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☆ Saka double against Palace sends Arsenal eight points clear at the top
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

LONDON, March 19 (Reuters) - Arsenal will head into the international break eight points clear in the Premier League title race after Bukayo Saka scored twice in a 4-1 home defeat of Crystal Palace on Sunday. With chasers Manchester City otherwise engaged this weekend in the FA Cup, Arsenal took full advantage with Gabriel Martinelli opening the scoring and Granit Xhaka also on target. Arsenal now have 69 points from 28 games with reigning champions City on 61 with a game in hand. Saka then doubled the lead in the 43rd when he guided home a low shot from Ben White's pass. Palace, who sacked manager Patrick Vieira this week, stay in 12th place but are only three points above the relegation zone.

☆ Clinical Man Utd win League Cup in heartbreak for Newcastle
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-26 | by ( Martyn Herman | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

[1/2] Soccer Football - Carabao Cup - Final - Manchester United v Newcastle United - Wembley Stadium, London, Britain - February 26, 2023 Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes and Harry Maguire lift the trophy with teammates after winning the Carabao Cup final Action Images via Reuters/Andrew CouldridgeLONDON, Feb 26 (Reuters) - Manchester United crushed Newcastle United's hopes of a claiming a first domestic trophy for nearly 70 years with a clinical 2-0 victory in the League Cup final at Wembley on Sunday. Kicking towards their fans in the second half Newcastle roused themselves into action and pinned a leggy-looking United back at times but they rarely looked like scoring. The Tyneside club has now lost each of their last nine matches at Wembley, a run that began in the 1974 FA Cup final. Newcastle were full of energy early on with Allan Saint-Maximin dangerous whenever he got the ball. "No complaints with how we played, obviously the scoreline doesn't say that, and that's where football can be cruel," Newcastle manager Howe said.

☆ '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.

☆ Ratcliffe's INEOS confirm bid for Manchester United
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-18 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Feb 18 (Reuters) - Manchester United have received a bid from Jim Ratcliffe's company INEOS for "majority ownership" of the Premier League club, the chemical firm confirmed on Saturday, adding that it would look implement a fan-centred approach. British billionaire Ratcliffe, a life-long United fan and founder of INEOS, has previously openly expressed his interest in buying the Old Trafford club. "We would see our role as the long-term custodians of Manchester United on behalf of the fans and the wider community," INEOS said in a statement. "We are ambitious and highly competitive and would want to invest in Manchester United to make them the number one club in the world once again." "We want a Manchester United anchored in its proud history and roots in the North-West of England, putting the Manchester back into Manchester United and clearly focusing on winning the Champions League," the statement said.

☆ Man Utd cannot be complacent against Reading - Ten Hag
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

MANCHESTER, England, Jan 27 (Reuters) - Manchester United expect Reading to be highly motivated for Saturday's FA Cup meeting and will not take their second-tier opponents lightly, manager Erik ten Hag said on Friday. They have also reached the semi-finals of the League Cup and the Europa League's knockout stage, and are favourites to beat Reading in their FA Cup fourth round clash on Saturday. Every opponent will be tough, especially in the FA Cup. "I said he's on the way back, he's making steps, he's back in team training, and we have to see when he's ready to go back into games." Ten Hag added that Diogo Dalot "is definitely out" for the game and said Luke Shaw's availability is also in doubt.

☆ Premier League talking points
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Jan 15 (Reuters) - Talking points from the latest round of Premier League games:RAMSDALE PROVES HIS WORTH TO KEEP GUNNERS ON TRACKGoalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale has had his critics at Arsenal but the 24-year-old proved his worth in the league leaders' 2-0 victory at rivals Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, making a string of fine saves to keep Spurs at bay. "We showed the other face when we had to dig in, we needed some big moments from Aaron," coach Mikel Arteta said. Manchester United's dramatic 2-1 comeback victory over rivals Manchester City on Saturday was not without its fair share of controversy. Rashford was deemed not to have interfered and the goal stood, before the in-form England forward went on to score the winner. "I understand he (Rashford) doesn't touch the ball but he's running for 30 metres until the last second.

☆ Morocco's round of 16 success is no fluke
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-07 | by ( Alasdair Howorth | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

The Atlas Lions had roared to stun 2010 World Cup winner Spain and reach the quarterfinals of Qatar 2022. “Now it is the Africans and Arabs.”For many, it was the shock of the tournament, as the North Africans won their first ever knockout game at a World Cup. Many Moroccans thought that it could be after the World Cup or in a few years, but none were unhappy when it was announced he would take over the national side less than 100 days before their first game at the World Cup. In African football, Regragui has often been compared with José Mourinho thanks to his tactical discipline and stellar man-management skills. Morocco’s success at the World Cup may be best story of the tournament so far, but it is not the not the result of luck and grit, but rather expertise and planning.

☆ World Cup 2022 top goal scorer: who could win Golden Boot?
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Dec 1 (Reuters) - The 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar is nearing its knockout phase. England's captain Harry Kane bagged the prize in the 2018 edition of the World Cup in Russia, where he scored six goals and led his team to the semi-finals. MARCUS RASHFORDSoccer Football - FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 - Group B - Wales v England - Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, Al Rayyan, Qatar - November 29, 2022 England's Marcus Rashford with manager Gareth Southgate after being substituted REUTERS/Hannah MckayThe England striker has enjoyed a dream start to his World Cup campaign in Qatar. BRUNO FERNANDESSoccer Football - FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 - Group H - Portugal v Uruguay - Lusail Stadium, Lusail, Qatar - November 28, 2022 Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes celebrate after the match REUTERS/Kai PfaffenbachPortugal's run in the World Cup in Qatar so far has been overshadowed by controversy surrounding Cristiano Ronaldo and his acrimonious departure from Manchester United. WORLD CUP TOP GOAL SCORER 2022: GOLDEN BOOT STANDINGS** Stats as of Nov. 30Compiled by Siddharth K in Bengaluru; Editing by Milla NissiOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Manchester United owners, reviled by many of the team's fans, may sell club
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-23 | by ( ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +3 min

Manchester United has said it was commencing a process to explore strategic alternatives, including a new investment or a potential sale, 17 years after the American Glazer family bought the English Premier League soccer club. The last silverware they won was the Europa League and League Cup back in 2017. Wealthy Asian tycoons, especially those from China, have been buying European teams in recent years including Premier League side Wolverhampton Wanderers and Italy’s Inter Milan. Manchester United shares jumped as much as 20% after Sky News first reported on the sale process, giving the club a market capitalization of $2.6 billion. The Glazers bought the club for 790 million pounds ($939.07 million) in 2005 in a highly leveraged deal which has been criticized for loading debt onto the club.

☆ Manchester United fans want more say under any new owners
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-23 | by ( Alan Baldwin | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Nov 23 (Reuters) - Manchester United needs new owners and fresh investment to halt years of decline and fans should be given a real say in how the club is run in future, the Supporters Trust MUST said on Wednesday. "Any new ownership structure must embed supporters, including a degree of fan share ownership, in their operating model." Manchester (United) is a marketing club," Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo said this month in an explosive interview that led to his departure. Duncan Drasdo, the MUST chief executive, told Sky Sports television "the real way to unlock the value of Manchester United is to work in partnership with the fans, not exploit them as customers. Ratcliffe, a lifelong United fan who heads chemicals company INEOS, said last month he had contacted the Glazer family about buying United but was told the club was not for sale.

☆ Manchester United owners consider selling club
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

The owners are under pressure with United sitting fifth in the Premier League halfway through the season, which has been suspended because of the current Qatar World Cup. Manchester United shares jumped as much as 20% after Sky News first reported on the sale process, giving the club a market capitalisation of $2.6 billion. The Raine Group is acting as financial adviser and Latham & Watkins LLP is the legal adviser to Manchester United. It was the first Premier League match to be postponed because of a protest. United finished sixth last season in their worst Premier League campaign in terms of points earned, failing to qualify for the lucrative European Champions League competition.

☆ Frappart becomes first female official at men's World Cup match
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-22 | by ( Manasi Pathak | ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

DOHA, Nov 22 (Reuters) - France's Stephanie Frappart became the first female official at a men's World Cup match when she was named the fourth official for Tuesday's Group C clash between Mexico and Poland at 974 Stadium. Frappart, Salima Mukansanga of Rwanda and Yamashita Yoshimi of Japan have been named among the tournament's referees along with three female assistant referees at the global showpiece event in Qatar. Frappart was also the first woman to officiate a men's Champions League game in 2020. The 38-year-old has also officiated games in French Ligue 1 and the second-tier Europa League. Reporting by Manasi Pathak, editing by Ed OsmondOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Germany gearing up to handle pressure in group opener against Japan
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-21 | by ( Karolos Grohmann | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

DOHA, Nov 21 (Reuters) - Germany go into their World Cup Group E opener against Japan on Wednesday knowing that this one game could potentially make or break their tournament hopes. With 2010 world champions Spain awaiting next, the Germans cannot afford any slip-up against the Japanese and risk a potential early exit again. The four-times champions have arrived in Qatar a new team since their 2018 World Cup first round shock elimination. "We have to be prepared for a tough battle against Japan," said team director Oliver Bierhoff this week. Japan will no doubt have also seen Germany's weakness in defence and their vulnerability against quick counter-attacks.

☆ Inter will need to be on top form to beat Juve, says Inzaghi
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-05 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Nov 5 (Reuters) - Inter Milan will need to show character to beat a Juventus side stung by their Champions League exit, manager Simone Inzaghi said on Saturday. Eighth-placed Juve trail sixth-placed Inter by just two points, with both sides in need of win in Turin on Sunday to stay on the trail of leaders Napoli. Inter and Juve head into the game on the back of contrasting Champions League group-stage campaigns. "We know that it is a team which has been knocked out of the Champions League, they will be even more dangerous," Inzaghi told reporters. Inzaghi said Inter and Juve share some similarities, as both sides are recovering from a poor start to the season and have won four out of their last five Serie A matches.

☆ Arsenal: Cautious optimism surrounds resurgence with fans uniting behind Mikel Arteta
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-05 | by ( Ben Church | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

The men’s team sits atop the English Premier League, with a manager full of ideas and a fearless new generation breaking through into the first team. Arteta’s Arsenal now leads Manchester City in the Premier League – a team that is touted for greatness – and shows very little signs of slowing down. He took his shirt off, swore at the Arsenal fans and stormed down the tunnel in what looked to be his last act as a player for the club. The realistic expectation, then, is not necessarily to win the Premier League title but to cement itself back in the Champions League. The Premier League will pause for over a month as many of Arsenal’s players will travel to the Gulf nation to join their respective teams.

☆ Alejandro Garnacho: Manchester United youngster mimics Cristiano Ronaldo's celebration after scoring first goal
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-04 | by ( Ben Church | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Manchester United’s emerging star Alejandro Garnacho scored his first goal for the club in his side’s 1-0 Europa League win against Real Sociedad on Thursday. The teenager wheeled away in celebration before being mobbed by his teammates, including Cristiano Ronaldo who had provided the assist. Thanks Idol, @Cristiano,” Garnacho tweeted after the game. Now he’s getting his chances because he’s training better, has a different attitude, and he deserves it.”Garnacho celebrates with teammate Cristiano Ronaldo who provided the assist. United play Aston Villa in its next league match before facing the same side again during a midweek League Cup fixture.

☆ Man Utd's Fernandes praises Garnacho's improved attitude after Sociedad win
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Nov 4 (Reuters) - Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes praised Alejandro Garnacho's performance after he scored in a 1-0 Europa League win over Real Sociedad on Thursday, saying the 18-year-old was reaping the rewards of his hard work and an improvement in attitude. It was the winger's second start for United, following his full debut in last month's 3-0 win over Sheriff Tiraspol. "He (Garnacho) was good, but he knows we expect a lot from him," Fernandes told BT Sport after the win. Now he's getting his chances because he's training better, (he has a) different attitude, and he deserves it." United, who needed to win by a two-goal margin to overtake Real Sociedad in the standings on goal difference, head into the knockout round playoffs.

☆ Antony: Why some have reacted with fury to Manchester United star's showboating
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-29 | by ( Issy Ronald | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

United eventually won its Europa League game 3-0 but almost immediately, Antony’s showboating prompted a furious reaction online and from pundits while his teammates defended him. He’s [Antony] done that then puts the ball out of play. Doing that with nobody near him and then he puts the ball out of play,” former Wales international Robbie Savage said on BT Sport commentary. You’re trying to win the game, move the ball quickly, nobody near him and he puts the ball out of play. “I don’t have a problem with tricks as long as it’s functional,” Ten Hag said after the game.

☆ Monza player Mari stabbed in supermarket attack
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] View of the supermarket at a shopping center where several people were injured, including Monza's football player Pablo Mari, after a stabbing incident in Assago, near Milan, Italy October 27, 2022. REUTERS/Flavio Lo ScalzoMILAN, Oct 27 (Reuters) - Monza soccer player Pablo Mari has been stabbed along with at least four other people in a shopping mall in the town of Assago outside Milan, news agency ANSA reported on Thursday. The BBC said a 46-year-old suspect has been detained and the motive for the attack in a supermarket was not clear. "Pablo Mari had a fairly deep wound on his back, which fortunately did not touch his vital organs such as the lungs or others. The 29-year-old Spanish centre back Mari is on loan at Serie A club Monza from Arsenal.

☆ Liverpool ensure Champions League progress with win at Ajax
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

AMSTERDAM, Oct 26 (Reuters) - Liverpool overcame a slow start to beat hosts Ajax Amsterdam 3-0 on Wednesday, ensuring a top-two finish in Group A and progress into the knockout stage of the Champions League. The victory kept them three points behind leaders Napoli, who won 3-0 at home to Rangers to make it maximum points from their five group games. Napoli visit Anfield on Tuesday to decide top place, when Liverpool would need at least a 3-0 win to edge the Serie A leaders on the head-to-head after losing 4-1 in September. Ajax needed to win by two goals on Wednesday to keep up their slim Champions League hopes but will now be battling with Rangers in Glasgow next week for a Europa League spot. "We had a tough half an hour where Ajax made a lot of pressure and we needed to defend with a lot of passion.

☆ Barcelona suffer humiliating exit from the Champions League at the hands of Inter Milan and Bayern
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-27 | by ( Alasdair Howorth | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Barcelona talked a lot about “economic levers” as the Catalan club looks to improve its finances, but it won’t be able to use the Champions League pulley anymore after exiting at the competition’s group stage for the second consecutive season. Rubbing salt into the wound, Barca was then thumped 3-0 by Bayern, who have now beaten the La Liga side in their previous six meetings. In that run of losses Barca has conceded 22 goals to Bayern and has only scored four – none in their last four matches. Having qualified for the Champions League knockout stages in 17 consecutive seasons, Barca has now failed to make it out of the group stage for two seasons in a row. Despite exiting the Champions League, Xavi still seemingly has the backing of the board.

☆ Merciless Bayern beat a sorry Barcelona 3-0
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-27 | by ( Fernando Kallas | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Mane beat Spanish defender Hector Bellerin in a 50-metre race and scored with a tidy finish. Bayern doubled their lead in similar fashion 21 minutes later, catching the Barca defence sleeping and out of position. Pavard scored the third goal in the very last play of the game, with a close-range strike from a corner. But you have to do that when you play against Barcelona," Bayern manager Julian Nagelsmann told DAZN. Last year, Barca's exit at the group stage came after the departure of Lionel Messi to Paris St Germain and the financial crisis that led to the resignation of the entire club board.

☆ Arsenal striker Jesus ready to play '70 games per season'
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Oct 27 (Reuters) - Arsenal forward Gabriel Jesus is not concerned about the potential for burnout during the club's demanding schedule and says he is ready to play 70 games a season if required. "I'm doing good recovery after the games - eating better, sleeping better, and enjoying the life in the Arsenal t-shirt a lot. So I'm ready to play 50, 60, 70 games per season," Jesus told reporters ahead of Thursday's game against PSV. The Brazilian also said his team mates Saka and Gabriel Martinelli were on a different level in terms of fitness and energy. "I think I am a player with a lot of energy and I run all the time, I fight all the time," Jesus added.

☆ Dortmund draw 0-0 with Manchester City to join them in knockout stage
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

DORTMUND, Germany, Oct 25 (Reuters) - Borussia Dortmund drew 0-0 with already-qualified Manchester City on Tuesday to book their spot in the Champions League knockout stage with a game to spare. "We played much better in the second half. In the first half we conceded some balls and lost some counter-attacks," said City coach Pep Guardiola. "We finally rewarded ourselves against City with the point today," said Dortmund coach Edin Terzic. I have seldom seen a City game where they had so few chances."

☆ Juventus crashes out of Champions League to compound season’s woeful start
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-26 | by ( Matias Grez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Another Champions League defeat, this time a 4-3 loss away to Benfica, ensured Juventus’ exit from the competition at the group stage for the first time in nine years. Juventus faces the prospect of missing out on next season's Champions League. There is no denying the current side is considerably weaker than the Juve teams of recent years, but eighth in Serie A and Champions League misery are still well below this season’s expectations. Samuel Iling-Junior was a bright spark in Juventus' defeat. Juventus’ season is by no means over, but three huge games in the next week against Lecce, PSG and Inter Milan could go a long way to defining its outcome.

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