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      Cristiano Ronaldo OUT of Man Utd clash with Fulham through ‘illness’ before superstar heads to World Cup with Portugal

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      CRISTIANO RONALDO is NOT in Manchester United’s matchday squad to take on Fulham.The 37-year-old striker appears to be absent once again through illness.
      Cristiano Ronaldo is not in the Manchester United squad to take on FulhamCredit: Alamy
      He also missed the 4-2 Carabao Cup win over Aston Villa during the week.
      And now Ronaldo will not be involved in United’s last game before the World Cup.
      He is due to jet off to Qatar and captain his Portugal side in the tournament.
      Red Devils boss Erik ten Hag had previously suggested Ronaldo would be ready for today’s game.

      But it seems as though CR7 has not been able to recover in time.
      Ten Hag had insisted he would not accept the World Cup as an excuse for any slip-ups this weekend.
      When asked on Friday if Ronaldo would be ready to face Fulham, Ten Hag said: “I can’t guarantee that now and he was ill for the Aston Villa game. He can recover from that. It’s not a serious illness that takes days or weeks.
      “I think it is possible that he is available for Sunday and that he will be in the squad.
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      “I think the players are all aware of the importance of the game against Fulham and I will not take the World Cup into consideration.
      “We play the best team and until Sunday it is the interest of Manchester United and just for Manchester United.”
      Anthony Martial leads the line in the absence of Ronaldo.
      Teenage star Alejandro Garnacho is also only named on the bench, despite his electric form as of late, with Anthony Elanga starting on the wing.
      Other changes from the last league game include Tyrell Malacia in for the suspended Diogo Dalot, and Bruno Fernandes in for Donny van de Beek.
      Elsewhere, Victor Lindelof is preferred to Harry Maguire in defence.
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      Ten Hag’s side host Marco Silva’s Fulham looking to go within three points of fourth-placed Tottenham going into the break.
      The Whites meanwhile can go above West London rivals Chelsea and up into eighth place with a victory. More

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      K-pop star Jungkook set to play World Cup 2022 opening ceremony alongside Robbie Williams and Co in Qatar

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      ROBBIE WILLIAMS and K-pop star Jungkook will perform at the opening ceremony of the World Cup.The former Take That member will take to the stage to begin the tournament in Qatar just as he did four years ago in Russia.
      Robbie Williams performed at the Luzhniki Stadium in Russia in 2018Credit: Reuters
      Jungkook is the front man of pop group BTSCredit: Getty
      Williams, 48, has been slammed by critics for choosing to perform on November 20 as he is seen as a huge supporter of the LGBT community.
      Homosexuality is illegal in Qatar and gay people face fines or up to seven years in jail.
      Fans have hit out at Williams saying he will have scored a “huge own goal” if he sings at the opening ceremony.
      Also part of the performances at the Al Bayt Stadium is lead singer of Korean pop group BTS – Jungkook.
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      BTS are worldwide sensations famous for songs such as Butter and Dynamite.
      A star-studded line-up could be completed by the likes of Shakira, Dua Lipa, J Balvin and the Black Eyed Peas who have all been rumoured to be part of the event.
      Shakira has been tipped to be involved this year after her 2010 World Cup song Waka Waka went down as a classic.
      Fans will also be treated to a performance of song Light the Sky from the World Cup’s official soundtrack.
      The track features Nora Fatehi, Balqees, Rahma Riad and Manal – some of the most popular musicians in the Middle East.
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      All the action will take place before the first match of the World Cup that sees host nation Qatar face Ecuador.
      Some 60,000 supporters will pack into the stadium in Doha as Qatar make their debut at the finals.
      England are involved in the second match of the tournament versus Iran the day after. More

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      Fulham boss calls for players to fill the void left by Mitrovic against Man Utd as star sweats on World Cup 2022 dream

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      MARCO SILVA has called on his Fulham players to stand up and show they can fill the void left by Aleksandar Mitrovic.Mitrovic will be missing from Sunday’s clash with the foot injury that threatens the Serbia striker’s World Cup hopes.
      Mitrovic will miss United’s visit with a foot injuryCredit: Getty
      Fulham boss Silva has declared he will ‘find solutions’ in attackCredit: Alamy
      And with Neeskens Kebano and Manor Solomon also sidelined, Silva’s forward choices are further limited.
      The Cottagers suffered heartbreak at Manchester City last week, losing 2-1 to a late Erling Haaland penalty despite playing with a man advantage for over an hour.
      And Silva believes having more available attacking options would put his team in a far stronger position to compete against the Premier League’s big boys.
      He said: “Last week we had some issues as well to fix in our squad.
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      “As you know, I had just one offensive player on the bench. Probably, with different solutions, the game could be completely different in the second half.
      “But I’m here to find solutions and I will do the same for Sunday’s match.
      “It’s not just Mitrovic. Unfortunately for us, there are many.
      “I’m not hiding that Mitrovic is a key player for me and for this football club. Probably some of you had these doubts last season and at the beginning of the season, but I didn’t have them.
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      “Mitrovic, in 58 games he has scored 50 goals under me. It’s an unbelievable number. Of course, if I don’t have this player, we are different, definitely.
      “But it’s a moment for others to pop up.”
      Fulham have defied expectations so far this campaign, winning 19 points from 14 games after being promoted from the Championship last season, and could go just a point behind Manchester United by beating them on Sunday.
      Like all Premier League teams, Fulham will not return to action until December due to the World Cup break and Silva questioned the decision to hold the tournament in the middle of the season.
      He said: “I think no one listened to the opinions of the players to decide that this competition would be in the middle (of the season).
      “The situation when they decided if it would be in Qatar or a different country, or in the middle of the season for the first time or the end of the season, I think they don’t listen to the players.
      “They decide and that’s it, the players have to prepare as best they can.” More

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      Gareth Southgate to let players see their WAGS for World Cup downtime if Covid permits

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      ENGLAND boss Gareth Southgate wants players to see their partners for World Cup downtime but Covid may intervene.Southgate, 52, said: “We would like it to happen, we think it is a significant part of a team feeling relaxed and comfortable.
      England boss Gareth Southgate wants players to see their partners, such as Jack Grealish’s girlfriend Sasha Attwood, during downtime at the World CupCredit: Instagram
      Model Sasha Attwood, girlfriend of Man City’s Grealish, is among those expected to fly out for the tournamentCredit: Instagram
      Southgate said he thought it would make the team ‘relaxed and comfortable’Credit: PA
      “But at the moment none of us know what the transmission rate is likely to be out there.”
      On Friday, there were 307 new Covid cases in Qatar.
      Southgate added: “We need to monitor it quite closely.”
      Some of the players’ wives and girlfriends will be on the £1billion cruise ship MSC World Europa. 
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      Model Sasha Attwood, 26, girlfriend of Man City ace Jack Grealish, 27, is among those expected to fly out for the tournament, starting next Sunday.
      Southgate also revealed he has some special motivational plans up his sleeve – but was keeping it a secret for now.
      Actor Michael Sheen delivered a rousing pre-World Cup speech to the Welsh team, who will face England in the group stages.
      It was light-heartedly put to Southgate that perhaps he would bring in Brian Blessed to do likewise.
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      Yet the England chief was giving nothing away, and joked: “Maybe we can go one better than Wales.”
      When Southgate was pressed to reveal details, he added: “No, we can’t. But we want them to do all the things that going to a World Cup involves the suits, the photos.
      “But thankfully there’s been no record, or song! We just want them to be excited about going.”
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      Rashford hails Ten Hag for helping him ‘go for the kill’ and rediscover form for Man Utd and saving World Cup 2022 dream

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      MARCUS RASHFORD says Erik ten Hag has helped him rediscover his killer instinct.Now he wants to repay his boss by firing Manchester United back to winning ways at Fulham today.
      Marcus Rashford has hailed Erik ten Hag for helping him rediscover his killer instinctCredit: Getty
      Rashford’s return to form saw him win a place in England’s World Cup squad, despite not having played for his country since the Euro final nearly 18 months ago.
      Injuries and loss of form had some doubting at one stage whether he would even make the plane to Qatar.
      Yet the United striker has been in the form of his life since ten Hag arrived at Old Trafford in the summer, and was star man again in Thursday’s Carabao Cup win over Aston Villa.
      And much of that is down to the impact his Dutch manager is having on his game. Rashford revealed: “I am more effective.
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      “I am in more dangerous positions and that’s what it’s about for me. I can help the team win games. I can score goals and get assists, and that’s the aim.
      “It’s probably the playing style we have created, better quality of chances and playing forward-thinking football.
      “He likes possession, but he is also in favour of us going for the kill – and that’s what I am all about, so I am enjoying my time under him.”
      United are making steady progress under ten Hag, but suffered a setback last Sunday when they were humbled 3-1 at Aston Villa.
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      Rashford is determined that they won’t head into the World Cup break on the back of another, when they travel to Fulham this afternoon.
      And he will be shelving all thoughts of glory in Qatar, and his delight at an England recall, to focus on the job at Craven Cottage.
      He added: “We dropped points last weekend, and we can’t afford to drop more back-to-back. So it’s important for us to put in a big performance and get a win.
      “It will be the last time we play together for a while, so it is important to leave with good energy, positive vibes, and momentum. You don’t want to leave on a loss.”
      Rashford is convinced he could return from England duty as a World Cup winner – and just as certain United can regain their place in the Champions League.
      He insisted: “Yeah, definitely. Why not? We are not in a bad position at the moment, but obviously we want to be higher up on the table.
      “It is quite tight, and we just have to concentrate on improving. It is not going to happen overnight, but at the same time we want it to, so we are pushing for it this season.
      “The type of football we play is very physically demanding and I think a break will be good for the lads that get a break.
      “We’ve got a really good squad, and we want to come back at the end of December full of energy and really take the games head on. I think everyone is excited.” More

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      Arsenal verdict: Mikel Arteta’s Christmas comes early with five-point lead but World Cup throws up potential problems

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      CHRISTMAS has come early for Mikel Arteta.Arsenal are going into the World Cup top of the Premier League table.
      Christmas has come early for Arsenal – but the World Cup throws up potential headachesCredit: Getty
      And now they are FIVE points clear of Manchester City.
      Not even Arteta could have dreamed that was possible at the start of the season.
      But the Spaniard must keep planning and plotting throughout the break if he wants to finish the campaign with silverware.
      And fans should also keep the faith, even if the World Cup throws up some potential issues on the other side of Christmas.
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      Arsenal have looked like a well-oiled machine from day one, winning 12 of their 14 matches.
      They boast the joint-best defence and the second-best attack in the league.
      And Man City’s shock defeat to Brentford means Arsenal go into the World Cup with confidence at an all-time high.
      It might be too early to think a first Premier League title since 2004 is in the bag.
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      But loyal Gooners cannot be begrudged the opportunity to dream big at this stage.
      That’s despite the World Cup representing the biggest threat to that ambition.
      With star quality throughout the squad, it won’t be a surprise if Arsenal have one or two players making the final stages.
      More games mean more tired legs.
      And Arsenal are one of the only sides in the league to put out a consistent starting XI each week.
      Should they suffer any injury setbacks in Qatar, it could see that well-drilled unit start to unravel.
      Arteta must now think very carefully about his moves in the January transfer window.
      Now it not the time for panic buying, but one or two thoroughly-scouted signings could be the key to seeing off City’s threat.
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      Arteta has already shown he is capable of getting the right players through the door.
      And now is the time for Arsenal fans to give their fearless leader their total trust. More

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      Sir Geoff Hurst was forced to go on DOLE when he retired from playing football despite World Cup final heroics

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      SIR GEOFF HURST was forced to go on the DOLE when he retired from playing football.He might be the only person to score a hat-trick in a World Cup final but England’s 1966 hero was forced to sign-on to support his family.
      Sir Geoff Hurst had to go on the dole after he retired from football.Credit: Getty
      Hurst scored a hat-trick as England won the World Cup in 1966.Credit: PA
      Footballers in the 1960s and 70s earned nowhere near the millions they get in the modern-day game.
      And West Ham legend Hurst, 80, recalled: “It was an awkward time — out of work and with three kids at school.
      “You’ve very little money and you have to start doing something else.
      “I had applied for work at other clubs and had no responses or very little.
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      “What a lot of people did when out of work is go on the dole, and  I signed on the dole.
      “Whatever you had achieved in the game, on the salaries we were on — even as internationals — everybody had to go out and get a job. Simple as that.”
      Hurst ended up managing Chelsea for two years until 1981 and worked for a spell in Kuwait.
      Eventually he worked for a life insurance company for almost 20 years.
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      Hurst is now a national treasure and — along with George Cohen, 83, and Bobby Charlton, 85 —  is one of only three stars from England’s world champion side still alive.
      He added: “Every time you look at a picture of the group now it is tinged with so much sadness.
      “It’s such a sad thing that eight have gone.”
      l  Hurst: The First and Only airs on Sky Documentaries tonight at 7pm and will be available on streaming service NOW. More

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      Two Premier League teammates are in a relationship and open about being a gay couple

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      TWO Premier League players in the same team are in a relationship — and open about being a gay couple.But although it’s no secret in the dressing room, the stars are reluctant to publicly come out.
      Two Premier League players in the same team are in a relationship — and open about being a gay couple (stock image)
      Blackpool player Jake Daniels revealed he was gay in May after gaining the acceptance of teammatesCredit:
      It comes after we told earlier this earlier this year how a gay former England and Premier League player is in talks about becoming the first to come out in a TV documentary.
      And brave Blackpool player Jake Daniels, 17, revealed he was gay in May after gaining the acceptance of teammates.
      The two Prem stars got together earlier this year.
      A source said: “They did not see the need to hide from their teammates — and why should they?
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      “No one was remotely bothered about it and they had the backing of the manager and the hierarchy at the club.
      “But they decided not to come out publicly — although neither are ashamed and it could happen down the line.
      “During the the season they wanted to concentrate on their football.
      “While making a statement would positive, it could take their attention away from their performances on the pitch.
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      “Their teammates have also been told not to say anything publicly to protect their privacy.”
      There was uproar this week when Qatari World Cup ambassador Khalid Salman described homosexuality as “a damage in the mind” in an interview.
      England legend Gary Lineker, 61, said last month he knows of “one or two” gay Premier League players who have been very close to coming out.
      And The Sun on Sunday has told how one Prem ace could open up about his sexuality in a show currently in production, and likely to be aired on Channel 4.
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      A source said: “This could be a massive step forward for gay players.
      “Everyone in football has been talking about it.” More