Author: d0509

Al Nassr fell to their second defeat since signing Cristiano Ronaldo when they lost 1-0 at Saudi Pro League title rivals Al-Ittihad on Thursday. The result saw Al-Ittihad replace Al Nassr at the top of the table. Romarinho scored the only goal of the game in the 80th minute after being set up by Ahmed Sharahili. https://twitter.com/ssc_sports/status/1633909242884177950 Ronaldo was kept very quiet against a defense that has now conceded just six times in 20 league matches this season. But the 38-year-old did force the Al-Ittihad keeper into a smart save with a powerful left-footed strike in added time. https://twitter.com/ssc_sports/status/1633911757189046272 Both teams went…

MANCHESTER, England — Manchester United bounced back from the horror show against Liverpool to take control of their Europa League tie with Real Betis by beating the Spanish club 4-1 on Thursday. United won their last-16 first-leg fixture at Old Trafford thanks to goals from Marcus Rashford, Antony, Bruno Fernandes and Wout Weghorst and have one foot in the next round ahead of the return fixture in Seville next week. Real Betis were level at 1-1 at half-time after on-loan Leicester City forward Ayoze Perez equalised, but United scored three times in the second half to make some amends for the 7-0 defeat at Anfield last weekend. 1. Fernandes bounces back after criticism It’s been a tough few…

Erik ten Hag was delighted with the impact of his captain as Bruno Fernandes starred to help Manchester United to a 4-1 win over Real Betis. Ten Hag gushes over Fernandes Midfielder criticised heavily after Liverpool drubbing But put in statement performance vs Betis WHAT HAPPENED? A goal and an assist in a comprehensive 4-1 victory over Real Betis was the perfect way for Fernandes to silence critics following a disastrous performance at the weekend. Erik ten Hag fielded the same starting XI that was dismantled at Anfield in search of a response, and expressed his delight at what he saw from his…

Lionel Messi would have won 15 Ballon d’Or awards by now if he had the same work ethic as Cristiano Ronaldo, according to Patrice Evra. Messi has won seven Ballon d’Or awards so far Favourite to win his eighth in 2023 Between the two, Evra picked Ronaldo for his work ethic WHAT HAPPENED? The Messi-Ronaldo rivalry continues to divide fans and pundits alike, despite Messi becoming a World Cup winner with Argentina at Qatar 2022, with former Manchester United defender Evra picking his former team-mate over the Paris Saint-Germain star. Ronaldo’s second stint at United ended when his contract was terminated…

Another disappointing European season is a reality for Paris Saint-Germain, after they crashed out of the Champions League on Wednesday after a 3-0 aggregate defeat to Bayern Munich. After the second leg in Munich, Kylian Mbappe was coy on his future at the French champions, as speculation over a possible move to Real Madrid continues to linger. The 24-year-old only signed a new contract at PSG last season, but he could well be on the move in the near future. PSG have reported set an asking price of €200m if any club wishes to sign Mbappe, despite rumblings that he could be available on…

Lisandro Martinez has reportedly nicknamed his new Manchester United team-mate Wout Weghorst ‘Bobo’ after the Dutch striker’s infamous fall-out with Lionel Messi. Martinez and Messi’s Argentina knocked Weghorst’s Holland out of the World Cup on penalties in a quarter-final tie that soon turned ugly. Weghorst, now on loan at Manchester United, came on as a substitute with Holland two goals down but scored a late brace to force extra-time. The game was marred by ugly scenes after a huge brawl broke out before Weghorst’s equaliser and an iconic image of Argentina’s players goading their opposition after Lautaro Martinez’s winning penalty was born. Although Messi had actually run…

The captain was seen gesticulating at the United bench as Anthony Elanga was brought on for Marcus Rashford with five minutes of the game remaining. This prompted former Manchester United skipper Gary Neville to claim he was asking to come off. Neville said: “Bruno Fernnades is stood in the centre circle with his arms raised saying ‘why is it me not coming off?’ “Honestly, I have to say some of his behaviour in the second half has been a disgrace.” Neville added: “I’ve had enough of him throwing his arms about, not running about. “That wasn’t a captain’s performance by him.” But Fernandes has since…

Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag could switch his team up against Real Betis after Sunday’s Liverpool thrashing. Erik ten Hag could make at least six changes to his Manchester United team against Real Betis in the Europa League last 16 on Thursday. The Dutchman may resort to drastic measures to ensure United respond to their 7-0 thrashing against Liverpool with a return to the win column at Old Trafford. A bad result against Betis could descend the Red Devils’ season into disarray after such promising progress. Ten Hag will be desperate to prevent that from happening. Express Sport pinpoints six players who could drop to the bench…

PSG, trailing 1-0 from the first leg in Paris, were beaten 2-0 in the return game at the Allianz Arena to drop out of the competition in the last 16 for the fifth time in seven seasons. “As I said at my first Champions League press conference this season, we were going to do our maximum. That’s our maximum, that’s the truth,” Mbappe told reporters. “What were PSG missing? Not much when you look at the two squads. They have a great squad, built to win the Champions League.” PSG are still waiting for a maiden European Cup title despite…

Kylian Mbappe refused to discuss his Paris Saint-Germain future following their Champions League round-of-16 defeat at the hands of Bayern Munich on Wednesday. Mbappe was kept in check by the Bayern defence in the 2-0 second-leg loss that saw PSG lose the tie 3-0 on aggregate and exit at the round of 16 for the fifth time in the last seven years. When asked about his future with PSG following this season, the World Cup winner with France was noncommittal beyond this year. “No, no, I’m calm. The only thing that matters to me this season is to win now Ligue 1 and then we’ll see,” Mbappe told reporters after the…

Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi has received his own personal tribute section in the stadium of an elite European rival. The shirt of the Argentine maestro now hangs with other memorabilia in the Allianz Stadium of Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich. Messi’s shirt, hanging proudly in a special cabinet, is the only non-Bayern related piece of football history in the club museum. The reasoning behind all this centres around Messi’s breaking of a famous record, formerly held by Bayern club legend Gerd Muller. In 2012 Barca talisman Messi scored 91 goals in a calendar year, surpassing Muller’s previous record of 85 goals…

Harry Maguire is United’s club captain but Fernandes has led the team in more than half of their games this season when the England defender has not been on the pitch. But Fernandes was widely criticized for his performance and behavior during Sunday’s 7-0 defeat at Liverpool. Former United captain’s Gary Neville and Roy Keane were very disappointed with the 28-year-old’s body language at Anfield. Ex-England striker Chris Sutton then told BBC Sport on Monday that Fernandes “should never put on the armband again for Manchester United.” But Ten Hag showed support for Fernandes on Wednesday during a press conference on the eve of United’s Europa…

The Portugal midfielder was called out by pundits and fans for his awful performance in Sunday’s 7-0 hammering at the hands of Liverpool, with his poor conduct also called into question. There were calls in the media for Fernandes to be removed from his position as vice-captain of United, while reports have also suggested his teammates hold reservations over giving him the armband full-time in the event skipper Harry Maguire leaves – 90min recently revealed the defender is one of several players the club have told can depart this summer. Speaking ahead of United’s Europa League last 16 first leg at home to Real Betis, Ten…

Erik ten Hag came up with an innovative way to help his players properly digest the humiliating 7-0 defeat to Liverpool on Sunday. United manager made players re-live painful defeat Told team they’ll have more sessions with psychologist Made players run 14km after Brentford loss WHAT HAPPENED? The Manchester United manager was not about to let his players easily forget their devastating 7-0 hammering at Anfield and the following morning he forced his squad to sit in silence and listen to audio of Liverpool’s ecstatic celebrations in the dressing room, according to a report by The Mirror. THE BIGGER PICTURE: Ten Hag famously made his…

Bruno Fernandes has had his Manchester United squad number upgraded from no.18 to no.8. Fernandes takes the no.8 jersey from Juan Mata, who had been in possession of it from 2014 until last month when he departed on a free transfer. Mata was United’s fifth no.8 since squad numbers replaced the traditional 1 to 11 system in 1993 – after Paul Ince, Nicky Butt, Wayne Rooney and Anderson. Fernandes always wanted to be United’s no.8. It was his number at former clubs Udinese and Sporting Lisbon, while he was born on September 8 in 1994. The Portugal international also has…

Manchester United’s humiliating defeat at Anfield last weekend has sparked an inquest into Erik ten Hag’s side, with many already claiming that the wheels are starting to come off after a fantastic start to the calendar year. United’s loss against Liverpool was just their second since the turn of the year and it came just a week after the club’s six-year trophy drought had been ended. They were handed a humbling of the ages by their bitter rivals and now, there are reports that Ten Hag is especially disappointed in three players after the loss. According to Spanish outlet Fichajes, former…

Lionel Messi’s wife’s business received a harsh attack in Argentina. Lionel Messi still hasn’t defined his future with PSG, the Argentine star has not renewed with his team and the negotiations have been complicated, the striker ends his contract with the club in the summer and is going to become a free agent. Lionel Messi’s wife, Antonela Roccuzzo, had a problem in Argentina a few days ago, her business was attacked by the mafia where they sent a threatening message to her and her family. This fact became a real scandal in the country. Given this fact, the player’s wife…

Footage has emerged of Man Utd forward Wout Weghorst touching the ‘This is Anfield’ sign as he walked out ahead of Liverpool’s 7-0 win on Sunday. Wout Weghorst has released a statement explaining why he appeared to touch the ‘This is Anfield’ sign as he made his way onto the pitch on Sunday. Footage emerged on Tuesday of Weghorst reaching up to touch the sign as the players make their way from the tunnel out onto the Anfield pitch. The sign is an iconic part of Anfield but opposition players rarely touch it and Weghorst has been criticised for doing so ahead…

Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez has revealed Tottenham star Cristian Romero celebrated directly towards Kylian Mbappe during December’s thrilling World Cup final. Argentina emerged victorious on penalties in Qatar after a 3-3 draw inside Lusail Stadium to capture their third title. The South Americans had raced into a two-goal lead at half-time thanks to goals from Lionel Messi and Angel Di Maria, before Mbappe levelled the scores with a stunning brace. Messi would again put his side into the lead in extra-time before the Frenchman became the first player to score a hat-trick in a World Cup final since Geoff Hurst by scoring a late penalty. Billed as the greatest final in history,…

Italian transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has rejected the recent rumours that Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes was unsettled at the club. According to an exclusive report by Fabrizio Romano on Caught Offside, the revered transfer news guru ruled out any claims surrounding Bruno Fernandes’ future at Manchester United. The Portuguese-born midfielder has become a crucial player for Erik Ten Hag’s rejuvenated Man United side this season and he is still respected well among the club. Romano claimed: “There’s been a story about Bruno Fernandes angering some of his teammates with his behaviour against Liverpool, with some questioning if he’s the right choice to wear the captain’s…

Cristiano Ronaldo left Manchester United under a cloud last November and a former teammate claims his experience was sorely missed in Sunday’s thrashing by Liverpool. Manchester United would not have shipped seven goals at arch-rivals Liverpool had Cristiano Ronaldo still been playing for them, according to Louis Saha. The former United striker claimed Ronaldo – who left Old Trafford in November after criticising Erik ten Hag in an explosive television interview – would not have allowed the team to capitulate so meekly. Ronaldo had his contract terminated by mutual consent and joined Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr after laying into Ten Hag and United in the interview, which left him with no way back. Despite United…

The Argentine striker has great admiration for this player Throughout his career, Lionel Messi has faced and played with great midfielders. The Argentine star has admired several but he has his favorite, this player shared great moments with Leo and they formed a quite special couple. Lionel Messi has great admiration for Andrés Iniesta, the Argentine has a special relationship with this player, they wrote the most important history of FC Barcelona, with their talent this club was the best in the world and they won six championships in one year. Messi described Andrés Iniesta as a unique player, a…

Fans were left in awe as Lionel Messi’s wife Antonela Roccuzzo turned up for Paris Fashion Week in a stunning black dress and knee-high boots. Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Messi are focused on their upcoming UEFA Champions League clash against Bayern Munich. They are set to face the Bavarians in the second leg of the Round of 16 on Wednesday (March 8). They trail 1-0 going into the game at the Allianz Arena. PSG’s tasty Champions League encounter is not the only center of attention for those in the French capital. The ongoing Paris Fashion Week is much more of…

Sunday’s result was humiliating but it is now time to move forwards. The last 24 hours or so for Manchester United fans has been the stuff of nightmares. A 7-0 humiliation at the hands of Liverpool is perhaps the worst result anyone could have imagined. United’s second-half capitulation was unacceptable and has led to the ridicule many would have expected. It was a shock especially considering how well the Reds had been playing before that point. Victories over Barcelona and Newcastle felt like the markers of the tide turning. A lot of hard work now feels like it has been totally undone,…