Premier League
PAUL POGBA EYEING PLAYING PARTNERSHIP WITH RONALDO
Unhappy at Manchester United, Paul Pogba is reportedly making moves to force his exit to Juventus in the January transfer window. Juventus and Manchester United incidentally are in the same group of the UEFA Champions’ league.
An Italian publication, Tuttosport reports that the World Cup winner with France is keen at returning to the Italia Serie A from where he crossed back to the English Premiership.
Should he succeed on the move, Pogba will be teaming up with Cristiano Ronaldo who incidentally too, was previously in Manchester United. Jose Mourinho, the current manager of Manchester United forms a common denominator for both Pogba and Ronaldo who played under the Portuguese coach while he was in Real Madrid.
Pogba who returned to Manchester United about two years ago in a record £89m move from Turin, currently has a fractured relationship with Jose Mourinho.
According to Tuttosport, Pogba is prepared to bail on Manchester United midway through the season after being motivated to end his relationship with Mourinho and instead link up with his former team-mates and join Cristiano Ronaldo for Juventus’ new and exciting project.
According to 90 min publication, while the Red Devils and Juventus are to clash in the Champions’ League group stage this season, if Pogba was to change allegiances for the second half of the campaign he would not be cup tied under new rules set by UEFA.
Premier League
Manchester United fight back twice from behind to beat Sheffield United
Manchester United’s chaotic high-scoring form continued at Old Trafford as they twice came from behind to overcome spirited Sheffield United at Old Trafford.
Bruno Fernandes and Rasmus Hojlund struck in the final nine minutes to ensure the win.
Manchester United captain Fernandes followed up an excellent pinpoint 25-yard drive by hooking back the cross five minutes from time that allowed Hojlund to score his first goal since February.
As in Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final against Coventry, it was a favourable outcome in the end for under-pressure manager Erik ten Hag.
But there are some staggering statistics to go with their recent results. In total, 27 goals have now been scored in their past five games. They have conceded and scored at least two in all of them.
In entertainment terms, it is sensational. However, there is zero sense of structure and it can only be wondered what new technical director Jason Wilcox made of it as he watched his first game in the Old Trafford directors’ box since his appointment was confirmed last week.
After railing against the media the day before the game, labelling coverage of the Coventry match “embarrassing” and “a disgrace”, Ten Hag’s team failed to follow up by convincing on the pitch.
Without a win since February and with only three in the league all season, Sheffield United led twice, through Jayden Bogle in the first half and Ben Brereton Diaz in the second.
The home side levelled each time, courtesy of Harry Maguire’s deft header and Fernandes’ penalty.
And Manchester United eventually claimed the points to move back into sixth spot.
Premier League
Five-Star Arsenal hammer Chelsea to move three points clear at the top
Ruthless Arsenal threw down the gauntlet in the Premier League title race with a 5-0 thrashing of London rivals Chelsea to roar three points clear at the top of the table on Tuesday.
Any remaining doubts about Arsenal’s staying power were answered emphatically as Leandro Trossard gave them an early lead before Ben White and Kai Havertz scored two each in a dazzling spell after the break to sweep aside a dazed Chelsea.
It was a powerful statement by Arsenal who have recovered impressively from a home defeat by Aston Villa and bowing out of the Champions League and with four games remaining they are piling the pressure on Liverpool and Manchester City.
Arsenal have 77 points from 34 games with Liverpool, who face Everton on Wednesday, on 74 from 33. Reigning champions Manchester City have 73 points but have two games in hand starting with a trip to Brighton and Hove Albion on Thursday.
It was the sixth time Arsenal have scored five or more in a Premier League game this season and in such a tight race they have a huge goal difference advantage which could prove crucial.
For ninth-placed Chelsea it was their heaviest ever defeat by Arsenal and a hammer blow in their bid to creep into a European place just days after their narrow FA Cup semi-final defeat by Manchester City.
-Reuters
Premier League
Man United’s Rashford, McTominay doubts for Sheffield United game
Manchester United could be without forward Marcus Rashford and midfielder Scott McTominay through injury when they take on bottom-side Sheffield United at Old Trafford, manager Erik ten Hag said on the eve of Wednesday’s Premier League game.
The 26-year-old Rashford had a stellar 2022-23 campaign, scoring 30 goals in all competitions and went on to be named United’s player of the year, but the England international has only netted eight times this season.
McTominay, meanwhile, has 10 goals across all competitions this season.
The duo picked up their respective injuries during Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final against Championship side Coventry City, which United won on penalties after surrendering a 3-0 lead at Wembley.
“We had a problem with (Alejandro) Garnacho, that’s why we took him off during the game, but I think he will be fine,” Ten Hag told reporters.
“Scott we have to assess today, really doubtful. Marcus is also doubtful, and there was also an issue with Bruno (Fernandes) with the hand but I think he can make it.
“We have some doubts going into the game tomorrow.”
United are already facing a defensive crisis due to injuries to Lisandro Martinez, Raphael Varane, Victor Lindelof, Jonny Evans, Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia.
United are seventh in the league standings with 50 points, 16 behind fourth-placed Aston Villa with six games to go. Sheffield United are fighting relegation and sit bottom, having won just three of their 33 matches.
“We have to win every game. That’s what United stands for, that is our approach, go from game to game but we have to qualify for Europe and we have two opportunities in the league and the FA Cup final,” Ten Hag said.
Ten Hag, who has taken the club to two FA Cup finals and a League Cup final, which they won, in his two seasons at the helm, also described the external criticism his side received for their display against Coventry as “embarrassing”.
“Top football is about results, we made it to a final and we deserved it not only by this game but also the other games,” the Dutchman said.
“We lost control for 20 minutes, we also had bad luck, 3-2, 3-3. We were very lucky in the end, clear. Penalties was very good and we made it to the final, it is a huge achievement.
“Twice, in two years — is magnificent. For me as a manager, four cup finals in four years. The comments are a disgrace.”
-Reuters
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