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☆ Man United players want to put things right, says embattled Ten Hag
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

MANCHESTER, England, Nov 3 (Reuters) - Manchester United under-fire manager Erik Ten Hag came out fighting during a media grilling on Friday ahead of his faltering side's Premier League trip to Fulham. Ten Hag, however, remains defiant and said the mood in the camp was to put things right after back-to-back 3-0 home losses to Manchester City and Newcastle United. But this squad is strong, the staff is strong and this manager is strong to put this right." Eighth-placed United have lost half their Premier League games and five of their first 10 home matches in all competitions. "I came here with my philosophy based on possession but also to combine it with the DNA of Manchester United and combine it with the players, the competencies and the characters of the players.

Persons: Erik Ten Hag, I'm, Andre Onana, Rasmus Hojlund, Marcus Rashford, Anthony, Bruno Fernandes, Casemiro, Raphael Varane, Martyn Herman, Ed Osmond Organizations: Manchester United, side's Premier League, Fulham, Craven, Manchester City, Newcastle United, Premier League, Ajax, Old, Thomson Locations: MANCHESTER, England, Old Trafford

☆ Manchester United's Antony set for possible Galatasaray return - Ten Hag
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Oct 2 (Reuters) - Manchester United winger Antony could return for Tuesday's Champions League clash against Galatasaray, manager Erik ten Hag said on Monday. Yesterday was his first time back in team training. We have final training and then we make a decision," Ten Hag told reporters ahead of Tuesday's home game against Turkish champions Galatasaray. Despite United's recent struggles, Ten Hag said his team were "moving forward", adding: "You have to make adjustments. "The competition is difficult, you have to take care of every detail but we have a team of quality, of good mentality.

Persons: Antony, Erik ten Hag, Gabriela Cavallin, he's, Argentine Lisandro Martinez, United, Hag, Raphael Varane, Varane, Aadi Nair, Clare Fallon Organizations: Manchester United, Tuesday's Champions League, Galatasaray, United, Premier League, Turkish, Argentine, Crystal, Champions League, Bayern Munich, Thomson Locations: Bengaluru

☆ 'Everyone is united' says embattled Ten Hag amid dressing room leaks
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Ten Hag was asked about a number of leaks coming out of the dressing room, including one report about players being unhappy with his treatment of former United goalkeeper David De Gea, but the Dutch manager was unfazed. "I don't know if it's a leak but I know opinion, so I know my players. At United, you have to win every game so it doesn't change anything," Ten Hag told reporters. That's what we are doing in the dressing room... Everyone is united and at United, you fight." United had confirmed earlier this month that the 23-year-old would train alone and Ten Hag said his return to action "depends on him".

Persons: Erik ten Hag, David De Gea, Jadon Sancho, United, Hag, Sancho, Vincent Kompany's, Harry Maguire, Raphael Varane, Sofyan Amrabat, Mason, Rohith Nair, Christian Radnedge Organizations: Manchester United, Burnley, United, Premier League, Bayern Munich, Champions League, Thomson Locations: Bengaluru

☆ UEFA will not follow 'absurd' added time rules, says official
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-31 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The aim is to increase the time the ball is in play, with games now routinely going beyond 100 minutes in total. Manchester city midfielder Kevin De Bruyne, Manchester United defender Raphael Varane and global players' union FIFPRO have criticised the new approach, saying it will increase player workload in an already packed schedule. "It's absolutely absurd," former AC Milan and Croatia midfielder Boban told reporters in Monaco. "Regarding player welfare, it's some kind of small tragedy or big tragedy because we are adding almost 12, 13, 14 minutes. "We tell our referees to speed up the restart of play instead of focusing on stoppage time."

Persons: Zvonimir Boban, Kevin De Bruyne, Raphael Varane, FIFPRO, Boban, Roberto Rosetti, Rosetti, Hritika Sharma, Peter Rutherford Organizations: UEFA, body's, Manchester United, Milan, Croatia, Champions League, Thomson Locations: Manchester, Monaco, Hyderabad

☆ Wolves rue penalty decision as Ten Hag hails United's fighting spirit
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

"The goalkeeper has come and just about taken our striker’s head off," O’Neil told Sky Sports. "I understand the rules (of staying with on-field decisions where possible), but I don't fully accept it." You can debate it, but I think no penalty," he said. "In the end we can't just focus on that (penalty) decision. To come to Old Trafford and have the most shots of any side since 2005 and dominate after just four days of work (in training) is exceptional.

Persons: Gary O’Neil, Raphael Varane, O’Neil, Andre Onana, Sasa Kalajdzic, Simon Hooper, I'm, Eric ten Hag, Andre, Nick Said, Ken Ferris Organizations: Wolverhampton Wanderers, Manchester United, Premier League, Wolves, clattered, Sky Sports, United, Old, Thomson Locations: MANCHESTER, England, Old Trafford

☆ Man Utd's Varane says players ignored by football authorities over added time rules
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

As part of the new regulations, referees will add the exact time lost in goal celebrations, substitutions or injuries to the stoppage time. "Despite our previous feedbacks, they have now recommended for next season: longer games, more intensity, and less emotions to be shown by players. "We just want to be in good condition on the pitch to give 100% to our club and fans. Now the games will be 100 minutes, that's for sure," Guardiola told reporters on Sunday. "I just said 'listen, I cannot change my behaviour in three days'," Arteta told reporters of his yellow card.

Persons: Manchester United's Raphael Varane, Andrew Boyers, Raphael Varane, Varane, Pep Guardiola, Guardiola, Mikel Arteta, Arteta, Aadi Nair, Christian Radnedge Organizations: Soccer Football, Premier League, Manchester United, Fulham, Manchester United's, Manchester City, Arsenal, Thomson Locations: Old Trafford, Manchester, Britain, Bengaluru

☆ ScorePlay, a sports media platform using AI, just raised $5 million in a round led by Alexis Ohanian's Seven Seven Six
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-26 | by ( Riddhi Kanetkar | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Lisbon and New York-based ScorePlay has secured a $5 million seed round from Seven Seven Six. A startup that has built a media operating system for sports has just raised $5 million in seed funding from Reddit cofounder Alexis Ohanian's Seven Seven Six. As a business-to-business software startup, ScorePlay makes its money by charging a monthly fee to organizations, depending on the range of services they use. The round was led by Reddit cofounder Alexis Ohanian's VC firm Seven Seven Six, which has previously backed climate tech Vaayu, and creator marketing platform PearPop. With the fresh funding, ScorePlay will grow its tech team so it can hone in on its enterprise offerings.

Persons: ScorePlay, Alexis Ohanian's Seven, Xavier Green, Lionel Messi, Declan Rice, Victorien Tixier, Alexis Ohanian's, Kevin Durant, Renaud Visage, Michael Philippe, Robin Sabban Organizations: Seven Seven, Premier League football, West Ham United, La Liga, Atlético de, Athletes, Seven, NBA, Tech Locations: Lisbon, New York, Atlético de Madrid, Manchester

☆ Celebrities like Ryan Reynolds and Gwyneth Paltrow are flocking to LinkedIn to show off their business acumen
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-11 | by ( Sawdah Bhaimiya | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

LinkedIn is a professional social media platform for normies, but now celebrities want in too. Stars like Ryan Reynolds and Gwyneth Paltrow are showing off their business side on the platform. Get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in business, from Wall Street to Silicon Valley — delivered daily. Reynolds's posts include promoting Mint Mobile and his other business ventures, such as ownership of Welsh soccer team Wrexham. He's not the only celebrity to do so with Mindy Kaling, Jennifer Lopez, and Gwyneth Paltrow also making an effort to blend into the professional world of LinkedIn.

Persons: Ryan Reynolds, Gwyneth Paltrow, Reynolds, I've, He's, Mindy Kaling, Jennifer Lopez, they've, Jenna Drenten, influencers, Richard Burton, Mark Borkowski, Daniel Roth, there's, Amobi Okugo, Raphaël Varane, Okugo Organizations: Service, LinkedIn, Mint Mobile, Mobile, Street, Welsh, Welsh soccer, Wrexham, Social, Twitter, Chicago's Quinlan School of Business, Financial Locations: Wall, Silicon

☆ Man City edge closer to treble after FA Cup final win over Man Utd
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-03 | by ( Martyn Herman | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

LONDON, June 3 (Reuters) - Manchester City moved to within one victory of completing a momentous treble as they deservedly beat arch-rivals Manchester United 2-1 in the FA Cup final thanks to Ilkay Gundogan's record-breaking double on Saturday. City captain Gundogan scored the fastest goal in FA Cup final history with a stunning volley after 12 seconds and struck what proved to be the winner seven minutes after halftime. It is the 13th time the English league and FA Cup double has been achieved. The FA Cup is so nice." It eclipsed the previous fastest FA Cup final goal scored by Louis Saha after 25 seconds for Everton against Chelsea in 2009 and City threatened to run riot against a stunned United.

Persons: Ilkay, Gundogan, Nat Lofthouse, Bruno Fernandes, Pep Guardiola's, Alex Ferguson, Guardiola, Stefan Ortega's, Erling Haaland, David de Gea, Louis Saha, Rodri, Jack Grealish, Kevin de Bruyne, Aaron Wan, Paul Tierney, Tierney, Fernandes, Ortega, Raphael Varane volleyed, De Bruyne's, De, Alejandro Garnacho, Erik Ten, Martyn Herman, Pritha Sarkar Organizations: Manchester City, Manchester United, FA, City, Bolton Wanderers, United . United, Inter Milan, Premier League, League, Champions League, Wembley, Everton, Chelsea, United, Grealish, Inter, Thomson Locations: Manchester, City, Istanbul

☆ Haaland holds no fear for Man Utd, says Varane
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

June 2 (Reuters) - Manchester United defender Raphael Varane said they do not fear Erling Haaland ahead of their FA Cup final showdown against Manchester City but acknowledged that their rivals pose a threat from every area of the pitch. The only team to have won the English tile, FA Cup and Champions League in the same season are United, who achieved the feat in 1999. Varane said nullifying playmaker Kevin De Bruyne would be key to stopping Haaland. De Bruyne finished the league season with 16 assists, half of which were for Haaland. As a defender, the connection (Haaland has) especially with De Bruyne - that kind of pass is complicated to defend, so we try to cut that connection.

Persons: Raphael Varane, Erling Haaland, Pep, Haaland, Varane, Kevin De Bruyne, De Bruyne, De, Erik, Rohith Nair, Peter Rutherford Organizations: Manchester United, FA, Manchester City, Premier League, Champions League, Inter Milan, United, Premier League Golden, League, Real Madrid, Thomson Locations: England, Norwegian, Bengaluru

☆ Ten Hag warns Man United against complacency
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

May 3 (Reuters) - Manchester United cannot afford to become complacent as they look to end their campaign by securing a spot in next season's Champions League, manager Erik ten Hag said on Wednesday. United are fourth in the Premier League, seven points ahead of fifth-placed Liverpool who have played a game more. Ten Hag's team have six league games left, starting with Thursday's trip to Brighton & Hove Albion, before facing Manchester City in the FA Cup final. "Satisfaction can lead to laziness, we have six games to go and we want to win every game. United beat Brighton on penalties in the FA Cup semi-finals last month, and Ten Hag acknowledged that Roberto De Zerbi's men would be fired up by the thought of revenge.

☆ Man United boost as Rashford, Shaw travel to Sevilla
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

"They are available because that's why they're in the airplane, but I'll take my decisions tomorrow," Ten Hag told a news conference on Wednesday. Rashford missed the first leg due to a groin injury while Shaw has been nursing a hamstring problem. "We let them in the game, I think, in the first game," midfielder Christian Eriksen said. "I think defensively we're good, with I think most clean sheets in the Premier League. United are third in the Premier League on 59 points, three above fourth-placed Newcastle United.

☆ United up to third after Antony, Dalot goals secure win at Forest
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

United have 59 points from 30 games, three points in front of fourth-placed Newcastle United and six ahead of Tottenham Hotspur, who have played 31 matches. Steve Cooper's struggling Forest side, who are now without a win in 10 consecutive league games, are third from bottom, level on 27 points with 17th-placed Everton. Dalot found the net in the 76th minute, scoring his first Premier League goal in his 100th appearance for United, running onto a pinpoint through ball from Antony. UNITED CALM"Inside the dressing room, I think we were calm," added Dalot. Navas ensured the result was not more emphatic with a string of fantastic saves in a game dominated by United.

☆ Man Utd's Martinez out for rest of season with foot injury
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/2] Soccer Football - Europa League - Quarter Final - First Leg - Manchester United v Sevilla - Old Trafford, Manchester, Britain - April 13, 2023 Manchester United's Lisandro Martinez in action with Sevilla's Lucas Ocampos REUTERS/Carl Recine/File PhotoApril 14 (Reuters) - Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez will miss the remainder of the season due to a fractured metatarsal bone in his foot, the Premier League club said on Friday. Martinez was carried off during United's 2-2 draw with Sevilla in the Europa League on Thursday after he fell to the ground clutching his right foot with no opponents nearby. Fellow centre-back Raphael Varane, who was also injured and substituted at halftime during the quarter-final, first leg at Old Trafford, is expected to be out for a few weeks. United said Argentine World Cup winner Martinez would make a full recovery in time for the start of next season. "Everyone at Manchester United sends Lisandro and Rapha our best wishes for a speedy recovery," the club said in a statement.

☆ France already firing on all cylinders as new chapter begins
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-25 | by ( Julien Pretot | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Mbappe also set up Antoine Griezmann for the opening goal, soothing the Atletico Madrid player's disappointment after he was only named vice-captain. Eduardo Camavinga added: "His attitude hasn't changed, he's still the same, we're very happy that he scored that double. Deschamps wasted no time in installing Konate and Upamecano, 23 and 24 respectively, in central defence. France next face Ireland in Dublin on Monday. Reporting by Julien Pretot; Editing by Toby DavisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ 'We have an idea' - Ten Hag concocting plan for blockbuster Barca clash
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

MANCHESTER, England, Feb 22 (Reuters) - While keeping his cards close to his chest, Manchester United coach Erik ten Hag insisted he has an "idea" that will help his team get the better of Barcelona in their blockbuster clash in the Europa League on Thursday. Ten Hag is not resting on his laurels and is relishing keeping United competing for four trophies, with a League Cup final to come on Sunday. "What we do different you will see tomorrow on the pitch," Ten Hag told a news conference on Wednesday. We have to keep in the same mindset that every day we want to give a better version of ourselves." Ten Hag also added that captain Harry Maguire and Brazilian forward Antony have returned to fitness and could feature against Barca, but French striker Anthony Martial is still out.

☆ France disappointed but proud of fightback in epic World Cup final
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-18 | by ( Rohith Nair | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

LUSAIL, Qatar, Dec 18 (Reuters) - France are disappointed they could not successfully defend their World Cup crown after losing to Argentina on penalties in Sunday's final but leave Qatar with heads high having fought until the end, players Raphael Varane and Hugo Lloris said. "We are very disappointed of course, we gave everything. We had to face a lot of obstacles during the competition, we gave up nothing," Varane said. France had also come into the final after several players missed training sessions due to illness over the past week, but Lloris refused to use that as an excuse. Reporting by Rohith Nair in Lusail; Editing by Andrew CawthorneOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ In pictures: France head to semi-finals with win over England
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-10 | by ( Jeremy Schultz | ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

England's Harry Kane looks dejected after the match as England are eliminated from the World Cup as France's Raphael Varane celebrates with teammates as France progress to the semi finals. REUTERS/Peter Cziborra

☆ Record Giroud, sublime Mbappe send France into quarter-finals with Poland win
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-04 | by ( Julien Pretot | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

"It's not been easy because they're a well-organised team and we had to make some positional changes at halftime," said Deschamps. Poland's poise came close to being rewarded in the 38th minute when the onrushing Zielinski's shot was parried by Lloris. Jakub Kaminski followed, only for his shot to be saved close to the goal-line by Raphael Varane. NINE WORLD CUP GOALSOne minute from the break, however, France's tactics paid off. Mbappe now has nine World Cup goals to his name, as many as Argentina's 35-year-old Lionel Messi, and became the first player to reach that mark before his 24th birthday.

☆ France on a tightrope as knockout phase looms
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-01 | by ( Julien Pretot | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Until then, with Deschamps having made nine changes to the team who secured their spot in the knockout phase with a 2-1 win against Denmark, France looked clueless and were overwhelmed in the midfield. LACK OF 'COLLECTIVE EXPERIENCE'"I know I haven't put them in the best conditions with all these changes because they don't have a collective experience," said Deschamps. The Liverpool centre back appeared a level above all his team mates, especially Varane, and it is a safe bet to say that Deschamps might consider fielding him from the start alongside Dayot Upamecano. "Another tournament is starting now," said Deschamps - which may come as a relief to France watchers after Wednesday's performance. Reporting by Julien Pretot; Editing by Hugh LawsonOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ France looking to strike the right balance for Tunisia game
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-28 | by ( Julien Pretot | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

DOHA, Nov 28 (Reuters) - France will look to strike the right balance between resting players and keeping their World Cup momentum going when they take on Tunisia in their final Group D game on Wednesday. Should they finish first, they will face the team who end up second in Group C, which features Argentina, Saudi Arabia, Poland and Mexico. Coach Didier Deschamps is set to rest some of his key men and give fringe players minutes at the Education City Stadium. The centre back returned from a hamstring injury for the second game and was substituted in the second half. We'll think about what's best for the team first, then we'll see what's best for me," Varane told reporters.

☆ Griezmann the brains behind France's convincing World Cup start
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-27 | by ( Julien Pretot | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Griezmann has played as an attacking midfielder rather than a pure forward, brilliantly making the link between midfielders Aurelien Tchouameni and Adrien Rabiot and the attacking trio of Ousmane Dembele, Olivier Giroud and Kylian Mbappe. Griezmann played mainly deep, but also often close to lone striker Giroud or even on the flanks. I'm impressed but not surprised. Like Dembele, Griezmann played selflessly, leaving the limelight to Mbappe. "I'm proud of myself yes but I'm also proud of the whole team.

☆ France of today should not be compared with 2018 champions, Varane says
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-27 | by ( Gabrielle Tétrault-Farber | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

DOHA, Nov 27 (Reuters) - French defender Raphael Varane warned against comparing his team's performance in Qatar with their run to victory in the 2018 World Cup, saying times had changed. The difficulty of a World Cup is that the players are different, they are in different shape. Varane said constant factors on the French team were their humility, serious work ethic and raw talent. Tunisia, who drew against Denmark and lost to Australia, should be regarded as serious opponents, Varane said. In the last 16, France will face one of the teams from Group C -- Poland, Saudi Arabia, Mexico or Argentina.

☆ No risk of France being complacent against 'underrated' Denmark
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-25 | by ( Julien Pretot | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

DOHA, Nov 25 (Reuters) - Having lost twice to Denmark recently, France will be taking nothing for granted when they look to secure their qualification for the knockout stages with a game to spare in Group D on Saturday. The defending champions entered the tournament on the back of a dismal Nations League campaign, during which Denmark beat them 2-1 in Paris and 2-0 in Copenhagen. "I've said on a number of occasions that they are underrated as a team. We're talking about just a four-month period, we're not talking about a long period, it's between June and September where they beat us twice," France captain and keeper Hugo Lloris told a news conference on Friday. France started the Qatar tournament in style with a 4-1 win against Australia, but Denmark will be a sterner test at the 974 Stadium.

☆ Ronaldo to leave Manchester United after criticism of club
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Nov 22 (Reuters) - Manchester United forward Cristiano Ronaldo will leave with immediate effect, the Premier League team said on Tuesday, marking a bitter end to the Portugal captain's second spell at Old Trafford after he said he felt betrayed by the club. "Cristiano Ronaldo is to leave Manchester United by mutual agreement, with immediate effect. "Everyone at United remains focused on continuing the team's progress under Ten Hag and working together to deliver success on the pitch." Ronaldo said in a statement on Tuesday that he loved the club and the fans. Ronaldo confirmed on Monday that an awkward handshake between him and midfielder Bruno Fernandes that was caught on camera and went viral was the result of a joke between the Portugal and United team mates.

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