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      Cristiano Ronaldo vs Lionel Messi: Juventus star has 20-plus league goals in past thirteen seasons but who has most?

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      THERE is no doubt about it, in the past decade we have witnessed two of the greatest footballers ever push each other to their goalscoring limits.
      Last Tuesday night, Cristiano Ronaldo, 36, scored his 20th league goal of the season as Juventus defeated Spezia in Serie A.

      It’s the 12th consecutive season the Portuguese legend has managed to register 20-plus goals in a league campaign across Europe’s top five leagues.
      But how does that compare to his great rival Lionel Messi, 33, who also has managed 20-plus goals in his last 12 campaigns – and is just one away from making 13 in a row.
      SunSport takes a look at their numbers in the past years.
      2008-09
      The first time any one of these greats registered 20 goals came in Messi’s fifth season with Barcelona.

      23 goals in 31 league games saw Pep Guardiola’s team roar to the title – some nine points ahead of nearest rivals Real Madrid.
      It wasn’t enough for Messi to win The Pichichi Trophy – with Diego Forlan netting the most – an astonishing 32 goals.
      Ronaldo, in his final season as a Manchester United player managed 18 Premier League goals.

      Lionel Messi registered his first 20 league goals a season haul in the 2008-09 seasonCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      2008-09 was Cristiano Ronaldo’s last year at Manchester UnitedCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      2009-10
      After his £80million transfer to Real Madrid, Ronaldo and Messi would go head-to-head for the first time.

      Having the benefit of experience playing in LaLiga, the Argentine was top goalscorer in the competition with 34 goals in 35 games.
      Ronaldo, who wasn’t even Real’s top scorer (Gonzalo Higuain managed 27), scored 26 goals in as many games. Ronaldo might’ve marginally had the better goalscoring ratio, but Messi had the numbers.

      Ronaldo signed for Real Madrid in 2009 for £80m to ignite his rivalry with MessiCredit: Action Images – Reuters
      2010-11
      With Messi setting the bar, Ronaldo knew he had to record special numbers to defeat his rival in the goalscoring charts.
      Astonishingly, he bagged 40 goals in the 2010-11 season – nine more than Messi managed.
      Still, for all his efforts, Barça were champions once again.
      2011-12
      The numbers went astronomical in 2011-12, with both players reaching the peak of their powers.
      Between them they managed an incredible 96 league goals, in a season where Jose Mourinho wrestled the title off Guardiola after three years of Barcelona dominance.
      Messi hit a remarkable 50 league goals, while Ronaldo managed an equally impressive 46. Nearest to them was Radamel Falcao with 24, which was a measure of how far ahead the pair were of everyone else.

      At the peak of their powers Ronaldo and Messi managed 96 league goals between them in the 2011-12 campaignCredit: EPA
      2012-13
      Barcelona reclaimed their title in impressive fashion – by 15 points in the end.
      Messi, was of course, central to that with 46 in just 32 games and was top scorer again.
      Ronaldo was second with 34 in as many games. Although he did finish top scorer in the Champions League that season.
      2013-14
      Injuries meant both Messi and Ronaldo didn’t play as many league games as they had managed previously.
      The latter won back the Pichichi Trophy with 31 goals to Messi’s 28, but both both missed out on the LaLiga title, as Atletico Madrid were crowned champions.

      Messi and Ronaldo’s fight to be crowned the GOAT continues to rage on
      Again, it’s worth noting Ronaldo excelled in the Champions League – with 17 in a campaign that saw Real crowned European champions. It’s a record that’s not been broken.

      Ronaldo landed the Pichichi Trophy for the 2013-14 seasonCredit: Getty – Contributor
      2014-15
      In one of the closest title races in years, Barcelona pipped Real by just two points in the end.
      But Ronaldo amassed his highest ever league goal total – scoring 48 goals in 35 matches.
      Messi’s 43 would’ve done it any other year, if the former Manchester United player wasn’t around.
      2015-16
      The top scorer mantle was passed on in 2015-16 to Luis Suarez – the first time it wasn’t Ronaldo or Messi in six seasons.
      Messi’s 26 was his lowest since 2008-09, while Ronaldo’s 35 showed he was still on top of his game.
      Again, Barcelona were champions by just one point in what was a nail-biting climax to the league season.

      For the 2015-16 Messi had to share his goals with Neymar and Luis SuarezCredit: Corbis
      2016-17
      Despite recording his lowest amount of league goals (25), Ronaldo’s Real were champions for the first time since their 2011-12 season.
      Messi, who had the presence of Suarez and Neymar around him, managed an impressive 37 goals.
      However, he would’ve been frustrated to see Ronaldo’s lifting ANOTHER Champions League trophy.
      2017-18
      Domestically, Messi proved he was king again.
      His 34 strikes helped propel the Catalans to the LaLiga trophy. Ronaldo’s 26 were an improvement from the previous season.
      However, a new challenge was around the corner.

      Messi proved he was the domestic king in 2017-18 scoring 34 times in the leagueCredit: AFP or licensors
      2018-19
      At 33, Ronaldo embarked on a new challenge and moved to Juventus in an £88million deal.
      With his rival gone, Messi still continued to deliver – scoring 36 times in La Liga.
      In his debut season in Italy, Ronaldo just passed the 20 goal threshold with 21 in 31. He finished a disappointing fourth in the Capocannoniere hunt.
      2019-20
      Ronaldo came back with a bang in 2019-20 – recording 31 goals in a campaign that delivered back-to-back league titles for his club.
      It wasn’t enough to be crowned top scorer – with Ciro Immobile managing an amazing 36 – equalling a Serie A record of most goals in a season.
      Messi ended his LaLiga campaign on 25, six less than Ronaldo, but as Pichichi Trophy winner.

      In his second season at Juventus Ronaldo scored an impressive 31 Serie A goalsCredit: AP:Associated Press
      2020-21
      This season, with still plenty of games left to play, Ronaldo leads the Serie A scoring charts with 20 goals in his 21 games.
      He beat Messi to 20 by a fraction, who has 19 in his 23 league games.

      Even though they’re perhaps past their peak, the numbers still remain positive, despite current advesity.
      Their clubs are trailing behind in their respective title races, which hasn’t helped their cause.
      But who will finish on top? Messi or Ronaldo?

      Cristiano Ronaldo sulks in Juventus dressing-room in unseen footage for Amazon Prime All or Nothing trailer More

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      Brazil icon Zico still drives the Toyota Celica he won 40 YEARS AGO for earning Man of the Match vs Liverpool

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      BRAZIL legend Zico still drives the Toyota Celica he won 40 YEARS AGO as his Man of the Match prize against Liverpool.
      The playmaker received the car for orchestrating Flamengo’s 3-0 demolition of the best side in Europe in the 1981 Intercontinental Cup, played in Japan.

      In 1981 Zico famously won a Toyota Celica for a man of the match performance against Liverpool in the Intercontinental CupCredit: Facebook: ZicoOficial

      Incredibly, some 40 years later, Zico still drives the Toyota CelicaCredit: YouTube

      Zico was the proud recipient of a Toyota Celica, worth around £8,000, gifted by the Japanese car giants after the game at the National Stadium in Tokyo.
      And the Brazilian icon still owns the motor today…. and even drives it around Rio de Janeiro.
      And he won’t be parted from it.
      He said: “I have already received many offers to sell Celica, but it never crossed my mind. 

      “It is a great trophy, a fantastic memory, it is the most important competition that Flamengo has won to date. 
      “The car is at home and working very well, everything normal. And it will stay there forever as long as I am alive.”
      SPONSORED CAR
      Between 1980-2014 Toyota were the official sponsors of the Intercontinental Cup, now better known as the World Club Cup.
      Normally, whoever was the best player on the pitch took a car home with them.

      Often, the man-of-the-match winner would sell the car and divide what it made between his team-mates.
      However, Zico wanted it as a keepsake.
      “Toyota wanted me to bring the car to Brazil anyway, because of the closed import at that time,” e later told Autoesporte.
      “And I really wanted to bring Celica as a trophy.”

      Toyota famously sponsored the Intercontinental Cup from 1980-2014

      Zico bamboozled Kenny Daglish and Co as Flamengo beat Liverpool 3-0Credit: Rex Features

      After the game Zico was presented with a Toyota Celica STCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Zico drives his Toyota Celica out of his garage
      IMPORT ISSUES
      Brazil’s strict import rules made it nearly impossible for Zico to bring his car back to his homeland
      Between 1976-90, it was only people who worked for embassies and consulates that were allowed to get vehicles from abroad.
      “In order to bring Celica in, I had to ask for help from some people, such as the Minister of Finance at the time, Francisco Dornelles, Carlos Langoni, president of the Central Bank, and Marcio Braga, who was president of Flamengo from 1977 to 1980,” Zico revealed.
      Zico played against Liverpool in 1981. However, he didn’t get his car until April 1983 after red tape was resolved.
      By that time, the midfielder was heading to Udinese to play in Serie A.
      Amusingly, the car he did get wasn’t the one that was sat on the running track at Tokyo’s National Stadium – the Celica ST.
      Zico was given an upgrade – the Celica 2.0 GT – the third generation of the model that boasted a 2.0 engine with 145 hp of power and 19 kgfm of torque.
      IN SAFE HANDS
      The 1982 World Cup star didn’t get behind the wheel of his Toyota until 1985, when he returned to Rio.

      Ironically, when Zico finally got his hands on the infamous Toyota Celica it was actually an upgraded model – the Celica 2.0 GTCredit: Instagram @zico

      Zico, seen behind the wheel of his Toyota Celica, has clocked around 70,000 miles in his 40-year-old car

      Flamengo legend Zico played 580 games for the club in two spells scoring 401 goalsCredit: PA:Empics Sport
      [embedded content]
      For two years it was in the safe hands of his brother Edu.
      “He made very good use of Celica,” Zico joked.
      The motor is believed to have around 70,000 miles on the clock, and occasionally finds itself the showpiece in football museums in South America.

      And the Brazilian icon STILL loves to get behind the wheel of his cherished prize.
      But he does have one complaint.
      He said: “The steering is not hydraulic and is very heavy, so when I’m in Brazil and I want to do weight training, I go out driving Celica.” More

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      Jonatan Soriano is prolific striker who matched Messi and Ronaldo’s goalscoring records but missed out on Golden Shoe

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      THIS week there wasn’t much fanfare about the signing of Jonatan Soriano, a Spanish journeyman striker, by Spanish second tier side Castellon.
      The 35-year-old has spent the majority of his career playing for unfashionable clubs including Red Bull Salzburg, Girona, and Beijing Guoan.

      Jonatan Soriano, just signed by Castellon, is the journeyman striker you’ve never heard of who rivalled Messi and Ronaldo’s goalscoring records

      But, at one moment in time, he was just as prolific as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo – rivalling those two legends for the European Golden Shoe.
      However, because a points system favours players in tougher leagues to win even if they score fewer goals than a player in a so-called weaker league, Soriano missed out on the award.
      Incredibly in Austria, in just six years, the master poacher scored a staggering 172 goals.
      CATALAN BOY
      Soriano hasn’t always plied his trade in the lower leagues.

      In fact, he began his youth career playing at Barcelona’s cross-town rivals Espanyol before he was released in 2009.
      Then, he joined Barça with a view to play in the reserves for their third division side.
      Soriano showed promise and was given a run out by the first team – playing in the dying minutes of a 2–0 win at Cultural y Deportiva Leonesa in a Copa del Rey tie.

      Soriano joined Barcelona in 2009 after he was released by EspanyolCredit: AFP – Getty

      At 27 Soriano was left on the football scrapheap when he was released by Barcelona
      It was to prove to be his only appearance with the senior side, despite finishing the following season as top scorer in Spain’s Segunda Division B with 32 goals.

      In 2012, Barcelona refused to renew his contract and Soriano was left on the football scrapheap aged 27.
      REDEMPTION IN AUSTRIA
      With lots to prove, Soriano joined Red Bull Salzburg that same year.
      But in his first season, he needed time to settle and managed a modest five goals in 15 games from January.
      However, his second season was a different story. 26 goals in 32 league games showed his proficiency in front of goal.
      A highlight came in a 6-2 win over Wolfsberger – a game he netted a hat-trick in – just hours after he spent the morning with wife Cristina Sabater in hospital celebrating the birth of his daughter.
      The 2013-14 season was Soriano’s most prolific – with an astonishing 48 goals in 43 games.

      Soriano enjoyed his best years in football at Red Bull SalzburgCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      In 2013-14 Soriano scored 31 league goals which would’ve been enough to win the European Golden Shoe awardCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Soriano once scored a hat-trick hours after his wife Cristina gave birth
      It was the same campaign he was crowned Europa League top scorer – netting a brace against Ajax as Red Bull Salzburg reached the last 16 before they were knocked out.
      His 31 league goals tied him with Luis Suarez and Ronaldo in the European Golden Shoe stakes.
      But it was a technicality he lost out on.
      HE WAS ROBBED
      Since the 1996-97 season, European Sports Media have awarded the Golden Shoe on a points system.
      The weightings are determined by the league’s ranking on the UEFA coefficients, which in turn depend on the results of each league’s clubs in European competition over the previous five seasons.
      So, players who score goals in one of Europe’s top five leagues have the opportunity to score more points than that of a player who plays in a lesser known league.
      Poor Soriano, then, wasn’t even in the running.

      With goals scored in Europe’s top five leagues counting for more in a points system for the European Golden Shoe, Soriano was robbed of the awardCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      In his six seasons with Red Bull Salzburg, Soriano scored 172 goals
      “I understand that the Austrian league is not at the level of that of Spain, England, Germany… but whoever understands football knows that it is not easy to score goals anywhere,” he said.
      Soriano’s tallies of 29, 48, 46, and 32 from 2013-16 would have had him competing with Messi and Ronaldo, if it wasn’t for that points system.
      WHAT HAPPENED NEXT
      172 goals and six seasons later, Soriano moved to China.
      He spent two seasons at Beijing Guoan, following a recommendation by former West Ham striker Frederic Kanoute.
      A return of 31 strikes in 36 games in the Chinese Super League ensured he was a success. He even had a medal to show for his time there – winning the Chinese FA Cup.
      But then, as a free agent, Soriano moved to Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal FC, where goals were harder to come by.
      One year later, the poacher returned to Spain with Girona on a short-term deal last term.

      In China Soriano won the Chinese FA CupCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Soriano’s goalscoring touch alluded him at his last club Girona

      It didn’t quite work out there, with just one goal to his name in 16 appearances.
      However, Castellon will be hopeful Soriano can find his shooting boots again to help them beat the drop.
      And maybe he can rival Messi and Ronaldo once again.

      Lionel Messi’s emotional Barcelona celebration during win over Sevilla as fans say he will not quit beloved club More

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      Cristiano Ronaldo vs Messi: Juventus star has netted 20-plus league goals in past thirteen seasons but who has most?

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      THERE is no doubt about it, in the past decade we have witnessed two of the greatest footballers ever push each other to their goalscoring limits.
      Last Tuesday night, Cristiano Ronaldo, 36, scored his 20th league goal of the season as Juventus defeated Spezia in Serie A.

      It’s the 12th consecutive season the Portuguese legend has managed to register 20-plus goals in a league campaign across Europe’s top five leagues.
      But how does that compare to his great rival Lionel Messi, 33, who also has managed 20-plus goals in his last 12 campaigns – and is just one away from making 13 in a row.
      SunSport takes a look at their numbers in the past years.
      2008-09
      The first time any one of these greats registered 20 goals came in Messi’s fifth season with Barcelona.

      23 goals in 31 league games saw Pep Guardiola’s team roar to the title – some nine points ahead of nearest rivals Real Madrid.
      It wasn’t enough for Messi to win The Pichichi Trophy – with Diego Forlan netting the most – an astonishing 32 goals.
      Ronaldo, in his final season as a Manchester United player managed 18 Premier League goals.

      Lionel Messi registered his first 20 league goals a season haul in the 2008-09 seasonCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      2008-09 was Cristiano Ronaldo’s last year at Manchester UnitedCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      2009-10
      After his £80million transfer to Real Madrid, Ronaldo and Messi would go head-to-head for the first time.

      Having the benefit of experience playing in LaLiga, the Argentine was top goalscorer in the competition with 34 goals in 35 games.
      Ronaldo, who wasn’t even Real’s top scorer (Gonzalo Higuain managed 27), scored 26 goals in as many games. Ronaldo might’ve marginally had the better goalscoring ratio, but Messi had the numbers.

      Ronaldo signed for Real Madrid in 2009 for £80m to ignite his rivalry with MessiCredit: Action Images – Reuters
      2010-11
      With Messi setting the bar, Ronaldo knew he had to record special numbers to defeat his rival in the goalscoring charts.
      Astonishingly, he bagged 40 goals in the 2010-11 season – nine more than Messi managed.
      Still, for all his efforts, Barça were champions once again.
      2011-12
      The numbers went astronomical in 2011-12, with both players reaching the peak of their powers.
      Between them they managed an incredible 96 league goals, in a season where Jose Mourinho wrestled the title off Guardiola after three years of Barcelona dominance.
      Messi hit a remarkable 50 league goals, while Ronaldo managed an equally impressive 46. Nearest to them was Radamel Falcao with 24, which was a measure of how far ahead the pair were of everyone else.

      At the peak of their powers Ronaldo and Messi managed 96 league goals between them in the 2011-12 campaignCredit: EPA
      2012-13
      Barcelona reclaimed their title in impressive fashion – by 15 points in the end.
      Messi, was of course, central to that with 46 in just 32 games and was top scorer again.
      Ronaldo was second with 34 in as many games. Although he did finish top scorer in the Champions League that season.
      2013-14
      Injuries meant both Messi and Ronaldo didn’t play as many league games as they had managed previously.
      The latter won back the Pichichi Trophy with 31 goals to Messi’s 28, but both both missed out on the LaLiga title, as Atletico Madrid were crowned champions.

      Messi and Ronaldo’s fight to be crowned the GOAT continues to rage on
      Again, it’s worth noting Ronaldo excelled in the Champions League – with 17 in a campaign that saw Real crowned European champions. It’s a record that’s not been broken.

      Ronaldo landed the Pichichi Trophy for the 2013-14 seasonCredit: Getty – Contributor
      2014-15
      In one of the closest title races in years, Barcelona pipped Real by just two points in the end.
      But Ronaldo amassed his highest ever league goal total – scoring 48 goals in 35 matches.
      Messi’s 43 would’ve done it any other year, if the former Manchester United player wasn’t around.
      2015-16
      The top scorer mantle was passed on in 2015-16 to Luis Suarez – the first time it wasn’t Ronaldo or Messi in six seasons.
      Messi’s 26 was his lowest since 2008-09, while Ronaldo’s 35 showed he was still on top of his game.
      Again, Barcelona were champions by just one point in what was a nail-biting climax to the league season.

      For the 2015-16 Messi had to share his goals with Neymar and Luis SuarezCredit: Corbis
      2016-17
      Despite recording his lowest amount of league goals (25), Ronaldo’s Real were champions for the first time since their 2011-12 season.
      Messi, who had the presence of Suarez and Neymar around him, managed an impressive 37 goals.
      However, he would’ve been frustrated to see Ronaldo’s lifting ANOTHER Champions League trophy.
      2017-18
      Domestically, Messi proved he was king again.
      His 34 strikes helped propel the Catalans to the LaLiga trophy. Ronaldo’s 26 were an improvement from the previous season.
      However, a new challenge was around the corner.

      Messi proved he was the domestic king in 2017-18 scoring 34 times in the leagueCredit: AFP or licensors
      2018-19
      At 33, Ronaldo embarked on a new challenge and moved to Juventus in an £88million deal.
      With his rival gone, Messi still continued to deliver – scoring 36 times in La Liga.
      In his debut season in Italy, Ronaldo just passed the 20 goal threshold with 21 in 31. He finished a disappointing fourth in the Capocannoniere hunt.
      2019-20
      Ronaldo came back with a bang in 2019-20 – recording 31 goals in a campaign that delivered back-to-back league titles for his club.
      It wasn’t enough to be crowned top scorer – with Ciro Immobile managing an amazing 36 – equalling a Serie A record of most goals in a season.
      Messi ended his LaLiga campaign on 25, six less than Ronaldo, but as Pichichi Trophy winner.

      In his second season at Juventus Ronaldo scored an impressive 31 Serie A goalsCredit: AP:Associated Press
      2020-21
      This season, with still plenty of games left to play, Ronaldo leads the Serie A scoring charts with 20 goals in his 21 games.
      He beat Messi to 20 by a fraction, who has 19 in his 23 league games.

      Even though they’re perhaps past their peak, the numbers still remain positive, despite current advesity.
      Their clubs are trailing behind in their respective title races, which hasn’t helped their cause.
      But who will finish on top? Messi or Ronaldo?

      Cristiano Ronaldo sulks in Juventus dressing-room in unseen footage for Amazon Prime All or Nothing trailer More

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      John Murtough is Man Utd’s first ever Football Director who was in charge of Everton’s academy when David Moyes was boss

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      BETTER the Red Devil you know.
      Manchester United have appointed John Murtough, 48, as their first ever Football Director.

      John Murtough, left, has been named as Man Utd’s first ever Football DirectorCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      But Murtough isn’t an unknown – having already established his name at Old Trafford.
      He joined the club in 2013 as Head of Football Development, after a recommendation by former United boss David Moyes.
      In his seven years, Murtough has completely overhauled the Premier League side’s academy and recruitment department.
      The Liverpudlian was a former Toffee…

      WORKING WITH MOYES
      When Moyes was manager of Everton, Murtough started out as a sports scientist.
      He worked his way up to the role of Head of Performance, before leaving in 2012 to become Head of Elite Performance for the Premier League.
      In November 2013, Murtough joined United as their first ever Head of Football Development – just months after Moyes was appointed as manager.

      Phil Neville chats with Murtough while the pair were at Everton togetherCredit: PA:Press Association

      Murtough worked his way up from a sports scientist to Head of Performance with the ToffeesCredit: PA:Press Association
      Crucially, he focused on the club’s youth policy, expanding their recruitment process and building their academy.

      Under Murtough, young prospects including Marcus Rashford, Scott McTominay and Mason Greenwood blossomed into first team starters.
      And he had the ear of Ed Woodward, who became a close confidant.
      HANDS ON
      Murtough’s hands-on approach at United showed his dedication to the job.
      Before the club signed talented youngster Hannibal Mejbri from Monaco for £9million, he joined French scout Mathieu Seckinger on a trip to Norway to watch the kid play.
      Murtough is also a forward-thinker, who considers new ways of acquiring football knowledge.

      Murtough was involved in overhauling United’s academyCredit: MuTV

      Mason Greenwood, Scott McTominay and Brandon Williams have been blooded into the first team under Murtough’s watchCredit: Reuters
      Last year, with fears the club were falling behind the likes of Manchester City and Liverpool, he began to develop the club’s data science strategy.
      In 2018, Murtough also understood the emergence of women’s football and played an integral role in launching Manchester United’s women’s team.
      CHALLENGING ROLE
      Murtough will be tasked with overseeing operations and strategy across all football functions at Manchester United.
      Previous reports suggested that former goalie Edwin van der Saar, who works in the same role at Ajax, was being considered.
      And it was also said that United wanted to make a Football Director appointment earlier, but were swayed by ex-manager Jose Mourinho who was against the idea.
      But Murtough is the man who will carry the mantle.

      Former Man Utd boss Jose Mourinho, who was opposed to the idea of a Football Director, shakes hands with MurtoughCredit: MuTV

      Murtough has the ear of Manchester United Chief Executive Ed WoodwardCredit: PA:Press Association

      He said: “This is such an exciting time for everyone at Manchester United with the first team, Academy and Women’s team all performing strongly, and plenty of development still to come. 
      “It’s a privilege to be part of that process, and an honour to lead Manchester United’s football department, working alongside Ole, Casey and so many other truly outstanding staff all dedicated to delivering success to this club.”
      And that’s the key word United fans will hope for if Murtough proves to be a good appointment… success.

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      Man Utd wonderkid Noam Emeran, 18, was first signing of Solskjaer era, and has taken on Wayne Rooney’s advice to succeed

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      IN December 2019, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was temporary manager at Manchester United and there was very little transfer activity to get excited about.
      The signing of 16-year-old Noam Emeran from French side Amiens was the only incoming name in an otherwise uninteresting January window that saw Marouane Fellaini leave the club.

      Noam Emeran was the first signing of the Ole Gunnar Solskjaer era in 2019Credit: Getty Images – Getty

      After struggling his first year, Emeran has pushed on this season for Man Utd’s U18 sideCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      The fact that the Red Devils had beaten the likes of PSG and Juventus to Emeran’s signature might’ve excited some fans.
      But after struggling initially, the talented winger, now 18, could have fallen by the wayside. However, now he is beginning to settle into life in Manchester.
      He’s currently starring for the U18 side, as well as been blooded into the U23’s.
      And it was advice from Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney, which seems to have helped him turn a corner.

      ‘DETERMINATION’ IS KEY
      Capped at U16 level by France, the fleet-footed forward was highly thought of in his homeland.
      Manchester United weren’t his only suitors, with a host of other European giants watching his progress.
      But he chose to come to England, where he believed he would get the best coaching to reach his potential.
      “After talking to my family, I think it was the best choice over what I was offered to help reach the top level,” he told French local newspaper Le Courrier Picard.

      On his arrival, he met Wayne Rooney who offered Emeran a nugget of truth.

      Emeran has the ability to reach the topCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      When he arrived at the club, Man Utd legend Wayne Rooney told Emeran that he had to push himselfCredit: Instagram / @emeran.n
      “He told me: A player makes good or bad his career choice based on his determination,” Emeran told Le Parisien .
      “I realised that I had to be demanding of myself.”
      INJURY-HAMPERED FIRST YEAR
      When adapting to a new life and culture, a footballer needs to stay fit.
      Unfortunately for Noam, his first season at the club was hampered by injuries and loss of confidence.
      But, even though his career had initially failed to ignite, United’s youth coaches had seen enough to understand the ability the wide man had.

      Emeran is at his best when he’s running at his defenderCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Although he had an injury-plagued time as a scholar, United saw enough potential to offer him a pro contractCredit: Instagram / @emeran.n
      Possessing a wand of a left foot, he’s a menace when running at a defender and also has an eye for goal.
      It was no surprise he was handed a pro contract, even though he had his problems in his first year as a scholar.
      According to reports, Emeran was also a major influence in fellow U18 wonderkid Hannibal Mejbri choosing to join United from Monaco in 2019 for £9million.
      FAITH REWARDED
      With the belief of United’s U-18 coach Neil Ryan in him, Emeran has shone for United’s youth sides this season.
      Back in December, he was man of the match against Liverpool – providing three assists in a 4-3 win at the Aon Training Complex.
      He, alongside Charlie McNeill, Dillon Hoogewerf, and Joe Hugill offer a frightening front four that have helped United’s U18 side climb to the top of the U18 Premier League table.
      Emeran’s managed three goals and five assists from 13 games, and been one of the more consistent performers.

      Emeran produced a man of the match display against Liverpool back in DecemberCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      So far Emeran has scored three goals and assisted five for United’s U18 teamCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Chances in the U23’s have been limited – with the youngster making just two appearances from the bench.
      But, United are just letting him flourish for now in his age group.
      Given what Rooney told him, you can bet Emeran will keep working on his game to prove he has what it takes to light up Old Trafford in the future.

      16-year old Manchester United signing Noam Emeran shows off his skills with stunning free kick More

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      Cristiano Ronaldo vs Messi: Juventus ace has netted 20-plus league goals in past thirteen seasons but who has most?

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      THERE is no doubt about it, in the past decade we have witnessed two of the greats of football push each other to their goalscoring limits.
      Last Tuesday night, Cristiano Ronaldo, 36, scored his 20th league goal of the season as Juventus defeated Spezia in Serie A.

      It’s the 12th consecutive season the Portuguese legend has managed to register 20-plus goals in a league campaign across Europe’s top five leagues.
      But how does that compare to his great rival Lionel Messi, 33, who also has managed 20-plus goals in his last 12 campaigns – and is just one away from making 13 in a row.
      SunSport takes a look at their numbers in the past years.
      2008-09
      The first time any one of these greats registered 20 goals came in Messi’s fifth season with Barcelona.

      23 goals in 31 league games saw Pep Guardiola’s team roar to the title – some nine points ahead of nearest rivals Real Madrid.
      It wasn’t enough for Messi to win The Pichichi Trophy – with Diego Forlan netting the most – an astonishing 32 goals.
      Ronaldo, in his final season as a Manchester United player managed 18 Premier League goals.

      Lionel Messi registered his first 20 league goals a season haul in the 2008-09 seasonCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      2008-09 was Cristiano Ronaldo’s last year at Manchester UnitedCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      2009-10
      After his £80million transfer to Real Madrid, Ronaldo and Messi would go head-to-head for the first time.

      Having the benefit of experience playing in LaLiga, the Argentine was top goalscorer in the competition with 34 goals in 35 games.
      Ronaldo, who wasn’t even Real’s top scorer (Gonzalo Higuain managed 27), scored 26 goals in as many games. Ronaldo might’ve marginally had the better goalscoring ratio, but Messi had the numbers.

      Ronaldo signed for Real Madrid in 2009 for £80m to ignite his rivalry with MessiCredit: Action Images – Reuters
      2010-11
      With Messi setting the bar, Ronaldo knew he had to record special numbers to defeat his rival in the goalscoring charts.
      Astonishingly, he bagged 40 goals in the 2010-11 season – nine more than Messi managed.
      Still, for all his efforts, Barça were champions once again.
      2011-12
      The numbers went astronomical in 2011-12, with both players reaching the peak of their powers.
      Between them they managed an incredible 96 league goals, in a season where Jose Mourinho wrestled the title off Guardiola after three years of Barcelona dominance.
      Messi hit a remarkable 50 league goals, while Ronaldo managed an equally impressive 46. Nearest to them was Radamel Falcao with 24, which was a measure of how far ahead the pair were of everyone else.

      At the peak of their powers Ronaldo and Messi managed 96 league goals between them in the 2011-12 campaignCredit: EPA
      2012-13
      Barcelona reclaimed their title in impressive fashion – by 15 points in the end.
      Messi, was of course, central to that with 46 in just 32 games and was top scorer again.
      Ronaldo was second with 34 in as many games. Although he did finish top scorer in the Champions League that season.
      2013-14
      Injuries meant both Messi and Ronaldo didn’t play as many league games as they had managed previously.
      The latter won back the Pichichi Trophy with 31 goals to Messi’s 28, but both both missed out on the LaLiga title, as Atletico Madrid were crowned champions.

      Messi and Ronaldo’s fight to be crowned the GOAT continues to rage on
      Again, it’s worth noting Ronaldo excelled in the Champions League – with 17 in a campaign that saw Real crowned European champions. It’s a record that’s not been broken.

      Ronaldo landed the Pichichi Trophy for the 2013-14 seasonCredit: Getty – Contributor
      2014-15
      In one of the closest title races in years, Barcelona pipped Real by just two points in the end.
      But Ronaldo amassed his highest ever league goal total – scoring 48 goals in 35 matches.
      Messi’s 43 would’ve done it any other year, if the former Manchester United player wasn’t around.
      2015-16
      The top scorer mantle was passed on in 2015-16 to Luis Suarez – the first time it wasn’t Ronaldo or Messi in six seasons.
      Messi’s 26 was his lowest since 2008-09, while Ronaldo’s 35 showed he was still on top of his game.
      Again, Barcelona were champions by just one point in what was a nail-biting climax to the league season.

      For the 2015-16 Messi had to share his goals with Neymar and Luis SuarezCredit: Corbis
      2016-17
      Despite recording his lowest amount of league goals (25), Ronaldo’s Real were champions for the first time since their 2011-12 season.
      Messi, who had the presence of Suarez and Neymar around him, managed an impressive 37 goals.
      However, he would’ve been frustrated to see Ronaldo’s lifting ANOTHER Champions League trophy.
      2017-18
      Domestically, Messi proved he was king again.
      His 34 strikes helped propel the Catalans to the LaLiga trophy. Ronaldo’s 26 were an improvement from the previous season.
      However, a new challenge was around the corner.

      Messi proved he was the domestic king in 2017-18 scoring 34 times in the leagueCredit: AFP or licensors
      2018-19
      At 33, Ronaldo embarked on a new challenge and moved to Juventus in an £88million deal.
      With his rival gone, Messi still continued to deliver – scoring 36 times in La Liga.
      In his debut season in Italy, Ronaldo just passed the 20 goal threshold with 21 in 31. He finished a disappointing fourth in the Capocannoniere hunt.
      2019-20
      Ronaldo came back with a bang in 2019-20 – recording 31 goals in a campaign that delivered back-to-back league titles for his club.
      It wasn’t enough to be crowned top scorer – with Ciro Immobile managing an amazing 36 – equalling a Serie A record of most goals in a season.
      Messi ended his LaLiga campaign on 25, six less than Ronaldo, but as Pichichi Trophy winner.

      In his second season at Juventus Ronaldo scored an impressive 31 Serie A goalsCredit: AP:Associated Press
      2020-21
      This season, with still plenty of games left to play, Ronaldo leads the Serie A scoring charts with 20 goals in his 21 games.
      He beat Messi to 20 by a fraction, who has 19 in his 23 league games.

      Even though they’re perhaps past their peak, the numbers still remain positive, despite current advesity.
      Their clubs are trailing behind in their respective title races, which hasn’t helped their cause.
      But who will finish on top? Messi or Ronaldo?

      Cristiano Ronaldo sulks in Juventus dressing-room in unseen footage for Amazon Prime All or Nothing trailer More

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      Man Utd star Cavani is Boca Juniors’ top transfer target, but his salary would be slashed from £200k a week to £70k

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      BOCA JUNIORS could not have had a better warm up for Sunday’s clash against their great Buenos Aires rivals River Plate.
      And Carlos Tevez could not have had a better return to the team after taking some time off to mourn the death of his father.

      Edinson Cavani could be heading to Boca JuniorsCredit: AFP

      Away to an attractive Velez Sarsfield team, coached by former Southampton boss Mauricio Pellegrino, Boca won by an astonishing 7-1 margin.
      Instead of playing Tevez behind a centre forward, they used him as a false nine, dropping to combine and opening up space for Colombian winger Sebastian Villa to cut in from the left.
      In turn that opened up space for Colombian playmaker Edwin Cardona to thread his passes from the left of midfield.
      The parts clicked wonderfully well. Playing without a specialist centre forward seemed to suit the team.

      But there is excitement in Argentina that Boca will soon have the services of a genuine world class centre forward – Manchester United’s Uruguayan striker Edinson Cavani.
      Argentine football plays big in its much smaller neighbour. And Cavani grew up watching a fellow Uruguayan, Sergio Martinez, bang in the goals for Boca during the mid 1990s.
      He always had the ambition to pull on the famous blue and yellow shirt – and there are hopes in Argentina that he could be just a few months away from crossing that one off the list.
      Cavani has made a far bigger impression at Old Trafford than many had predicted. He has shown that even at the age of 34 he still has plenty to offer – and plenty to teach some of his younger team-mates.

      Cavani’s current deal with Manchester United expires at the end of the seasonCredit: PA:Press Association
      His deal, which runs up to the end of the season, could be renewed for another year – providing both parties agree.
      But the player has confessed that in the conditions of the pandemic it has not been easy for him to settle into Manchester.
      Boca would offer the chance for him to go home – his native town of Salto is a little more than 200 miles away from Buenos Aires. And there is a chance at glory.
      Boca have not won the Copa Libertadores, South America’s Champions League, since 2007. But they keep getting close – they reached the semi finals in the last two years, and were beaten finalists the year before.
      With the knock out stage taking place in the second half of the year, Cavani could see out the Premier League season with United and then cross the Atlantic in time for the big games in the Libertadores.

      Should Cavani leave Old Trafford for Boca he would have to take a hefty paycutCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      It would mean taking a significant pay cut. According to the Argentine press, Cavani would want a three year deal, and would be happy to earn in that time the money he can make in one year with United where he earns around £200,000-a-week.
      But even meeting these terms would not be easy for Boca, and there could be some delicate negotiations between the player and Boca director and former midfield maestro Juan Roman Riquelme.
      For the time being, then, Edinson Cavani stays at Manchester United and Boca, without a specialist centre forward, prepare to take on River Plate.

      Man Utd star Edinson Cavani has been taking ballet lessons to help strength and stamina More