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A fresh shock met Manchester United fans on Friday morning when news of Ander Herrera negotiating a deal with Paris Saint-Germain did the rounds.

According to reports (via Marca), the Spaniard has a formidable offer on his table and is close to agreeing to join the French giants in the summer, just a few weeks after his side beat the Parisians in their own backyard during one of the most stunning Champions League comebacks of all time.

Obviously, while it’s still rumoured at this point, it’s all speculation, but would the Red Devils miss the Spaniard?

No, not really.

Granted, Herrera can be a vital cog in the Norwegian’s three-man midfield system and his wily nature benefits United very much. Still, there is one player in particular who could fill the void, Scott McTominay.

McTominay’s attained new-found confidence under Solskjaer, impressing in shielding his defence and being an energetic figure in midfield. He’s growing as a player and has already created a lot of excitement in Manchester with a permanent place in the side possibly being secured in the near future.

One thing that is certain is the fact that the Scotsman has a very bright future ahead of him.

Although, replacing the Spaniard with McTominay would be a brave decision as he still has lots to prove and needs to show more in attacking areas, but he could definitely give it a good go.

Even though finding a player with similar qualities and instincts of Herrera is difficult to find, United will survive without him.

They can possibly sign a replacement or Solskjaer can stick to his instincts, giving those United born and bred a chance to keep their midfield engine running.

United fans, would you accept any of the backup midfielders as Herrera’s replacement? Join the discussion by commenting below. 

That has been the Terriers’ main downfall, hasn’t it? Accompany a lack of defensive stability across the course of the season has been a lack of a regular goalscoring output, which is key as to they find themselves slumped at the bottom of the Premier League.

Huddersfield Town have scored just 18 goals this season in the League, with their joint top scorer being Karlan Grant, a January transfer window signing.

Following Grant’s brace at the weekend, it seems certain he will be Jan Siewert’s first-choice striker for their remaining seven games of the season, but we can still discuss the impact that the main two options offer…

Steve Mounie

Mounie has just two League goals and three assists in 26 League games this season. A woeful return.

The 24-year-old’s all-round game has been poor this season as although he has had a lack of service, he has certainly struggled to bring teammates into play and be clinical in front of goal, which is what his play-style is based around.

Grade: D-

Karlan Grant

After scoring 14 goals and providing five assists for Charlton in the first half of this campaign, Grant signed for Town in late January and since his arrival, he has looked bright in his six appearances so far.

The 21-year-old offers a completely different outlet to Mounie and one that is more efficient too, given his three goals in a Huddersfield shirt already. He makes lots of runs in-behind the opponent’s backline, gets involved in the build-up play often and has a relentless work-rate – all of these traits will serve him well with Town in the future.

Grade: B+

TT VERDICT

Provided he is fit, Grant must be Siewert’s only striking option for the latter stage of the season. With fate all but sealed, it provides a good opportunity for Grant to develop chemistry between his teammates and continue to prosper in West Yorkshire, which will only better Town’s chances of making it back to the Premier League at the first time of asking.

أعلن نادي نابولي الإيطالي عن ظهور إصابة جديدة بفيروس كورونا بين صفوفه قبل مواجهة يوفنتوس.

وكان نابولي أعلن أمس الجمعة عن إصابة بيوتر زيلينسكي وجياندومينيكو كوستي إداري بالفريق بـ “كوفيد -19”.

وكشف نابولي اليوم عن إصابة إليف إلماس بكورونا، قبل المواجهة المرتقبة أمام يوفنتوس المقرر لها غدًا الأحد.

وكان أبناء الجنوب حققوا الفوز على جنوى 6-0 نهاية الأسبوع الماضي وبعد ساعات من تلك المباراة،  تفشي فيروس كورونا بشكل كبير بين لاعبي جنوى (طالع المزيد).

ويوجد الآن 22 حالة في جنوى بين لاعبين وطاقم عمل، لعب كثير منهم ضد نابولي الأحد الماضي.

وفي نابولي كانت نتائج اختبار زيلنسكي إيجابية بالفعل يوم الخميس، وجاءت الجولة الثانية من المسحات اليوم سلبية باستثناء أربع مسحات مازالت بحاجة إلى المعالجة.

بعد ساعتين، أصدر نابولي تحديثًا يؤكد أن اختبار لاعب الوسط إلماس إيجابي أيضًا لكورونا.

نابولي يواجه يوفنتوس، مساء الأحد، على ملعب أليانز ستاديوم، ضمن لقاءات الجولة الثالثة من الدوري الإيطالي.

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Mohamed Diame is closing in on a new contract at Newcastle United, according to Chronicle Live.

The midfielder has started 22 games this season and, per the aforementioned report, is subsequently close to triggering a clause in his contract that would see him extend his stay at St James’ Park.

As it stands, his current contract expires at the end of the season.

Diame signed a new contract at the Magpies in 2016.

Chronicle Liver report, however, that he would like to have a longer deal at the club, with his hope being that he can stay at the club until 2021.

Diame joined Newcastle three years ago and has since made 96 appearances for the club, scoring eight goals.

And fans are split on whether the retired Senegal international should be allowed to stay at the club beyond the expiration of his deal. Take a look at the best of the reaction on Twitter below.

Leeds United’s transfer window came to a frustrating end as Swansea City pulled the plug on Daniel James’ proposed switch to Elland Road, but in the midst of the disappointment Tyler Roberts may well be quietly pleased by the setback. 

Leeds signed Roberts from West Bromwich Albion for a fee of £2.6 million on January deadline day in 2018 under far more straightforward circumstances.

His arrival evoked feelings of scepticism and curiosity amongst the supporters, with limited knowledge on the teenager’s potential giving them reason to question how far he could rise at the club.

The arrival of Marcelo Bielsa in the summer has paved the way for Roberts to begin showcasing his talent, and it’s fair to say that sporadic moments of quality lend reason to believe that he could yet blossom into a key player.

Although he does not operate in the same position as James, the Swansea prodigy’s arrival would have given Bielsa an extra option on the left-wing, leaving Pablo Hernandez as his most likely option at number ten.

But Roberts’ recent showing against Rotherham hinted that he could yet push Hernandez out wide once more and occupy that role himself, and the fact Bielsa has already named him in the starting eleven for the season-defining clash against Norwich City speaks volumes about his growing prominence at the club.

It remains unclear as to how exactly Leeds will set-up, but Roberts’ glowing performance last time out suggests he should be in line to start behind Roofe in an attacking midfield role.

The game against Norwich is just one game, but in the context of the race for promotion it is absolutely massive.

A positive performance from Roberts could catapult his reputation at the club and prove to Bielsa that he is worthy of a more prominent role and, with James still at Swansea, he will be in a strong position to complete a full breakthrough at number ten with Hernandez being forced to operate out wide.

Leeds fans – thoughts? Let us know below!

Argentina keeper Emiliano Martinez appeared to charge at a Brazilian police officer and try to take away his baton during ugly scenes at the Maracana.

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Martinez charged at police officerViolence broke out between police & fansArgentina beat Brazil 1-0WHAT HAPPENED?

As reported by the , the Aston Villa goalkeeper leaped up and tried to take away the baton from a Brazilian police officer's hand amid crowd violence at the Maracana stadium right before Brazil and Argentina's 2026 World Cup qualifying game.

Violence broke out between the fans just before kick-off, leading to the reigning World Cup champions walking off the field. The two sides eventually returned to get the game underway 30 minutes later.

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Apparently, the violence started when the home crowd started booing the visiting team's national anthem. The local police intervened, but the violence only increased. Martinez took it upon himself to try and stop the chaos in the stands, with several of his Argentina team-mates attempting to haul him back, and the squad eventually made their way down the tunnel.

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The match eventually went in the visitors' favour as Nicolas Otamendi's strike helped the world champions edge out their rivals. This was Selecao's third defeat in six games and it left them languishing down in sixth in the CONMEBOL qualifying table with just seven points. From the same number of games, La Albiceleste have 15 points and sit at the summit. The next set of qualifying games will not take place until September next year, after the Copa America.

Everything you need to know about French superstar Paul Pogba!

Paul Pogba is a French professional football player who currently plays as a central midfielder for Juventus and the France national team. Born on March 15, 1993, in Lagny-sur-Marne, France, Pogba is widely regarded as one of the best midfielders in the world, known for a rare mix of technical ability, range of passing, physicality, ball-winning abilities, and creativity on the pitch.

Pogba began his career at the age of six playing for local club US Roissy-en-Brie. He later joined US Torcy, from where the rough diamond was scouted by Le Havre AC. In 2009, Pogba joined Manchester United's youth academy and quickly made a name for himself as a highly-prodigious talent. He made his first-team debut in 2011 but struggled to establish himself in the squad.

In 2012, Pogba left the northern England club after his contract expired, having only made seven appearances as a substitute. He joined Juventus, who only had to pay £800,000 to secure his services.

At Juventus, he became an integral part of the team, completing a wonderful midfield alongside legends Andrea Pirlo, Arturo Vidal and Claudio Marchisio. He enjoyed a trophy-laden four-year stint with the Italian giants, helping them win four consecutive Serie A titles and the Coppa Italia twice between 2012 and 2016, as well as reaching the UCL final in 2014/15. Pogba was also named the Serie A Footballer of the Year in 2013 and 2014 and was included in the UEFA Team of the Year in 2015.

His performances were so good that Manchester United — the very same club that released him — forked out a then world-record fee of £89 million to prize him away from Turin in 2018. He was 23 and had been named young player of the tournament at the previous World Cup. He was a rising star, the type of player and leader who was expected to pull United out of their post-Alex Ferguson rut.

It all started so positively for Pogba back at Manchester United. In his first season, he played alongside Zlatan Ibrahimovic and helped them win the League Cup and the Europa League, while also moving the Red Devils to a second-place league finish and a return to Champions League action.

However, it all turned sour towards the end of his second stint at United. He has also been criticised for his performances, while some fans and pundits have accused him of not living up to his potential and being inconsistent on and off the pitch.

After another underwhelming season in 2021/22, he left Old Trafford at the end of his contract in the summer of 2022 to rejoin Juventus on a free transfer. He has played just twice for the Italian giants since moving to Turin, with his first season back in Italy largely plagued by various injury problems.

For France, he was one of the driving forces of France's 2018 World Cup win, playing a crucial role in the midfield alongside N'Golo Kante. He was once again a key player for France at Euro 2020 and has made 91 appearances for France, scoring 11 goals but he missed the 2022 World Cup through injury.

Here are 15 fun facts about Pogba you need to know!

• Nicknamed 'Paul the Octopus' 🌐 🐙

  When he played in Italy first time around, Paul got a nickname ‘Il Polpo’ which translates to 'Paul the Octopus'. This is because he has a lanky frame and long legs to control the ball and keep it in possession. His strides and legs are as powerful as an octopus' tentacles.

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  Idolises Andrea Pirlo

  Paul Pogba has spoken extensively about how much he looks up to and has learned from Andrea Pirlo, an Italy and Juventus legend. Pirlo and Pogba played together during his first stint at Juventus, where Pirlo was an experienced midfielder and Pogba was a rising star. Pogba has often mentioned Pirlo as one of his idols, praising him for his exceptional passing ability, vision, and composure on the ball.

  The 30-year-old has even tried to adopt some of the principles of Pirlo's playing style, including his long-range passing and ability to control the tempo of the game. Pogba has also credited Pirlo for helping him become a better player and develop his skills as a midfielder.

  In an interview, Pogba said, "I learned a lot from Pirlo. He was an example for me, not just as a player but as a person too. I watched him all the time in training and in matches, trying to learn from him."

• Raised by a single 'super mum'

  Often referred to as 'super mum', Yeo Moriba is recognised for making a number of sacrifices for her children as she raised her three sons single-handedly after she divorced from her husband Fassou Antoine Pogba, in 1996. Yeo brought her three boys alone on France's little council house, and was the driving force behind her three sons' footballing careers.

  Pogba has in the past admitted that his mother is his greatest source of inspiration. During an interview with Esquire in 2017, the Frenchman said his mother is his first girlfriend.

  Yeo holds a passion for the sport as well, and now serves as an ambassador with the Guinea FA. She even founded a football club in Guinea and used to be the captain of the Guinea women's national team.

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  Twin footballer brothers!

  Paul has twin elder brothers – Mathias and Florentin. And you'll be surprised to learn that all three of them are professional football players, and love statement hairstyles. Florentin, who plays as centre-back, has endured a journeyman career around Europe – playing in seven countries including England, Wales and Scotland.

  He's currently plying his trade for Indian Super League club ATK Mohun Bagan (renamed as Mohun Bagan Super Giants) while Matthias last played for French fourth-tier outfit ASM Belfort. Of course, Paul is the most famous out of the three.

MatériaMais Notícias

Na última terça-feira o São Paulo reuniu jogadores e comissão técnica para transmitir pessoalmente as recomendações para o período de paralisação nas atividades do futebol profissional. Já nesta quarta-feira, Alexandre Pato mostrou em suas redes sociais um pouco de como vai ser a rotina dos são-paulinos neste momento de isolamento doméstico por conta do coronavírus.

Pato postou em sua conta no Instagram e em seu Twitter oficial registros de seu treino físico em uma esteira em sua casa. O jogador, que aparece nas imagens com o uniforme de treinamento do Tricolor, incluiu a seguinte legenda em sua publicação neste primeiro dia de trabalhos fora do CT da Barra Funda.

-E o trabalho não para!! Foco no propósito! – destacou o atacante.

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O trabalho não para!🏃‍♂️@SaoPauloFC. pic.twitter.com/RGgSrDPRFg

— PATO (@Pato) March 18, 2020

O diretor de futebol Raí e o gerente executivo de futebol Alexandre Pássaro afirmaram que os jogadores poderão optar por fazer treinamentos individuais em locais fora do CT da Barra Funda, ou nas próprias dependências do São Paulo, desde que sob orientação e autorização do departamento médico, seguindo os devidos cuidados que o cenário atual pede.

Como prevenção contra o avanço do coronavírus, não haverá treinamentos coletivos, e os atletas foram orientados a evitar viagens de avião neste período. O clube acompanhará a pausa e ofereceu suporte ao grupo.

MatériaMais Notícias

O Ceará não tem interesse em ter o atacante Felippe Cardoso em definitivo para o próximo ano. Sendo assim, o jogador é aguardado no Santos para o início da pré-temporada.

Com a permanência no Brasileirão Série A, o Ceará pensa em reformular seu ataque. Além disso, Felippe já havia perdido espaço depois da saída do técnico Enderson Moreira. Com outros dois técnicos (Adilson Batista e Argel Fucks), o jogador somente atuou cinco vezes.

Pessoas próximas do centroavante afirmaram que ele já tem proposta do exterior, mas não quiseram explicar o destino.

Caso não seja transferido, Felippe se reapresentará no início de janeiro, no CT Rei Pelé, para a pré-temporada do Santos. Ele terá a concorrência de Eduardo Sasha, Raniel, Kaio Jorge e Uribe.

Depois de duas trocas (Raniel por Vitor Bueno e Madson por Victor Ferraz), o Santos, para economizar financeiramente, pode seguir adotando este método e colocar Felippe Cardoso como moeda de troca. Ele tem contrato com o Peixe até 30 de outubro de 2023.

* Sob supervisão de Vinícius Perazzini

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Steven Smith’s men persisted through New Zealand’s resistance and ended day four of the Christchurch Test a mere 131 runs away from claiming victory and the No. 1 Test ranking

The Report by Daniel Brettig22-Feb-2016
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsJackson Bird claimed a maiden Test five-for in New Zealand’s second innings•Getty ImagesNew Zealand delayed, annoyed and even frustrated Australia into some of the ugliest scenes of the summer. Yet Steven Smith’s men persisted through it all, and by day’s end were a mere 131 runs away from claiming victory in Christchurch and the No. 1 Test ranking.For all the hosts’ fighting qualities, whether it was Kane Williamson’s dogged 97, Corey Anderson’s self-denial or the common sense rearguard of BJ Watling and Matt Henry, Australia always stayed ahead of the game. For this they can thank Jackson Bird, who summoned his first five-wicket haul in Tests, and also the support of James Pattinson, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Marsh.While David Warner nibbled down the leg side to complete the most underwhelming Test series of his career, Joe Burns and Usman Khawaja fought through to the close against another round of short balls from Neil Wagner.At one point, slip was the only man on the off side, making Wagner’s attack obvious. But the second-wicket stand came closest to being broken when Khawaja nearly edged an attempted drive onto the stumps in Anderson’s final over of the day.Australia’s efforts in the field had been obvious, and often near the edge of exasperation. Tempers had simmered during a long stand between Williamson and Anderson, before Bird struck once with the old ball then twice with the new to take the visitors closer to a fourth-innings chase. But Watling and Henry played with good sense to add 118 and ensure New Zealand have something to defend.Pattinson and Hazlewood again bowled with pace, direction and reverse swing in the first hour and went exceptionally close to dismissing both batsmen more than once. Hazlewood’s last appeal – and Australia’s last referral – moments before lunch drew another denial and considerable frustration from Smith’s men.There was self-recrimination, too, when Marsh dropped Anderson at the gully, and the tourists went to the interval clearly angry at not being able to dislodge the overnight pair. They were more patient when faced by Watling and Henry, eventually rewarded when Pattinson had Watling caught on the leg side and Henry was bowled by Bird.Old-ball swing had been key to Australia claiming four wickets on the third evening, and it was again evident as Pattinson and Hazlewood resumed their barrage. Williamson and then Anderson were both subjects of concerted lbw appeals, but on each occasion DRS replays showed contact with the bat first.Anderson’s escape was queried by the Australians, but was quickly followed by a ball angled across and a sliced drive that burst through Marsh’s hands. By the standard set in this match, including Marsh’s own unrewarded catch off a no-ball on day one, it was a bad miss.Further close calls followed: Williamson edged Hazlewood the merest fraction short of Peter Nevill’s gloves, and right on lunch the bowler appeared to strike New Zealand’s No. 3 in front with a swinging yorker from around the wicket.The Australians appealed vehemently and reviewed instantly, but HotSpot replays picked up the faintest inside edge from Williamson before the ball struck his pad, leaving Smith’s men to angrily confront the on-field umpire and express their surprise.Through all this Williamson and Anderson remained, giving New Zealand something of a foothold in the match against increasingly feverish opponents. They remained unhappy until Bird coaxed Anderson into dragging on in the 79th over of the innings, a wicket that opened up an end for the second new ball.Williamson was on 97 when a hint of seam movement with the fresh ball resulted in an edge onto the stumps and, in the same over, Tim Southee snicked to Smith in the slips. Australia sensed they were close to sealing the match, but Watling and Henry had other ideas.Unfussy but positive, they worked the ball around with calculated moments of aggression to build the lead, not offering a chance in the process. By the interval their union was New Zealand’s best for the eighth wicket in a decade, once more leaving Smith to ponder his options.Pattinson tightened up Watling after the break and was rewarded when he flicked the lowest of catches to Joe Burns in front of square leg. Bird found a way through Henry and Trent Boult offered up a skier to give the adopted Tasmanian a Test five-for – vindication of the selectors’ decision to recall him for the first time in three years.A target of 201 was tricky, but Warner and Burns began briskly, quickly whittling down the equation and easing any nerves. Though Warner fell to Wagner, Khawaja was rapidly into his stride, while Burns batted as if to continue his first innings. New Zealand now have only the faintest hope, Australia both eyes on the Test Championship Mace.