..::Football IV::..

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Atletico Madrid 1 Barcelona 1: Dembele earns point in top-of-the-table clash

Ousmane Dembele came off the bench to snatch Barcelona a 1-1 draw away to Atletico Madrid in Saturday's top-of-the-table clash in LaLiga.

Diego Costa's first top-flight goal this season looked set to give Diego Simeone his maiden league victory against Barcelona in seven years as Atletico's head coach, which would have taken them to the summit.But it was not to be as Dembele found space in the box in the last minute to beat Jan Oblak with a low shot that evaded a desperate effort by Lucas Hernandez to clear the ball off the line.

A draw maintains the status quo at the top of LaLiga with Barca a point clear of Atletico having successfully avoided suffering back-to-back league losses for the first time under Ernesto Valverde.
Thomas Lemar fired an early effort off target but Barca had to wait until the 40th minute for their first shot, Lionel Messi blazing a free-kick over the crossbar after Lucas fouled him.Barca lost Sergi Roberto to injury at half-time and both sides continued to struggle to create chances after the interval.

Atletico appealed for a penalty when the ball appeared to strike Arturo Vidal on the arm, but VAR ruled no offence had been committed.

But they did edge ahead with 13 minutes to go, Costa producing a towering header from Antoine Griezmann's right-wing corner – Atletico's first of the game – to open his account in style, sparking wild celebrations at the Wanda Metropolitano.Messi's free-kick earned Barca a 1-0 win over Atletico in March that effectively ended the title race last term, but he could not repeat the trick as he hit a set-piece straight at Jan Oblak.

However, the Barca captain set up his side's dramatic late equaliser, carving open the Atletico defence for the first time by feeding late substitute Dembele on the right of the penalty area.

The France forward cut inside onto his left foot and beat Oblak and Hernandez to keep Barca top of LaLiga.

 

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Barcelona must help Dembele unlock talent says Valverde after Atletico draw


Barcelona head coach Ernesto Valverde believes the club must pull together to ensure Ousmane Dembele reaches his potential.Dembele came off the bench with 10 minutes to go away to Atletico Madrid on Saturday, Diego Costa having given the hosts the lead with a towering back-post header.

And when Lionel Messi fed the France forward on the right of the box in the last minute, Dembele beat goalkeeper Jan Oblak with a low shot that squeezed past international team-mate Lucas Hernandez on the line.

Dembele has had a difficult adaptation at Barcelona after joining from Borussia Dortmund, a serious long-term injury affecting his development last season.

Regular stories speculating Dembele could leave Barcelona have appeared in the media, as well as reports about his private life.Dembele's time-keeping has also been an issue but Valverde feels it must be a collective effort for the 21-year-old, who has scored five league goals this season, to hit his peak.

"He has decisive appearances in the game and with important goals," Valverde told a news conference. "He has had continuity, in a team it takes everything
"Dembele has things that nobody else in the squad has - self-confidence, one against one, shooting with both feet, personality..."You have to help him get the talent out."

Atletico have never beaten Barca in the league during Diego Simeone's seven years in charge but they are only a point behind Valverde's leaders, who lost their last match 4-3 at home to Real Betis.Valverde, though, demurred when asked if he feels Atletico are going to offer the strongest challenge to his side in the title race, with Real Madrid five points back after their 3-0 loss at Eibar.

"I do not know if they are the main one, but they are a rival," he added. "If we see the game, we played a big percentage in the opposite half because we wanted to win."We lacked some spark, but we have to see how Atleti defends, in their stadium, it is difficult to find lines and unbalance them.

"In general there are things to improve, we lacked some spark in the last few metres, but we controlled the opponent well, not like in the previous game."

 

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Inter 3 Frosinone 0: Keita at the double in fine Nerazzurri win


Keita Balde Diao scored his first Inter goals as an experimental side made light work of Frosinone in a 3-0 Serie A victory ahead of a key stretch in the Nerazzurri's season.

Inter deputies Keita and Lautaro Martinez stepped up on Saturday, with Ivan Perisic and Mauro Icardi among the men rested before the midweek trip to Tottenham, as Inter bounced back from a humbling defeat at Atalanta last time out.Martinez teed up Keita for the first goal and there could and should have been further daylight between the sides long before the roles were reversed and Martinez got on the scoresheet.

The result never looked in doubt, though, and Keita got his second late on as the San Siro crowd enjoyed the closing stages ahead of that clash with Spurs and a season-defining fortnight.
Inter quickly set about peppering the Frosinone goal and, moments after Martinez headed over the top from close range, Keita drilled the opener past Marco Sportiello.

The overworked goalkeeper clawed away a swerving Martinez drive as Luciano Spalletti's men went chasing a second, with Sportiello extended again before the break to keep out Milan Skriniar.

Samir Handanovic scrambled the ball clear as Daniel Ciofani's header threatened an unlikely equaliser early in the second half, but Inter responded in style and Keita crossed for Martinez to nod home.

Sportiello then reprised his earlier heroics to repel low drives from Matteo Politano, twice, and Martinez, before the former slid Keita in to coolly convert for his second and cap a fine evening.

 

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'Not enough heart, desire, and intensity' - Mourinho criticises Man Utd players after more dropped points


Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho suggested that his players lacked the heart to take three points from the weekend's Premier League fixture after being held 0-0 by Crystal Palace.

The Reds' uneven league form continued unabated on Saturday as they failed to break down the determined Eagles at Old Trafford.United dominated possession but could not find a way past Wayne Hennessey, with the home crowd reacting with sporadic jeers at the final whistle.

Wins for Liverpool and Manchester City put Mourinho's men even further from the Premier League summit, trailing the leaders and their city rivals by a mammoth 14 points after 13 games.

And Mourinho questioned his men's will to win as he tried to explain this latest slip. "A bad result, no chance to see it as one point we win because there are two points we lost. Crystal Palace deserve the credit. They came for this and they got it and fought for it and gave everything for it," the manager told reporters.

"I don’t want to take their credit away We should also blame ourselves as we started really well and did the most difficult thing apart from score which is to find the spaces to play, by analysing the opponents and training and bringing the ideas to the game."We used the sides very well and made them move to one sides and then go to the other but there was not enough intensity, not enough desire.

"It is a game we really need to win. If we play with the same philosophy against Young Boys then we won’t win and have to go to Valencia and win there. There are games that are special and not just one more: this was a special game, the first of eight Premier League games until the end of December and a game we need to win and it was not enough from the heart."You must play with brain and also with heart and I think there was not enough heart."When asked what could be done to alter that passivity, Mourinho was less certain.

"You cannot change players’ natures dramatically, The solution is that probably I have to make certain choices based on heart and then probably I will blame myself because I will think heart is not enough and am missing some quality," he added.

"Palace deserve some credit but we have to blame ourselves. Hennessey apart from the brilliant saves, he wasted 10 minutes every time he had the ball for goal kicks, but we also lost probably 30 minutes by letting them breathe when they have the ball.

"We didn’t have that intensity that in my opinion is basically related with your brain, with your heart. I know national teams are very dangerous and how players get injured in the national teams or come back which is what happened with Victor [Lindelof], I tried to play with the majority of the team not involved in international games to have that freshness but I had that freshness below the limit of intensity."
Mourinho's United are back in action on Tuesday, when they will host Young Boys in the Champions League's Group H.

 

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Barclays Premier League Fixtures 2018.11.25

Barclays Premier League Fixtures 2018.11.25

Bournemouth Vs Arsenal

Wolves Vs Huddersfield

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LA Liga Fixtures 2018.11.25

LA Liga Fixtures 2018.11.25

Athletic Bilbao Vs Getafe

Sevilla Vs Real Valladoid

Espnayol Vs Girona

Villarreal Vs Real Betis
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Serie A Fixtures 2018.11.25

Serie A Fixtures 2018.11.25

Parma Vs Sassuolo

Bologna Vs Fiorentina

Empoli Vs Atalanta

Napoli Vs Chievo

Lazio Vs AC Milan

Genoa Vs Sampdoria
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Bundesliga Fixtures 2018.11.25

Bundesliga Fixtures 2018.11.25

Freiburg Vs Werder Bremen

Monchengladbach Vs Hannover
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Bournemouth 1 Arsenal 2: Aubameyang seals win as unbeaten run reaches 17 matches

Arsenal extended their unbeaten run to 17 matches across all competitions as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang secured a 2-1 victory at gutsy Bournemouth in the Premier League on Sunday.

Unai Emery was dealt the blow of losing Alexandre Lacazette to a groin injury before the game and for a while Arsenal appeared to miss him, looking wasteful in attack, but they dug deep to claim a deserved triumph.

A spectacular Jefferson Lerma own goal spoiled a decent start from the hosts, but Bournemouth brilliantly restored parity just before the break through Josh King's stunning strike.


But Eddie Howe's side were unable to maintain their first-half performance and Arsenal upped the ante, ultimately sealing victory with Aubameyang's eighth Premier League goal of the season.Bournemouth thought they had an early opener when David Brooks tucked in from 12 yards in the eighth minute, but he appeared to stray just offside.

Arsenal nearly capitalised less than 60 seconds later, as Lucas Torreira's 25-yard strike came back off the left-hand post.The breakthrough did arrive in the 30th minute – Lerma meeting Sead Kolasinac's low cross with an unstoppable volley which he calamitously fired into his own net.But King levelled stylishly on the stroke of half-time, picking out the top-left corner after being released into the right side of the area by Brooks at the end of a devastating break.

Arsenal stepped things up after the interval and became increasingly dominant, but Aubameyang blasted a presentable chance over when fed towards the penalty area by the otherwise ineffective Henrikh Mkhitaryan.Aubameyang did not waste his next chance 23 minutes from time, however, tapping in from close range after Kolasinac played the ball across the face of goal on another marauding run.

Lerma almost rescued Bournemouth to make amends for his own goal, but his 30-yard drive late on was denied by the post as Arsenal held firm.

 

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Lazio 1 AC Milan 1: Correa equaliser keeps Inzaghi's men fourth

Joaquin Correa's stoppage-time equaliser rescued a 1-1 draw for Lazio against AC Milan but Simeone Inzaghi's men missed the chance to open up a four-point advantage over their visitors in the Serie A table.

Franck Kessie's deflected effort in the 78th minute looked to have settled a game that Lazio dominated for long spells in Milan's favour, but substitute Correa netted in style to allow the Stadio Olimpico faithful to breathe a sigh of relief.Gianluigi Donnarumma gave a reminder of why he remains one of world football's most highly touted goalkeepers, pulling off a number of excellent saves to deny an authoritative Lazio side victory.

Ciro Immobile's goalless streak now stands at four games but he can have no complaints about the service afforded him by a Lazio midfield brimming with craft and Inzaghi will be disappointed not to have taken maximum points after a strong performance.
Milan were on the back foot during the opening exchanges but burst into life when Suso got behind the Lazio defence and whipped in a cross that eventually found Hakan Calhanoglu, who curled a deflected shot against the post.Sergej Milinkovic-Savic put the ball in the net in the 28th minute after a sweeping Lazio attack but the effort was ruled out for offside.

Donnarumma pulled off a superb, diving save to keep out Luis Alberto's volley from the edge of the box early in the second half before Marco Parolo had a vociferous penalty claim dismissed by the referee when he fell under a challenge from Kessie.Lazio soon resumed their onslaught and forced Donnarumma into an even better stop when substitute Jordan Lukaku's header failed to beat his razor-sharp reflexes.

Milan appeared to have pulled off a smash-and-grab win after Davide Calabria burst into the Lazio half and cut the ball back to Kessie, whose shot hit Wallace's arm on its way past the stranded Thomas Strakosha.

But Correa made sure the points were shared when he controlled Cristian Zapata's defensive header immaculately and thumped the ball low into the left corner of the net.

 

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Maurizio Sarri: 'Now everybody knows Chelsea's problems'


Maurizio Sarri is calling for 'a reaction' as he hopes Chelsea's 3-1 defeat to Tottenham can serve as a wake up call to resolve variety of defensive issues, which he has been trying to iron out in training ever since he joined the club.

Mauricio Pochettino masterminded an end to his London rivals' 18-game unbeaten run at Wembley Stadium and saw his Spurs side leapfrog Chelsea, who dropped to fourth and now sit seven points off the leaders Manchester City.

By his own admission, Sarri was cautious to accept too much praise for Chelsea's start, knowing that his side hadn't fully grasped his tactical ideas and having seen his team get some results on their ability to finish chances alone.

He is now pushing his players to be even more open to his football philosophy and to use the pain of the London derby defeat to really make his system work."The character of the team is very strange," Sarri told journalists at Wembley Stadium. "93 points, the season after just 60 points, then 87 and then 70. Of course, I hope for a reaction. A reaction first of all in training and then in the next match but I knew very well that we have problems and that we have to work.

"Now everybody knows it. We have to work in all directions, I think. I hope [that this can be a wake up call]. I knew very well that we had problems. So I told them this two weeks ago and one week ago. Now I think that the problem is evident.

"I hope it is for them because we have to work and improve. Today we had a lot of problems from the physical point of view, mental point of view, technically, we lost a lot of balls in our half. Also tactically because we had a big problem in staying compact."

Meanwhile, the Spurs match was the first of 12 in 40 days for Chelsea, in what is a typically busy period in the English football calendar.The winter schedule sees Chelsea playing two more Europa League matches, on top of a Carabao Cup game, as well as an increased schedule in the Premier League. Sarri thinks that this schedule may limit his ability to iron out issues with individual players, as he is focused on opposition tactics before each match day.

"I don’t know, it is very difficult to have time to try to improve the team and solve problems because we have time normally only to prepare for the next match," Sarri continued. "We have to play every three days. But we have to do something, we have to try to do something.

"We have to try to improve as a team, first of all, then player-by-player."PAOK will come to Stamford Bridge on Thursday in the Europa League, before Chelsea's next league match against Claudio Ranieri's Fulham.

 

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Hazard rules out PSG move but says he could leave Chelsea in 2019


Eden Hazard has ruled out a move to Paris Saint-Germain, but has admitted he could leave Chelsea this summer.

The Chelsea star has been linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge since before the World Cup, with Real Madrid often reported as a possibility.Hazard himself has played up his interest in joining the La Liga champions in the past, though the Blues have managed to rebuff any attempts to pry him away thus far.

But in an interview on the show Canal Football Club on Canal+, Hazard also admitted to contacts with Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain, though he denied any interest in joining them, citing his old loyalties to his former club, Lille.

"There have been contacts in the past with PSG,'" Hazard told Canal+. "But I haven't been tempted. If I have to go back to France one day, it would be in Lille."But today, there is no chance that I'll come back in the French league."Despite not moving this summer, speculation linking Hazard to a move to Real Madrid have not gone away in the months since.

If anything, the struggles of Madrid in the wake of Cristiano Ronaldo's departure to Juventus have only increased chatter of their possible interest in the Belgium international, even as soon as January.

Hazard again moved to rebut any talk of him making a move this January, but also was careful not to rule out a change in the future, though he did note he could also remain in London."For now, like I said, I'm staying at Chelsea," Hazard said. "I have one year left on my contract after this year. Moving this winter is impossible. I can't leave in January because of the club and the supporters.

"It will be possible in the summer, but It's also possible that I stay my whole career at Chelsea."Hazard's brilliant start to the season after a World Cup that saw Belgium finish third has not only fueled talk of an exit, but also his place among the game's top players.

Asked about whether he could win the Ballon d'Or, Hazard downplayed his chances, noting he did not win a Premier League or Champions League crown with the Blues last year, and wasn't at his best in Russia.

"I think I just had an okay World Cup with Belgium and not a great season with Chelsea, even if we won the [FA Cup]," he added. "In order to win it, you have to be first in your league. Not to mention that we got eliminated from the Champions League in the last 16."Hazard also reflected on Belgium's deep run at the World Cup, admitting sadness over their defeat to France but joy over their accomplishments.

"After the game, we were all disappointed, but if you look at our performance during the tournament as a whole, there's only hapiness. It's almost as if we had won it, especially when you see the reception in Brussels".

 

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Barcelona are the Champions League favourites - Allegri


Massimiliano Allegri insists Juventus are taking the Champions League one step at a time and that Barcelona are his favourites to win the competition this season.

The Bianconeri have not lifted the trophy since the 1995-96 campaign, despite finishing as runners up under Allegri in 2014-15 and 2016-17, but the arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo has seen many tip them for Champions League glory this term.
Despite losing at home to Manchester United in Europe last time out, Allegri is aiming to sustain a challenge on multiple fronts – with Juve now eight points clear at the top of Serie A – but he is not getting carried away yet.

"There are still many games to go in Serie A and we have a lot of difficult games to play until the end of the year, against Roma, Inter, Atalanta, Fiorentina and Sampdoria," he said."But in the Champions League, we have to take it one step at a time. We want to qualify for the last 16 and in first place."Barcelona are the favourites to win the competition, in my opinion. Then there are teams, including us, with the ambition to win it. We have that same desire every year.

"Last year, I said that the favourites were Real Madrid. This year, I think it's Barcelona. I hope to be wrong this year."Both Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, regular contenders in this competition, have endured difficult starts to their domestic league campaigns, but Allegri is reluctant to write them off in Europe.

"The Champions League is different," he said. "In a period when Real Madrid were much worse - they were 15 points behind Barcelona – they still have the opportunity to go through to the next round. [Their form] counts for nothing."

Despite their stumble against Manchester United last Champions League matchday, Juventus can clinch a spot in the knockout stages with a result against Valencia. With that in mind, Allegri is demanding his side not repeat their mistakes from the defeat against the Red Devils, and wants improvement from the whole team.

“Tomorrow we must not fall asleep like we did in the last five minutes against Manchester United. I expect from Dybala to play a good game. Just as I expect a good game to be played by the whole team. We still have to improve.

 

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You need a thick skin to play under Mourinho, says Shaw


Luke Shaw admits a "thick skin" is required to play under Jose Mourinho but wants his Manchester United team-mates to fight for "the biggest club in the world".England international Shaw has been the focus of much discussion during Mourinho's time at the club, with the manager publicly criticising the left-back on numerous occasions.

But the former Southampton man signed a new contract at Old Trafford after a strong start to the season and has called on United's players to show determination when they face Young Boys in the Champions League.

A victory on Tuesday will take Mourinho's men through if Valencia fail to win at Juventus, with United's form picking up in Europe amid a difficult domestic campaign.

"You need a thick skin to play under this manager and for this club," Shaw told a news conference. "We need to fight for the manager, fans and club. I signed my contract because good things are going to happen at this club."It is the biggest club in the world and we, as players, need to take what is said and take it on board. We need to fight for the fans, for the club."

United were held to a goalless draw by Crystal Palace on Saturday, continuing a tough run that has left Mourinho's men seventh in the Premier League table, and Shaw is determined to turn their form around.
United were held to a goalless draw by Crystal Palace on Saturday, continuing a tough run that has left Mourinho's men seventh in the Premier League table, and Shaw is determined to turn their form around.


"It is really hard to put a finger on what is going on," he said. "It is frustrating to watch, but we all know, as a team, that we are better than that."We do train really hard in the week and we always push each other. Some games I can't put my finger on it, but it is easy for me to come here and talk well. We need to show it on the pitch.

"I think everyone in the changing room is a fighter. We all need to be pushing each other and we all want to win trophies. You can't say we aren't fighters. We all want to be the best team in the league."

 

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‘It's the duty of all of us to protect him’ - Madrid boss Solari defends Ramos over doping claims


Real Madrid head coach Santiago Solari has declared it “everyone’s duty to protect” Sergio Ramos, in light of allegations against the defender he believes are questionable.German publication Der Spiegel claimed in documents obtained by Football Leaks that Ramos had violated the sport’s anti-doping protocol on two occasions.

Ramos was alleged to have tested positive for a banned substance following the 2017 Champions League final, and then to have showered without permission prior to providing a urine sample to an anti-doping official in April 2018.

The defender and the club have denied any wrongdoing occurred, with Ramos releasing a statement offering explanations for the incidents.Solari continued that defence Ramos on Monday, praising the defender as “a symbol of football” and saying he must be protected.The manager also questioned the validity of the reports, and claimed the facts are something which is not open for debate.

“[Ramos] is an honest man and a symbol of football, Real Madrid and Spanish sport,” Solari told reporters ahead of his side’s Champions League clash against Roma.“It is the duty of all of us to protect him, from the media too.

“Journalists should seek the truth and they also have their opinions, but the truth is not open to opinion and even less so when a player's name is being tainted.

“When that happens we lose our way and society is left helpless. It affects us all.”
Madrid enter the match off a heavy 3-0 shock defeat to Eibar in La Liga, which was Solari’s first setback since taking over for Julen Lopetegui.Mired in sixth place in La Liga, they will look to lock up a spot in the Champions League knockout stages when they face Roma on Tuesday.

 

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Mourinho on third hotel change: If it's not better I walk!


Man Utd Jose Mourinho has joked that despite moving to a hotel 'metres away' from Old Trafford that he will still walk to the stadium if traffic is bad.Man Utd have been held up by traffic on numerous occasions this campaign, firstly arriving late for their Champions League clash with Valencia, for which the club was fined €15,000 by UEFA.

Having swapped long-time digs The Lowry in the wake of that, the Hilton Gardens made little difference, with the Portuguese boss admitting before another continental clash, this time with Juventus, that he had walked half a mile through fans to reach the stadium in time.

Switching hotels yet again for the visit of Young Boys on Tuesday, the 55-year-old is hoping to avoid a hat-trick of delays.“We decided to change hotel," Mourinho told the press. "We are not coming from the city centre. We are staying at a hotel a few metres away."Information is things much better than last time. If it is not better I walk!”

Turning to more serious matters, the United boss issued an update on the state of player injuries ahead of Tuesday's European action - and it's not good news for Victor Lindelof, who sustained a muscle injury while on international duty with Sweden but played through the pain in Saturday's goalless draw at home to Crystal Palace in the Premier League.

The centre-back has been a regular starter for United this term, named in Mourinho's starting line-up for 11 Premier League matches and three Champions League games.

But the Portuguese will need to find an alternative for the 24-year-old as he is set to miss Tuesday's Champions League game at home to Young Boys and could be unavailable for a number of weeks."He will be out for quite a while," Mourinho told a news conference on Monday."An injury - a proper injury - that will keep him out for a while.

"If we have him for the Christmas period, when we need as many as possible, it will be good."United are also without Argentina international Marcos Rojo for the visit of Young Boys.

"We have [Eric] Bailly and [Phil] Jones," Mourinho said. "Marcos Rojo has some little injury, and Victor an injury, a proper injury."So Jones, Smalling and Bailly are the three we have."

 

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Man United have what it takes to finish in the top four - Van der Sar


Ajax Amsterdam CEO and former Manchester United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar believes that his former club possesses enough quality to challenge for titles and the EPL top four.

United, who's miserable campaign continued this weekend as they were held to a goalless draw at home by Crystal Palace, are currently seventh, 14 points off leaders Manchester City and seven points behind Chelsea who occupy fourth in the Premier League table.

Jose Mourinho's men also have a vital Champions League match against Young Boys on Tuesday night as they look to ensure qualification for the knockout rounds of the competition.

Van der Sar, who spent a glorious seven years at Old Trafford during his playing days helping the Reds to four Premier League titles and the coveted UEFA Champions League trophy, believes, however, that his former side has what it takes to turn their fortunes around.

"With the qualities they have, Manchester United should be challenging for titles or top four, but it will be really hard," the 48-year-old told Goal from Cape Town where he attended the opening of the Ajax Lamba Institute by Ajax Cape Town.

Van der Sar featured 186 times for United and won 10 titles, including the 2008 Champions League where he was the penalty shootout hero against Chelsea.

 

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Lindelof heads up Man Utd absentees ahead of Young Boys clash


Victor Lindelof missed training on Monday as Manchester United prepare to face Young Boys in the Champions League.The Sweden international played through the pain barrier on Saturday as United drew 0-0 with Crystal Palace at Old Trafford.

Jose Mourinho subsequently lamented the fact that Lindelof had sustained an injury while playing for his country; the defender played 90 minutes against Russia after being withdrawn at half-time against Turkey due to illness.

The 24-year-old was in visible pain during the closing stages of the game but United had used up their substitutions, so he played on, and Mourinho later alluded to the fact that he was likely to be out for this week's European encounter.“I believe [he is injured]. I have to believe so," he told MUTV.

“I always say this is the period of the injuries. If they are not injured with the national teams, they come to the clubs and are injured.“He played against Russia three days ago or two days ago, but of course, we need him when he plays.

“He was probably our best player. He was a brave lad, but he probably punished himself."Marcos Rojo was also absent from training, as he continues his recovery from a knee injury.

The Argentina international has played just 54 minutes of football thus far this season - in an Under-23 game against Reading - and is yet to feature for the senior side in 2018-19.He was named on the bench for the 2-1 win over Everton in October but has since failed to appear in matchday squads.

Matteo Darmian is also likely to miss the game, having appeared just twice this season, in the first game of the campaign, versus Leicester, and the most recent, against Palace.

 

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Get well soon Lindelof​

 

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Giggs urges Man Utd not to sack Mourinho: It won't change anything!


Ryan Giggs believes Jose Mourinho can turn things around at Manchester United, insisting that sacking him would not change the club's fortunes.A 0-0 draw with Crystal Palace at Old Trafford at the weekend has left United seventh in the Premier League table, 14 points behind leaders Manchester City and seven behind fourth-placed Chelsea.

United have endured a frustratingly inconsistent season, losing four and drawing three of their opening 13 games, and there have been suggestions that the club should potentially look to change the man in the dugout.

Wales boss Giggs, however, believes that there is no need to seek an alternative and has backed Mourinho to recover the situation."I don't see why changing the manager at this stage will change anything," Giggs told Sky Sports News.

"Everyone knows what a successful manager he's been over the years. I believe that bit of stability we've not had over the years - we need to stick with him."But results also need to change. I think we've got the manager, the players to do that."

United are currently lagging behind rivals City and Liverpool, with both Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp yet to have been beaten in the league thus far this season.

And Giggs insists that consistency must be found if the club are to climb the table.
"Manchester City and Liverpool, the teams up there, they are consistent," he added. "When you're not the gap is obviously going to be big.

"When your nearest rivals are that far ahead of you it's hard to take. It's still 13 games into the season, time to claw it back."But the only way of doing that is going on a run of seven or eight games unbeaten - small steps to build that confidence back up."

United face Young Boys in the Champions League on Tuesday before returning to Premier League matters and a trip to Southampton on Saturday.