The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Manchester United

  • UCL: Man. Utd draw Barcelona as Tottenham face Man. City in Quarter-Finals

    Manchester United will slug it out with FC Barcelona for a place in the last four of the 2018/2019 UEFA Champions League.

    According to the draws by UEFA on Friday, last year’s finalist, Liverpool, will book a date with FC Porto while Tottenham will play Manchester City.

    Juventus will travel to Holland to face AFC Ajax for a place in the last four.

    The quarter-final first legs take place on 9 April and 10 April.

    Read Also: Messi hat-trick saves Barcelona

    The semi-finals start on 30 April and 1 May.

    The draw continued with the winner between Tottenham and Manchester City billed to face whoever overcomes between AFC Ajax and Juventus in the semi-finals and the the winner between Manchester United and FC Barcelona booking a last-four date with the winner between Liverpool and FC Porto.

    The 2019 final will takes place on 1 June in Madrid.

     

  • Arsenal charged by FA over pitch invader at Man Utd game

    Arsenal has been charged by the Football Association (FA) over the pitch invasion that occurred during Sunday’s Premier League game against Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium.

    The incident occurred in the 69th minute of Arsenal’s 2-0 victory, when a supporter ran on to the field to celebrate Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s goal and shoved United defender Chris Smalling.

    He then approached Arsenal’s players with his arms aloft before stewards escorted him off the pitch.

    The man was later arrested.

    “Arsenal FC has been charged with breaches of FA Rule E20 (a)and (b),” the FA said in a statement.

    “It is alleged the club failed to ensure that its spectator(s) conducted themselves in an orderly fashion and refrained from encroaching onto the pitch during the Premier League fixture against Manchester United on Sunday.”

    Arsenal has until March 22 to respond to the charge.

    Pitch invasions in England and Scotland over the weekend have raised fears for player safety, with those in the game warning of potential tragedy unless firm action is taken to tackle the problem.

    Before the incident at Arsenal, Aston Villa’s Jack Grealish was punched in the face by a man in a Championship (second tier) game at local rivals Birmingham City.

    While in Scotland, Rangers captain James Tavernier was attacked at Hibernian.

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  • UEFA justifies PSG penalty kick decision in VAR explanation

    European football ruling body UEFA on Friday gave an explanation about the reference to video technology to decide on the Presnel Kimpembe handball incident on Wednesday.

    UEFA said the incident which led to Manchester United’s extraordinary 3-1 victory over Paris St-Germain (PSG) in the 2018/2019 UEFA Champions League was “a serious missed incident’’.

    The competition organisers released a statement on their website detailing the use of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) after the system played a decisive role during the week’s last-16 second-leg games.

    The most debated decision saw PSG defender Kimpembe penalized for deflecting a shot from Manchester United’s Diogo Dalot with his arm.

    It prompted a review which led to Marcus Rashford scoring a penalty kick in stoppage time to complete one of the most remarkable comebacks in the competition’s history.

    “The VAR, after checking various different angles available to him, recommended to the referee an on-field review following the penalty area incident,” UEFA said in a statement.

    “Following the on-field review, the referee confirmed that the distance that the ball travelled was not short and the impact could therefore not be unexpected.

    “The defender’s arm was not close to the body, which made the defender’s body bigger thus resulting in the ball being stopped from travelling in the direction of the goal. The referee, therefore, awarded a penalty kick.”

    Read Also: UEFA set to review 53 year old away goals rule

    FC Porto also benefited from two decisions that were subject to VAR reviews in their 3-1 win over AS Roma after extra time.

    The Portuguese side were awarded a penalty kick in the 117th minute for a holding offence by Alessandro Florenzi on Fernando.

    UEFA said the referee confirmed to the VAR that he had not seen the incident.

    He asked for images to be prepared to allow him to conduct an on-field review, which resulted in him awarding the spot kick.

    AS Roma then had an appeal in the opposite area turned down when Patrik Schick was felled by Moussa Marega.

    UEFA said this had been witnessed by the referee and deemed not to be a foul.

    “A VAR check was conducted, and the various images were studied carefully by the VAR, who did not find any clear evidence,” it said.

    Dasun Tadic’s strike in Ajax Amsterdam’s 4-1 win over Real Madrid was also reviewed by VAR as the ball looked to have gone out of play in the build-up.

    UEFA, however, said there was no conclusive evidence that the whole ball had crossed the line when the video was studied.

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  • Pogba sets Champions league condition for Man U

     

    Paul Pogba though currently enjoying himself at Manchester United but will consider facing the exit door if the team fails to qualify for Champions league next season it has been revealed.

    Reports in Italy indicate that the France international is not prepaid to settle for Europa as an alternative.

    Thanks to their form under interim boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, United have been thrust back into contention for a top-four finish when it looked very unlikely under Jose Mourinho earlier in the campaign.

    Pogba, who struggled earlier on in the season, has also been rejuvenated under the Norwegian with seven assists and nine goals in fourteen matches.

    However, Tuttosport claims that whether United are playing Champions League football or not next term will be ‘decisive’ in Pogba determining his future at Old Trafford.

    The report adds that the France international ‘will hardly accept another season in the Europa League’ like he did when they won the competition with Mourinho in 2016-17.

    Pogba became the world’s most expensive player when Mourinho re-signed him from Juventus for £89.3million in summer 2016.

    The latest report could boost Juventus, with recent claims that they could be interested in bringing Pogba back to Turin.

    Meanwhile, a report just over a week ago said that Juve are considering replacing Max Allegri with World Cup winning France boss Didier Deschamps when he leaves.

    Pogba would apparently be far more likely to accept a return to Turin with his national team boss at the helm.

  • Man Utd vs Liverpool: DSTV sets for Old trafford match

    Football hostilities will heat up on Sunday afternoon as Manchester United and Liverpool clash at Old Trafford in a match with profound implications for both clubs in their title chase and berth for the UEFA Champions League.

    In a statement, DStv and GOtv said actions for the Sunday afternoon football match will be aired Live.

    Recall that Jurgen Klopp’s team defeated the Red Devils 3-1 when the teams clashed at Anfield in December 2018. And that was Jose Mourinho’s last match in charge of United, but it has been a turnaround under caretaker manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer since then.

    The Norwegian has overseen eight wins from nine unbeaten Premier League matches, pushing United back up the table and making them perhaps the favourites to finish fourth ahead of Chelsea and Arsenal – something which seemed unthinkable in the final days of Mourinho’s tenure.

    Yet it is the battle at the top of the table between Liverpool and Manchester City which is even more important: The Reds come into the weekend trailing the Citizens on goal difference, and this clash gives them the chance to reclaim an outright lead (with Pep Guardiola’s team playing in the League Cup final against Chelsea).

    Solskjaer’s United would love nothing more than to stymie Liverpool’s title hopes – even if it proves to help out their hated cross-town rivals – and we should be in for a fiery clash between two of England’s greatest football clubs.

    DStv and GOtv viewers will also look forward a double-header of matches on Friday night, as Cardiff City aim to put some daylight between themselves and the relegation zone with a win at home to Javi Gracia’s impressive Watford, while West Ham United and Fulham will meet for a London derby which should be full of thrills and spills.

    Read Also: Substitute Shaqiri strikes twice as Liverpool see off Manchester United

    Saturday’s highlights include a relegation six-pointer between Newcastle United and Huddersfield Town, Tottenham trying to make up ground in the title race when they face an in-form Burnley away from home and the unpredictable pair of Leicester City and Crystal Palace will meet at the King Power Stadium for the late kick-off.

    On Sunday, DStv and GOtv viewers can choose between the United-Liverpool game or, kicking off at the same time, a clash which sees Arsenal looking to avenge their surprise 3-2 defeat at the hands of Southampton from December 2018.

    Key match stats

    Manchester United v Liverpool – Head-to-head, Premier League

    Matches played 53

    United wins 28

    Liverpool wins 14

    Draws 11

    Burnley v Tottenham Hotspur – Head-to-head, Premier League

    Matches played 9

    Burnley wins 1

    Spurs wins 6

    Draws 2

    Arsenal v Southampton – Head-to-head, Premier League

    Matches played 39

    Arsenal wins 21

    Southampton wins 7

    Draws 11

    Premier League fixtures, 22-24 February

    Friday 22 February

    8:45pm: Cardiff City v Watford – LIVE on SS5

    8:45pm: West Ham United v Fulham – LIVE on SS3

    Saturday 23 February

    1:30pm: Burnley v Tottenham Hotspur – LIVE on SS3

    4:00pm: Bournemouth v Wolverhampton Wanderers – LIVE on SS5/SS10 & SelGo2

    4:00pm: Newcastle United v Huddersfield Town – LIVE on SS3

    6:30pm: Leicester City v Crystal Palace – LIVE on SS3

    Sunday 24 February

    3:05pm: Arsenal v Southampton – LIVE on SS5/SS10 & SelGo2

    3:05pm: Manchester United v Liverpool – LIVE on SS3

  • Man Utd, Man City in Tanguy Ndombele tug of war

     

    Manchester United have reportedly made contact with Tanguy Ndombele’s representatives over a possible summer move for the Lyon midfielder.

    Ndombele, one of the most sought after prospects in Europe, is the subject of interest from Manchester City.

    However, as reported by Le 10 Sport, United are looking to pursue a move for the 22-year-old.

    City made an offer for Ndombele last summer, while Juventus are also monitoring the France international’s situation.

    Ndombele has been a mainstay for Lyon this season and is capable of operating as a central midfielder or deeper in midfield.

    Having commenced his senior career at Amiens, Ndombele impressed on loan at Lyon last season.

    That earned him a permanent move to Bruno Genesio’s side, and his stock has continued to rise.

    Ndombele will have the opportunity to impress potential suitors further during Lyon’s upcoming Champions League last-16 tie against Barcelona.

    Ndombele was born in France to parents of D.R. Congolese descent. He  made his competitive debut for Lyon’s first team in the 2–0 Ligue 1 away loss to Paris Saint-Germain on 17 September 2017; he started the match and was replaced by Christopher Martins in the 72nd minute.

    On 15 February 2018, Ndombele scored a goal (his first career competitive goal for Lyon’s first team) in the 46th minute of their 3–1 home win over Villarreal CF in the round of 32 first leg of the 2017–18  UEFA Europa League.

  • Mourinho accepts 12-month prison sentence for tax fraud

    Spanish prosecutors have sentenced the ex-Manchester United and Real Madrid boss to 12 months in prison as part of a deal reached in a tax fraud case

    Jose Mourinho has accepted a 12-month prison sentence and a fine of close to €2.2 million after admitting to tax fraud in Madrid – but will not serve time in jail.

    The 56-year-old was accused of evading paying in the region of €3.3m in taxes on image rights while he was head coach of Real Madrid.

    The Portuguese will not spend any time in prison as the sentence is for less than two years.

    In 2016, Mourinho’s representatives Gestifute released a statement insisting he was “fully compliant with tax obligations” after allegations of tax evasion first came to light via the whistleblowing platform ‘Football Leaks’’

    However, he struck a deal with Spanish prosecutors last year, which was ratified at a court on Tuesday.

    Mourinho was in charge of Madrid from 2010 until the end of the 2012-13 season.

    Read Also: It’s game over, Utd in the past – Mourinho

    The offences were alleged to have been committed between 2011 and 2012.

    It was reported last September that he had agreed to accept a one-year prison sentence and fine in order to bring the legal proceedings to an end.

    Speaking to reporters outside court in Pozuelo de Alarcon in November 2017, he said: “I did not answer, I did not argue. I paid and signed with the state that I am in compliance and the case is closed.”

    A number of prominent figures in football, including former Madrid striker Cristiano Ronaldo, his ex-team-mate Marcelo and Barcelona forward Lionel Messi, have been punished for tax offences in the last two years.

  • ‘Kagawa set to join Besiktas on loan’

    Borussia Dortmund’s Japanese international midfielder Shinji Kagawa is set to join Besiktas on loan for the rest of the season, according to Turkish media reports on Thursday.

    The 29-year-old former Manchester United player had reportedly been a target of struggling French club Monaco but it now appears he could spend the rest of the season in Istanbul.

    News agency DHA and sports daily Fanatik reported that he arrived in the city on Thursday to complete a six-month loan in a deal that gives the club the option to buy the player.

    Kagawa helped Dortmund win the German league and cup double in 2012 before spending two years at United, then returned to the German club in 2014, but has fallen out of favour under coach Lucien Favre.

  • Kane out until March with ankle injury

    Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane will be out of action until March after suffering an ankle injury in last weekend’s English Premier League (EPL) defeat by Manchester United.

    “Following preliminary assessments, we can confirm that Harry Kane has damaged ligaments in his left ankle,” the north London club said on Tuesday.

    Read Also: Kane beats Shearer record for most goals in a year

    The England forward had hobbled away from Wembley on Sunday after picking up a knock towards the end of the 1-0 defeat by United.

    “The striker will continue to be monitored by our medical staff as he commences rehabilitation and is expected to return to training in early March,’’ Spurs said in the statement.

     

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  • Manchester United stars, fans hail ‘rock of Gibraltar’-de Gea

     

    Goalkeepers like other players on the pitch have their good and bad days.  While the take all the blame and all the pain on a bad day, they share the gains and joy of the good days.  Sunday January 13 2019, could pass as of such good days for

    Spain international and Manchester United safe hand David de Gea as became a stumbling block against Tottenham Hotspur in their premier league tie at the wembley

    The former Athetico Madrid ace proved why he is regarded by many as the best goalkeeper in the world with a brilliant display against a highly determined Spurs, and his team-mates were quick to pay tribute to him following the game.

    The 28 year old made a string of fine saves – including 11 in the second-half – to deny Harry Kane and co as United held on to their lead after going ahead courtesy of a first half goal from Marcus Rashford.

    ‘Man like @d_degeaofficial’, wrote Romelu Lukaku as he shared a cartoon of De Gea pulling a barrier down to cover the goal with the words ‘sorry, closed on Sunday’ written on it. Luke Shaw tweeted the same image.

    Midfielder Ander Herrera followed suit, posting a photo of himself and the goalkeeper hugging at the final whistle with the caption ‘no words @d_degeaofficial’.

    He would later share a story from the team coach, placing a top hat emoticon on De Gea’s head.

    De Gea himself also tweeted, calling it a ‘perfect night at Wembley’ along with a picture of him celebrating at full time.

    Compatriot Juan Mata went for a sarcastic approach as he responded ‘nah, average’ to De Gea’s tweet about it being a ‘perfect night’.

    He then wrote ‘I know you all felt like me’ in response to a clip from Sky of himself staring in amazement at De Gea at the end of the game with the caption ‘find someone who looks at you the way Juan Mata looks at David De Gea’.

    The love-in did not stop there as Victor Lindelof and Andreas Pereira both took opportunities to post images with the man of the hour on United’s train back to Manchester.

    The praise for De Gea continued to pour in from the footballing world, with his former united team mate Darren Fletcher declaring him the best in the world.