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      Man Utd sweating on FOUR injury worries for Burnley and Liverpool clashes with Solskjaer set to call on Tuanzebe

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      OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER is sweating on the fitness of four players heading into his biggest week as Manchester United boss.
      Paul Pogba, Luke Shaw and Victor Lindelof all missed the 1-0 FA Cup third-round win over Watf­­­­­ord.

      Axel Tuanzebe is primed for another opportunity versus Burnley on TuesdayCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Eric Bailly will definitely miss the match after suffering a neck injury versus WatfordCredit: Reuters

      And Eric Bailly is a serious doubt with a neck problem after being clattered by his own keeper, Dean Henderson.­
      The Red Devils can go top at Burnley on Tuesday before a massive trip to arch-rivals Liverpool on Sunday.
      And Solskjaer revealed only one of the three who missed out on Saturday will be back to face the reigning champs.
      The United boss said: “I hope one will definitely be fit for Liverpool but I’m not sure if they will make Burnley.”

      Bailly’s injury looked nasty as he collided with Henderson’s knee but Solskjaer confirmed it was not concussion.
      And the defender, who was replaced by Harry Maguire just before the break, assured worried fans he is fine, tweeting: “I am OK, it was just a knock.”
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      Bailly will miss the Turf Moor clash, though.

      And with Lindelof likely to miss out, too, Axel Tuanzebe, who impressed against the Hornets, is likely to be drafted in alongside Maguire.
      Centre-back Tuanzebe, 23, started just his fourth game of the season against Watford.
      He said: “We want to be top of the league and this is the time to do it.
      “They are two games that can really cement our position at the top and we just bounce on from there.
      “I’d obviously love to get more minutes, so I can constantly keep my performances up. Obviously the team are doing well so the only way in is really to force myself in with the chances that I do get.

      Eric’s a warrior, that’s what he does for us — he gets in the way of things.
      Axel Tuanzebe

      “Sometimes the opportunity can just come out of the blue.”
      United legend Rio Ferdinand said Tuanzebe needs to be asking questions over his lack of game time since starring against Paris Saint-Germain in October.
      Ferdinand said: “There has to be a moment in your career where you say, ‘Listen, I’ve been here a long time, I’ve done the groundwork, everyone knows what I’m about. Where do I stand in the rankings in the club?’.
      “Does he want to play football? He did well against PSG, against world-class opposition, and then he doesn’t play.”

      Bailly has started five of the last six games and had been in prime form since returning from an injury picked up with Ivory Coast in October.
      And Tuanzebe added: “He’s fine — that’s the main thing.
      “It’s good to see he’s all right. He’s a warrior, that’s what he does for us — he gets in the way of things.
      “It’s good to see that he’s all right and he should be training in the next week or so.”

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      Arsenal ace Ian Wright finally reunited with long-lost golden boot and precious mementoes

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      IAN Wright is reunited with his lost Golden Boot award and other mementoes.
      The Arsenal great’s stash was snapped up for £7million by a US buyer in 2018 after his ex-wife failed to pay lock-up fees in Florida.

      Wrighty beamed as he was reunited with his coveted golden bootCredit: PA:Press Association

      The footie star won the boot as top scorer in 1992Credit: PA:Press Association

      But UK company Classic Football Shirts negotiated a price to hand some of it back to Wrighty, 57, after he appeared in one of its videos.
      Wright was in tears as he saw the coveted scoring award among a host of shirts and hat trick balls from his prolific career.
      The star, who won the boot as top scorer in 1992, said: “This means the world to me.’’
      He added: ”I never thought I would see any of this stuff again – especially this.

      ”Just to see my stuff again is amazing. I didn’t have any of it, it all went.
      “When I show the boot to my girls they will be like ‘Wow! Is that real gold?’ and I will say of course it is.”

      Ian was also reunited with other precious memorabilia he thought he had lost for goodCredit: PA:Press Association

      Matt, who runs Manchester based retro firm Classic Football Shirts, said:”We’d seen that all of his prized possessions were being sold for a crazy amount online.
      ‘This guy had a ridiculous asking price, we like Ian a lot but we weren’t paying that much for it and it took awhile for the guy to agree to what we thought it was worth.

      ”We knew as soon as we got the Golden Boot it was the number one, I mean, there’s only one of those every single season but there are so many other little bits and pieces there as well.”
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      Mesut Ozil happy to leave Arsenal this transfer window… if Gunners still pay him £68K A WEEK until summer 2023

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      MESUT OZIL will offer Arsenal the chance to get him out of the club this month – by spreading payment of the rest of his contract over the next three years.
      Ozil has options to leave the Emirates during the transfer window but the Gunners would need to cough up the remainder of his £350,000-a-week deal which still has six months to run.

      Mesut Ozil could be prepared to settle a long-term payment plan to stretch out his huge salaryCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      The World Cup winner is in no mood to sacrifice the remaining £8.75million of the wages due to him just so Arsenal can get him off their wage bill with Fenerbahce and DC United both interested in his signature.
      But SunSport understands he would be prepared to help the club out.
      That would be by reaching a deal which would see them reduce their weekly payments to him to £68,000 until the summer of 2023.
      Though that would see Arsenal having to keep Ozil, 32, on their wage bill for another two-and-a-half years, it would reduce their immediate wage commitment to the midfielder by £1.2m-A-MONTH.

      With Premier League clubs being bitten hard by the Covid-19 pandemic, that long-term payment plan might be attractive to the bean counters at the Emirates.
      The other option would be to come up with a cash offer covering the vast majority of the six months left on the former Real Madrid star’s contract, otherwise he is likely to stay put until the summer.
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      Turkish club Fenerbahce are working hard to try to sign Ozil but an agreement is far from in place.

      That is despite Ozil falling victim to an online hoax which purported to be one of his charities seemingly announcing a deal had been done with Fenerbahce.
      The MLS is a possible next destination, with Wayne Rooney’s former club DC United making their interest known and opening talks over securing a deal to take him Stateside.    
      ⚽ Read our Arsenal live blog for the latest news from The Emirates

      Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta says that Mesut Ozil can talk to other clubs More

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      Man City ace Benjamin Mendy flouted lockdown AGAIN by flying girl from Greece for four-day romp

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      COVIDIOT footballer Benjamin Mendy flouted rules again when he flew a girl from Greece for a four-day romp.
      We told last week how the Man City ace, 26, hosted a new year party for pals outside his bubble.

      Benjamin Mendy flew out Claudia Marino from Athens to his home for a four-day romp

      Claudia should have been self-isolating on arrival but instead stayed at Mendy’s house

      Mendy told Claudia to delete an Instagram video showing her inside his homeCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      But it was not his first breach — last summer he wooed Claudia Marino online then flew her from Athens to his £5million Cheshire home from June 29.
      The Government had ordered UK arrivals from June 6 to self-isolate for 14 days or face a fine.
      When Claudia, 22, sent him a screenshot of the strict measures alongside a sad emoji, Mendy replied: “U stay in my house.
      “It’s ok they don’t gonna check.”

      Mendy was caught breaking Covid rules after having a new year doCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Claudia admitted she’d been up for fun and said they romped.
      She added: “I’m not naive and I know what footballers are like but I thought it would be an experience.
      “He was single so I wasn’t hurting anybody.
      “We had some drinks and had a laugh. One day he took me to Leeds where he saw his dentist.”

      Claudia flew back to Greece on July 2
      Claudia flew back on July 2 and got a message from Mendy telling her to delete an Instagram video showing her inside his house.
      Mendy has apologised for his new year do.
      Guardiola still decided to name Mendy as a substitute for last Sunday’s Premier League win at Chelsea and then launched a passionate defence, saying: “Benjamin already had Covid in the past, he has been tested every day like all the other players.
      “He has explained, he knows what he has done and he will learn in the future. He is part of the group, he is one of the guys who is much beloved in our group.

      The 22-year-old said Mendy even took her to Leeds during her visit

      Mendy was named as a substitute for last Sunday’s Premier League win at ChelseaCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      “In the stands today he was the most active player. He is a special guy for us and has an incredible heart. I would like to see how many people will now judge him and see if they have the good intentions that he has.
      “But he has to understand some things. I would like to know how many people did this on New Year’s Eve, but normally in this society we judge others when first we should judge ourselves.
      “I’m not justifying it, he broke the rules. But don’t give too many lessons to others.”

      Pep Guardiola defends Benjamin Mendy over coronavirus breach insisting many people have maybe done the same
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      West Ham sanctioned Seb Haller’s Ajax transfer as they feared being stuck with flop striker

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      WEST HAM feared being saddled with flop Seb Haller unless they offloaded him to Ajax.
      The striker has joined the Dutch side in a £25million deal despite having more than three years left on his contract.

      Seb Haller did not find his feet in the Premier League despite a hefty feeCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Irons boss David Moyes is now embarking on a 24/7 search to find a replacement after cutting his losses on Haller, who cost a club-record £42m in 2019.
      It will be a tough job but there were concerns that if they held on any longer to the low-scoring Ivorian international, 26, his value would plummet even further and they would be stuck with him.
      Bournemouth’s Josh King, 28, ex-West Ham striker Marko Arnautovic, 31, and 24-year-old Boulaye Dia of French side Stade Reims have all been considered as alternatives to Haller but may be too costly or too much of a risk.
      West Ham’s board have promised Moyes all the funds raised from Haller’s sale will be made available to him to strengthen the squad

      The Scot would ideally like to bring in a young, hungry new signing to help with his team-building plans for the long term, even though he himself could be on his way in the summer.
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      Moyes, 57, who has transformed West Ham from relegation strugglers last season to a top-ten team, sees his 18-month deal expire at the end of the season.
      But he has still not been offered a new contract by co-chairman David Sullivan.

      Ajax sign West Ham striker Sebastien Haller in £20m transfer More

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      Donny van de Beek reassured Man Utd ‘rate him’ despite lack of starts by boss Solskjaer

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      OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER spoke to Donny van de Beek to reassure him of his Manchester United future.
      The Dutchman has made just eight starts, only two in the league, since his £40million move from Ajax.

      Man Utd boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has assured Donny van de Beek that he and the club ‘rate him’Credit: EPA

      His agent and Dutch icon Ronald De Boer have both voiced concerns over the midfielder’s situation.
      But Van de Beek, 23, will start Saturday’s FA Cup tie against Watford.
      United boss Solskjaer said: “I’ve spoken to him and made him aware of how much we rate him.
      “There’s many examples of players needing a bit of time, quality players.

      “You don’t expect people who care for him to be quiet at times.
      “Donny will play against Watford, it’s another chance for him to kick on.”
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      How Manchester United could line up versus Watford
      More forgotten Red Devils are set to feature — including full-back Brandon Williams, 20, and former Watford striker Odion Ighalo, 31.

      Having only made two Carabao Cup starts and a pair of brief appearances off the bench this season, the Nigerian appears to be surplus to requirements.
      United are set to wave off Ighalo at the end of the month, when his loan move from Shanghai Shenhua ends.
      Solskjaer said: “He’s been training really well.
      “I don’t know how many goals be scored, but he was the top scorer by a mile in round robin we just had in training.
      “So he’s not lost any of his sharpness or his quality. It’s been difficult for him to be out of the squad as many times of course, because he did really well up to the summer.

      “This season he’s not had as many opportunities, but he’s never let himself down as a professional and a human being.
      “In training he always works hard and he’s been a positive influence in the dressing room.
      “He’s in the squad and hopefully I don’t need to put him on that we need goals, but hopefully he can join in.”
      ⚽ Read our Man United live blog for the latest news from Old Trafford

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      Newcastle investigating Allan Saint-Maximin over alleged quarantine breach after ace was pictured with fan

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      NEWCASTLE were tonight investigating if Allan Saint-Maximin broke quarantine rules as Prem clubs were told to enforce a Covid clampdown.
      League bosses have written to all 20 clubs with the new rules, making clear sanctions.

      Newcastle are investigating if Allan Saint-Maximin broke quarantine rulesCredit: AFP – Getty

      And Saint-Maximin, who is still recovering from Covid, could be in trouble after being pictured with a fan in Sainsbury’s.
      The winger was allowed to spend Christmas in France to rest.
      But the club were unsure if he broke quarantine rules on his return after being snapped at the shop on Thursday.
      Toon boss Steve Bruce said Saint-Maximin, 23, has been back in Newcastle “a while” but was unsure if he breached protocols.

      Newcastle failed to provide further clarification when asked by SunSport.
      Under the revised instructions, clubs were warned they will face action for Covidiocy by their players — such as the breaches by players at Spurs, West Ham, Fulham, Crystal Palace and Manchester City recently.
      And players were also informed they must not shake hands, hug each other in celebrations or swap shirts after games.
      And in the email to clubs, League bosses laid down the law for the first time since the summer when the protocols were agreed with the Government.

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      Toon boss Steve Bruce admitted he was unsure whether the winger breached protocolsCredit: AP:Associated Press
      Those regulations demand players wear masks at ALL times on match-day other than when they are playing, engaged in warm-up sessions and giving socially-distanced post-match interviews.
      Clubs must now ensure they follow instructions to transport first-team players and staff to matches in three separate coaches.
      In addition, all external staff working for travel services or in hotels used for stays must have returned negative Covid tests, while each club must submit a risk-assessed travel plan to the League for every game.
      Amid suggestions that too many hangers-on have been accessing grounds on match days, clubs have again been ordered to ensure they each have a maximum of ten representatives in directors’ boxes.
      At training grounds, indoor meetings will be banned unless they are fully socially-distanced, with canteens banned other than on matchdays the previous day.

      And clinical passports will be required by players and staff at training grounds.
      The League said: “It is vital to ensure public, Government and stakeholder confidence in the training and matchday protocols that individual transgressions by relevant persons are appropriately investigated and sanctioned by clubs.
      “Failure to do so may result in disciplinary action by the league individually against the relevant person.”

      Newcastle boss Steve Bruce says Aston Villa’s clash vs Liverpool is ‘morally wrong’ More

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      During these testing times, our national game is something of a godsend

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      WHEN legendary Liverpool boss Bill Shankly said that ‘Football is not a matter of life and death; it’s far more important than that,’ he was not living through a pandemic.
      But during these testing times, our national game is something of a godsend.

      Football has continued despite the country being in lockdownCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      The wretched Covid-19 virus has returned yet again, this time with a new variant that is vicious and deadly.
      And the new lockdown was required in order to protect our NHS and to save lives.
      But I’m really happy that football has been given the green light to carry on.
      OK, there have been lapses at clubs — including my own — but the good news is that football is still being played, allowing us all to have something to cherish during these difficult winter months.

      Football will continue and I think that is really important for the heart and soul of the nation during these grim times.
      Those of you, like me, who tuned into Sky News on Tuesday night following the PM’s announcement of the new national lockdown, may have suffered minor heart failure when the channel also announced the Premier League was to be suspended.
      I had heard nothing about it and literally fell off my chair.
      And no, alcohol was not involved as I’m suffering dry January just to make my life even grimmer than it currently is!

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      I quickly texted Premier League chief executive Richard Masters, who said he was baffled by Sky’s announcement and had spent the previous day discussing various issues with the Secretary of State Oliver Dowden and postponement was not on the cards. Crikey, what had happened!
      Had Boris pulled a fast one! Five minutes later and there was a rapid backtrack, Sky News admitted it had made a mistake and the PL would continue.
      I’m an avid viewer, so apology accepted.
      After recovering, I think I am not alone when I say having football around right now is like wrapping yourself in a favourite warm blanket.
      There has been criticism that the games have come too thick and fast but people should understand the fixture list is so congested because the league has to finish in time for the scheduled European Championships in June.
      There simply isn’t space in the calendar for any lengthy postponement of fixtures.
      Now there are those who may argue that football and other sports should also be locked down but I would counter that with two factors.
      Allowing elite sports to carry on is good for the nation’s health — and boy, do we need that right now.

      Karren Brady’s West Ham will continue to be in actionCredit: PA:Press Association
      Also, sportsmen and women have been extremely professional in following the Covid guidelines and, as such, they are clearly not putting any further strain on the NHS.
      These are grim times as winter has set in and this blasted coronavirus just refuses to go away.
      When Lockdown 1.0 happened at the end of March, the sun was shining, spring was blooming and it felt very different.
      We now know what we are dealing with and it is very nasty.
      But I think common sense has prevailed both north and south of the border with English and Scottish football continuing.
      True, we are treating elite sports as a special case but surely there has to be some give and take in these dark days.
      Football allows us to dream. It makes us laugh and cry. It makes us feel alive as we support our teams, albeit from the comfort of the sofa in front of the TV.
      At least during Lockdown 3.0 we can enjoy a little semblance of normality.
      For 90 minutes our hopes and fears over Covid-19 can take a back seat.
      And you don’t need VAR to know that is surely a good thing.
      SPOT LUCK
      Hearing Jurgen Klopp mentioning his team’s lack of penalties compared to Manchester United, I wonder what kind of mood he would have been in if instead of the five Liverpool have been awarded this season, compared to United’s six, his team had NONE like mine?
      Some would agree that with Liverpool having had five, United six, Leicester ten and Chelsea five, that if there was any complaining to be done about the lack of penalties, it would be by my manager, David Moyes — but that’s not his style.
      Burnley, West Brom and West Ham have not had a single penalty this season.
      Maybe that tells its own story.

      Manchester United have had six penalties this termCredit: AP:Associated Press

      Premier League clubs consider short-term shutdown after rise in coronavirus cases with matches postponed More