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      in Soccer

      Ole Gunnar Solskjaer claims Man Utd CAN still win Premier League and job is NOT too big for him amid struggles

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      OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER says he can handle the pressure of being Manchester United boss — and that they are still in the title race.
      The Norwegian claims his job is unique because they remain “the biggest club in the world”.

      Old Trafford boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer claims he thrives on the pressure of bossing what he calls the biggest club on the planetCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Man Utd striker Marcus Rashford is tipped to be fit despite a recurring shoulder injury forcing him off against PSGCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      United are ninth but have a game in hand on everyone above them.
      And a win at West Ham today will take them into the top four.
      Old Trafford gaffer Solskjaer said: “My job is unique. It’s the biggest club in the world and a different animal to anything else.
      ⚽ Read our Man United live blog for the latest news from Old Trafford

      “You would not want it any  different, because the pressure comes from the passion our fans have, our history, our success and the  hunger for success and the demands and standards we have set.
      “We are lucky in that respect, that we have so many fans and you just have to withstand or enjoy whatever pressures that will give you.
      “We’re working towards that, with the players as well that are getting used to playing for Man United.
      “They are different demands than playing for other teams.”

      Solskjaer admits United have struggled for consistency recently but they are not alone in that.
      And he expects it to be a recurring theme for all the top sides before the title is settled.
      The 47-year-old added: “I don’t think you’ll see the same total-points score we have seen the last three seasons, 100 per cent sure, because of the congestion and because of the preparation teams have had.

      “This will be one of those seasons where after a blip, after a defeat, you need to get back on form.
      “There’s been so many examples of teams slipping up when you think maybe they’re going to run away.
      “We’re going to do as well as we can, as long as we can, hang in there and keep moving up the table. Moving into the top four would be significant.
      “We know we’ve played a game less. Hopefully, we take advantage to move closer to the top.
      “And regarding inconsistency, it depends — how many games do you wanna go back?

      Marcus will run through a brick wall for you, that’s the type of lad he is.
      Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

      “Go back 40 games and we’re one of the most consistent in the Premier League.
      “Football is a game with human beings, who live their own lives and we have played some fantastic games.
      “But you’re disappointed when you lose. It’s fine margins at times that decide if you win or lose.
      “We’re getting less bad performances and getting more consistent in the level we play at.”
      Marcus Rashford is expected to travel with the squad for the Hammers match, despite being forced off in the 3-1 home defeat to Paris Saint- Germain because of a recurring shoulder injury.

      Ole added: “At the moment he’s getting that tiredness or soreness towards the end that stops him from completing the games.
      “Marcus will run through a brick wall for you, that’s the type of lad he is.
      “We’ve just got to keep fingers crossed it doesn’t get worse because at the moment it’s manageable.”

      Neil Custis says Martial is more to blame for Man Utd’s PSG loss than Fred or Ole Gunnar Solskjaer More

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      in Boxing

      Anthony Yarde looking to turn Lyndon Arthur’s lights out after being inspired by Take Me Out star Paddy McGuinness

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      ANTHONY YARDE wants to turn Lyndon Arthur’s lights off tonight after taking inspiration from Take Me Out star Paddy McGuinness.
      The always-upbeat light-heavyweight endured a heartbreaking start to the year, losing his father and three grandparents in just six tragic months.

      Anthony Yarde is taking inspiration from Take Me Out host Paddy McGuinnessCredit: The Sun

      But Yarde, 29, still beat Dec Spelman in September and now has a date with Manchester’s 17-0 underdog.
      And the Ilford KO artist has leaned on the show-must-go-on attitude of dating show, catchphrase king McGuinness.
      The 20-1 ace said: “I look at other entertainers, not just boxers, as a template.
      “If you think of someone with big energy like Paddy from Take Me Out. If he were to show he was down, people would say ‘what’s going on here?’

      “People don’t really take into consideration what he might be going through.
      “It’s the same with boxing and boxing is more serious. It’s unforgiving. People don’t care about excuses.”
      Yarde recently moved his camp from Peacock Gym in Canning Town to Box Up Crime — a training and charity base he is the face of, which is close to his home and heart.

      The sweatbox is rammed with boisterous kids in the day but after hours it is a place for Yarde to take five.

      He said: “I’m there like a counsellor explaining about things which happen in life.
      “I use examples of people in other countries who go through crazy tragedies, wars — and they just have to get on with it.
      “When I do sit down and think about it, I do get emotional. It does get overwhelming, but the job must go on, that’s just life.”

      Arthur, like Yarde, has emerged from a gang-plagued part of the country, but neither has any interest in bad blood.
      The Pat Barrett-trained ace, 29, said: “Anthony is cool, he’s one of the boys.
      “There’s no animosity — we saw each other out in Manchester and it was nothing but love.
      “But now we are going into battle, it’s war time.”

      Anthony Yarde vs Lyndon Arthur UK start time, free live stream and TV channel More

    • 275 Shares139 Views

      in Soccer

      Crewe captain Perry Ng banned for six games after SPITTING at rival coach that was spotted by camera after ref missed it

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      CREWE skipper Perry Ng has been handed a six-match ban for spitting at a rival coach.
      Ng was caught on video spitting water at Cheltenham coach Wade Elliott after last month’s FA Cup first-round defeat.

      Crewe ace Perry Ng has been banned for six games for spittingCredit: Getty

      The incident took place behind the backs of the match officials but was spotted on camera.
      Ng, 24, who has been involved in all of Crewe’s game this term, admitted the offence.
      He appealed against the ban, claiming the standard penalty for the offence was “clearly excessive”.
      His argument was rejected by an independent commission.

      The defender was ruled out of action until the December 29 trip to Rochdale.
      Liverpool-born Ng came through the Crewe academy in 2014, making his way up the youth ranks.
      He has made 177 appearances for his boyhood club and scored ten times.

      PSG star Angel Di Maria given four game ban for SPITTING on Marseille player during melee which saw five sent off More

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      in Soccer

      Porto in hot water with Uefa after allegedly calling match officials ‘s***-eaters’ after heated Man City clash

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      PORTO’S top brass allegedly called match officials ‘s**t-eaters’ after their Euro clash at Manchester City.
      Directors from the Portuguese club made their way down to the tunnel area at the Etihad following their 3-1 defeat on October 21.

      Porto allegedly called the referees an X-rated name after the Man City gameCredit: Getty

      And they hurled abuse at ref Andris Treimanis and his assistants over their performance in the stormy Champions League clash.
      The shocking outburst was heard by Uefa delegates who were stood within earshot — and is believed to have been recorded in the official game report.
      It is one of the incidents from the two matches between the clubs this autumn which could yet land Porto in hot water.
      Another is the ‘news- letter’ released to the Portuguese media by the club on the morning after Tuesday’s goalless draw.

      It effectively called City midfielder Bernardo Silva racist, while also claiming Fernandinho’s post-match comments showed that “money in football counts for a lot — but doesn’t buy class”.
      City were furious and issued a strong statement of their own, which highlighted Porto being punished for the racist behaviour of their own fans after a game against them in 2012.
      Uefa could also take a dim view of it as they say there is an obligation for clubs to comply with principles of ethical conduct, loyalty, integrity and sportsmanship.

      Man City’s owners have added a tenth club to their stable after buying Troyes

      Porto also appear to have broken European Club Association rules, although a punishment from them is less likely.

      City boss Pep Guardiola was believed to be unhappy at some of Porto’s antics but chose to keep his views to himself yesterday.
      Asked about the Porto newsletter, he said: “I’m focused on Fulham — that is the important thing.”

      Pep Guardiola admits Lionel Messi’s future is up in the air as Man City plan transfer bid for unsettled Barcelona star More

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      in Soccer

      Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho slams Premier League for not forcing Man Utd and City to play their games in hand

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      JOSE MOURINHO has slammed Premier League chiefs for not making the Manchester giants play their games in hand.
      The Tottenham boss is furious City and United have not been ordered to make up for their delayed start to the campaign.

      Jose Mourinho has slammed Man Utd over not being forced into playing games in handCredit: Getty

      It means the pair, along with Aston Villa and Burnley, have played nine games this season while Spurs and the rest have played ten.
      Mourinho believes it damages the integrity of the competition — and with last night’s clash between Villa and Newcastle called off due to coronavirus, he fears the situation could get even worse.
      The Special One, whose Spurs side host Arsenal in front of 2,000 fans tomorrow, shrugged off complaints that some clubs can have supporters while others cannot.
      He said: “I think it is also very difficult to accept that four clubs have one match less than the others and I don’t even know when they’re going to play these matches, which in every other country would be impossible.

      “They have to be played at least before the end of the first round of games, so before matchday 19 they should be playing these matches.
      “It’s difficult to accept because it can affect the competition. I was trying for an answer this week and no one can give me it.”
      City and United were allowed to start the season a week later than others due to being in the latter stages of last season’s Champions League and Europa League.

      Both are in the Champions League this season, but Mourinho has no sympathy with his Manchester counterparts.

      The Spurs chief, whose team sit top of the league despite having played in the Europa League qualifying rounds, said: “We played four matches in one week and nobody was crying or supporting us about it.
      “Now my colleagues, when do they play these matches?”
      Tottenham, having booked their place in the last 32 of the Europa League with a 3-3 draw at LASK on Thursday, are level on 21 points with Liverpool.
      Arsenal begin the weekend way down in 14th on 13 points after three league games without a win.

      Tottenham likely line-up vs Arsenal

      Lloris
      Doherty, Alderweireld, Dier, Reguilon
      Sissoko, Hojbjerg, Ndombele, Lo Celso
      Kane, Son.

      Asked if it is a good time to play the Gunners, Mourinho said: “It’s always a good moment to play Arsenal and always a bad moment.
      “It’s always a good moment because it motivates. I did it with Chelsea and Manchester United, I did it also with Tottenham.
      “Because of the rivalry between the two clubs it becomes even more beautiful to play.
      “And it’s always a bad moment because they’re a good team and in these matches the table doesn’t say anything, the previous results don’t say anything too.”

      Mourinho warned Tottenham to be wary of his former Chelsea star Willian, despite his poor form since joining the Gunners in the summer.
      Asked if he tried to sign the Brazilian, Mourinho added: “We cannot pay the wages he gets at Arsenal so I didn’t want to waste our time.”
      Mourinho welcomes back Harry Kane, Sergio Reguillon and Toby Alderweireld from injury.

      Jose Mourinho accuses Spurs stars of not taking Europa League seriously More

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      in Soccer

      Ryan Giggs has ‘special Wales leave’ extended to include World Cup draw after alleged bust-up with on-off girlfriend.

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      RYAN GIGGS has had his ‘special leave’ extended to cover the 2022 World Cup draw on Monday.
      The Wales boss missed three internationals last month following his November 1 arrest on suspicion of actual bodily harm and assault after an alleged bust-up with his on-off girlfriend.

      Ryan Giggs ‘leave’ with Wales has been extended to include the World Cup drawCredit: Getty

      Giggs has been rebailed ‘pending further enquiries’ by Greater Manchester Police until February 1. The 47-year-old denies the allegations.
      But the FA of Wales announced that caretaker boss Rob Page will represent the Dragons in Zoom media duties following the virtual draw in Zurich.
      Wales are in Pot Two for the qualifying draw as they bid to book their first World Cup finals spot since 1958 in Qatar.
      The Dragons start their qualifying campaign in March.

      Then they take part in the Euro 2020 finals, delayed by 12 months due to the pandemic, where they will face Switzerland, Turkey and Italy.
      However, with Giggs continuing to be sidelined, the uncertainty remains over his future.

      The FAW are due to conduct their own investigation into the matter.
      But in the meantime, they have once again turned to ex-Watford defender Page, 46, who has impressed.

      In Giggs’ absence, Page led the Dragons to clinch promotion to League A of the 2022 Nations League with wins over Ireland and Finland, as well as a friendly draw with USA.

      Ryan Giggs rowed with girlfriend over flirty messages to a lingerie model before arrest More

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      in Soccer

      Agent Eric Hall represented shiftier side of football, greed was not only good, it was his business before his death

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      SHOWBIZ grasped football by the throat when Eric Hall became an agent. And the wallet, of course.
      He represented the shiftier side of our game. Proud of his roots in the East End, he was the little man’s Lew Grade who, in between puffing on a gigantic cigar, told whoppers and managed to add a few noughts to transfer fees.

      Legendary football agent Eric Hall died last month aged 73Credit: Rex Features

      For him, greed was not only good, it was his business. He had no real interest in the game. As he used to boast . . . “I ain’t interested in the clubs, I want all I can get for my players.”
      For himself, too.
      Hall died last month, aged 73. Tributes poured in from the usual suspects, ‘Razor’ Ruddock, Dennis Wise, Terry Venables. They all loved a “laff” with the little monster. To be honest, I did occasionally myself.
      In showbiz his punk attitudes — he was a mate of the Sex Pistols — went down well. He could usually guarantee big publicity. Football was an open goal for his type, though.

      His discovery was that it was rich at the top level and highly competitive, too. His was the copybook for the super-agents who have followed.
      Somehow it is appropriate that at almost the same time he died, Fifa are finally putting forward proposals to control agents.
      With hindsight, Eric was dealing in high stakes while today’s middlemen have been setting their own ever since Fifa ignominiously surrendered in trying to cut them down to size five years ago.
      The figures are breathtaking. Fifa estimate that just under half a billion pounds was spent on agents’ fees, a rise on the previous year of 19.3 per cent.

      The percentage of answers have been round up or down from their decimal points

      And notoriously, Mino Raiola is reported as having taken away £25million when he represented Juventus, the selling club, Manchester United, the buyers, and Paul Pogba, the player, in 2016.
      Raiola laughed all the way to the bank when he used about £9m of the Pogba haul to buy Al Capone’s house in Florida. But he may not be laughing for long as triple representation (acting for player, buyer and seller) will no longer be allowed if new rules are passed.
      Fifa have been smarting for years. They have had to sit and watch as agents have ripped away their control of the game.
      Now they are prepared to tackle their tormentors and resume as the regulating authority of the game.

      Modern super agent Mino Raiola reeled in millions through client Paul PogbaCredit: Getty – Contributor

      Raiola represented Pogba, United and Juventus but new rules could prevent a repeatCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Fifa is far, far from perfect. It has crippled itself through corruption in the executive committee that voted for Russia and Qatar as World Cup venues.
      Still, they are all we have and if their latest proposals are the basis of new regulations then the boardrooms of every big club will stand and applaud.
      Fifa aim to cap the amount agents can earn and also make them pass ‘character tests’ and be subject to a code of conduct which will include the fact that they will ‘always adhere to the truth’.
      Well, that might be the hardest rule of all to enforce!

      Watch Mino Raiola hang up on Simon Jordan in furious row over Ibrahimovic’s FIFA 21 image rights live on talkSPORT More

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      in Soccer

      Pep Guardiola to manage 700th game against Fulham as Man City boss reveals he wants to do another 700 before retiring

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      PEP GUARDIOLA chalks up 700 games as a manager today — and wants to do 700 more.
      The Manchester City boss has one of the greatest CVs in world football from his time at Barcelona, Bayern Munich and the Etihad.

      Pep Guardiola at the start of his career at Barcelona and now at Manchester CityCredit: Getty

      He has eight domestic titles, two Champions League crowns and a host of other cups from his 13 years as a manager.
      But Pep — who turns 50 next month — is not thinking of packing it all in just yet.
      Ahead of today’s match with Fulham, the Spaniard said: “700 games — and I’m going to do 700 more.
      “And after that, I’m going to retire. So, good. In life, when you start something, you don’t expect what will happen in the future and I never expected it.

      “It’s good to have 700 games with few defeats in these games.
      “For all the players and staff we had in Barcelona B team, first team, Bayern and here, we share it.
      “It is an incredible number with all the people we were together and have made incredible things together.

      Guardiola won the Champions League with Barcelona after beating Man Utd in 2011Credit: AFP
      “Hopefully, we can do it in the future.”

      Last Saturday’s 5-0 thumping of Burnley was his 248th game in charge of City, surpassing the number of games he spent in the dugout with Nou Camp giants Barca.
      But the players at the Etihad who thought they knew him have realised in recent weeks he is ready to get tough to take the club back to the top.
      French centre-back Aymeric Laporte was considered the best defender at the club last season.
      But the 26-year-old has been left out of the last three matches.

      Man City’s owners have added a tenth club to their stable after buying Troyes
      And last term’s 31-goal top-scorer Raheem Sterling found himself on the bench for the weekend win over the Clarets.
      Guardiola has told his squad he is not interested in their reputations, or what has happened in the past — all that matters is current form.
      He said: “There is a misunderstanding about the word rotation.
      “Rotation looks like ‘I’m a big star and I don’t play this game because I’m going to play the next game and it’s important’. This is a huge mistake for the players to have in their heads.
      “They have to understand that if I don’t play them because of rotation, they have to do more to play in this team.

      Pep Guardiola admits Lionel Messi’s future is up in the air as Man City plan transfer bid for unsettled Barcelona star
      “That’s the only way to get close to the biggest teams in Europe and the biggest teams in the Premier League.
      “Riyad Mahrez scored three goals against Burnley and on Saturday he’s going to play — because he scored a lot of goals.“The guys who score goals are going to have more chance to play.
      “The guys who don’t make mistakes behind are going to play.
      “This is about the performance.
      “We know they have the quality — they are top players but it’s about performance. The performance has to be better and better than the day before.”

      Laporte’s absence through a long-term knee injury was one of the reasons why City’s title defence came up so short last season, as they finished 18 points behind Liverpool.
      Yet with Ruben Dias and Nathan Ake arriving in the summer and John Stones looking more like his old self, £57m man Laporte faces a battle to get his place back.
      Guardiola added: “Having 19 or 20 players fit, they have to raise their standards and play in as high a level as possible to keep in the team.
      “The guy who is playing good, I want them to continue to give them the chance to play. That’s the reason why. Aymeric continues to be really important for us.
      “Right now, I’m playing other guys but in future I’m pretty sure he’s going to play a lot of games. It’s how you perform today, right now. Statistics are in the past.
      “All that matters is the next game at 3pm — how you play and perform, that is the point and everyone has to be ready.”

      Man City likely line-up against Fulham

      Ederson
      Walker, Stones, Dias, Mendy
      Rodri, De Bruyne, Foden
      Mahrez, Jesus, Sterling.

      Striker Sergio Aguero remains sidelined as he edges his way back from a knee injury but otherwise Guardiola has a fully fit squad to choose from for the Cottagers’ visit.
      Aguero has missed City’s last two games after a brief appearance as a sub against Olympiakos last month.
      And despite returning to training, Guardiola does not want to risk another set-back.

      Aguero, 32, had surgery in the summer and was hit by a hamstring injury earlier in the campaign.
      When asked if Aguero could face Fulham, Guardiola said: “No. He is getting better.
      “He was part of the training, that is the good news. He is already on the pitch with us.” More