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      Key to stopping Kevin De Bruyne is taking away support lines.. just like Barcelona’s MSN

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      I REMEMBER when Barcelona’s front three was Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar, people would ask: How do you stop them?
      The answer is, you cannot. What  you can do though is stop their support lines.

      Man City playmaker Kevin De Bruyne is too good to be stopped when he has the ball, so Utd will have to stop him getting itCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Legendary Barcelona front three Luiz Suarez, Neymar and Lionel Messi were unstoppable unless the opposition somehow blocked supply linesCredit: Reuters

      And that’s the mindset Manchester United must be in when dealing with City’s Kevin De Bruyne in the derby this evening.
      We all know United’s attacking strengths, especially on the counter, but what we saw in their defeat to RB Leipzig in the Champions League were their defensive frailties.
      In particular, they sat far too deep with a back five.
      So there was no major surprise that all three of Leipzig’s goals came from crosses.

      You want to be compact away from home but the deeper you sit the narrower you become and then you’re in big trouble, especially when you are up against the likes of City’s Kyle Walker, Benjamin Mendy or Joao Cancelo.
      City have resorted to a more solid 4-2-3-1 since they were well beaten away to Tottenham using a 4-3-3 and will no doubt keep possession when they visit Old Trafford.
      They have had more of the ball than the opposition in nine of their ten games this season, the only exception being a tricky trip to Leeds.
      City will likely have two sitters in Rodri, Ilkay Gundogan or Fernandinho, meaning De Bruyne is given a free role in the No 10 position.

      Rodri could be one of two sitters Man City use to give No10 Kevin De Bruyne more freedom to roam Credit: Getty Images – Getty

      Man City widemen like Raheem Sterling and Riyad Mahrez could find more freedom if derby rivals United sit too deepCredit: EPA
      And that could spell danger if United sit as deep as they did midweek.
      If De Bruyne gets in the hole between the midfield and defence and has time to turn and dictate, it will be game over for United.
      Their full-backs or centre-backs will be forced to step in and that leaves space either for City to attack from deep or through wide men Raheem Sterling and Riyad Mahrez.
      United must get their distances spot on and ensure they block off De Bruyne’s support lines.

      If you were up against Messi, Suarez and Neymar, you would make sure Sergio Busquets could not turn and pass — do that and you had a chance.
      So United’s midfield must be  prepared to squeeze the likes of Rodri and Gundogan.
      Meanwhile the defence must remain brave and keep as high as possible to ensure De Bruyne is completely crowded out.

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      PFA boss Gordon Taylor demands Prem chiefs introduce five subs by overruling the 20 clubs

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      PFA boss Gordon Taylor has DEMANDED Premier League chiefs over-rule the clubs – and bring in five substitutes NOW.
      Players’ boss Taylor is infuriated that his concerns over the health and safety of Prem stars has been ignored.

      Gordon Taylor has urged Richard Masters to take control of the situationCredit: PA:Press Association

      And in a major move that puts huge pressure on Prem bosses to fall into line with the rest of Europe, Taylor has now told League chief Richard Masters he MUST step into the issue and force the clubs to back down.
      In a letter that was forwarded by Masters to all 20 Prem clubs, Taylor blames the refusal to stick with five subs this season for the spate of injuries to players.
      And he argues that change is now “paramount in the interests of player welfare and health and safety” and must be introduced “with immediate effect”.
      Taylor said: “We have been very concerned, and remain so, about the physical load on players who are now frequently required to play every two or three days or so.

      “The physical load on players is therefore hugely increased and the consequent fatigue that players are currently experiencing is leading to avoidable and distressing injuries.
      “I note that Arsenal, Chelsea, Everton and Leeds United were all impacted by early injuries during last weekend’s fixtures.
      “A further 11 Premier League clubs have players unavailable due to problems that might reasonably be attributed to physical load and fatigue.
      “Calf, thigh and hamstring injuries (muscle injuries in general) are particularly prevalent among these.”

      Jurgen Klopp’s been an outspoken critic of Premier League schedulingCredit: Alamy Live News
      In addition, Taylor cites the isues being compounded by the virus, noting: “We are now learning about ‘long Covid’ where even mild cases can lead to long term fatigue and exhaustion.”
      Prem clubs held votes in August and again in September after proposals to extend the extra substitution rules into the current campaign.
      Both votes were rejected by 11 votes to nine, well short of the 14-club majority required.
      But Europe’s big five leagues and Uefa reintroduced five substitutes at the beginning of the season.
      Since then, the EFL has fallen into line, while the FA’s Professional Game Board, which includes representatives from Spurs, Brighton and Crystal Palace, agreed ‘unanimously’ last week to have five substitutes from a bench of nine players from the FA Cup third round stage next month.
      Taylor mentions the meeting of Prem managers last month, when 15 of the 20 bosses signalled they were happy to support a change back.
      Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has been the loudest advocate of such a move, and engaged in a public slanging match with Sheffield United’s Chris Wilder over the issue.
      However, SunSport is aware that three clubs, understood to be Leicester, West Ham and Palace, have indicated that, despite the views of their managers, they will NOT alter their position if the matter is put to another, third, vote.

      Taylor, however, has put the heat in Masters to take control of the situation and ram through a change in the rules.
      The PFA boss added: “Premier League Managers have been expressing concern on behalf of their players and there was a strong consensus that the 5five subs rule should now be adopted.
      “I therefore write to repeat our call to amend the rules in order to allow clubs to field five subs, with the number of substitutes on the bench increased to 9.
      “This is now paramount in the interests of player welfare and health and safety.
      “We respectfully request the Premier League Board of Directors and its Executive team to convince all of its member clubs to adopt and ask you to reintroduce the five subs rule with immediate effect.”

      Jurgen Klopp rages over Alexander-Arnold injury and the need for the Premier League to introduce five subs More

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      Frank Lampard tells Chelsea stars not to have Christmas party with Blues cancelling official bash

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      FRANK LAMPARD will order his Chelsea stars to be Christmas party poopers — and not wreck their title dream.
      The Blues boss admits his new-look squad have suffered from a lack of bonding but is adamant there can be NO players’ nights out with the strict Covid rules.

      There will be no Christmas bash for Chelsea stars this yearCredit: PA:Press Association

      Frank Lampard wants his side to remain focused as they look to challenge for the titleCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Chelsea are not having an official party and Lamps will tell players to   resist the temptation to go out alone.
      He said: “I’d better read up on the tier system — there are certain factual things about tiers that a lot of us have doubts about.
      “But I know the basics and the players should do by now and I will reiterate to them their responsibilities. 
      “I think the Christmas party thing of yesteryear has mellowed now anyway.

      “Players are so well followed on social media  that some of the parties I might have been involved in are a thing of the past.
      “Responsibilities for players are big, as role models to the outside world, for their professional careers, to do the right thing particularly when they are playing so frequently over Christmas.
      “They have to live differently to the rest of the public and focus. I will have those conversations.”
      Chelsea midfielder Ross Barkley, on loan at Aston Villa, broke rules when he went out with team-mate Jack Grealish in London’s Mayfair last weekend.

      And  Tammy Abraham apologised in October after being filmed at a surprise birthday party in his honour, alongside defender Ben Chilwell.
      Lampard has brought six new players into his senior squad but   misses the out-of-hours gatherings that can  improve team spirit.
      He  said: “We have missed out a bit. We have new signings this year, a new fresh squad in a way.
      “We have missed the opportunity to go out to dinner together more often and it’s been one of the tough parts of Covid.”

      Tomorrow’s trip to Everton kicks off a run of five matches in 16 days. And Lampard finds it tough keeping his players fresh.
      He said: “We are constantly thinking about the workload because this season has constantly looked like Christmas.
      “Every three days we are playing, they’ve been away internationally. The breaks haven’t been there.
      “Training is sometimes more recovery than work.”
      ⚽ Read our Chelsea live blog for the very latest news from the Bridge

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      Anthony Joshua admits it’s ‘crazy’ facing Kubrat Pulev… six years after pretending to BE him

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      ANTHONY JOSHUA says it is ‘crazy’ he is fighting Kubrat Pulev — as six years ago he was pretending to be him!
      AJ was drafted in by Wladimir Klitschko to mimic the Bulgarian in training ahead of their heavyweight title clash.

      Anthony Joshua puts his world titles on the line against Kubrat PulevCredit: ©Dave Thompson/Matchroom

      Six years ago Wladimir Klitschko called on Joshua to help him spar for Kubrat Pulev

      Joshua’s sparring helped Wlad get a KO win before the Watford fighter battered the Ukrainian three years later.
      Tomorrow Pulev is back on the scene against the Brit at Wembley Arena.
      WBA, IBF and WBO champ AJ, 31, said: “It’s crazy how the universe works. I’ve actually implemented some of the stuff Wladimir did in my training for this camp.”
      AJ also says he has boxing’s version of Manchester United legend Sir Alex Ferguson in his corner.

      Team GB master Rob McCracken helped AJ to an Olympic gold in 2012 and three of four heavyweight world titles.
      After the June 2019 loss to Andy Ruiz Jr, some told AJ to ditch his mentor, with even Lennox Lewis calling for him to upgrade.
      But just like Fergie who guided United to 13 Prem titles, Joshua, 31, has one of the most respected men in British sport in his dugout when he fights Kubrat Pulev tomorrow.
      He said: “Rob is the gaffer, I look at him like an Alex Ferguson, he is a great manager and trainer, so it was just about variety and being able to bring in different levels of greatness.”

      Turning his attention to the Bulgarian, 39, Joshua said: “Pulev has very good balance and that is key.
      “You can build skyscrapers on good foundations and nothing on rocky foundations. He is very well schooled.”
      Joshua added trainer Joby Clayton to his team after the Ruiz defeat. And he is learning plenty from the free-thinker who likes to run barefoot around the local streets.
      He said: “Joby is a martial artist so this isn’t just about boxing for him. He is about lifestyle, he likes the old-school fighters from the 1970s and the Kronk Gym, where you can knock people out.”

      Anthony Joshua believes a harsh 2019 toughened him up for Kubrat Pulev battle More

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      Man Utd will be terrified by sight of City superstar Sergio Aguero on bench in derby, claims Joleon Lescott

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      THE sight of Sergio Aguero on the bench tomorrow will terrify Manchester United, says Joleon Lescott.
      City’s record scorer marked his latest return from injury with a goal as a second-half sub in Wednesday’s 3-0 Champions League home win over Marseille.

      Sergio Aguero is itching to have a crack at Man Utd as he nears full fitness

      Harry Maguire and Co will be nervous about Sergio Aguero coming on for Man City, says Joleon Lescott

      Afterwards, Etihad boss Pep Guardiola said the striker will not be ready to start at Old Trafford but is making good progress.
      The Argentine has nine goals in the derby, putting him joint third on the all-time list for goals in this fixture.
      And his former City team-mate Lescott said: “He’ll definitely be keen to play a part.
      “He’s one of the top derby goalscorers — him and Wayne Rooney.

      ⚽ Read our Man United live blog for the latest news from Old Trafford
      “And if you see him on the bench, the teamsheet, it’ll be in the back of your mind — knowing he can come on.
      “He enjoys scoring and he’d want to come and do just that.
      “If it’s 2-0 and it’s comfortable and he comes on, he still wants a goal.

      “So United are going to have to be at it and aware.”
      Doubts remain over Aguero’s sharpness  at 32 and after  many  injuries.

      Lescott said: “As long as he plays, he’ll score.
      “That goal against Marseille this week, there’d be thousands watching and thinking ‘I could finish that’.
      “You might be able to execute that finish but the anticipation he has is unique. It’s not something you can teach.”

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      Anthony Joshua knows another banana skin loss will lose him mega-millions so expect a cautious fight vs Kubrat Pulev

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      YOU have to be pretty clumsy to slip on a banana skin.
      Yet that’s exactly what Anthony Joshua did  in New York 18 months ago and it cost him his world heavyweight titles.

      Anthony Joshua will be cautious against Kubrat Pulev as he looks to avoid a repeat of his infamous loss to Andy Ruiz JrCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Because he wasn’t looking where he was going in the Madison Square Garden ring, Andy Ruiz Jr — a 25-1 roly-poly no-hoper — floored him four times before stopping him in the seventh round.
      So far it’s the biggest boxing upset we have seen this century.
      At least AJ redeemed himself by regaining his WBA, IBF and WBO belts with an ultra- cautious points win in the rematch with Ruiz in Saudi Arabia six months later.
      Joshua, 31, is well aware he daren’t risk the embarrassment of treading on anything else slippery when he defends against bulky Bulgarian mandatory challenger Kubrat Pulev at Wembley Arena, tomorrow night.

      If he should get careless and suffer another disastrous defeat he can kiss goodbye to the mega-millions he would earn in a unification domestic dust-up with WBC champion Tyson Fury the nation has set its heart on seeing in the spring.
      Pulev is a far more accomplished all-round fighter than Ruiz but Joshua is still an overwhelming 1-8  favourite expected to pulverise Pulev with a flourish.
      And Pulev is far from an easy touch and he is certainly not a Sofia-softy. He is a  typical dour plodding product of the Eastern European coaching system.
      He is teak-tough, uncompromising and technically correct.

      But watching him in action is about as exhilarating as an evening on the town with gloomy Covid-19 scientists  Professor Chris Whitty  and Sir Patrick Vallance.
      Cagey Kubrat has a good defence and has lost just one of his 29 fights.
      That was six years and eight winning fights ago, when Wladimir Klitschko put him down three times before knocking him out in the fifth round.
      Pulev, remarkably fit for a man in his 40th year, was an accomplished medal-winning amateur and he did not bother to turn pro until he was 28.
      There is nothing in his record to suggest Joshua has any cause for concern.
      He just managed to get home with a split points decision over Derek Chisora when they met in Hamburg in 2016.
      Joshua is very much faster than Chisora and carries tremendous power in both hands.
      His 1,000 fans allowed at ringside will no doubt be very disappointed if he does not KO Pulev.

      Dereck Chisora discovered Pulev is not a man to be underestimatedCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Joshua knows he can’t afford another defeat amid talks of a unification fight with Tyson FuryCredit: Reuters
      AJ has tried to convince everyone what happened in his first fight with Ruiz is buried in the recesses of his mind.
      I don’t believe it. He wouldn’t be human if it isn’t uppermost in his thoughts as he stands waiting for the opening bell.
      He knows full well, with so much at stake next year, a  similar mistake would have dire consequences for the future.
      A Fury-Joe Joyce or a Fury-Pulev clash somehow hasn’t  got the same spine-tingling expectation.
      Joshua now understands he is far from invincible and it would be foolish if his game-plan isn’t more guarded than gung-ho.
      It will make for a dull fight but I expect him to be prudent and box sensibly behind his left jab and settle for a  comfortable points victory like he did in the Ruiz return.
      If Pulev should destroy our dreams for 2021 and beat him, he will knock football idol Hristo Stoichkov, Barcelona superstar of the 1990s, off his pedestal and become Bulgaria’s greatest-ever sportsman.
      AJ, an articulate and intelligent guy, if he doesn’t know it already, should be conscious of the old saying: “Beware the one who has nothing to lose.”

      Anthony Joshua believes a harsh 2019 toughened him up for Kubrat Pulev battle More

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      Liverpool and Man Utd losing Nuno Mendes transfer race as Real Madrid lock in on Sporting Lisbon whizkid

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      LIVERPOOL and Manchester United face losing out to Real Madrid in the race to sign Portuguese wonderkid Nuno Mendes.
      The Spanish giants have stepped up their interest in the Sporting Lisbon left back, 18.

      Real Madrid look set to win the race for Man Utd and Liverpool target Nuno MendesCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      AC Milan and Juventus are also among the host of top clubs on the trail of Mendes, who made his professional debut only six months ago.
      It was reported that Sporting had increased the teenager’s release clause from £41m to £62m in a bid to scare off potential buyers.
      But those terms are yet to be agreed.
      And Real are ready to make their play for one of the hottest young talents in Europe.

      Leicester and Arsenal have also been linked with Mendes.
      But it’s Liverpool and particularly United who have been regarded as the serious Premier League contenders to sign him.
      The Portugal Under-21 international is represented by Miguel Pinho.
      He is Bruno Fernandes’ agent and oversaw his move to United from Sporting last January.

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

      Former United and Sporting star Nani is believed to have alerted the Old Trafford club to Mendes.
      But Real are now understood to be in pole position to sign Mendes.
      In June he became the youngest player to start a game for Sporting since United icon Cristiano Ronaldo.
      ⚽ Read our Man United live blog for the latest news from Old Trafford

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      Man City’s FA Cup win over rivals Utd in 2011 was day balance of power shifted, claims Joleon Lescott ahead of derby

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      JOLEON LESCOTT knows the exact day when the balance of power in Manchester finally started to shift.
      The former England defender played in some huge derbies during his successful five-year stint at the Etihad.

      Joleon Lescott can see just when the balance of power in Manchester started shiftingCredit: PA:Empics Sport

      Who can forget the 6-1 at Old Trafford in October 2011, or the Vincent Kompany winner six months later which put City on the brink of the title?
      Lescott also recalls a Community Shield at Wembley at the start of the same season when his team got a wake-up call they needed as they let a 2-0 half-time lead slip.
      But the key one that sticks in his mind above all is the FA Cup semi-final almost ten years ago when Yaya Toure scored the second-half winner.
      City proved that day they were more than just United’s ‘Noisy Neighbours’ — and were a genuine threat to the Red Devils.

      They have capitalised on it, too, winning 11 major domestic trophies since and — crucially for their fans who suffered for so long — have finished above United for the last seven Premier League seasons.
      Ahead of tomorrow’s latest derby, Lescott believes it is United who need that kind of pivotal day if they are to re-establish themselves as the top dogs in the town.
      He said: “It’s City at the moment in Manchester. It’s been six or seven years for United’s decline, if you want to call it that.
      “City have been on the rise for longer obviously, the dominant force in domestic competitions for ten years. No one can say otherwise.

      Almost ten years ago Yaya Toure was the matchwinner as City beat United in an FA Cup semi-final

      “The progression at City had to coincide with United’s decline because you can’t have two teams who are the best, can you?”
      Lescott and his team-mates snatched the Premier League title off United on the final day of an epic race in May 2012.
      But he feels the standout moment in the battle for local bragging rights came 13 months before that.
      The former Everton centre-back said: “Everyone remembers the one Vinny scored the goal in, the one we needed to win to get control at the top of the table.
      “Personally I’d say just as important for different reasons were a couple of other games against United.
      “One was that FA Cup semi-final. That was a real shift in belief as a club — for us as players and the fans, but also for them.“I think they realised then we weren’t just the ‘noisy neighbours’, we were a real threat.
      “United’s record in semi-finals at the time was top. So I think that was a real turning point. And it really propelled us.”

      Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is facing growing criticism at United
      It is hard to believe given what has happened since but United fans used to have a banner in the Stretford End which showed how many years it was since City last won a trophy.
      Much to the frustration of the blue side of town it had reached 35.
      Positive change was happening at their club following the Abu Dhabi takeover but new signings were being accused of only coming to the Etihad for money.
      However, their Wembley success proved pivotal.
      TV pundit Lescott, 38, recalled: “That day was a just a massive moment and turning point for this club. The 35 years of no trophies, the way we did it.
      “We beat Stoke in the final but beating United on the way to that and getting over the hurdle of winning that trophy was huge for us as a group of players.
      “At that time we were still deemed as not being there to compete for trophies, everyone said it was all money-motivated.
      “Winning that trophy kiboshed that theory, so it was huge for us and the club.
      “As much as people said that and probably believed that at the time, it has been diluted tenfold since because of the success the club has had.”

      Paul Pogba’s agent has said his player is ‘done’ at UnitedCredit: Reuters
      How different things are these days.
      Pep Guardiola’s men have won six major trophies in the last three seasons, plus two Community Shields.
      In that same period United have won none at all.
      Lescott says winning at Old Trafford tomorrow could potentially be a huge moment for United and their under-fire boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
      The Norwegian needs a victory to lift the spirits after their disastrous Champions League exit in midweek.
      But for City, it would just be another three points — and Lescott makes them big favourites to get them.

      Manchester City will be big favourites against bitter rivals UnitedCredit: EPA
      He said: “In the current situation, with the greatest respect, it would be more of a surprise if United win.
      “It would potentially do more for them to win this game than it would for City, in terms of where they see themselves.
      “I don’t want to sound disrespectful or complacent but with City being favourites and expected to win, it’s only a reward in the short term.
      “I think United, with the pressure on the manager, would see it as a different sort of victory than we would.
      “For a few years now, going into most derbies, City have been the favourites and rightly so. I don’t see it any different this weekend.
      “It’s a local derby but with the way City have galvanised their form, unbeaten in the last few games, I’d have to back them.
      “The confidence levels should be at opposite ends of the scale after this week.”

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