..::Football IV::..

[Wolverine GTR]

Manchester City 2 Liverpool 1: Sane ends Reds' unbeaten run to breathe life into title race

Leroy Sane's 72nd-minute strike proved decisive as Manchester City reinvigorated their title defence and ended Liverpool's unbeaten Premier League run with a crucial 2-1 win at the Etihad Stadium.

Roberto Firmino looked to have sealed a potentially vital point for leaders Liverpool in the title race when he equalised just past the hour, but Sane struck soon after, confirming the Reds' first league defeat of the season in their 21st game and moving City to second and within four points of the summit.

Liverpool were mightily unlucky not to take an early lead when a defensive mix-up between John Stones and Ederson followed Sadio Mane hitting the post, but they survived and finished the first half well – Sergio Aguero netting in ruthless fashion.


Firmino restored parity in the 64th minute and City initially looked rattled, as if they could see the Premier League trophy moving out of sight, until Sane found the bottom-right corner to breathe life into their challenge once again.

A lively City start faded and they had a lucky escape in the 17th minute. Mohamed Salah released Mane into the box and the Senegal forward hit the post before Stones blasted his clearance against Ederson and hastily scrambled to clear off the line.

Vincent Kompany was fortunate to avoid being sent off for a wild lunge on Salah 14 minutes later and City capitalised on that let-off just before the break.Bernardo Silva played a low cross from the left towards the near post, where Aguero nipped in front of Dejan Lovren and emphatically smashed past Alisson from a seemingly impossible angle.

Liverpool hit back 26 minutes from time, however, as Andrew Robertson latched on to a lofted pass and played a volleyed cross for Firmino to bury with a stooping header.But City were not done.They caught Liverpool on the break and Sane found the net via the right post after being played into the box by Raheem Sterling.

A Liverpool onslaught followed, with Ederson tipping a Salah effort wide, before Bernardo Silva and Sterling missed glorious chances to finish the Reds off – luckily for them, no fightback came and the champions held on.

 

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Villarreal 2 Real Madrid 2: Cazorla at the double to deny Solari's men

Santi Cazorla scored twice as Real Madrid failed to take full advantage of their game in hand on LaLiga leaders Barcelona in a frustrating 2-2 draw at relegation-threatened Villarreal.

Los Blancos, back in action for the first time since winning the Club World Cup, appeared to be headed for three points as Karim Benzema and Raphael Varane cancelled out Cazorla's crisp early opener by the 20th minute.But with just eight minutes remaining, Cazorla ghosted in to head Pablo Fornals' teasing cross past Thibaut Courtois to secure a share of the spoils.

Madrid, who lost the ineffective Gareth Bale to injury at half-time, are consequently fourth and seven points behind leaders Barcelona after 17 matches, while Villarreal are out of the bottom three but remain level with 18th-placed Athletic Bilbao.
Madrid had won their last three league matches without conceding but just four minutes had elapsed when Samuel Chukwueze picked out Cazorla, who curled the ball into the bottom-right corner for his first LaLiga goal since returning to the club in August.

The lead lasted all of three minutes as Benzema headed a right-sided cross from Lucas Vazquez past Sergio Asenjo from eight yards and the turnaround was complete when Varane leapt highest to guide Toni Kroos' deep free-kick back across goal.Luka Modric then converted from close range after Kroos had a shot kept out by Asenjo, only for the offside flag to cut short his celebrations.

Madrid made a slow start to the second half but could have extended their lead on the hour, with Vazquez profiting from a favourable deflection but shooting right at Asenjo.That would prove a costly miss as Fornals delivered the ball into the back post for Cazorla to head past Courtois.

An end-to-end conclusion to the match ensued, with Bale's half-time replacement Isco forcing Asenjo into a late save with his bullet strike, but Villarreal earned a crucial point on their quest to dodge the drop and inflicted a big blow on their opponents' outside title hopes.

 

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Injury to Gareth Bale cost Real Madrid victory at Villarreal, claims Solari


Santiago Solari said losing Gareth Bale to injury midway through Real Madrid's La Liga clash with Villarreal cost his side victory as they were held to a 2-2 draw.Madrid took a slender lead into the interval in Thursday's meeting at the Estadio de la Ceramica , where Karim Benzema and Raphael Varane cancelled out Santi Cazorla's opener.

Bale struggled to get involved in the first half and did not emerge following the restart due to a suspected calf problem – the latest in a long line of injuries for the Wales forward – after going to the ground under minimal contact from Javi Fuego in the 38th minute.

With Isco in their ranks for the second half, Madrid failed to see the match through and were pegged back by a late Cazorla header to bring an end to their three-match winning streak in La Liga.

Head coach Solari felt that Bale's absence played a big part in Madrid's inability to add to their lead prior to being stung by Cazorla's late second, with the Champions League holders unable to hit their opponents on the break with any regularity.

"We had the victory in our hand and wanted to kill the game. But they came back and got the equaliser," he told Movistar . "They pressed a lot, were playing at home and needed the points.

"Gareth leaving like that cost us as he had a problem and we missed that counter-attacking edge, and Gareth is a specialist at just that. You would have seen what happened - he got a bang and felt something and was not able to continue.”

Luka Modric was another Madrid player to leave the field early, lasting just over an hour before being replaced by young midfielder Federico Valverde.Solari explained after the match that Modric was not fully fit and it was always his plan to withdraw the Ballon d'Or winner.

"Luka was recovering from the flu and gave us everything he had," Solari added. "I was happy to get that 60, 65 minutes from him, it was pre-planned. And Valverde gave us energy and also control when he came on. We are happy with what the younger players are giving us."Madrid's failure to see out the final stages of the match means that they are stuck on just three wins from nine away La Liga matches this term as they sit fourth in the standings, seven points adrift of leaders Barcelona.

"I don't think it was about lacking control, but more a lack of countering and doing them damage in the second half," Solari said. "We had two clear chances for a third goal with Lucas [Vazquez] and Marcelo. But it's true we were lacking clarity in our breaks, and Gareth [is a] specialist at that."

 

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'If we lost, it was over' - Guardiola hails Man City players for 'final' victory over Liverpool


Pep Guardiola was full of praise for his team after Manchester City claimed a 2-1 win over Liverpool on Thursday in what the manager dubbed "a final".Sergio Aguero and Leroy Sane scored stunning goals either side of a Roberto Firmino header to give City a win over the league leaders.

The result cut Liverpool's lead over City to just four points, keeping the defending champions very much alive in the race for the Premier League title, and Guardiola was thrilled with his team after the fact.

"I am proud of them, but not just today," he told BBC Sport. "We lost two games in four days but you can't forget what they have done for 16 months. We knew that it was a final today, if we lose it is almost over."All credit to these incredible players. That is how we have to play in the Champions League. Both teams tried to search for each other, we were not scared, we had no fear and we had a lot of pressure.

"They are leaders, it is four points but we have reduced the gap. We knew that if we won we would be in contention to fight for the Premier league, if we lose it is over."City now sit second in the league, two points clear of third-placed Tottenham and six in front of fourth-placed Chelsea.

And Guardiola, who has claimed league titles in both Spain and Germany to go along with his Premier League triumph last season, says he cannot remember being in such a competitive battle.

"I don't remember a league so tough, there are so many huge contenders fighting for the title. It is closer, every game is a final."
Having now won their last two matches following a rough month in December, City return to action on Sunday with an FA Cup clash against Rotherham United, and the manager hopes his club can keep up the same spirit they showed on Thursday as they move forward in the season."Winning is addictive, the taste of it," he said."We spoke about that today. We said it was our final and we played like it - we were completely in, we competed... We lived the game like it was the last of our lives."

 

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Chelsea's hopes of signing Higuain dashed as Sarri's hunt for a striker goes on


Chelsea will not be signing AC Milan striker Gonzalo Higuain during the January transfer window, with the complexities of the deal making it not viable for the Blues.

Having previously shown an interest in the Argentina international during the summer transfer window, Maurizio Sarri made it clear to the Chelsea hierarchy he was keen to reunite with a player who thrived under him at Napoli.

But with Higuain only currently on loan at Milan from Juventus, Goal understands the Premier League outfit were weary of negotiating with two separate clubs during the winter window and will now look elsewhere in their pursuit of a new centre-forward.

Former Real Madrid striker Higuain has struggled for form since swapping Juve for the Rossoneri in the summer, scoring just eight goals in 20 appearances across all competitions.He also made headlines in November when he was sent off against his parent club, with his reaction to the decision earning him a two-match Serie A suspension.

Such performances have seen some question whether it is wise for Milan to pay the previously agreed €36 million (£32m/$42m) to make the move permanent this summer having already forked out €18m (£16m/$21m) for the original year-long loan.

Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will not be making the switch to Stamford Bridge this month, meaning Chelsea and Sarri must look elsewhere in their attempts to add further firepower to their frontline.

Sarri's side initially started the season in fine form, scoring 27 goals in their opening 11 league matches as the Italian broke a Premier League record for the longest unbeaten start for a new manager.But in their 10 matches since they have found the net on just 11 occasions, culminating in Wednesday's frustrating 0-0 home draw with struggling Southampton.

Such a poor run in front of goal has seen them slip out of the title race, and with just two wins from their last four matches they are now at risk of failing to qualify for next season's Champions League by virtue of a top-four finish.

Alvaro Morata – who was tipped as a potential option in a swap deal for Higuain in some reports – has not scored in the league since the first week of October while Olivier Giroud's only league goal in 2018-19 was a late consolation in Sarri's first Blues defeat at the hands of Tottenham.

As such Eden Hazard has had to carry the brunt of the goalscoring responsibility – netting 10 times in the league on his way to bringing up a century of goals for the club - with the Belgium international even having been deployed as a false nine in recent weeks.Sarri's assistant coach, Gianfranco Zola, has confirmed that Chelsea are keen on Bournemouth's Callum Wilson, though he admitted they were not the only side watching the new England international.

Sarri himself, meanwhile, spoke of his wish to bring in a new forward player following the Southampton stalemate, telling a news conference: "We have to try to solve the problem of the last 15 or 20 metres."The club knows very well my opinion. I think we need something different for characteristics.

"I'm not in charge of the market. I have to try to improve my players, my team, my offensive phase, or better my offensive phase in the last 20 metres.

"The club knows my position, my opinion. It's up to the board."Chelsea have already made one move in the January window after completing a £58m ($73m) move for Borussia Dortmund's Christian Pulisic, though Sarri admitted he was unaware of the negotiations surrounding a deal that will see the United States international spend the second half of the campaign back on loan at the Bundesliga leaders.

And the Blues also face a fight to keep hold of young winger Callum Hudson-Odoi, with Bayern Munich having increased their bid for the Under-17 World Cup winner to £30m ($37.5m) after his refusal to sign a new deal in west London.

 

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Forget Lukaku, Rashford is going to be really special for Man Utd - Neville


Marcus Rashford boasts the potential to be “something really special for Manchester United”, says Gary Neville.The 21-year-old forward has always been held in high regard at Old Trafford but has not always been given the regular starts he requires in order to produce his best on a consistent basis.

Jose Mourinho faced accusations of stunting the England international’s development during his time at the Red Devils helm, with spells on the bench doing the youngster few favours.

He is, however, among those to have benefited from a change in the dugout, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer giving Rashford the central striking role he craves.

That show of faith has been rewarded with three goals in four appearances, with Neville telling Sky Sports of the man keeping Romelu Lukaku out of the starting XI: “The spring in the counter-attack is there and Rashford playing up front is fantastic - I love him to bits.“He's played nearly 150 games at the age of 21 and his potential is enormous. It's actually now stepping up beyond the potential to where he will be a top-class player.

“People will talk about Romelu Lukaku and how is he getting back in the team - don't worry about that, worry about the kid that's playing that's going to devastate teams.“He gives them mobility. They just need more energy up front. Lukaku has not been at his best.

“He has earned his chance. He gives them something different and he is a fantastic player. He is on the right trajectory to become something really special for Manchester United.”

Rashford’s latest goal came in a Man of the Match performance away at Newcastle on Wednesday.Lukaku was also on target in that contest, as the Red Devils collected a 2-0 win and stretched Solskjaer’s faultless start to four games.

Alexis Sanchez and Antonio Valencia were also welcomed back into the fold, with Neville seeing plenty of positives for a side that has cut the gap separating them from the top four to six points.He added: “I think Antonio Valencia coming back, he needed that game under his belt but United had the clinical finishing.

“When Lukaku and Alexis Sanchez came on, they still had that counter-attack threat and in Rashford, they had the outstanding striker on the pitch.”

 

[Michael]

oh sheet! Title race is back on!

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Solskjaer not expecting January signings at Manchester United


Manchester United caretaker manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has said he does not believe his side will make any signings in January.

United have won all four of Solskjaer's matches in charge so far after the Norweigan took over for the sacked Jose Mourinho.Mourinho was let go in part due to his public complaints over the club's lack of activity in the transfer market, with the Portuguese particurally frustrated by the club failing to sign a centre-back.

Solskjaer, though, has said he is content with his squad and doesn't believe United will make any signings while the January transfer window is open."I'm happy with squad I've got," the 45-year-old said."I don't expect anyone to come in but obviously if the club have targeted and identified a few and I think they might fit here, I'll give my thumbs up. But it's not just my decision.

"Nobody had to tell me I had loads of talented players [to inherit at United]. I can see that from outside."Though United may not make any January signings, Solskjaer praised the scouting work the club does behind the scenes earlier on Friday.

"The club’s probably had a plan, you don’t just plan the next day and next month but this transfer window has probably been planned since the summer and the year before, the structure is phenomenal," the United boss told reporters.

After wins against Cardiff, Huddersfield, Bournemouth and Newcastle to begin his United career, Solskjaer will lead United on Saturday when they face Reading in the FA Cup.

The Red Devils will then return to Premier League action on January 13 when they travel to Tottenham.

 

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Solskjaer not expecting January signings at Manchester United

CB kenek nathuwa nam amaru wei habai​

 

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Tranmere Rovers 0 Tottenham 7: Llorente hat-trick crowns Spurs rout

Fernando Llorente was Tottenham's hat-trick hero as they hammered League Two Tranmere Rovers 7-0 in the third round of the FA Cup.

As on their previous trip to Merseyside before Christmas – a 6-2 rout of Everton – Mauricio Pochettino's side were in a clinical mood, although they had to wait until five minutes before half-time for Serge Aurier to spectacularly open the scoring.

The resistance Tranmere mustered before the interval dissipated afterwards as Spurs ran riot, with Llorente opening his account before Aurier completed an unlikely brace in the 55th minute.


Son Heung-min made it seven in his past six outings and two goals in as many minutes completed a treble for Llorente, whose replacement Harry Kane then got in on the act.
Tranmere goalkeeper Scott Davies made good early saves from Son and Lucas Moura but had no chance when Aurier dispossessed James Norwood and lashed home an unstoppable swerving strike from 25 yards.

Aurier was involved again as Tottenham doubled their lead three minutes into the second half. The former Paris Saint-Germain defender's clever flick sent Son into space down the right and his low cross was slotted in by Llorente.

Harvey Gilmour saw Aurier deflect his half-volley behind from Norwood's flick-on before the Spurs wing-back resumed activities in the Tranmere box, firing through Davies and the efforts of Mark Ellis on the line following a fabulous turn and lay-off from Son.The South Korea star – who has delayed his arrival for duty at the Asian Cup – then glided towards and beyond a flagging Tranmere backline to clip home number four before the hour.

Tottenham were running through their full repertoire and Oliver Skipp's fine throughball allowed Llorente to peel away from Steve McNulty and finish in the 71st minute.In the blink of an eye, the former Spain striker grabbed his third – stealing in front of Emmanuel Monthe to convert Lucas' cross.

Kane's introduction was hardly what Tranmere wanted and his unerring strike from Dele Alli's pass completed a comfortable outing for the Premier League club.

 

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Zola: Morata must deal with Chelsea pressure


Alvaro Morata must embrace the weight of expectation at Chelsea as the misfiring forward continues to struggle, according to Gianfranco Zola.Morata has only managed five goals in the Premier League this season and seven in all competitions amid links with Sevilla and AC Milan.

Chelsea spent around £60 million to prise Morata from Real Madrid in 2017 but the Spain international has struggled for goals and confidence after a promising start to life at Stamford Bridge.

Alvaro Morata must embrace the weight of expectation at Chelsea as the misfiring forward continues to struggle, according to Gianfranco Zola.Morata has only managed five goals in the Premier League this season and seven in all competitions amid links with Sevilla and AC Milan.

Chelsea spent around £60 million to prise Morata from Real Madrid in 2017 but the Spain international has struggled for goals and confidence after a promising start to life at Stamford Bridge.

"I think he has to improve a little bit tactically because nowadays with the type of football, football is so organised you need to get better tactically, your ability is not enough.

"In my opinion he needs to improve on this. He's been working on that, he has a good attitude. He feels that he doesn't score enough and he feels a lot of responsibilities for that.

"But he has to learn to put everything behind because these are only burdens that you take on the pitch and they don't help you to perform better."

 

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AC Milan sign Lucas Paqueta in €35m switch


AC Milan have announced the signing of Lucas Paqueta from Flamengo for a reported fee of €35million (£31.4m/$40m)

The Brazil international has agreed to a five-year contract with the Rossoneri and will join up with his new team-mates when they resume training on Monday following Serie A's mid-season break.

Milan sporting director Leonardo confirmed last October that a deal had been agreed in principle with Flamengo, although they needed to wait until the January transfer window opened to finalise the move."AC Milan has today announced the acquisition of the registration rights of Lucas Tolentino Coelho de Lima (Paquetá) from Clube de Regatas do Flamengo (Flamengo)," Milan confirmed in a statement released on Friday.

"The Brazilian midfielder has signed a 5-year contract until June 30th, 2023."Born in Rio de Janeiro on August 27, 1997, Lucas Paquetá started his career as a footballer with Flamengo’s Youth Team and debuted on May 28, 2017 with the First Team against Clube Athlético Paranaense.

"With Flamengo he recorded 65 appearances scoring 13 goals and winning the Campeonato Carioca de Futebol 2017."He made his debut with the Brazilian National Team on September 5, 2018 in a 2-0 friendly victory against the USA."

The 21-year-old scored 10 goals in 32 Brasileirao appearances in 2018 as Flamengo finished second behind Palmeiras.He will be officially presented as a Milan player on January 7, with the club confirming they plan to launch a new website and official Twitter account in Portuguese to accompany his arrival.

 

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Real Madrid set to make formal offer for Palacios, says agent


Real Madrid are set to make a formal offer for River Plate star Exequiel Palacios "in the coming days", according to agent Renato Corsi.Palacios helped River to Copa Libertadores glory in December and the talented 20-year-old midfielder has been linked with Madrid and La Liga rivals Barcelona.

River president Rodolfo D'Onofrio last month said Madrid were planning further negotiations to sign Palacios, who made his Argentina debut in September.

And Corsi revealed a transfer to send Palacios to the Santiago Bernabeu is at an advanced stage."The leaders of River got together with Real Madrid in Abu Dhabi," Corsi told La Oral Deportiva de Radio Rivadavia.

"In the coming days there will be a formal offer and the operation is quite advanced."The family, Exequiel and I want him to go in June and Real Madrid don't have a problem with him staying at River until then."

Corsi added: "Real Madrid want him and supposedly River will sell. They agree, so between Monday and Tuesday the formal proposal will be presented."

 

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Attacking football 'the way Man Utd are supposed to play' - Solskjaer


Ole Gunnar Solskjaer insists Manchester United vibrant attacking approach since he replaced Jose Mourinho is “the way Man United are supposed to play”.

The Norwegian has led the club to four straight wins since being appointed caretaker manager until the end of the season following Mourinho’s sacking, and the Red Devils have netted 14 goals along the way thanks to a more expressive style of play.

But Solskjaer, who played 366 times for the Red Devils alongside thrilling forwards such as Ryan Giggs, David Beckham, Andy Cole and Dwight Yorke under Sir Alex Ferguson, says his players will continue to be asked to assert themselves on the pitch as he looks to thrill the fans in a way not seen under recent managers.

“Pace and power. Man United, that’s what we are! When you have players like we have with the pace of Paul [Pogba], Anthony [Martial], Alexis [Sanchez], Romelu [Lukaku], [Marcus] Rashford… that’s how we played with Andy, Yorkie, with Giggsy and Becks down the sides, you attack quickly when you can,” Solskjaer told reporters.

“And that’s my philosophy as well. If you look at my Molde team, in the years I’ve had them that’s always been how I like to play football: get the ball into their half as quick as you can, if you score fantastic, if not then you’ve got to have patient build-up play.“No one had to tell me I had loads of talented players, I could see that from outside.

“We didn’t speak too much [with the board] about what’s been going on, to be honest. It was about what you can do to come back to the way we used to play, the way Man United are supposed to play.“That’s exciting football, and I think we are looking a little bit like we want to see them.”

“Pace and power. Man United, that’s what we are! When you have players like we have with the pace of Paul [Pogba], Anthony [Martial], Alexis [Sanchez], Romelu [Lukaku], [Marcus] Rashford… that’s how we played with Andy, Yorkie, with Giggsy and Becks down the sides, you attack quickly when you can,” Solskjaer told reporters.

“And that’s my philosophy as well. If you look at my Molde team, in the years I’ve had them that’s always been how I like to play football: get the ball into their half as quick as you can, if you score fantastic, if not then you’ve got to have patient build-up play.“No one had to tell me I had loads of talented players, I could see that from outside.

“We didn’t speak too much [with the board] about what’s been going on, to be honest. It was about what you can do to come back to the way we used to play, the way Man United are supposed to play.“That’s exciting football, and I think we are looking a little bit like we want to see them.”“I’m sure that we will see a lot of Alexis because he is a quality player.”

Following Saturday’s cup fixture, United will head off for a warm-weather training camp in Dubai before their league clash with Tottenham at Wembley on January 13, and Solskjaer says it will be a good opportunity to increase fitness levels.

“We can get fitter and we have to do that through training sessions here, but Dubai is a good chance because that is the first time we get a week of work together. The ones who have not been in the squad, they’ll obviously work on their fitness.

“I still have pictures in my mind: every January, [Sir Alex] with a stopwatch and timing us on all them runs. And that stood us in good stead towards the end of the season, so it is a time too to really work hard. Even though we’ve got plenty of games, we need to work.”

 

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Man City youngster Brahim Diaz to join Real Madrid in £15.5m move


Brahim Diaz is on the verge of joining Real Madrid from Manchester City in a deal worth at least £15 million ($19m), Goal understands.The 18-year-old has decided to leave City as he believes he has not been given enough first-team opportunities.

City made a series of lucrative offers to keep the Spanish forward, but he has been convinced that he will get more playing time at the Santiago Bernabeu.

He has been told he will be a part of the first-team squad and will play in the Copa del Rey in the second half of the season.Brahim will cost Madrid £15.5m up front, plus a series of bonuses, and he will earn £65,000-per-week.

Sources close to the player are optimistic that he will be given the opportunity to prove his ability in the coming months, before his future is assessed in the summer.A loan move at that stage has not been ruled out, but he believes he also has a good chance of being named in the first-team squad next season.

It is also understood that the winger’s camp have discussed the possibility of Jose Mourinho taking over at Madrid at the end of the season, and what effect that may have on the youngster’s first-team prospects.However, the current feeling is that the former Manchester United boss will not be returning to the Spanish capital in the near future.

City were desperate to keep hold of the former Malaga youngster, who joined the club as a 14-year-old, but were unable to convince him that he would play enough first-team football either this season or beyond.

 

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'Man Utd perfect for De Ligt, Barcelona best for De Jong!'


Matthijs de Ligt is made for Manchester United while Frenkie de Jong would fit in perfectly at Barcelona, according to former Ajax star John van Loen.The two youngsters have been at the forefront of the Dutch giants' Champions League adventure this season, helping the side to the last 16.

A series of fine performances and a team based on a mixture of youth and experience has drawn comparison with the great Ajax squads of the mid-1990s, while also drawing transfer links with some of Europe's biggest clubs.

And Van Loen, who lifted the UEFA Cup with the team in 1991-92 and also represented Netherlands at the 1990 World Cup, has tipped the pair to shine at the very top.

"Barcelona is the best place for De Jong because they play football, not kick and rush, and he is good with the ball," the former striker explained to Goal."I think Manchester United is perfect for De Ligt. I hope De Ligt rejects Juventus' offer - Italian football does not suit him and the Premier league is much better and stronger."

Ajax now face a formidable challenge in the knock-out stages as they look to continue their Champions League adventure.Real Madrid, winners of the last three editions, stand between the Amsterdam outfit and the quarter-final; but Van Loen is confident of an upset.

"I think Ajax will beat Real Madrid in the last 16. I know Real Madrid's players have the experience but I see them every week and they won the Club World Cup against normal teams, not good teams, and Ajax play better," he added, while also predicting a European champion in 2018-19."I think Liverpool will win the Champions League this season. Barcelona and Juventus are not good in the knock-out stages and I do not think they will make it.

"Barcelona and Juventus have special players like Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, but Liverpool have Mohamed Salah and he is good because he has players behind him that do the dirty work for him.Van Loen added that as well as De Ligt and De Jong, his former employers may have to rebuild next season as they brace themselves for a flurry of outgoing transfer activity.

"I hope nobody else leaves Ajax and the end of the season, but I think Ziyech, Tagliafico, Onana, and Van de Beek could go," he admitted.

 

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FA Cup Fixtures 2019.01.05

FA Cup Fixtures 2019.01.05


Bournemouth Vs Brighton

Burnley Vs Barnsley

Manchester United Vs Reading

Sheffield Vs Luton Town

Shrewsbury Vs Stoke City

WBA Vs Wigan

West Ham Vs Birmingham

Accrington Vs Ipswich Town

Aston Villa Vs Swansea

Bolton Vs Walsall

Brentford Vs Oxford

Chelsea Vs Nottingham

Derby County Vs Southampton

Everton Vs Lincoln

Fleetwood Vs AFC Wimbledon

Gillingham Vs Cardiff CIty

Middlesbrough Vs Petersbrough

Blackpool Vs Arsenal

Bristol Vs Huddersfield

Crystal Palace Vs Grimsby

Newcastle Vs Blackburn

Norwich Vs Portsmouth
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[Wolverine GTR]

Good Luck Manchester United!
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Half Time

Manchester United 2 Vs 0 Reading

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Full Time

Manchester United 2 Vs 0 Reading

Manchester United Goal(s)

J.Mata 22(PEN)'
R.Lukaku 45+4'


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