berat Djimsiti – who had made a despairing dive.
      But it fell perfectly for Morata – who had the goal gaping after keeper Pierluigi Gollini had also gone to ground in anticipation of a Ronaldo shot.
      Unbelievably former Real Madrid man Morata saw fit to attempt an outrageous back heel from the edge of the six-yard box.
      And he looked suitably sheepish when the ball dribbled wide.

      However, the linesman flagged for offside as Morata had strayed beyong the last defender before McKennie could unleash the ball in the opening phase of the move.
      The game’s strange theme continued when Ronaldo had a penalty saved by Gollini who got down low to his left.

      Manager Andrea Pirlo only pockets £1.6million-per-year after taking charge of the club

      Morata missed an open goal after failing to assist Cristiano RonaldoCredit: AFP or licensors

      The five-time Ballon d’Or winner had scored FOUR times from the spot in just the last week.
      Ronaldo netted a brace of pens in both the wins against Genoa and GOAT rival Lionel Messi’s Barcelona.
      Federico Chiesa had opened the scoring for the Old Lady after 29 minutes and they led at the halfway stage.
      Remo Freuler equalised for Atalanta after 57 minutes before Ronaldo had the chance to immediately regain the lead from the spot three minutes later – only to be denied by an inspired Gollini who helped secure a point for the visitors with a number of crucial saves.

      David & Victoria Beckham join Modric and Morata at Ramos wedding as Cristiano Ronaldo is snubbed More

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      Man Utd transfer boost with Inter Milan ‘willing to listen to Ivan Perisic transfer offers’ after Bayern Munich loan

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      MANCHESTER UNITED’s chances of nabbing Ivan Perisic could be looking up with Inter Milan thought to be keen to offload the winger. 
      Gazzetto Dello Sport claim Antonio Conte’s patience with the player is wearing thin and the star could be headed for the San Siro exit. 

      Ivan Perisic is reported to be among five players who could be on their way out of Inter MilanCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Perisic, who has scored just twice in 17 appearances across all competitions this term, is thought to be among five players Inter are keen to flog.
      And the Croatia international was subbed off during the team’s win against Cagliari after missing SEVEN opportunities to score for the Italian giants. 
      Gazzetto claims club chief Guiseppe Marotta has slapped a £13.5million price tag on the winger who spent last term on loan at Bayern Munich.
      And the Serie A title runners-up, who play Napoli this evening, are reported to be willing to listen to January bids for the player. 

      ⚽ Read our Man United live blog for the latest news from Old Trafford
      Other stars reported to be on Inter’s for sale list include Radja Nainggolan, Matías Vecino and ex-Tottenham ace Christian Eriksen. 
      Eriksen, who is also an Old Trafford target, is believed to be keen on calling time on his San Siro career, just 11 months after his £17m arrival from Spurs. 
      Former Chelsea boss Conte is rumoured to be keen to freshen up his squad in January following their calamitous Champions League exit. 

      Inter’s Christian Eriksen has been heavily linked with a move to Manchester UnitedCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      The Nerazzurri crashed out of the competition after finishing bottom of their group after six games. 
      Perisic has been linked with United in the past during Jose Mourinho’s reign and under present boss Ole Solskjaer. 
      The ex-Bayern Munich loanee was reportedly a number one target for Mourinho prior to this Old Trafford departure.
      MAN UTD BETTING TIPS: United likely to beat Sheffield United, but expect both teams to score

      Man Utd get horror draw against La Liga high-flyers Real Sociedad as Arsenal face Benfica and Spurs take on Wolfsberger More

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      Man Utd transfer target Paulo Dybala offered new Juventus contract as Agnelli confirms ‘we see him as future captain’

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      PAULO DYBALA has been offered by a bumper new deal by Juventus, according to club president Andrea Agnelli.
      Manchester United and Barcelona are among the clubs that have been heavily linked to the 27-year-old.

      Paulo Dybala has been linked with a move to the Premier LeagueCredit: Reuters

      But Dybala looks likely to stay in Turin after being offered a lucrative new contract.
      Agnelli insisted the club view the Argentine forward as ‘the captain of the future’.
      Speaking to Tuttosport, he said: “I’ve heard the statements, it’s part of my job.
      “The good news is the goal [he scored]. Paulo had a difficult time after contracting Covid.

      “I heard with great pleasure his love for Juventus. The love is reciprocated.
      “We see him as the captain of the future.
      “I know he has already received a proposal that would put him among the top 20 best-paid players in Europe.
      “We’re looking forward to his response.”

      Dybala’s current deal with the Serie A giants is set to expire in the summer of 2022.
      He ended his goal drought for Juventus as he scored against Genoa on Sunday.
      But after the match, he claimed he had not been approached over a new deal.
      Speaking to Sky Sport Italia said: “My agent was in Turin for a long time and was never called up by the club.
      “It disappoints me to hear talk of financial figures.
      “It would be better if the truth could be told, because talking about those aspects in this period pits the fans against me, with all the love I have for Juventus.”
      Reports had claimed Manchester United could sign him as part of a swap deal with Paul Pogba.
      ⚽ Read our Man United live blog for the latest news from Old Trafford

      Watch Dybala taunt Koeman after he tells Juventus bench to ‘SHUT UP’ as they demand Barcelona’s Lenglet is sent off More

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      in Boxing

      Cristiano Ronaldo reveals he prefers watching UFC and boxing rather than football as Juventus star trains with Golovkin

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      CRISTIANO RONALDO has revealed his preference for watching combat sports over football.
      While playing his beloved game is his ‘passion’, the Juventus star prefers to tune into boxing or UFC when sat in his living room.

      Gennady Golovkin and Cristiano Ronaldo enjoyed a training session together for a new documentaryCredit: YouTube

      Ronaldo spoke of his preference for watching boxing or MMA over footballCredit: EPA

      After a training session with Gennady Golovkin, Ronaldo spoke of his love for combat sports.
      He is quoted by Marca as saying: “Playing football is my passion, but I prefer watching other sports on TV.
      “Between watching a football match or a boxing or UFC fight, I choose boxing or UFC.”
      The 35-year-old was speaking to middleweight champion Golovkin in a new DAZN documentary, Parallel Worlds.

      In the trailer, the Kazakhstani asked Ronaldo if he could be a boxer.
      The Portuguese superstar chuckled and replied: “‘I don’t think so.”

      He later told GGG: “When you shoot the ball it’s like when you make a punch; the technique, the power.”
      Golovkin, 38, took Ronaldo through a number of drills and shared a conversation on the mental aspects behind their sports.

      And the winger described the ‘maturity’ required by veteran stars across multiple sports to stay at the top of their game.
      Ronaldo stated: “When I was at Manchester United, a coach boxed with me.
      “I think practicing boxing is useful for football because it sharpens your senses and you learn to move.”
      He added: “Last summer, I had a chat with Anthony Joshua.

      People will look at me and say, ‘Cristiano was an incredible player but now he’s slow’. I don’t want that.
      Cristiano Ronaldo

      “At 33 you start to think your legs are going. I want to stay in sport, in football.
      “People will look at me and say, ‘Cristiano was an incredible player but now he’s slow’. I don’t want that.
      “You can change a lot about your body, but the problem isn’t that. It’s depends on your mindset, your motivation and your experience, which I think is the most complex thing.
      “In sport, you can gain maturity. Look at [Roger] Federer in tennis. He’s 37 or 38 years old and he’s still at his peak, and there are some in boxing too.”

      Inside Cristiano Ronaldo’s home with huge Christmas tree and Santa Claus as Georgina Rodriguez gets into festive spirit More

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      Man Utd interested in shock Christian Eriksen transfer with Inter Milan looking to offload 11-months after move

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      MANCHESTER UNITED are interested in a shock swoop for Christian Eriksen – with Inter Milan looking to offload him just 11-months after joining. The 28-year-old midfielder has had a nightmare time since his £17m arrival in Italy from Tottenham in January. He has fallen out-of-favour under Antonio Conte, and has only played 274 minutes in […] More

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      Inter Milan boss Conte says ‘someone should leave to play more’ but refuses to be drawn on Christian Eriksen’s future

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      ANTONIO CONTE refused to be drawn in over Christian Eriksen’s future but warned: ‘Someone should leave to play more’.
      Former Spurs star Eriksen was handed a rare start in Inter Milan’s 3-1 win over Cagliari but lasted less than an hour before being hooked.

      Christian Eriksen failed to impress in Inter’s win over CagliariCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      The 28-year-old has been linked with a return to the Premier League after falling to settle in Italy.
      Speaking after Inters comeback win on Sunday, Conte refused to name drop Eriksen but fired a cryptic warning to his sqaud.
      He told DAZN: “We knew there would not be optimal situations, we accepted and shared them, we knew there could be problems.
      “We go ahead, hoping to improve something, some players can leave to have more game time. We may become less deep, but more functional.”

      We go ahead, hoping to improve something, some players can leave to have more game time
      Antonio Conte

      When pressed on Eriksen, Conte added: “I evaluate everyone’s performance.
      “I don’t like to speak about single players, the general performance was positive, for what we created and for our reaction against a difficult team to face.
      “There are two aspects about this game, we created many goal chances, but we couldn’t make the most of all of them.
      “Sometimes you have to throw your heart over the obstacle. We were disappointed for two goalless draws against Shakhtar that costed us the elimination, it wasn’t easy to turn an unfair result around.”

      SunSport previously reported that Arsenal were interested in a potential swap deal for Eriksen involving midfielder Granit Xhaka.
      Paris Saint-Germain could also be the Dane’s next step with Leandro Paredes the midfielder Inter want in exchange.
      And Inter have since put clubs on red alert by admitting they will not stand in the playmaker’s way if he wants to go in January.

      Christian Eriksen shows off his goal scoring skills in Inter Milan training More

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      Arsenal joined by Leicester and West Ham in Amadou Diawara transfer battle with Roma open to offers for £15m midfielder

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      ARSENAL have been joined by Leicester and West Ham in the battle for Amadou Diawara, according to reports.
      The Gunners and Tottenham have been heavily linked with the £15million Roma midfielder and the Italians are said to be open to offers.

      Leicester and West Ham are interested in Roma midfielder Amadou DiawaraCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Diawara was close to a move to Leicester and Arsenal in the summer but he ended up staying put.
      But Roma are now prepared to cash in for £15m in January, according to LaRoma42.
      The Guinea international has played for just four times for the Serie A outfit this season.
      He only moved to the Romans from Napoli in a £19.5m move last summer.

      David Moyes’ Hammers are only said to be interested if Declan Rice leaves in January which is looking less and less likely with the Hammers flying and about to offer him a new ‘double money’ contract.
      But the Foxes are reportedly more likely to make an offer during the next window.
      At the end of September, Diawara’s agent Daniele Piraino was said to be angry with his client’s treatment when he was benched for a draw with Juventus.
      Diawara was already upset after a mix-up over his age meant he started Roma’s opener at Verona without being registered.

      And Piraino told Tuttomercatoweb.com: “It was a real displeasure for Amadou that the club forgot to list him in the squad [at Verona].
      “The fact it’s been made out to be the ‘Diawara Incident’ is a shame, because he certainly didn’t appreciate that and the responsibility isn’t his own.
      “We want clarity on Amadou’s true role and importance within the club’s project.”
      ⚽ Read our Arsenal live blog for the latest news from The Emirates

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