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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

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      Canada’s World Cup star Jonathan Osorio interested in transfer to England in January from Toronto

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      CANADA World Cup star Jonathan Osorio has his sights on a move to England after the tournament.Osorio is a legend for Toronto in the MLS but his contract is up and he aims to impress in Qatar.
      Osorio is eyeing a move to the EFLCredit: AFP
      Even at the age of 30 Osorio has interest both in the EFL and abroad — with his main priority a crack at the English game.
      Osorio has signed up with American-based English agent Matt Higgins in a bid to test the market.
      The midfielder kicked off his professional career with Canadian Soccer League side SC Toronto in 2012.
      During his debut season he became one of the club’s top goalscorers and earned the CSL Rookie of the Year award.
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      In 2013 he joined MLS side Totonto FC after training with the club’s academy.
      He has since scored 57 goals and assisted 34 in 318 appearances for the Reds.
      Toronto finished 13th in the MLS Eastern Conference last season – seven points above Wayne Rooney’s DC United.
      Osorio recorded 13 goal contributions in 23 league games, making him one of Toronto’s most influential players.
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      But, he now has his sights set on a successful World Cup campaign with Canada.
      The Maple Leafs are in Group F along with Belgium, Croatia and Morocco. More

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      Chelsea verdict: World Cup break can’t come soon enough for Graham Potter after latest humiliating defeat

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      GRAHAM POTTER must be the only person in football looking forward to a winter World Cup.Saturday’s defeat at Newcastle only served to highlight the fundamental flaws in his squad.
      Graham Potter must go back to the drawing board during the World Cup breakCredit: EPA
      The tactics were off again as unmotivated flops floated out of position around the field.
      But there could be a saving grace for Chelsea’s latest boss, who is now without a win in five league games – four of which have been losses.
      For this was the final game before international stars jet off to Qatar.
      And it finally gives Potter the chance to assess his situation in proper detail.
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      Drafted in from Brighton as Thomas Tuchel’s replacement, Potter was thrust into the heart of Chelsea’s jam-packed schedule.
      His impact was immediately felt as the Blues booked their place in the Champions League knockout stage.
      But wine has turned to vinegar as far as Chelsea’s title hopes are concerned.
      And Potter should be using the upcoming rare break to question his own philosophy, or else risk falling by the wayside like so many before him.
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      To be fair to Potter, he is working with a squad comprised of players signed during the reigns of numerous former managers.
      There has simply not been enough time to gel, let alone decide on a strongest starting XI.
      And let’s not forget there were plenty of positive signs during the first month of his tenure.
      But players are being used out of position while struggling to adjust to a slow style of football.
      And now the results have dried up.
      Potter is clearly a logical manager, who has used hard work and smarts to move up the ladder.
      However, backstories do not fly at top clubs while victories are hard to come by.
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      Less complicated tactics and a real desire to win have to become the order of the day again.
      And Potter needs to go back to the drawing board during the World Cup break to clear his head for the post-Christmas rush. More

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      Reece James and Tammy Abraham react to Ivan Toney scoring twice and not being picked for England’s World Cup squad

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      IVAN Toney responded to his England snub by scoring a late winner against Manchester City – and then received support from Reece James and Tammy Abraham.Behind Harry Kane, the Brentford star is the top scoring English striker this season, netting 10 Prem goals.
      Ivan Toney responded to his England snub by scoring twice against Manchester CityCredit: Rex
      Toney celebrated by putting his fingers in his earsCredit: Reuters
      Reece James responded to Toney’s post on Instagram
      Regardless, Toney was still left out of Gareth Southgate’s squad.
      But he dusted himself down to score twice in a shock win at The Etihad.
      Toney’s first-half header looked to have only earned the Bees just a point after Phil Foden fired home a fine equaliser on the stroke of half-time.
      But he had other ideas, tapping home in the eighth minute of added-time.
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      For his first goal, ex-Peterborough star celebrated by cupping his ears, appearing to be aimed at Southgate, before producing a similar act for the winner.
      He took to Instagram to make his point even further, uploading a photo of himself with his fingers in his ears.
      And two other England players not going to Qatar replied.
      James, who’s missing out through injury, said: “If I speak I’m in big trouble 😂.”
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      Meanwhile, Abraham, who was also overlooked, responded with a death person emoji, replicating Toney’s celebration.
      Adebayo Akinfenwa also replied by calling Toney a “boss” while teammate Rico Henry said “no words needed”. More

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      Wales to take Birmingham whizkid Jordan James to World Cup as ’27th man’ in squad to give 18-year-old experience

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      BIRMINGHAM CITY whizkid Jordan James will be on the plane to Qatar with Wales as the “27th man”.Midfielder James picked the Welsh ahead of England but missed out on Rob Page’s main party that goes to the World Cup.
      Jordan James will be Wales’ 27th man at the World CupCredit: Getty
      However, the 18-year-old is due to travel with the senior group for experience and will be with them rather than taking a break with his Championship club.
      Remarkably, James, who won two Under-20 caps for England, has never even played for Wales’ Under-21s.
      He was however named in their squad to face Austria in September.
      But after Joe Allen withdrew from the squad, he was promoted to the seniors.
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      The teen didn’t get on the pitch, but was on the bench for the Nations League game with Poland.
      James’ role as 27th man comes despite not starting for Birmingham since August.
      He’s instead had to settle for late cameo appearances off the bench.
      But the youngster started Blues’ first six Championship games and has clearly done enough to impress Page.
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      Depending on how far Wales progress, James could end up missing his club’s next match.
      That’s because Birmingham are next in action on 10 December at Blackpool, which is the same weekend as the World Cup quarter-finals. More