..::Football IV::..

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PSG still no match for Champions League favourites Real Madrid - Ballack


Real Madrid remain the favourites to win the Champions League despite Paris Saint-Germain's heavy investment, according to Michael Ballack.Zinedine Zidane's side became the first team to successfully win the competition in its modern guise in two successive seasons, while PSG's hopes were ended by a crushing 6-5 aggregate defeat to Barcelona.

In their ongoing quest for continental domination, the Ligue 1 club signed Neymar for a world-record €222 million and brought Kylian Mbappe in on an initial loan deal from Monaco, moves that prompted UEFA to launch an investigation into a potential breach of the Financial Fair Play regulations.

But Ballack, a two-time runner-up in the Champions League with Bayer Leverkusen and Chelsea, believes Madrid remain the best team on the continent."For me, Real Madrid are at the top of all things at the moment. The experience, the class, the recent success. It speaks for itself," said the German.

"Even PSG with all their signings are not on their level now. They have a top team and are able to win the Champions League, but other teams can succeed as well.
"On paper, Real Madrid are the main favourites in my opinion."

Ballack envisages his former club Bayern Munich being among the contenders, praising Carlo Ancelotti's optimism as he looks to improve in his second year at the Allianz Arena.

"I can understand his optimism, because he is a coach of a top team which always has the chance to win the Champions League. If that always happens is another question, but he illustrates it," said Ballack.

"I think that's the right way as a coach. He has won a lot with different teams and knows exactly how to win the Champions League with all his experience. It's the right way to attack that goal offensively and positively, especially for his players.

"It's still a team with stars, although it seems the team is getting younger. Ancelotti showed in the past, that he can work with different teams and different players.
"He should attack, because he has the possibility to attack with Bayern. He can reach something big, to win Champions League with three different teams."

 

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'I didn't say no to Pep' - Mbappe turned down Man City, not the manager


Kylian Mbappe turned down the opportunity to play under Pep Guardiola at Manchester City before he left Monaco for Ligue 1 rivals Paris Saint-Germain.

One of the hottest properties in European football, Mbappe was targeted by the likes of Real Madrid, Arsenal and City before joining PSG on an initial loan move that is expected to be made permanent at the end of the season for €180 million.

The 18-year-old met with Guardiola at a time when he was still intent on staying at Monaco and was impressed by the Spaniard's passion for the game, but he opted against joining forces with the Premier League club rather than the manager."When the season finished in May, my idea was to stay. There was not another possibility in my head," Mbappe told L'Equipe .

"When I met with some coaches, I told them, and they can confirm, that my priority is Monaco. And if Monaco does what I expect, I wouldn't want to leave. After that, something happened and I changed my position.

"I didn't say no to him [Guardiola] but I said no to Manchester City. When I saw him, we talked about tactics, how he could use me. That's really a coach that feels football."He has won everywhere and transmits a passion to you. I love coaches that just talk about football. He's like the [PSG] coach [Unai] Emery."

Asked why he changed his mind regarding staying at Stade Louis II, Mbappe added: "I will take my time to explain that. Everybody asks and want to know why I changed my opinion, that's logical. It's important to explain these things. I will do it soon."

The France international was expected to head to Madrid for much of the window, but plumped for Paris as he believed there would be greater opportunities for valuable minutes on the pitch."Here, I can continue to progress and play. What I want is to play, so you go to a club where you can do that," Mbappe said.



"It's not a question of being guaranteed to play. That's bulls***. Nobody will write in your contract that you have the assurance to play. I just feel at Paris, I will have more chances compared to Madrid."I'm French and I choose a French team. People must be happy to keep a French player in the league."

 

[Simeone]

 

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Metz 1 Paris Saint-Germain 5: Mbappe delivers on debut after Assou-Ekotto red

Kylian Mbappe scored on his Paris Saint-Germain debut as Metz were left to rue Benoit Assou-Ekotto's controversial second-half dismissal in a 5-1 victory for the Ligue 1 title favourites.

Monaco loanee Mbappe was handed a start in a fearsome-looking PSG line-up which also featured world-record signing Neymar, Julian Draxler and Edinson Cavani.It was Cavani who opened the scoring in the 31st minute, calmly rounding goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima to slot home from Neymar's throughball.

But the visitors were stunned by Emmanuel Riviere's leveller before the interval following excellent work from Mathieu Dossevi, as the bottom club threatened to spring a surprise on the league leaders.

Riviere should have put Metz ahead early in the second half after Alphonse Areola failed to deal with a back-pass, but PSG escaped and Assou-Ekotto's 56th-minute red card for a strong but seemingly fair challenge on Mbappe turned the tide in their favour.

Mbappe was the man to make them pay, the 18-year-old marking his maiden PSG outing with a well-taken finish three minutes later, while a goal-line clearance denied him a second.

Neymar added the third with a fine 20-yard finish and Cavani netted again – substitute Lucas Moura bundling in the fifth – as PSG christened the 'MCN' trio that may well rival Barcelona's legendary and now defunct 'MSN' triumvirate.


PSG predictably started on the front foot and Yuri Berchiche's cross into the box enabled Draxler to force a save from Kawashima, before Cavani was flagged for offside as his follow-up effort was also repelled.

The home side had a let-off when the Thomas Meunier's pass somehow found its way to Cavani, who again looked to be beyond the last defender, but this time Kawashima's right-hand post denied him.

It was not all one-way traffic and Renaud Cohade's teasing delivery had to be cleared by Marquinhos, with Riviere poised to pounce.The former Newcastle United striker then turned smartly in the area and fired just wide as Metz began to grow into the game.

But the hosts' burgeoning confidence suffered a significant setback when Neymar flexed his creative muscles to slide Cavani through on goal, the Uruguay international providing a cool finish when Mbappe was also on hand if needed.Mbappe and Cavani linked up when the Frenchman's cross with the outside of his boot was headed goalwards by the latter, only for Kawashima to produce an acrobatic save.

PSG were made to pay for that profligacy at the other end, Dossevi beating a couple of players before seeing his chipped delivery headed in from close range by Riviere.

Kawashima was kept busy as Unai Emery's men sought to restore their advantage before the interval, with Neymar's low strike tipped wide by the Japanese.Opposite number Areola got away with inexplicably heading Marquinhos' back-pass across his own goal when Riviere failed to find the unguarded net from 10 yards out.

And then came the pivotal moment, with Assou-Ekotto sent off despite clearly winning the ball in a crunching tackle on Mbappe, who wasted little time in rubbing salt in the wounds.

Ivan Balliu's attempt to clear Mbappe's ball into the box fell to the teenager, who lashed home to put his new side ahead just before the hour.He almost doubled his tally a minute later, but Moussa Niakhate made an excellent block on the line, before Cavani struck the underside of the crossbar with a powerful strike.

Not to be outdone, Neymar got in on the act 21 minutes from time, steering a measured finish past Kawashima, and Cavani's tap-in for his seventh league goal of the season put the result beyond doubt soon after.

Lucas added further gloss with an untidy finish, his initial attempt coming back off the post before he managed to stab it in to remind Emery that he too can be an asset in PSG's star-studded squad.

Emery's side now head to Celtic in the Champions League on Tuesday on the back of five straight top-flight wins, while Metz have lost all of their games.

 

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Klopp: No problem with Coutinho as he wanted Barca not Everton


Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp believes it would have been difficult for Philippe Coutinho to return to Anfield had he wanted to join a club other than Barcelona… like Everton.

Coutinho was desperate to leave Liverpool for La Liga giants Barca, handing in a transfer request but a move did not eventuate as the Reds reportedly rejected three bids before the transfer window closed.

The 25-year-old – yet to make an appearance for Klopp's men this season – is back at Liverpool following two appearances for Brazil during the international break, though he has been left out of the squad for Saturday's trip to Manchester City.

And Klopp is confident there will be no problem reintegrating Coutinho as he did not seek a move to Liverpool's Merseyside rivals.
"Do I think that somebody could have [a complaint]? Most of them are friends for many years," he said. "100 per cent if a club like Barcelona is around then nobody says: 'Are you crazy, what do you want to go there for?'"Everyone has this little bit of understanding and thinks 'OK it's Barcelona' and it is not that he wants to go to Everton. Then it would have been different I would say. Another wonderful club but a different situation.

"[The rest of the squad] know him. He wasn't in for three, now four weeks with the international break, that is nothing. They are really good friends. They understand it a bit. They probably wished it could have been different, but now it is not anything."

 

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Wenger adamant Arsenal can still win the Premier League title


Arsene Wenger insists Arsenal have what it takes to win the Premier League this season despite their lacklustre start to the campaign and another disappointing transfer window.

The Gunners' only points this season came courtesy of a last-gasp home win over Leicester City, but Wenger believes his side – thrashed 4-0 at Liverpool before the international break – are title contenders.

Wenger endured mixed fortunes in his player dealings before the deadline, missing out on Monaco's Thomas Lemar, losing Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to Liverpool, but keeping prized asset Alexis Sanchez amid interest from Manchester City.

With negativity prevalent among the Emirates Stadium faithful, Wenger struck an upbeat tone ahead of Saturday's visit of Bournemouth."Am I convinced we will be title challengers? Yes," said the Frenchman. "Why not? We have only played three games – and two away games.

"Okay, we lost at Liverpool, but we can redress the situation very well and very quickly. Some teams who are the new favourites are not in a better position than us.

"I think we are strong enough, yes. Stronger than last season? I think it depends on what period of the season. We had contrasting periods of the season last year. "We have to show that you can improve by being together and improving together. Last year we made 75 points and we won the FA Cup. This year we know we have to do better."

Arsenal have not won the top-flight crown since 2004 and finished fifth last season, 18 points adrift of champions and London rivals Chelsea.

 

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'It was a beautiful goal for my first' - Mbappe revels in debut PSG strike


Kylian Mbappe was delighted to kick off his Paris Saint-Germain career with a goal in Friday's 5-1 thrashing of Metz in Ligue 1.

The Monaco loanee, whose move is set to be made permanent for next season, netted on debut to put PSG 2-1 ahead after Benoit Assou-Ekotto had been sent off for a strong challenge on the teenager.

Edinson Cavani scored twice, while Neymar and Lucas Moura were also on target for Unai Emery's men, affording Mbappe – who fired home after his attempted pass to Neymar fell back to his feet from Ivan Balliu's failed clearance – an enjoyable maiden outing for the title favourites.


"It was a beautiful goal for my first," the 18-year-old told Canal + . "I wanted to make a pass to Ney, [but] the defender intercepted and I was quicker to react than my opponent and shot with power. "I always said I wanted to play with great players. I'm evolving with the best in the championship and perhaps in Europe. I learn from their movements and professionalism to do my best on the field.

"All I wanted was to be on the field, the coach made that decision. I enjoyed it. I am happy, I am happy with what I did."

Metz had been causing their star-studded visitors problems before Assou-Ekotto's controversial second-half dismissal, with Emmanuel Riviere having cancelled out Cavani's opener.
Questioned on whether the former Tottenham defender deserved to see red after apparently winning the ball, Mbappe – who rolled around somewhat theatrically afterwards – added: "When you are in action it is hard to judge.
"I did not see him coming, he tackled me and it could have been more dangerous.
"Red? I do not know, but it was dangerous. I do not blame him, it was probably in the spirit of the game."

Next up for PSG is a trip to Celtic as they begin their Champions League campaign, which is where the pressure is really on Emery to deliver.

 

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Liverpool's Mane named Premier League Player of the Month

Liverpool attacker Sadio Mane has been named as the Premier League Player of the Month for August after scoring three goals in three games.The Senegal international has found the net in all of Liverpool's league games so far this season, having opened his account for 2017-18 in the 3-3 draw with Watford.

He then bagged the only goal of the game to help the Reds defeat Crystal Palace before putting in an excellent display in the 4-0 victory over Arsenal, getting his name on the scoresheet alongside fellow forwards Roberto Firmino, Mohamed Salah and Daniel Sturridge.

Mane had an excellent debut season last year following his £34 million move to Anfield from Southampton, finishing the season with 13 goals in 27 league games for Jurgen Klopp's side. The 25-year-old missed some of the Reds' campaign due to his involvement in the Africa Cup of Nations as well as an injury in the second-half of the season. Despite this, he was named as Liverpool's Player of the Year as they qualified for the Champions League.

His string of impressive performances for Liverpool have earned rave reviews from fans, pundits and former players. Ex-Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher believes that Mane is now more important to the club than Philippe Coutinho, backed up by the fact that he has a goal every 156 minutes since moving to Anfield.

"I'd make an argument for that, especially with the way Jurgen Klopp likes to play. I think he's massively important," Carragher told Sky Sports following Mane's goal against Crystal Palace.

"You see the goals that he's got and his goals record for a wide player is phenomenal since he's come to the club. All the other players on the list (players with the best minutes per goal ratio) are top strikers in the Premier League. For Mane to be there, it shows his impact.

"If you compare him to Coutinho, who is a fantastic player which is why Barcelona want him, but if he carries on the way he is going, the top clubs around Europe will be looking at him because he has been a revelation since he came in."

 

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'English clubs will be at risk' - Mourinho wary of closing transfer window early


Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has warned that closing the transfer window early could create an element of risk for a number of Premier League sides.This week, top-flight clubs voted in favour of the decision to close the pre-season window at 17:00 local time on the Thursday before the 2018-19 campaign starts.

Mourinho supports teams being forced to conclude business in the market before matches get under way but United were surprisingly one of five clubs to vote against the changes.

The 54-year-old understands the decision of the Old Trafford board, though, admitting that certain sides are at risk of being unable to replace players who move to foreign clubs after the English deadline has passed.

"My thoughts are from a coach point of view," he said on Friday. "Obviously I am in favour of that [early closure] because if I focus just on the training process, of course I want to have my squad and work with them and travel with them on pre-season, I don't want to be waiting on late decisions.

"That's the perspective of the coach. There is another perspective, where I can also include myself. I have to share the problems that the board has. It's obvious that, when the decision is not uniform around Europe, obviously we are opening an element of disadvantage for English clubs, and that's the reason why Manchester United voted against."They can come to the English clubs and buy players and leave them without the possibility of a quick response. It's an element of weakness.

"I expect my club to be strong and powerful enough so that, when we close our doors, we close the market for buying and selling. I expect my club to act in that way. But there are other English clubs who will be at risk."I hope it goes to the perfect situation, which is to close for every championship."Manchester City were one of the other sides to vote against the proposal, along with Swansea City, Watford and Crystal Palace, while Burnley abstained.

Boss Pep Guardiola, like Mourinho, has been in favour of the idea but he insists City as a whole are happy with the outcome of the vote.

"In my time here, I know how the country thinks about tradition," he said. "From one side, to move something part of history is difficult but on the other side you are the first one to make an initiative to change something. It's complicated."I am so happy with the decision they have taken, and Manchester City agree about that."

 

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Klopp confident of success if Liverpool 'are smart enough to use quality'


Jurgen Klopp believes the type of competition for places he has at Anfield is essential in the Premier League and can contribute to a successful season for Liverpool.

The Reds have been in fine form at the start of the season, picking up seven points from three games, and they have been further boosted by the signing of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Philippe Coutinho's return to the fold, while Naby Keita will join next year.

Klopp accepts that these increased options could create problems, but he is hoping to use the depth of the Reds' squad to his advantage.
"You have to accept at the beginning of the season that I cannot keep all the players happy each second of the day," he told a pre-match news conference ahead of facing Manchester City.

"In the dressing room, we had a little meeting and spoke about this. If you look left, if you look right, there's pure quality."If we are smart enough to use this quality, it is possible we can be successful this season.

"This makes it easy for me. It's always a decision for one game. We made a few changes against Crystal Palace - it was a different performance, but it was really good and good enough to win the game."Football will hopefully change in the next few years so that, after a few games, we give them a little rest and say we don't need football this weekend.

"At the moment, we need to be ready all the time and that means we need more players. That means we have to rotate to keep the intensity levels up and minimise the risks of injuries."Nobody should play 60 games in a season. If you use a player all the time, you are accepting injuries. We have to adapt."

There has been intrigue about where Oxlade-Chamberlain might fit in - having reportedly grown frustrated at being used as a wing-back at former club Arsenal - but Klopp sees numerous potential roles for the England international.

"He is a very good football player," Klopp said. "He is good in small spaces, really good in big spaces, a good dribbler, a good passer - there's a lot of things I really like. "That means you want to have him on the pitch as often as possible. He fits really well in the squad and really well in different line-ups.

"In the system we play at the moment - it's not fixed for the next seven or eight months - he can play in four positions: as both number eights and both wingers.
"We play in a specific way and we want to use him in these positions."On confirming the signing of Keita, the manager added: "I have never received so many messages of congratulations."

 

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Hazard's first Chelsea outing of the season confirmed by Conte


Fit-again Eden Hazard is set to feature in Chelsea's Premier League visit to Leicester City this weekend, Antonio Conte has confirmed.

The forward fractured his right ankle while on Belgium duty in June, but was used by his country in World Cup qualifiers against Gibraltar and Greece during the recent international break.Conte was initially baffled by his call up before admitting his minutes for Belgium may be of benefit to the Premier League champions.

And the Italian is now pondering how best to use Hazard for the first time this season at the King Power Stadium on Saturday.

"I spoke with Roberto [Martinez, Belgium manager] and we tried the right way to improve his fitness. I was very happy for him to play against Gibraltar and 30 minutes against Greece. I totally agreed with him," Conte told a pre-match news conference."Now he is available, he is in the list for the squad. He is improving a lot, he is working very strong to be ready."Now I can count on him. I have to decide the right minutes, but he is available now.

"When there is a bad injury and surgery, it is normal to pay attention to his recovery. Don't forget he is an important player for us, to play soon."Chelsea landed midfielder Danny Drinkwater in a deadline day deal from Leicester but, although he is in the squad, Conte is unsure whether he will play against his former employers.

"Danny, we are working with him and trying to make him in the best physical condition. It is normal when the transfer window closes, when you go into another team it's not simple," he added.

"He is a good buy for us, he has improved his condition and in the squad for the Leicester game but I don't know when he is ready to play."Conte added that Davide Zappacosta, another deadline-day signing from Torino, can quickly get up to speed with his methods.

"He played against Israel [for Italy], which shows he is in good condition. I worked with him and he knows my style of football. For him it is more simple for him to adapt our style," he said.

 

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Muller offered no guarantees from Bayern boss Ancelotti


Thomas Muller must accept rotation at Bayern Munich under head coach Carlo Ancelotti.Muller was dropped from the starting XI for the 2-0 win at Werder Bremen before the international break, appearing as a second-half substitute.

The Germany forward remarked after the match that "my qualities seem not to be 100 per cent in demand", while luminaries such as Lothar Matthaus and Ottmar Hitzfeld sympathised with his plight.

Speaking ahead of Saturday's trip to Hoffenheim, Ancelotti acknowledged the talking point but insisted he would not change his selection policy purely to placate Muller."Thomas Muller is fit, he is in good condition and can play," Ancelotti told reporters.

"I thank everyone for their opinions but I do not need any clues. Do not worry.
"Thomas Muller is an important player but we have many important players. I know his story at the club."There will be rotation, so he will play and sit on the bench. Sometimes players must also be in the stands. I'd like to let all the players play."

Ancelotti added: "Every player has to give the best, we know Muller's qualities. He played 73 per cent of the games [last season]."I cannot guarantee a player's place to play. This also applies to Muller. No one is set in the starting line-up."One player who could not find a place in the Bayern lineup consistently was Renato Sanches, who moved on loan to Premier League club Swansea before the transfer window closed.

The 20-year-old Portugal midfielder struggled for first-team opportunities at the Allianz Arena last term but Ancelotti maintains he will be watching the former Benfica man's performances with interest.

"I think it was a good choice for Renato. We suggest for him to go there because he has the possibility to play," he said. "What was missing for him last year was the chance to play games. Now he has the possibility."The Premier League is a really competitive competition. The fact that Clement knows him well can help him to show his best.

"He was not able to show his best quality here, because he didn't have a lot of time to play."As he is still our player, and we are really interested in his season, I hope and I am sure he can show his quality."

Ancelotti also declared David Alaba, Jerome Boateng out for this weekend’s clash against Hoffenheim. The statuses of Arturo Vidal and James Rodriguez, who returned from South America’s World Cup qualifying duty are also in question, though Ancelotti announced Javi Martinez is “fit to feature in defence.”

 

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Atletico remain hopeful of January deal for Diego Costa


Atletico Madrid are still hoping to reach an agreement that will see Diego Costa return to the club from Chelsea, says president Enrique Cerezo.

The La Liga side were unable to put a deal in place over the summer as they worked under the restrictions of a transfer ban, but that will be lifted at the end of the calendar year and they will be able to register new players again from January.

Goal revealed on Thursday that Costa is likely to remain at Stamford Bridge until the New Year, despite refusing to return to training, and Atletico are already considering a fresh approach, with Fenerbahce having failed in their efforts to take the striker on loan.Cerezo told Marca: “This summer we could not sign players but yes, in January, Costa could arrive, or many others.”

While eager to get Costa back on board, the Atletico supremo has moved to rubbish any suggestion that Diego Simeone’s decision to commit to fresh terms is linked to a deal for the Spain international.Cerezo insists the Argentine has committed to the collective project in the Spanish capital and was not holding out for transfer assurances.

He added: “We have not shown him [Simeone] Costa's contract.“What happened is that all contracts have an end date, and when that happens there are talks about extending them.”

Costa previously spent four years with Atletico between 2010 and 2014.He helped them to the La Liga title and Champions League final in his last season with the club before making a £32 million move to Chelsea.

The 28-year-old has collected two Premier League crowns while at Stamford Bridge, scoring over 50 times in the English top-flight, but was told at the end of the 2016-17 campaign that he no longer figured in Antonio Conte’s plans.

 

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Barclays Premier League Fixtures 2017.09.09

Barclays Premier League Fixtures 2017.09.09

Manchester City Vs Liverpool

Arsenal Vs Bournemouth

Brighton Vs WBA

Everton Vs Tottenham

Leicester City Vs Chelsea

Southampton Vs Watford

Stoke City Vs Manchester United

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Good Luck Manchester United!​

 

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LA Liga Fixtures 2017.09.09

LA Liga Fixtures 2017.09.09

Real Madrid Vs Levante

Valencia Vs Atletico Madrid

Sevilla Vs Eibar

Barcelona Vs Espanyol​

 

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Serie A Fixture 2017.09.09

Serie A Fixture 2017.09.09

Juventus Vs Chievo​

 

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Bundesliga Fixtures 2017.09.09

Bundesliga Fixtures 2017.09.09

Augsburg Vs Cologne

Monchengladbach Vs Frankfurt

Mainz Vs Leverkusen

Freiburg Vs Dortmund

Wolfsburg Vs Hannover

Hoffenheim Vs Bayern​

 

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Half Time

Stoke City 1 Vs 1 Manchester United

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Full Time

Stoke City 2 Vs 2 Manchester United

Stoke City Goal(s)

Choupo-Moting 43',63'

&

Manchester United Goal(s)

Rashford 45+1'
Lukaku 57'


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