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      in Soccer

      Man Utd chiefs want Paul Pogba OUT of the club in January transfer after Mino Raiola’s latest outburst

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      FED-UP Manchester United chiefs want Paul Pogba out of the club in the January transfer window.
      His agent’s disgracefully-timed statement on the eve of United’s crucial Champions League clash with RB Leipzig was the final straw.

      Man Utd chiefs are ready to part ways with Paul Pogba in JanuaryCredit: Rex Features

      Mino Raiola’s latest outburst was the final straw for Old Trafford top brassCredit: Getty – Contributor

      Mino Raiola destabilised boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s preparations — and they lost 3-2 to crash out of the competition.
      Raiola told an Italian sports website that Pogba’s time at Old Trafford was over, that he was not happy and should be sold.
      United had flat out refused to be bullied by Raiola, who has been an irritant during Pogba’s second spell at the club.
      But now the Red Devils top brass are ready to accept defeat and let their £89million club-record signing go.

      They want their money back but may have to drop the asking price as low as £50m to find a buyer for the French World Cup winner.
      Pogba, 27, favours a return to Juventus. The Italian giants would welcome back their four-time Serie A winner — but it is whether they have the cash.
      United could have sold the midfielder to Real Madrid in the summer of 2019 but their £180m fee was never going to be met by the Spaniards and the chance was gone.
      Having got rid of Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Sanchez back then, Solskjaer was prepared to let Pogba go too — as long as he got the money to reinvest in his squad.

      Man Utd’s biggest transfers ever, both in and out, including Ronaldo

      Now Pogba has become an unwanted sideshow that is starting to affect the Norwegian’s running of the team.
      He  probably cost Jose Mourinho his job when the former United manager axed Pogba from the team and stripped him of the vice-captaincy.
      The club’s sympathies at the time were with Pogba, believing Mourinho was having a meltdown.
      Looking back now, the board might  revise their thoughts on that.

      Solskjaer left the France star out of the starting XI  against Leipzig on Tuesday but brought him on 16 minutes into the second half with United 2-0 down.
      He scored a header to cut Leipzig’s lead to 3-2 — and almost forced an own goal with a late cross that would have seen United scrape through.
      But his form has been poor in general and he  is unlikely to win back  his place for Saturday’s Manchester derby.
      ⚽ Read our Man United live blog for the latest news from Old Trafford

      Ole Gunnar Solskjaer speaks about Paul Pogba transfer rumours after Man Utd’s Champions League exit at Leipzig More

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      in Soccer

      Jose Mourinho sports a face mask as he struggles with his Christmas shopping

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      SPURS boss Jose Mourinho may be used to having points in the bag, but he looked to be struggling with his Christmas shopping.
      The ex-Chelsea and Manchester United manager, 57, grabbed top brands in West London.

      Jose Mourinho treated himself to a spot of Christmas shoppingCredit: MJ-Pictures.com

      The Spurs boss seemed to struggle with his bulky purchasesCredit: MJ-Pictures.com

      Passing fans stopped to grab a snap with the self-styled Special One as he shopped at Fendi and Zenga.
      He may have treated himself to some shopping to celebrate Spurs’ latest 2-0 win against Arsenal.
      They clinched a famous derby win and headed back to the top of the Premier League.
      And Mourinho seems keen to ride the high – last week he insisted he’s a “very young boss” and will manage until he’s in his 70s.

      He grabbed top brands including Fendi and ZengaCredit: MJ-Pictures.com

      The self-styled Special One might have been taking advantage of some special offersCredit: MJ-Pictures.com
      He said: “There is a difference between success and a successful career.
      “Success can be related with your talent, but can be just the fact you are in a certain place in the right moment, in the right time.
      “Another thing is a successful career, which is based on year after year after year, I always wanted that kind of career. It’s part of my DNA.

      Passing fans stopped to grab a snap with himCredit: MJ-Pictures.com

      “I’m a 57-year-old, very young in relation to my job, so I wouldn’t be surprised if I have 10 to 15 years ahead of me.

      “Everybody saying my career is long, which is true, but I don’t see the end. I feel exactly the same passion, the same desire to learn every day. I think it’s just a pleasure.
      “My white hair for sure has nothing to do with a stressful job!”

      Mourinho was still riding high from Spurs’ 2-0 win against Arsenal over the weekendCredit: EPA

      Jose Mourinho says Spurs accepted what Arsenal did to them in the second half after putting themselves in a very good place before half time
      GOT a story? RING The Sun on 0207 782 4104 or WHATSAPP on 07423720250 or EMAIL exclusive@the-sun.co.uk More

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      in Soccer

      Armchair footie fans arguing about the rules can now turn to their own referee — Alexa

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      ARMCHAIR footie fans arguing about the rules can now turn to their own referee — Alexa.
      The Amazon voice assistant has been updated with the official laws of the game.

      Amazon’s Alexa uses ­information from the ­International Football Association Board and former ref Mark ClattenburgCredit: Free for editorial use

      Users of any Alexa-enabled device, including Echo smart speakers, can ask questions such as: “Alexa, can you explain the offside rule?”
      Another frequent query could be: “Alexa, has the handball rule changed?”
      Eric King, director of Alexa Europe, said the new feature had been dubbed “VARlexa” after Video Assistant Referee technology.
      Its ­information comes from the ­International Football Association Board and former Premier League ref Mark Clattenburg.

      Mark Clattenburg helped ‘teach’ the tech to answer questions such as: ‘Alexa, can you explain the offside rule?’Credit: Free for editorial use

      A survey for Amazon’s Prime Video streaming service found that two-thirds of people admit they do not fully understand the rules of the game.
      Eighty-two per cent thought they would enjoy football more if they had a better grasp of the laws.
      And 85 per cent said they felt it would be an advantage to have instant and reliable access to the official rules during live matches.

      Moment Borat tries to order three flashlights with an Alexa but instead receives rubber playthings
      GOT a story? RING The Sun on 0207 782 4104 or WHATSAPP on 07423720250 or EMAIL exclusive@the-sun.co.uk More

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      in Soccer

      Arteta defends Aubameyang and reveals Arsenal sent footage of foul throws to FA to demand Bellerin explanation

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      MIKEL ARTETA is standing by Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and is ‘proud’ of Arsenal’s response to losing at Tottenham.
      Gunners skipper Auba has not scored a Prem goal from open play since their season opener  and is rested for tonight’s Europa League dead rubber at Dundalk.

      Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has an ‘energy and hunger’ of someone set to rediscover his best form, says Arsenal boss Mikel ArtetaCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      The Gunners believe Hector Bellerin’s throw-ins have been ‘harshly’ penalised and have sent ‘worse incidents’ to the FACredit: Getty – Pool

      Boss Arteta said: “No one’s undroppable but we can’t forget what Auba has done  in recent months and not just years ago.
      “I see how he trains, behaves and how he wants to turn this situation around.
      “He has an energy you wouldn’t usually associate with a player who is suffering and when I see that type of hunger I stay strong in my support of that player.
      ⚽ Read our Arsenal live blog for the latest news from The Emirates

      “We’re not getting the league  results we expect so of course pressure’s  increasing.
      “We played much better against Spurs than we did when we beat Manchester United but you can’t talk about that when you’ve lost the derby 2-0.
      “I could not be any prouder of the response from the players this week.
      “I have seen a team that is united, wants to fight and has a big belief in what we are trying to do.

      “They all want to push each other  and Auba’s been one of the main guys there.”
      Arteta defended full-back Hector Bellerin after a FIFTH foul throw of the season.

      The Gunners boss said: “It was harsh and we sent images to the Premier League of many incidents much worse.
      “We will keep working with Hector and make sure he does the action properly.”
      ARSENAL (likely): Runarsson, Cedric, Chambers, Mari, Kolasinac, Cottrell, Elneny, Azeez, Pepe, Balogun, Smith Rowe.

      Dundalk vs Arsenal free live stream, TV Channel and kick off time for Europa League match More

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      in Boxing

      Anthony Joshua is ‘underestimating me’ by focusing on Tyson Fury showdown, claims Kubrat Pulev

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      KUBRAT PULEV loves the fact people are talking about Anthony Joshua’s 2021 showdown with Tyson Fury — and not their clash on Saturday.
      AJ is putting his WBA, IBF and WBO world heavyweight titles on the line against wily underdog Pulev at Wembley Arena.

      Kubrat Pulev boasts an impressive record of 28-1Credit: /Mark Robinson2/

      And if the Watford star wins, Eddie Hearn has confirmed Fury is welcome to climb into the ring for a face-off.
      Joshua, 31, faced an identical situation in June 2019 when all the chat before his voluntary defence against unknown Andy Ruiz Jr was about a potential undisputed decider with Deontay Wilder.
      Warhorse Pulev, 39, watched how that unfolded — with the Brit suffering a shock loss in Madison Square Garden — and is loving all the pre-fight hype being about AJ and Fury trading leather next year.
      The Bulgarian said: “I like that people are talking more about Joshua versus Fury than Joshua versus Pulev. It is not insulting to me, I like it.

      “Everybody might think professional heavyweight boxers are dumb but we are smart — and a smart person would not be insulted by this. I am glad.
      “I am happy because while he is thinking about something and somebody else, he is underestimating me and the current situation.
      “This cannot insult me, my ego is not like that, it’s a good situation for me.”
      Hearn revealed in June that AJ and Fury had agreed a 50-50 split for their first fight in early 2021 and a 60-40 cut for the winner in the rematch.

      Anthony Joshua has not fought since his rematch win over Andy Ruiz JrCredit: ©Mark Robinson/Matchroom

      And AJ’s promoter hopes WBC king Fury — who has been offered VIP seats and also a commentary role for Saturday’s clash — will make an appearance to stoke up even more attention in the all-English match-up.
      Hearn revealed: “I messaged him yesterday saying, ‘You’re more than welcome’. And I know our broadcaster partners Sky and DAZN were talking to him about working on the night.
      “We know what the deal is. If I was Fury, I would want to watch AJ up close. That’s why AJ came to Oleksandr Usyk against Derek Chisora last month, to support Chisora but also to watch Usyk up close.
      “I’d like to be in a position on Saturday to say, ‘We’ve got a deal, we have an agreement, these are the dates we are working on. Now let’s go and find a venue’.”
      One thing Hearn had not considered, though, was Fury using his prime position to trash talk Joshua without 90,000 fans to drown him out.
      When asked if Fury could be a needless distraction at the 1,000-ticket event, the Matchroom boss said: “That is something you have to be careful of.
      “I had to check with AJ, because I didn’t want him to come and AJ to ask, ‘What is he doing here?’.
      “For me it would be a distraction — you see this guy who you want to fight next and he’s shouting at you.

      “He might be shouting, ‘You big dosser’, he probably would. I haven’t thought about that!”
      But Hearn has already done the sums on how much the biggest fight in British boxing history could make.
      With the first Joshua-Fury scrap headed to the Middle East, there will be a UK-friendly start time of around 9pm and record-breaking pay-per-view buys.
      A target of 2.2million sales would bank over £65m, with a site fee from front runners Saudi Arabia, Qatar or Abu Dhabi, plus sponsorship deals set to make it a £200m fight.

      But Jenga-nut Pulev plans on demolishing AJ’s bid to become the undisputed king.
      He added: “I win Jenga all the time. This is my second passion after boxing.
      “Joshua is a very good fighter that I respect — but I will show I am the better boxer.”

      Tyson Fury is the WBC heavyweight champion of the worldCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Anthony Joshua perfectly breaks down how Mike Tyson would have beaten Muhammad Ali More

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      in Soccer

      Man Utd chiefs want Paul Pogba OUT of club in January transfer after Mino Raiola’s latest outburst

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      FED-UP Manchester United chiefs want Paul Pogba out of the club in the January transfer window.
      His agent’s disgracefully-timed statement on the eve of United’s crucial Champions League clash with RB Leipzig was the final straw.

      Man Utd chiefs are ready to part ways with Paul Pogba in JanuaryCredit: Rex Features

      Mino Raiola’s latest outburst was the final straw for Old Trafford top brassCredit: Getty – Contributor

      Mino Raiola destabilised boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s preparations — and they lost 3-2 to crash out of the competition.
      Raiola told an Italian sports website that Pogba’s time at Old Trafford was over, that he was not happy and should be sold.
      United had flat out refused to be bullied by Raiola, who has been an irritant during Pogba’s second spell at the club.
      But now the Red Devils top brass are ready to accept defeat and let their £89million club-record signing go.

      They want their money back but may have to drop the asking price as low as £50m to find a buyer for the French World Cup winner.
      Pogba, 27, favours a return to Juventus. The Italian giants would welcome back their four-time Serie A winner — but it is whether they have the cash.
      United could have sold the midfielder to Real Madrid in the summer of 2019 but their £180m fee was never going to be met by the Spaniards and the chance was gone.
      Having got rid of Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Sanchez back then, Solskjaer was prepared to let Pogba go too — as long as he got the money to reinvest in his squad.

      Man Utd’s biggest transfers ever, both in and out, including Ronaldo

      Now Pogba has become an unwanted sideshow that is starting to affect the Norwegian’s running of the team.
      He  probably cost Jose Mourinho his job when the former United manager axed Pogba from the team and stripped him of the vice-captaincy.
      The club’s sympathies at the time were with Pogba, believing Mourinho was having a meltdown.
      Looking back now, the board might  revise their thoughts on that.

      Solskjaer left the France star out of the starting XI  against Leipzig on Tuesday but brought him on 16 minutes into the second half with United 2-0 down.
      He scored a header to cut Leipzig’s lead to 3-2 — and almost forced an own goal with a late cross that would have seen United scrape through.
      But his form has been poor in general and he  is unlikely to win back  his place for Saturday’s Manchester derby.
      ⚽ Read our Man United live blog for the latest news from Old Trafford

      Ole Gunnar Solskjaer speaks about Paul Pogba transfer rumours after Man Utd’s Champions League exit at Leipzig More

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      in Soccer

      Premier League Big Six could ALL enter new-look Champions League as Uefa try to avoid breakaway

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      ENGLAND’S Big Six could ALL be part of a new-look Champions League.
      The latest blueprint unveiled to the Prem elite opens the way for Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United AND Spurs to all share millions in extra Euro revenue from 2024.

      Chelsea and Arsenal could both find their route into the Champions League easier under new plansCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Uefa will work with the European Club Association, led by Juve supremo Andrea Agnelli, to find a competition format the top clubs will acceptCredit: Getty – Contributor

      But the rest of the Prem would have to finish in the top FOUR to get their passport to the big time.
      Uefa chiefs’ latest plan intends to fend off the genuine threat of a breakaway European Super League.
      Europe’s governing body is now working with the European Club Association, headed by Juventus president Andrea Agnelli, to find a format acceptable to the biggest clubs.

      ⚽ Read our Man United live blog for the latest news from Old Trafford

      Uefa is aware that clubs want more games — and more guaranteed TV cash.
      That has seen them adopt the outline plan of a 36-team league, with each side playing an initial ten matches in  seeding brackets to ensure opponents of a  similar strength.
      But in a sop to the biggest clubs in the wealthiest nations, England could be allowed up to SIX sides in the new-look senior competition — plus the FA Cup winners in the Europa League and Carabao Cup holders in the new third-tier Europa Conference League.
      As now, the top four in the Prem would get an automatic place in the elite, along with four sides from Germany, Spain and Italy.

      Secondary leagues would offer two or three places, with further slots accessed through play-off rounds to ensure a nominal path to the high table for every country.
      But two places would be left open to the two clubs from across Europe with the highest coefficient score — calculated by results in Uefa competitions over the previous five seasons — who had not qualified by right.

      And with all of England’s Big Six currently rated in Europe’s top 15, that would give  Prem sides a genuine chance of sneaking in through the back door.
      Yet it is a door effectively shut in the faces of the likes of Leicester, Everton and Wolves, who have not been regular European competitors and are well down the coefficient table.
      Uefa hope the format is agreed at April’s Congress of the 55  associations.
      European Leagues representative Lars-Christer Olsson said: “It should be possible to squeeze in an extra four dates.”

      Peter Schmeichel has frustrated reaction to Man Utd’s loss at RB Leipzig that leaves Jamie Carragher over the moon More

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      Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta eyes Eric Garcia in transfer raid on former club Man City

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      ARSENAL boss Mikel Arteta is keeping tabs on young defender Eric Garcia’s situation at his former club Manchester City.
      The Spanish international turned down a new contract at the Etihad in the summer because he wants to return to Barcelona.

      Arsenal are chasing a deal for Man City contract rebel and Barcelona target Eric GarciaCredit: AP:Associated Press

      However the Nou Camp giants have little spare cash to play with after being floored by the Coronavirus pandemic.
      They failed to raise the £13.5 million needed to sign Garcia in the summer window and may struggle to do so again in January.
      Barca know he will be a free agent in the summer and they will be able to sign him back for nothing.
      But that could open the door to other clubs – with Real Madrid already linked – and Arteta is also a fan of the 19-year-old.

      The pair worked closely together while the Gunners boss was an assistant to Pep Guardiola at City for three-and-a-half years.
      But Arteta may also have to wait until the summer as he currently has a surplus of centre backs on the books at the Emirates.
      Some of them are out of contract in the summer including David Luiz, Sokratis and Shkodran Mustafi – so there should be room on the wage bill then.
      Guardiola said earlier this season he had not given up hope of persuading Garcia to sign a new deal at the Etihad.

      However he has made only six appearances so far this season.
      And Garcia wants to be playing regularly to ensure he earns a place in the Spain squad at the Euros next summer.
      The young defender remains keen on a return to Barcelona but has been left frustrated by their failure to close a deal.
      ⚽ Read our Arsenal live blog for the latest news from The Emirates

      Dundalk boss Filippo Giovagnoli speaking to Arsenal Fan TV about Mikel Arteta More