..::Football IV::..

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    Fulham 1 Liverpool 2: Milner makes up for howler to send Klopp's men top

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    James Milner went from zero to hero, holding his nerve from the penalty spot to send Liverpool top of the Premier League with a 2-1 win over Fulham.

    Experienced midfielder Milner was brought on by Jurgen Klopp to help see out a 1-0 victory, only for him to send a mindless clearance skywards, which Virgil van Dijk and Alisson left for one another and allowed Ryan Babel to cancel out Sadio Mane's 26th-minute opener.

    That was Mane's 11th goal in his past 11 outings and the Senegal forward was brought down by Sergio Rico after the Fulham goalkeeper spilt Mohamed Salah's shot to hand Milner his shot at redemption.


    Liverpool moved two points in front of Manchester City, who were in FA Cup action this weekend, while second-bottom Fulham are marooned 13 points from safety after a seventh consecutive loss.
    Joel Matip miscued a free header from Trent Alexander-Arnold's 18th-minute corner, leaving it to the Reds' form man to open the scoring.Mane darted towards a backpedalling Timothy Fosu-Mensah and slotted a pass to Roberto Firmino, continuing his run to convert the Brazil forward's cutback from the byline.Fosu-Mensah made a timely tackle on Mane in the 52nd minute but the loose ball fell to Andy Robertson, whose cross was headed over by Georginio Wijnaldum – the start of a bombardment from the wings that the hosts just about survived.

    Around the hour, a downpour hit Craven Cottage and Fulham belatedly entered the contest as an attacking force – Floyd Ayite having a header chalked out for offside.Mane glanced a 72nd-minute corner against the bar before Van Dijk contributed to an improbable leveller from his fellow Netherlands international and ex-Red Babel.

    But like Alisson before him, Rico erred and Milner drove a redemptive spot-kick down the middle of the goal.
     

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    Genoa 2 Juventus 0: Bianconeri suffer first Serie A defeat of the season

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    Juventus lost their first Serie A game of the season as Stefano Sturaro and Goran Pandev sealed a memorable 2-0 win for Genoa at Stadio Luigi Ferraris on Sunday.

    Genoa activated their obligation to buy Sturaro from Juventus for €16.5million in February, less than two weeks after he joined on loan and he marked his first appearance of his second spell with the opener after 72 minutes.That was followed nine minutes from time by Pandev's fine strike past Mattia Perin to secure a deserved victory for the hosts.

    Cristiano Ronaldo was rested after his midweek heroics against Atletico Madrid and Juve sorely missed his attacking threat in what was an insipid display.
    Genoa came close to taking a surprise lead after 15 minutes but Perin showed superb reactions to paw away Antonio Sanabria's powerful drive from 12 yards.
    The hosts then had a penalty award overturned by VAR on the half-hour mark after Christian Kouame was deemed to have handled the ball before it struck Joao Cancelo's wrist.

    Juve thought they had taken the lead with their first shot on target after 55 minutes through Paulo Dybala. Referee Marco Di Bello was instructed by VAR, however, that there had been an offside in the build-up and the goal was ruled out.The hosts took full advantage of that reprieve in a dramatic final 20 minutes.

    Just moments after replacing Darko Lazovic, Sturaro sent a curling effort into Perin's bottom corner from 20 yards, which the Juve goalkeeper will feel he should have done better with.Things got even better for the hosts in the 81st minute when Pandev collected Kouame's pass and fizzed a low strike past Perin.

    Allegri's side scarcely looked like clawing their way back into the game in the closing stages and could end the weekend with their lead at the summit cut to 15 points if Napoli overcome Udinese later on Sunday.
     

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    Bayern Munich 6 Mainz 0: James hat-trick sends champions back to summit after Liverpool loss

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    James Rodriguez scored his first Bayern Munich hat-trick as Niko Kovac's side reclaimed top spot in the Bundesliga with a 6-0 home thrashing of Mainz that showcased the effervescent attacking that was lacking in their Champions League exit to Liverpool.

    Borussia Dortmund leapfrogged Bayern with a 3-2 win at Hertha Berlin on Saturday, earned thanks to a late goal from captain Marco Reus, but the champions responded with their 13th win in their last 14 Bundesliga matches.

    First-half goals from Robert Lewandowski, James and Kingsley Coman set up a crushing victory that sends Bayern above Dortmund on goal difference, with the leaders set to meet in a potential title decider on April 6 at the Allianz Arena.


    James netted twice more after the break to claim the match ball before Alphonso Davies recorded his first Bundesliga goal, the champions having scored 17 times in their last three league games.
    Bayern made a blistering start and led inside three minutes, Lewandowski steering home a near-post volley from David Alaba's left-wing cross.

    The early onslaught continued with Coman rattling the crossbar and James forcing an excellent save from goalkeeper Florian Muller with a powerful low drive.Bayern's inevitable second goal arrived in the 33rd minute, Joshua Kimmich's ball into the box chested down superbly by Leon Goretzka with James sliding home a fine finish.

    And it was 3-0 before the break, Mainz losing the ball on halfway with Goretzka sending Coman clear, the winger cutting inside off the left to whip a superb strike across the helpless Muller.Mainz could not stem the tide after the interval either, James finding the bottom-left corner with a curling 20-yard effort in the 51st minute before then securing his treble with a sublime chip.

    Bayern made it back-to-back 6-0 home wins in the league by completing the scoring in the 70th minute. Muller denied Lewandowski but he was unable to stop teenager Davies smashing in the rebound.
     

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    Paris Saint-Germain 3 Marseille 1: Di Maria produces a Classique performance

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    Angel Di Maria wrote his name into the folklore of Le Classique as his outstanding individual performance earned Paris Saint-Germain a 3-1 Ligue 1 win over Marseille.

    The visit of PSG's arch rivals to the Parc des Princes was set against a backdrop of protest from the club's ultras, who did not show up until 15 minutes into Sunday's clash in protest at their Champions League exit to Manchester United.

    With the league title essentially wrapped up, France's standout fixture arguably carried little meaning but Di Maria produced a performance that will live long in the memory.


    After Kylian Mbappe, who later missed a last-gasp penalty, and Valere Germain traded goals either side of half-time, Di Maria put PSG back in front and then ensured victory with a wonderful free-kick, making picking the ball out of the net the first task for Yohann Pele after Steve Mandanda was sent off as Marseille suffered more misery in this one-sided rivalry.
    The visitors received an early let-off as Di Maria lofted the ball over Mandanda, only for his effort to be ruled out after a VAR review, the technology again denying PSG in less dramatic circumstances than in their Champions League collapse.

    Mandanda was then equal to a fierce Thomas Meunier effort at the end of an impressive run from the full-back, who followed Dani Alves in being forced off by injury.However, PSG finally broke the deadlock on the stroke of half-time and in some style.

    Substitute Colin Dagba found Di Maria, who took two brilliant touches to control and then played Mbappe in with a perfect pass that the France star stroked into the bottom-right corner.

    Marseille needed only 27 seconds of the second half to equalise, with Thilo Kehrer beaten to a long ball by Lucas Ocampos, who then snuck a cross through his legs for Germain to tuck home on the turn.Di Maria's response was swift and brilliant. He jinked his way around two Marseille defenders before playing a neat one-two with Kehrer and arcing a finish inside the left-hand post.

    The contest was effectively settled by the same man, with some help from Mandanda, whose bizarre decision to race 30 yards from his goal and block a Di Maria shot with his arm was predictably followed by a red card and then by a marvellous free-kick bent in off the right-hand post.

    Di Maria was denied a gilt-edged chance for a hat-trick as Mbappe decided to take a stoppage-time penalty after being felled by Hiroki Sakai, but saw a tame spot-kick kept out by substitute keeper Pele.
     

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    Real Betis 1 Barcelona 4: Record-breaker Messi sends leaders 10 points clear

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    Lionel Messi broke yet another Barcelona record as he scored a stunning hat-trick in a superb 4-1 win at Real Betis, sending Ernesto Valverde's men 10 points clear at the top of LaLiga.Atletico Madrid's surprise defeat at Athletic Bilbao on Saturday gave Barca the chance to stretch their advantage at the summit going into the final international break of the season.

    Messi scored twice in the first half at the Benito Villamarin, his first an unstoppable free-kick and his second coming moments before the interval, with Luis Suarez - who hurt his ankle late on - adding a third after the break.


    On the day Messi drew level with Andres Iniesta on 674 appearances for Barca, the captain moved ahead of Xavi to set a new club record for featuring in wins - this victory becoming his 477th.And after Loren Moron's late consolation for Betis, Messi capped his latest record with a wonderful third goal to add yet another match ball to his collection.

    Messi, sporting a trimmed beard, opened the scoring with a typically perfect free-kick.Arthur was bundled to the ground on the edge of the D and Messi beat former Espanyol goalkeeper Pau Lopez with a stunning strike from the resulting set piece.Lopez then saved another Messi free-kick from slightly further out before Arthur's fine interception prevented a Betis equaliser.

    Suarez shot tamely at Lopez when presented with a great chance by Messi but the duo combined for the Barca captain's second goal on the stroke of half-time.Suarez's sensational backheel pass was perfectly placed into the path of Messi, who was never going to miss, and Barca made certain of their victory in the 63rd minute.

    The striker had just drilled a great chance wide, taking out his frustration on the advertising boards, but Suarez got his name on the scoresheet with a fine finish after a dazzling solo run.

    Loren scored a late consolation for Betis after a pass from fellow substitute Diego Lainez, but Barca's lead atop LaLiga increased and Messi was left to celebrate another record after completing his treble with a outrageous chip that clipped the crossbar as it beat Lopez.

    He even hit the post in stoppage time, by which time Suarez was limping heavily.
     

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    Everton 2 Chelsea 0: Sarri's side see top-four hopes fade

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    Everton eased the pressure on Marco Silva and dented Chelsea's top-four hopes with a morale-boosting 2-0 win at Goodison Park on Sunday.

    Richarlison punished Chelsea's profligacy just after half-time and Gylfi Sigurdsson converted the rebound from his own saved penalty to secure only the Toffees' second victory in nine Premier League games at home.Marco Silva's men, who dramatically lost 3-2 at Newcastle United last time out, were thoroughly outplayed in the first half, but an improved performance from Jordan Pickford helped keep the visitors at bay.

    Defeat for Chelsea, their first since the EFL Cup final, leaves them three points adrift of fourth-placed Arsenal with eight games remaining.
    Panic permeated Everton's defence in the opening exchanges as their opponents twice went close in quick succession.

    Eden Hazard first drove a deflected shot into the base of the upright, before Gonzalo Higuain's scuffed finish from Jorginho's inventive pass allowed Michael Keane to hack the ball clear.Pickford had earlier denied Hazard at his near post and, after Pedro dragged marginally wide, will have welcomed half-time.

    However, Everton emerged from the interval transformed and Richarlison nodded them ahead in the 49th minute when Kepa Arrizabalaga parried Dominic Calvert-Lewin's header straight to the Brazil forward.

    Marcos Alonso hit the side-netting with a good chance to respond and compounded that miss by tripping Richarlison in the box at the other end.Sigurdsson stepped up 18 minutes from time and, after seeing Kepa save his initial attempt, pounced on the rebound to complete Everton's first win in seven instalments of this fixture.
     

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    AC Milan 2 Inter 3: Martinez penalty proves decisive in derby thriller

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    Inter beat bitter rivals AC Milan 3-2 in Sunday's thrilling derby to move above their neighbours in the Serie A table, with Lautaro Martinez's penalty ultimately proving decisive.

    Luciano Spalletti, who was sent to the stands in the closing stages, had seen his side win just once in five competitive outings amid the ongoing stand-off with Mauro Icardi, but they produced a focused display to end Milan's five-match winning Serie A streak.

    Inter were superior to Milan all over the pitch in the first half, with Matias Vecino's early goal setting the tone for proceedings until the break, before Stefan de Vrij made it 2-0 just after the interval.


    Tiemoue Bakayoko hit back for Milan before Martinez – who continues to start in Icardi's place – netted from the spot and, although Mateo Musacchio forced a tense finish, Inter just about did enough to move back up to third above their rivals.
    Despite Milan's excellent form coming into the game, Inter looked far more fired up at the start and went ahead after just three minutes – Vecino blasting in from close range after Martinez nodded Ivan Perisic's cross back into the danger zone.

    De Vrij doubled the lead in the 50th minute when he met Matteo Politano's cross with a towering header into the top-right corner.But the deficit was halved soon after – Bakayoko meeting Hakan Calhanoglu's free-kick with a fine header of his own.The lively Politano won a penalty from Alessio Romagnoli in the 67th minute, with Martinez confidently dispatching what proved to be the clincher.

    Musacchio thrashed home from six yards soon after – the goal standing despite Krzysztof Piatek appearing to stray offside.Milan were boosted again when VAR overturned a red card shown to Andrea Conti for a rash tackle on Martinez, the reversal sparking a reaction from Spalletti which brought about his dismissal.

    But Inter managed to hang on, with Samir Handanovic crucially blocking Samu Castillejo's late header and Danilo D'Ambrosio brilliantly denied Patrick Cutrone.
     

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    'I don't look further than this season' - Alderweireld unsure if he will stay at Tottenham


    Tottenham centre-back Toby Alderweireld has said he does not know if he will be at the club next season.

    Spurs recently triggered a one-year contract extension in the 30-year-old's deal - which was set to expire at the end of this campaign - but the new terms include a £25 million ($33m) release clause that can only be activated in the upcoming summer transfer window.

    The Belgium international still forms part of the club's first-choice central defensive partnership alongside compatriot Jan Vertonghen, and has featured in 38 games across all competitions this season.

    But when asked for confirmation about his future, the defender - who last summer was a target for Manchester United - was evasive, choosing instead to focus on the remainder of the current campaign.

    "There's a lot to play for this season," Alderweireld told Sky Sports. "And in the end, I have a year contract left at Spurs, so I don't look further than this season."Other things I don't know. I am very happy at Spurs, so we will see what the future brings.

    "I still feel very fit. I think I played a lot of minutes this season so I showed that I am fit - I don't feel 30, I feel younger."So as I said, I am very happy and I just try to watch game-by-game. This season there is a lot to play for so I will give my best for that."

    Spurs are into the quarter-finals of the Champions League after a 4-0 aggregate win over Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund and have drawn reigning Premier League champions Manchester City in the only all-English tie.

    However, domestically, Tottenham are 15 points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool, who have played an extra game, and have suffered poor league form of late.Spurs are winless in their last four league games, losing to Burnley, Chelsea and Southampton and drawing with bitter rivals Arsenal, dragging them out of an unlikely title tilt and into the scrap for the top four.

    They now sit just one point ahead of the Gunners, while Manchester United and Chelsea are a mere three and four points further back, respectively.
     

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    Hazard 'not working' on Real Madrid move, but still open to Chelsea exit


    Eden Hazard maintains that he is “not working” on a move to Real Madrid, amid talk of an offer being tabled, but has not closed the door to a transfer away from Chelsea.

    Speculation regarding a switch to the Santiago Bernabeu for the Belgium international has raged for some time now.Hazard has helped to keep the rumour mill ticking over with admissions of wanting to test himself in La Liga and his admiration for those in the Spanish capital.

    With his current contract at Stamford Bridge due to expire in 2020, it has been suggested that the Blancos have stepped up their efforts to put a deal in place by making a formal approach.

    Hazard remains cryptic when it comes to his future plans, but he insists that no discussions regarding a fresh start in Madrid have been held at this stage.He told VTM Nieuws when quizzed on the reports of a bid being tabled: “I'm not working on that right now.

    “I want to shine with Chelsea for a few months and try to win the Europa League.“This week I think about the Red Devils [Belgium] and then back to Chelsea. Then we'll see.”

    Hazard is eager to avoid being dragged into debate regarding his plans for the summer.For now, he is looking to end what has been a testing 2018-19 season for Chelsea on a positive note.The Bleus remain in the hunt for Europa League success and a top-four finish in the Premier League, and only after those campaigns have come to a close will Hazard be making a call on his next move.

    He added: “We can win the Europa League - we must win the Europa League, or finish in the top four to play in the Champions League next year.“The supporters expect that, the staff expect that and the players expect that as well.Hazard is eager to avoid being dragged into debate regarding his plans for the summer.

    For now, he is looking to end what has been a testing 2018-19 season for Chelsea on a positive note.The Bleus remain in the hunt for Europa League success and a top-four finish in the Premier League, and only after those campaigns have come to a close will Hazard be making a call on his next move.

    He added: “We can win the Europa League - we must win the Europa League, or finish in the top four to play in the Champions League next year.“The supporters expect that, the staff expect that and the players expect that as well.
     

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    'It's hard to improve Real Madrid' - Arbeloa sees no need for 'Galacticos' amid Neymar, Mbappe & Hazard talk


    Real Madrid are unlikely to be improved significantly by a series of 'Galactico' signings, according to Alvaro Arbeloa.Having brought back Zinedine Zidane as head coach this month, president Florentino Perez is said to be prepared to sanction huge spending ahead of next season in order to revitalise the playing squad.

    Kylian Mbappe, Neymar, Eden Hazard and Christian Eriksen are among a host of star names linked with a possible move to the Santiago Bernabeu, while a deal to sign Porto defender Eder Militao has already been agreed.

    But Arbeloa says it will be tough to buy better players than those already at the club, who helped them to win four Champions Leagues in five seasons."I see a squad that's difficult to improve," the former full-back told El Chiringuito."Outside of Real Madrid, there aren't many players who can improve what there is at the club right now.

    "The word 'revolution' doesn't fit for me. These are the same players who won four Champions Leagues. I don't think the problem at Madrid is one of age."While a number of players have been tipped to join the club, Gareth Bale continues to be linked with a move away from the Spanish capital.

    The Wales star has been targeted by fans for some ineffective performances and struggled to earn a regular spot in Santiago Solari's plans before his sacking.Arbeloa thinks Bale's problem has been an inability to prove to the watching world that he is fully committed to the Madrid cause."I think Bale hasn't been able to sell his commitment to Madrid outside," he said. "He speaks Spanish, but he doesn't feel comfortable doing it with the media. He has scored very important goals in finals and I'm sorry he's been so crushed."

    Arbeloa is delighted to see Zidane complete a shock return to the club he left last May, although he thinks it is too much to expect Madrid to close the 12-point gap in La Liga to leaders Barcelona.

    "For Madrid fans, he was a legend as a player and also as a coach. There is no greater excitement for Madrid fans than having Zidane come back," Arbeloa said."He inspires because he was an idol for a lot of players. Everyone likes him. It's easy to listen when he talks and try to understand him."

    He added: "It's very difficult to win the league. Barca are very good and it's very tough. I can't see Barca dropping many points."
     

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    Alexis wants to 'make Man Utd fans happy' as he seeks end to Old Trafford slump


    Alexis Sanchez wants to “make the Manchester United fans really happy” as he sets his sights on a return to fitness, form and the pursuit of major silverware.
    The Chilean forward has put few smiles on faces during his time at Old Trafford so far.Across 41 appearances to date, the 30-year-old has found the target just five times.

    He is currently sidelined with knee ligament damage and unable to make any contribution to the collective cause, but there remains a desire on his part to prove his worth with the Red Devils.Sanchez, who signed from Arsenal in January 2018, told Inside United:“Obviously, I want to make the United fans really happy.“I want to score goals. I want to bring them joy. I want to win silverware.

    “When we lost last year’s FA Cup final to Chelsea, I was not happy. Not happy at all. In fact, I was sad because I just wanted to make our wonderful supporters happy.“I saw the fans who had come to pack out Wembley Stadium. They were all around me – all red. I liked it. Wembley was all red.”

    Sanchez had helped to put United in the 2018 FA Cup final after finding the target during a semi-final showdown with Tottenham.That has been one of few highs to date, but he remains determined to deliver on expectation and return prestigious prizes to the Theatre of Dreams.

    He added on his ambition and childhood ties to the Red Devils: “The goal there [at Wembley] against Tottenham comes to mind. It was such a great moment because the United fans were right on top of us and it was a lovely moment to be able to celebrate along with them.

    “When I was younger, I liked United. I swear. As a small child, I liked United. I really liked them. And I want to show this and bring the people joy because, obviously, I want to win.”

    Sanchez has seen his future called into question amid his struggles over the last 14 months, but he is adamant that his full focus remains locked on producing his best for United.“I want to keep showing my love for football,” said the South American.“I know what I can do. I have belief in my ability. United are such an important club, not only in England but on a global level, and I would love to help bring a trophy to the supporters.”
     

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    Unbelievable Mbappe more valuable than Messi and Ronaldo, says Mourinho


    Jose Mourinho believes Kylian Mbappe's age and "incredible" ability makes him more valuable than even Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.Paris Saint-Germain star Mbappe has lifted the World Cup, won Ligue 1 twice, scored 55 top-flight goals and been voted fourth in the Ballon d'Or all before his 21st birthday.

    And it is his youth that former Manchester United manager Mourinho views as the critical difference when comparing his worth in the transfer market to Barcelona captain Messi, 31, and Juventus talisman Ronaldo, 34.

    The ex-Chelsea, Inter and Real Madrid head coach thinks the France international could command even a higher fee than the game's current most expensive player, his PSG team-mate Neymar.

    "For a player like Mbappe, when you speak about the future, you don't need to say what he's going to be like in five years' time, in 10 years' time," Mourinho told beIN Sports."Just focus on now. He's absolutely incredible.

    "I think going by his age and [and considering] the age of Cristiano, of Messi, [both] over 30, Neymar is 27... when you go to the market level and age is also a factor, I think he's the most valuable player in the world."In a hypothetical transfer, he's the most expensive player in football now."In terms of his qualities, [he is] unbelievable. One word is enough. It means everything."

    Mbappe scored the opener in PSG's 3-1 win over Marseille in Le Classique before linking up with the France squad for their opening Euro 2020 qualifiers against Moldova and Iceland.Speaking at a media conference on Monday, Les Bleus boss Didier Deschamps endorsed the young forward's maturity and ability to cope with close attention from opposition players.

    "He has such abilities that he may face some tough challenges on the pitch. He's ready to deal with that kind of thing," Deschamps said."I cannot say that he had disproportionate reactions so far. He reacts because it's never pleasant.

    "He deals well with those situations though. He's used to it. It's something he has experienced since the beginning of his career and he will be subjected to this his entire career because of what he's able to do on the pitch."
     

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    Pogba can be world's best midfielder, says Ibrahimovic


    Zlatan Ibrahimovic believes Manchester United star Paul Pogba can become one of the best midfielders in the world.The 26-year-old, signed from Juventus for a then world record fee in 2016, already has a World Cup winners' medal and four Serie A titles to his name, but he has faced heavy criticism at United.

    The France star had a difficult relationship with Jose Mourinho as the Red Devils endured an underwhelming start to the season, but he has been rejuvenated since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer took over in December as caretaker coach until the end of the season.

    Zlatan Ibrahimovic believes Manchester United star Paul Pogba can become one of the best midfielders in the world.The 26-year-old, signed from Juventus for a then world record fee in 2016, already has a World Cup winners' medal and four Serie A titles to his name, but he has faced heavy criticism at United.

    The France star had a difficult relationship with Jose Mourinho as the Red Devils endured an underwhelming start to the season, but he has been rejuvenated since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer took over in December as caretaker coach until the end of the season.

    "Rashford is the future of Manchester United," Ibrahimovic added. "In the beginning, I saw him more as an individual - now he is playing more for the collective. He is using his quality more for the team, not for himself only."He has big potential and a big future with United and the special thing is that he comes from the academy. I think he has no limits."

    United, currently fifth in the Premier League, are in action again on March 30 when they take on Watford.
     

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    :yes::yes:'They are the future of football' - Pogba relishing partnerships with Mbappe and Rashford


    Paul Pogba is revelling in the opportunity to play alongside the likes of Kylian Mbappe and Marcus Rashford, whom he believes are the "future of football".

    Both Pogba and Mbappe were instrumental in France's triumphant World Cup campaign in Russia last year, and the pair are set to feature as Les Bleus kick off their Euro 2020 qualifying campaign against Moldova on Friday.

    Rashford and Pogba were two players who appeared to struggle the most under Jose Mourinho's Manchester United management at the start of this season, but with interim boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at the helm the duo have thrived, revitalising what had been a stuttering campaign.And Pogba believes there are obvious similarities between his club and country team-mates.

    "It helps me because they're both fast," he told Eurosport. "They call for the ball a lot, which helps me when I have the ball."They call for it, I try to make the best pass and they finish - so it benefits me."I like playing with young, talented players like them. They are the future of football and my partnership with them is good."

    Pogba believes becoming a world champion has allowed him to portray a more positive image of himself within the media, having attracted criticism for a perceived failure to live up to his undoubted potential.

    "After the World Cup, there was another picture of me. I tried to show another side to myself...a more responsible person, who is professional," he added."I wasn't against the media. I just thought it was useless to speak out against them.

    "I spoke with the coach [Didier Deschamps] before the World Cup. He told me I have to be more open. I'm a frank person and sometimes it isn't too good to talk, but now I am a little more open.

    "Now there is a new image that stands out, where I can express myself more."France will come up against Iceland two days after facing Moldova, before Pogba, Mbappe and company return to club duty as the 2018-19 campaign nears its conclusion.
     

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    Rojo trains with Estudiantes amid uncertain Man Utd future


    Manchester United defender Marcos Rojo has been training with Estudiantes as questions are asked of his future at Old Trafford.

    The Argentine club have revealed that the 29-year-old is working with them during the international break.Rojo has the blessing of the Red Devils to spend time with his former club while back in his homeland.

    Estudiantes posted on Twitter: “Nothing beats spending your birthday at home!
    “Marcos Rojo was present at City Bell to be able to train and stay in shape with a special permission of Man Utd.”The versatile left-back is merely working on his fitness in South America after seeing domestic football shut down.He will, however, have welcomed the opportunity to spend time with some familiar faces.

    Rojo has struggled for game time with United this season, with his last outing coming in a 2-1 Champions League defeat away at Valencia on December 12.
    That was one of just three appearances made for the Red Devils this season.All of those minutes came towards the end of Jose Mourinho’s reign at Old Trafford.

    Rojo has not figured at all under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, with Chris Smalling and Victor Lindelof being favoured at centre-half and Luke Shaw on the left of a defensive unit.With competitive action in short supply, transfer talk has built around an experienced performer.Rojo still has two years left to run on his current contract, but may be moved on over the summer.

    He has been with United since signing for £16 million from Sporting in 2014.In total, he has taken in 110 appearances for the club and helped them to FA Cup, League Cup and Europa League glory during his time in Manchester.

    It could, however, be that his spell in England is coming to a close, with training sessions back at the club that launched his career helping to keep him sharp and in the shop window.