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      Postecoglou blasts Werner for ‘unacceptable’ performance one day after claiming he wouldn’t publicly criticise a player

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      ANGE POSTECOGLOU launched a scathing attack on Timo Werner following his no-show against Rangers – just ONE DAY after promising not to publicly bash his players.The Germany international was one of Tottenham’s senior players in their Europa League clash with the Scottish giants at Ibrox on Thursday night.Ange Postecoglou was furious at Werner after the gameManager Ange Postecoglou have it after the final whistleCredit: GETTYTimo Werner did nothing against Rangers and was subbed at half-timeCredit: REXBut the former Chelsea man failed to make any impact and was hooked at the half-time interval, with his performance prompting a furious reaction from his manager.After the match, an irate Postecoglou said of Werner: “He wasn’t playing anywhere near the level he should.”When you’ve got 18-year-olds [playing], it’s not acceptable to me and I said that to Timo. He’s a senior German international.”The moment we’re in right now, it’s not like we’ve got many options.READ MORE ON SPURS”I need everyone to at least be going out there trying to give the best of themselves.”His performance in the first half wasn’t acceptable.”When asked how Werner took the hooking, Postecoglou said: “[I] don’t really know, it’s not really of great concern.”We need everybody, including him, to be contributing.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS”Because we don’t have the depth to leave people out if they’re performing poorly.”We need them to play their part, especially the senior guys.”When I’m asking younger guys to do massive jobs, I expect a level of performance from some of the senior guys and today wasn’t that.”Ange Postecoglou calls Tottenham flop’s performance ‘unacceptable’ in brutal blast after hauling him off at half-timePostecoglou’s dressing down of Werner came just ONE DAY after the Aussie said he wouldn’t slam his players in public.He said: “A lot of what he said was good, [but] some of what he said wasn’t right and shouldn’t be done in the public.”I also believe that these things – we deal with them within our sort of four walls.”Because there are always issues that we need to deal with.The same way I wouldn’t publicly criticise a player or anybody else, I don’t think that we should be doing that in the public sense.” Postecoglou replaced Werner – who has only scored three goals and provided six assists in 33 appearances for the club – with Dejan Kulusevski.READ MORE SUN STORIESAnd the Swede had the desired effect in the 75th minute, cancelling out Hamza Igamane’s strike and rescuing a point for the visitors.Spurs will be back in action on Sunday afternoon, travelling to St Mary’s to take on Southampton. More

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      Gary Lineker told ‘you do know you worked for the BBC for 30 years?’ as he jokes ‘it’s pointless them sacking me now’

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      GARY LINEKER joked “it’s pointless them sacking me now” as Micah Richards poked fun at the BBC stalwart.Lineker, 64, announced last month that he will be quitting Match of the Day at the end of the season after 26 years as host.Gary Lineker is set to leave the BBC in 2026Credit: ReutersHe will continue presenting FA Cup action on the Beeb during the 2025-26 season, before leaving the broadcaster after the 2026 World Cup.During the latest episode of The Rest is Football, Lineker discussed watching the Champions League earlier this week.The former BT Sport anchor said: “I really do like this format. I sat last night and watched the first 20 minutes of City, the second 25 minutes of Arsenal.”And then I put the Goals Show on, which is really good because because it’s a little bit like Soccer Saturday where they’re talking about the games but you actually see the action with it.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”So when the goals go in it’s quite good to keep across all of it. Then I’m constantly checking my phone for the league table and how it changes every few seconds.”It keeps it really interesting, every game’s big, every game’s really important.”Micah Richards cheekily replied: “I don’t think Jason Mohammad would be too happy with that, the BBC have a programme called Final Score Gary, you referenced…”Lineker then cut back in, as Shearer laughed: “Or Final Score.”Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSRichards added: “You do know you worked for the BBC for 30 years, you know that?”Lineker replied: “In my defence, Micah, at that time of day I’m sitting in the office watching football, so I’ve never seen it.Gary Lineker’s best Match of the Day moments”But actually, I think Final Score’s a much better programme. But Final Score doesn’t need a lift up from me where that other show on Sky does, probably. You work for everybody, Micah!”Final Score came up later in the show, when Lineker referenced keeping up with Barcelona’s 3-2 win over Borussia Dortmund.He said: “I watched quite a lot of that in the second half because it kept coming up on the Goals Show, which is actually nearly as good as Final Score.”Shearer then joked: “You’ll be getting an email!”Lineker added: “It’s pointless them sacking me now though isn’t it really, I’ve only got a few months left anyway.”The presenter recently revealed that he turned down an offer to go on ITV’s Celebrity Big Brother.READ MORE SUN STORIESHe said: “My agent sent it through, and then jokingly he replied, ‘Oh, yes. Gary’s fee will be £50 million’.”Lineker then added: “He did it completely as a joke, obviously. And they came back said, ‘Oh, that’s a little bit…that’s not within our budget’.”Lineker, 64, has entered his final few months hosting Match of the DayCredit: PA More

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      Rasmus Hojlund reveals watching videos of maligned ex-Man Utd star gave him inspiration for winning goal

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      RAMSUS HOJLUND drew inspiration from Manchester United flop Anthony Martial for his winner against Viktoria Plzen.A second-half brace from the Danish striker saw the Red Devils run out 2-1 winners in their Europa League clash with the Czech club.Rasmus Hojlund bagged in Manchester United’s Europa League win over Viktoria PlzenCredit: REUTERSThe Dane’s second goal was a moment of pure brillianceCredit: EPAHojlund drew inspiration for the goal from Anthony Martial’s strike against Manchester City in March 2020Credit: EPAHojlund and United’s second was a moment of sheer brilliance, with the 21-year-old beautifully controlling a low free-kick from Bruno Fernandes in the box before rifling the ball into the far corner.And the Denmark international positioned himself to receive the ball in the box after remembering Martial score from a similar position in the Manchester derby in March 2020.He told TNT Sports: “I have watched Bruno [Fernandes] do that before.”I remember the goal with Anthony Martial when he did the chip for him.READ MORE ON MAN UTD”I just thought I had a good opportunity because I am strong, I could push the defender and spin him and finish.”Victory in Plzen saw United get back to winning ways following back-to-back defeats to Arsenal and Nottingham Forest.But the Red Devils are still very much a work in progress under new gaffer Ruben Amorim.The 39-year-old said in his post-match interview: “We still need more time. It’s still very early days.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS”It’s about getting our routines together and it’s getting there. “But it still needs practice and time.Amad runs the show again but Rashford is lucky to stay on the pitch and Onana has night to forget”I know it sounds odd, but we don’t get enough time on the training ground, so we have to train it during the matches.”But it’s getting better and better.”United will be back in action on Sunday evening, travelling to the Etihad Stadium to play local rivals Manchester City. More

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      Shamed ace Richard Rufus told to pay back just £372,740 of £9m he scammed from family and friends

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      SHAMED footballer Richard Rufus has been told to pay back just £372,740 of the £9million he scammed from family and friends in a pyramid scheme.The ex-Charlton Athletic star, now 49, was jailed for seven-and-a-half years in 2023 after conning friends and family into investing in the fraudulent get-rich-quick plan.Rufus played for Charlton AthleticCredit: GettySouthwark Crown Court heard yesterday how Rufus had fleeced a grand total of £9,388,112.99 from his nearest and dearest.But the court ordered him to pay back just £372,740.20, with the sum representing all that he has left.Posing as a foreign exchange trader, he had urged friends to invest with him – lying that footie contacts such as Rio Ferdinand had done the same.Instead he splurged the money on a flash Bentley, Rolex and a mansion.read more on football But the once-millionaire star is now left with just £372,740.20 – which he will have to pay back to his victims.Rufus had tried to reduce the cost – insisting that he needed the money to keep up his flash lifestyle.But Judge Dafna Spiro said he was lying about how much he needed to live off.She said: “I have not found him to be a credible witness.Most read in Football“I do not agree they are reasonable expenses – perhaps the lifestyle could be considered reasonable when you’re a Premier League footballer.“I consider that he is not telling the court the truth at all.”My aunt befriended a man on a bus who forged her will & paid drug addicts to ‘witness’ it to scam my family out of £350kHe was ordered to cough up the money by March next year or face another three years behind bars.Judge Dafna went on: “I make a confiscation order –which will be paid to victims as notified to the court by the Crown.“We will be able to provide the court with a schedule of victims and how much each should be paid.“This is an application for a confiscation order in respect to Mr Rufus following his conviction for his offences in 2022.“I am satisfied that he will not be able to make that sum today so it must be paid before the 12 March 2025.”If he fails to pay off the money he will serve another three years and nine months in prison – which will run consecutively with his current sentence.During the height of his money-spinning scheme the ex-footballer also splurged £200,000 on flash cars.Thousands more were splashed on shopping and meals at top-end restaurants.Meanwhile the only legitimate income he was receiving was £850-a-month rent from his Surrey property.Rufus duped investors by claiming he could return their original capital within 14 days of them asking.He took more than £15million in total – paying some of it back to investors to prop up his con.And he carried on the scam even after his accounts were frozen by the Financial Services Agency in 2011.Charlton legend Rufus earned six England caps during his career.He played his entire career at Charlton – making 288 appearances after his debut in 1994, aged 19.READ MORE SUN STORIESHis first goal came in the side’s historic win over Sunderland in the 1998 play-off final at Wembley.Richard Rufus was jailed for seven-and-a-half years in 2023Credit: Central News More

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      Antonio Conte ‘wants to go back to Man Utd for unwanted star’ after Scott McTominay transfer was huge success

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      NAPOLI manager Antonio Conte could try and sign another Manchester United ace in January, reports suggest.That’s after Scott McTominay’s successful £25million move from Old Trafford to the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium last summer.Napoli boss Antonio Conte wants to sign another Manchester United aceCredit: RexThis comes after Conte signed ex-Man Utd ace Scott McTominay at NapoliCredit: RexNapoli want to sign Joshua Zirkzee amid a tough Man Utd startCredit: RexAccording to Il Mattino, Conte, 55, is now keeping tabs on Joshua Zirkzee who has struggled for consistency at United.Man Utd signed Zirkzee, 23, from Bologna last summer following a £36.5m deal.However, there is already speculation over the striker’s future with Juventus said to be monitoring developments.And the Partenopei appear to also be considering a move for the Netherlands international.Read More on Man UtdIn fact, the same report claims Conte has given the “green light” for Napoli to enter the race and sign the Dutchman from United.Zirkzee would reportedly be interested in a return to Serie A after a successful campaign with Bologna where he registered 12 goals and seven assists in 37 appearances last term.Conte has long been a fan of the forward.He wanted to sign him last summer before the Red Devils won the transfer race for his signature.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSThat would see the ex-Chelsea and Tottenham boss landing another United ace struggling to establish himself in the starting line-up.McTominay, 28, couldn’t seal a starting place under former Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag but quickly turned into a fan favourite at Napoli.Chelsea ‘send Antonio Conte lucrative offer to return’The Scottish midfielder already counts four goals and two assists in 17 appearances across all competitions.And Zirkzee has amassed three goals and two assists in 21 appearances on his debut season at Old Trafford.Ten Hag’s Man Utd signingsThe Dutchman has brought in 21 players since moving to Old Trafford in 20222022-23:Antony, (Ajax) £86mCasemiro, (Real Madrid) £70mLisandro Martinez, (Ajax) £46mTyrell Malacia, (Feyenoord) £13mChristian Eriksen, (Brentford) freeMartin Dubravka, (Newcastle) loanWout Weghorst, (Burnley) loanJack Butland, (Crystal Palace) loanMarcel Sabitzer, (Bayern Munich) loan2023-24:Rasmus Hojlund, (Atalanta) £72mMason Mount, (Chelsea) £60mAndre Onana, (Inter Milan) £47mSofyan Amrabat, (Fiorentina) loanAltay Bayindir, (Fenerbahce) £4.3mJonny Evans, (Leicester) freeSergio Reguilon, (Tottenham) loan2024-25:Leny Yoro, (Lille) £52mManuel Ugarte, (Paris Saint-Germain) £50mMatthijs de Ligt, (Bayern Munich) £45mJoshua Zirkee, (Bologna) £36.5mNoussair Mazraoui, (Bayern Munich) £12.8m More

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      Port Vale kit man, 54, ‘blackmailed club’s millionaire owner for £15k’

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      A FOOTIE club’s kit man is accused of trying to blackmail the millionaire owner.Former police hostage negotiator Duncan Whitehead, 54, allegedly threatened to release damaging information about Port Vale’s Carol Shanahan if she did not hand over £15,000.A man has been accused of trying to blackmail Port Vale owner Carol ShanahanCredit: GettyShanahan, 67, has owned the League Two club with husband Kevin since 2019. The pair turned Whitehead over to cops last October.It is unclear what he was allegedly threatening to reveal about Ms Shanahan, who made £10million founding financial technology giant Synectics Solutions in the 1990s.Whitehead appeared at North Staffordshire magistrates court last month.read more on footballHe has yet to enter a plea and will appear at Stoke-on-Trent crown court on January 5.Whitehead, of Blackpool, served as a Lancashire Constabulary cop from 1992 to 2014 but resigned to start a mental health charity.He has worked as a kit man for a string of lower league clubs and joined Port Vale two years ago. The part-time writer also works as a private ­security guard.Most read in FootballTake That’s Robbie Williams, 50, Vale’s most famous fan, was made president earlier this year — but has no role in the club’s operation.Robbie Williams to buy Port Vale Carol has ownd the club with husband Kevin since 2019Credit: Getty More

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      in Boxing

      Tyson Fury fired chilling warning by British boxing legend Lennox Lewis ahead of mouthwatering Oleksandr Usyk rematch

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      LENNOX LEWIS worries Tyson Fury could be distracted from his Oleksandr Usyk revenge mission by the mega-money Anthony Joshua showdown looming over it.The Saudi Arabian bankrollers are desperate to finally see the 6ft 9in Morecambe showman settle the score with Watford’s 2012 Olympic golden boy.Tyson Fury faces the year’s most-anticipated fight against Oleksandr UsykCredit: PALennox Lewis has one concern for Fury ahead of his Usyk boutCredit: GettyAnthony Joshua must stay out of Fury’s mind for now, says LewisCredit: PAThe overdue clash – that has collapsed late into talks twice already before – would be the biggest fight in British boxing history.When Joshua was knocked clean out by Daniel Dubois at Wembley in September for the IBF crown that Usyk had just been stripped of, front-row Fury even jumped up and roared: “That’s cost me 150 million – the silly c***”Whether that is pounds or dollars doesn’t matter – the fact is AJ would likely be getting the same, making it a fight worth around £300m.And it would most likely be a two-fight deal, with one happening in boxing’s new Mecca of Riyadh and a return happening in London – tipping the rivalry toward a combined half-a-billion double header.READ MORE TOP STORIESInstead of insisting on an instant rerun, Saudi boxing boss Turki Alalshikh has let AJ off of the rematch and he is sitting out to recover from the five-round catastrophe and waiting to pounce on Fury.And Lewis – the last undisputed champion before Usyk, who bounced back from two shock defeats – fears that Fury could have his eye taken off the ball by the crazy cash on the table.He told SunSport: “I think it is a bad distraction to have in your head.“My goal would just be to get the undisputed championship first, before thinking about anything else.Most read in BoxingBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS“That would be my goal, especially if he is 1-0 down.“For Fury, winning this fight is very important for him and I know what he will be thinking.’Horror movie’ trailer for Tyson Fury vs Usyk II released ahead of fight as fans hail ‘best one yet’“He’s there but he’s not quite there – he will be there if he works for it.”Win, lose or draw, it seems certain that Fury and Joshua is planned for early 2025 and both Brits could potentially go into the clash with back-to-back losses to the Ukraine’s gap-toothed southpaw genius.Lewis avenged all the blots on his magnificent record.Rebuilding and waiting almost three years to chin Oliver McCall, chasing Hasim Rahman through the courts to get an instant rematch and dominating Evander Holyfield eight months after he was handed a scandalous draw and denied the undisputed honour at the first attempt.Speaking from unmatched experience, he believes a Fury win on Saturday night must spark a Usyk trilogy and anything less – including the AJ shootout – would be a disappointment.When I woke up after a loss, I wanted to realise what I did wrong, go back to the drawing board and fix it.Lennox LewisHe explained at the WBC convention: “If it gets to 1-1 then there has to be the trilogy.“You need the third one as the decider.“Tyson Fury loves the trilogy aspect, he lost the first so he will want to win the second one and, if he wins, he will want the third one.“It doesn’t matter that one of the belts has been taken away, this is still the undisputed fight for most people.“These are the two top guys and even though all the belts are not there, the public opinion will be that the winner is the undisputed champion of the world.”In order to level the score, Fury has to make the most basic simple-sounding changes to try to implement an almost impossible plan.In the original clash he chose to waste the first three rounds showboating and gurning to the crowd.The Gypsy King was superb in rounds four to seven, when his body shots and uppercuts couldn’t miss.But when Usyk – who he had dismissed as an “ugly little middleweight sausage” – caught him flush on the nose with a perfect left hand, he was saved by his own incredible courage, the ropes he bundled around, the ref’s eight count and the bell.When the bell goes we will soon see if his first professional defeat has reignited the fire within and the new and unfamiliar challenger mindset has re-energised him.Or if Usyk’s psychological warfare and relentless pressure really robbed Fury of his soul.“Fury will have woken up on Sunday morning feeling bad,” Lewis said.Tyson didn’t do enough work to win the fight, he let a couple of rounds go and in the ninth he was hit in the nose and I think it affected his breathing.Lennox Lewis“It will be even more difficult to win the second because he can’t just repeat what he did in the first.“When I woke up after a loss, I wanted to realise what I did wrong, go back to the drawing board and fix it.“When I watched the first Holyfield fight back I wanted to learn the differences between us, I knew we both wanted it and were smart fighters.“It’s about who takes each individual round, you have to win each individual round, with hard work, you cannot dance around and expect to get the round.“Tyson didn’t do enough work to win the fight, he let a couple of rounds go and in the ninth he was hit in the nose and I think it affected his breathing.Lewis reckons Fury ‘let a couple of rounds go’ in his first Usyk fightCredit: AP“It showed me that that one punch affected him, that’s how it is, one punch, even to the belly, can force you to take a round off to recover and then you’ve lost it with the judges.“There’s different things to do to win the rounds; making it look like you’re being busy, scoring punches, pressure, being smart, all of those things will impress judges.“There’s different ways to win a fight, you can walk toward the guy and apply pressure. Or you can wait and make him come to you, and then counter punch him.“Fury has great movement and is elusive and has a good jab, he needs to use all of those gifts and talent to win the fight.“When I saw him playing around in those first couple of rounds, that to me showed he wasn’t serious and was giving away rounds for no reason.”If Lewis – who is now guiding the career of 12-0 light-heavyweight prospect Costas Nanga – was in the corner for either icon on Saturday, he knows what his final teamtalk would be.Fury would be told: “Use your skill, use your gifts and don’t fool around.”Be so serious that you just seek and destroy. Winning is all that you need to do, winning is what you must do.”Usyk would get even simpler instructions: “Stay on his ass and cut off the ring.READ MORE SUN STORIES”Use that catchphrase he likes to say: ‘Tyson I will not leave you alone'”.Watch Usyk v Fury Reignited 2 on TNT Sports Box Office. Coverage starts from 4pm on Saturday 21st December. Find out how you can watch at tntsports. More

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      Eagle-eyed Man Utd fans convinced over Marcus Rashford’s future after spotting Ruben Amorim interaction

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      EAGLE-EYED fans are convinced that Marcus Rashford’s time at Manchester United is coming to an end.The Red Devils star is facing an uncertain time at Old Trafford after a tough spell of form.Marcus Rashford was not acknowledged by Ruben Amorim when he was subbed against Viktoria PlzenCredit: GettyHe was lucky not to be sent off in the Europa League clashCredit: ReutersAmorim could look to bring in new faces in the January transfer windowCredit: GettyRashford, 27, struggled in Manchester United’s win over Viktoria Plzen in the Europa League.The forward was unable to influence the game and was arguably fortunate to escape a red card in the second half.Rashford flew into a tackle when already on a yellow but avoided further punishment before being hooked by Ruben Amorim.He was not acknowledged by the manager when walking off the pitch and to the bench.READ MORE ON MAN UTDFans spotted the moment and are now convinced that it means that the club will sell him in January.One wrote: “Looks like Rashford is certainly gonna be sold, Amorim didn’t even shake his hand when he came off.”A second wrote: “Amorim acknowledges Malacia and Zirkzee.”No exchange between him and Rashford when he came off earlier.”Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSAnother commented: “He didn’t even look at him.”While one summarised: “There was nothing to acknowledge about Rashfords game.”Man Utd team-mates in furious on-pitch argument at final whistle after Red Devils scrape past Viktoria PlzenAnother sad fan added: “I wouldn’t be devastated if Rashford left.”Reports have been circulating that Man United would be willing to cash in on Rashford in January.The Daily Mail have reported that the club would accept a bid worth £40million to allow him to leave.The potential sale of Rashford would boost the club’s PSR position as he is an academy profit and would count as 100 per cent profit.An influx of cash would also boost Amorim’s fund to invest in new players to strengthen the squad for the second half of the season.However, finding a buyer could be difficult, with Rashford earning up to £325,000-per-week.His deal runs until 2028, having been signed only in July 2023.Man Utd ratings vs Plzen as Hojlund and Amad spare Onana’s blushes are horror showANDRE ONANA had his blushes spared by Rasmus Hojlund as Manchester United fought back to win against Viktoria Plzen.Here’s how SunSport’s Henry Tomlinson rated the Red Devils stars…Andre Onana – 4It was a very shaky start to the game in which Onana hurt Casemiro and failed to deal with the host’s crosses convincingly.He made a massive error that led to Plzen taking the lead with his poor pass, leaving his defenders with no chance of bailing him out.Diogo Dalot – 6Dalot made some decent runs forward to join in with the attacks.Defensively was fairly solid and was not often caught out.Noussair Mazraoui – 6Playing a bit more central, Mazraoui used his pace well to help out at the back.Matthijs de Ligt – 6He was sold short by Onana’s pass that led to the opener but otherwise was fine during the 90 minutes.Lisandro Martinez – 6Made himself available when Man United got forward but struggled with the physicality of the Plzen attackers.Tyrell Malacia – 6He offered very little going forward in the wing-back role as he struggled to combine with Marcus Rashford.Casemiro – 6He moved the ball forward when he could and recovered from an early blow from Onana.Bruno Fernandes – 7He was lucky to have escaped an early yellow card. Stung the goalkeeper’s gloves in the first half with a good effort.His quick thinking set up Rasmus Hojlund to fire in a late winner.Amad Diallo – 8Diallo was a rare bright spark in Man United’s attack against Plzen.It was his run that led to the equaliser, and he used his pace and skill to get past his defender.Marcus Rashford – 4Rashford was often loose on the ball and surrendered possession in the attacking third.He received the first booking of the game for a needless foul and was lucky not to be sent off in the second half before being hooked by Ruben Amorim.Joshua Zirkzee – 6Took on the centre-forward role well, held the ball up and linked up play well enough.SubsRasmus Hojlund 55′ – 8Hojlund showed his striker instincts by being in the right position to grab Man United’s equaliser.He then latched onto Fernandes’ clever pass to score the winner.Antony 60′ – 6He was involved in the equaliser by linking up with Diallo.Mason Mount 60′ – 7Made a positive impact after coming on and was unlucky not to score as he was denied twice by the goalkeeper after coming into the action.Alejandro Garnacho 80′ – N/AFailed to make a positive impact on his short spell on the pitch.Manuel Ugarte 80′ – N/AHe slotted into the midfield as he replaced Casemiro late on. More