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Losing in finals are never easy, but for Manchester United back in the 2011, their defeat to Barcelona at Wembley in the Champions League is surely one that causes heartbreak.

The Red Devils arguably came up against one of the greatest club sides in the history of the game, and despite putting up a valiant effort, saw them go down to a 3-1 defeat.

Speaking after United’s loss, Sir Alex Ferguson was gracious in admitting that they were as good as anything he had seen in his illustrious managerial career.

He said: “They’re the best in Europe, no question about that. In my time as a manager, I would say they’re the best team we’ve faced. Everyone acknowledges that and I accept that. It’s not easy when you’ve been well beaten like that to think another way. No one has given us a hiding like that. It’s a great moment for them. They deserve it because they play the right way and enjoy their football.”

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United’s back-line was as strong as it could have been with the likes of Edwin van der Sar in between the sticks, and Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic and Patrice Evra in front of him. But at right-back, a very inexperienced, Fabio, aged just 20 at the time, was given the improbable task of trying to help shackle an awe-inspiring Barcelona attack.

And the Brazilian could not manage to do so, with left-winger Pedro opening the scoring and putting the writing on the wall. It would have been a difficult job for anyone, let alone a player still trying to make his name.

But in this world of trying to imagine ‘what if?’, could an Ole Gunnar Solskjaer signing from last summer made any difference back in that game?

Aaron Wan-Bissaka was signed by the Red Devils for big-money from Crystal Palace, and has only enhanced his reputation in his debut campaign at Old Trafford. Despite missing a couple of games in the Premier League – the full-back nicknamed ‘The Spider’ for his ability to use his long legs when challenging for the ball – has made an impressive 99 tackles, which puts him second amongst all players in the top-flight.

Separating the fairweathers from real fans: How much can you remember about United’s treble season?

It’s little surprise that Jamie Carragher even lauded him as “one of the best one-on-one defenders in the world. I don’t think anybody would be able to get the better of him”.

Had Wan-Bissaka played instead of Fabio in 2011, would things have turned out differently? What it certainly could have done is changed the dynamics of Barcelona’s attack. The £36m-rated ace would have been far more aggressive in trying to win the 50/50s with Pedro, and if that was a duel he ended up winning in the early part of the game, then United could look to offer more protection to the other side of the pitch where Lionel Messi was wreaking havoc.

Simply by dominating his own one-on-one match-up, Wan-Bissaka would have allowed Ferguson’s side to have more bodies on the left-hand side, knowing full well they could rely on their right-back to deal with his own problems by himself.

It is certainly a stretch to say the former Palace man would absolutely have changed the outcome of the game, but it does raise an intriguing debate about whether he could have save United from their Champions League heartbreak.

Meanwhile, this Man Utd ace should move on for the good of his career.

Southampton fans have taken to Twitter to react after The Athletic’s Leeds correspondent Phil Hay revealed the latest news on Che Adams’ potential move to Elland Road.Hay details that, despite Ralph Hasenhuttl wanting the striker to stay, Southampton’s hierarchy are more open to allowing the 23-year-old to depart St Mary’s if Leeds pay a £1m loan fee as well as an obligation to buy Adams for ‘more than £10m’ at the end of the season.

“Hasenhuttl wants Adams to stay, saying on Friday that Southampton would “need him in the second half of the seasonâ€, but The Athletic understands Southampton’s hierarchy are more open to letting Adams go, for a loan fee of £1 million and an obligation to sign Adams permanently for more than £10 million at the end of the season. Leeds are ready to meet those demands and Adams, who is keen to take the move to Elland Road, has been considering forcing the issue himself by informing Hasenhuttl of his desire to leave.”

As aforesaid, Hasenhuttl wants the forward – who cost Southampton £15m back in the summer – to stay and said that he “needs every player”. However, it appears that those at boardroom level on the south coast have different ideas to the Austrian if Marcelo Bielsa’s side meet their requirements.

Hay also adds that Leeds are ready to meet Southampton’s demands, and that Adams – who is keen on the move – has considered forcing the issue himself by informing Hasenhuttl of his desire to leave.

The former Birmingham striker netted 22 Championship goals last season, although he is yet to score in 19 appearances for the Saints and has just a single assist to show for his efforts this term.

Let’s see what the Southampton fans on Twitter thought of Hay’s update…

These two fans began the discussion by using two hard-hitting adjectives to describe Hay’s update – “mad” and “ridiculous”.

‘Babalex’ demanded that Adams is given time, but also added that, if he does end up leaving, it has to be for the “whole amount” that Southampton paid – so £15m.

Elsewhere, Robert said that this move “makes absolutely no sense at all for Southampton” while also mentioning that “Ralph loves the kid” and that Adams’ performances have improved lately even if he is yet to score.

Furthermore, Andrew stated that this news is “odd” and said that “surely” these rumours aren’t real – it seems as if this particular supporter is dumbfounded by Hay’s update.

How much do you remember about football in 2019? Our quiz will test your knowledge…

Lastly, “crazy” and “daft” were the adjectives on display from Pat and Raz respectively, who both seem shocked with this update.

Pat mentioned that Adams has only been at the club for six months, while our final fan Raz said that the Southampton No.10 “needs to be kept and coached” .

In other news, these Southampton fans have been discussing a “lazy” report linking this player to a “proper mess” of a club…

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Alfredo Morelos has been in excellent form for Rangers this season, and Aston Villa should move for the forward at the end of the season if they are promoted to the Premier League.

What’s the word, then?

Morelos joined Rangers from Finnish club HJK in the summer of 2017, and the forward has proved to be an absolute revelation at Ibrox.

Indeed, the Colombia international has scored 35 goals in 72 appearances for the Gers in all competitions, including 17 strikes in 29 matches this season.

Last month, Rangers boss Steven Gerrard insisted that he would ‘fight tooth and nail to keep’ Morelos at the club for as long as possible.

Gerrard conceded that ‘every player has his price’, however, and it seems unlikely that the Gers will be able to keep hold of the forward on a long-term basis.

The 22-year-old, who also has 10 assists to his name this season, only signed a new deal with Rangers in September, but Villa should attempt to sign him at the end of the season if they are promoted to the Premier League.

How are Villa going in the Championship?

Eight wins, eight draws and five defeats – that is how Villa have performed in the Championship during the 2018-19 campaign.

A total of 32 points from 21 matches has left them in eighth position, just four points off the top six, and 10 points off second-placed Leeds United.

It is difficult to imagine that Villa will not be involved in the playoff picture at the end of the season when considering their improvement under Dean Smith.

Indeed, Villa are unbeaten in the league since the end of October.

Tammy Abraham has been excellent for the team this season, but it seems likely that the forward’s future is with Chelsea.

As a result, Villa will need a new forward to lead them into the Premier League if they are promoted, and the club should certainly take a punt on goal machine Morelos.

Aston Villa have struggled to find consistency so far this season but ended a run of five consecutive matches without a win by beating Rotherham on Tuesday evening.

Three points from that clash have eased the pressure on Steve Bruce’s side but there is still a lot of work to be done in the promotion push this season – and fans will be hoping that the club’s spending harbours more success than in previous years.

Villa spent a fee of £12m to bring Ross McCormack to the club from Fulham in 2017, but he has since scored just three goals in 20 league appearances and last featured for the club over 12 months ago in August 2017.

McCormack spent part of last season on loan with A-League side Melbourne City and has now returned to Australia, signing with Central Coast Mariners on a season-long loan deal.

The departure sees Villa offload a misfit from their squad and plenty of fans gave their reaction to the deal on social media.

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The Tottenham fans in and around the Transfer Tavern are worried about the lack of transfer activity that is happening around the club as they want the team to be properly equipped to bid for silverware this season. 

Simply, fans want their stadium move ambition to be matched by having quality players on the pitch. Tottenham, over the last few seasons, have been chasing the top teams in amongst the top four but when it comes down to winning trophies, they’re renowned for bottling the situation and failing at the last moments. One player who hasn’t been used to a lot of failure in his career is Julian Draxler. With a value of £31.5 million on Transfermarkt, he’s a star our punters would like to join Tottenham this summer.

The German attacker was part of their early World Cup exit although he enjoyed domestic success with PSG as they stormed to the French Ligue 1 title. Draxler played his part certainly on their way to a silverware filled season, scoring 5 goals and providing 10 assists in his 47 total appearances. At 24-years-old, Draxler is nearing his peak age, something which could see him viewed as a top player should his form now get even better.

The PSG man predominately plays as a central-midfielder but can also be utilised on either wing or even as a number 10 behind the striker. Tottenham would not only be getting a top German midfielder but one that can be transformed into different positions depending on the opponent and the tactics Mauricio Pochettino wants to embed into the team.

Good move… Let us know!

As reported by The Scotsman, Rangers have rejected an advance from Nottingham Forest for their star right-back James Tavernier.

What’s the story?

The story of Ranger’s summer transfer wise has been all about bringing players into the club with Pedro Caixinha making a raft of signings from Scotland, Portugal and Mexico so far.

However, the likelihood is that plenty will be shown the door at Ibrox this summer too.

One of those players whose future is in doubt is James Tavernier. The Scotsman say that former boss Mark Warburton wants to bring the defender to Nottingham Forest, even lodging a formal offer with the Light Blues.

However, Rangers aren’t willing to say goodbye to the player on the cheap and have rejected Warburton’s initial advance, according the report. The paper does go on to say that a second bid is expected.

Should Pedro Caixinha let him go?

Time to leave?

James Tavernier had a fantastic first season for Rangers but that came in the Scottish Championship and he’s found it difficult it adjust to top-flight football over the last 12 months.

There’s no doubt about his ability to get himself forward at Scottish Premiership level but his defensive positioning is hugely lacking and he left his teammates high and dry more than a few times last season.

If Pedro Caixinha has other options in mind in the position then there’s little point in having him hang around and it seems a matter of when, not if, he leaves the Ibrox club this summer.

Call me Scrooge, Krampus and the Grinch combined, I don’t care. Well I do a little bit because the wrinkles, goat horns and green pallor are hereditary and that’s a bit cruel of you. But while you’re feeling festive and full of mince pies that Susan has kindly brought into the office I’m gnawing on a bone of contention that appears to be an unpopular option – Christmas football sucks.

It shouldn’t and once upon a time it didn’t. Back in 1963 the ten Boxing Day fixtures lavished 66 goals on its watching public, an extravagant gift by any standards. Earlier still, there used to be a full football schedule on Christmas Day, a fantastical sepia-tinged notion that borders on madness and makes me wish I were Marty McFly so I could travel back and experience it first-hand. More recently there were admittedly childhood years waking up to a plethora of club merch and having tickets to the following day’s game waved in my face by my grinning dad. That felt all fuzzy and toasty.

Now though, apart from a husk of nostalgia, what is good or exciting about football over Christmas? Nothing, that’s what.

Fans in Santa costumes

For 240 days of the year (plus a few more when they’re called in on a Saturday but the bosses never do because it means spending more time with them) these hilarious life-and-soul-of-the-party japesters brighten up our miserable existence by wearing wacky ties to work while quoting Anchorman at any given opportunity.

But it’s at Christmas when these life-affirmers really come into their own. Christmas – as long as they don’t overdo the whisky again and breach their restraining order on an ex who lives in fear of their mental state after the last occasion when he played power ballads outside her flat window while weeping uncontrollably – is their time.

He thinks hiring out a costume complete with padding for Hull v West Brom is an original idea. He thinks we appreciate it.

Travelling in loud shoes

Your retinas throb and your guts have gone rogue. Your brain – the very same organ that thought it was a great idea to switch to brandy after midnight – now hates you. Then there’s your shoes: why have you never noticed before that the left one squeaks? In the name of all that’s holy this is not just a squeak; this is a nuclear four minute warning going off every time your sole touches pavement.

Less than 12 hours ago you were babbling that Slade’s Merry Christmas Everybody should be the new national anthem dressed in only your underwear and a hat fashioned from balloons. Now you’re venturing to a foreign town surrounded by folk who keep hustling and bustling your defeated shell of a body. The wind whips into your face with a cruel incessant laugh while deep down you know your guts won’t make it to full-time.

Boxing day football. Isn’t it wonderful.

Not so festive fixtures

The authorities insist that they take supporter’s best interests into account when doling out the Boxing Day schedule. Nothing too far and nothing too local. Uh-huh. Well tell that to the thousands of Hammers having to undertake a 426 mile round trip to Swansea on December 26th. Or the Sunderland fans held up for hours on the long stretch to Manchester because retail parks tend to be built close to motorways.

They claim to care. They don’t.

A fixture clash with Auntie Claire’s buffet

Unless you’re reading this in an OAP home for the immensely elderly (and if you are, God speed sir) then Boxing Day football has been around for the entirely of our lives. So you would assume – purely through repetition – that others would know by now that the day dedicated to St Stephen is also dedicated to watching Carl Jenkinson unsuccessfully attempt a step-over down the right flank.

Sadly for some that is not the case.

“What? There is football on the 26th?”

“Yeah, just like there was last year remember?”

“But my Auntie Claire is putting on a buffet. The whole family will be there. You can’t make me go there alone!”

“What time does it start? Maybe I can do both?”

“5 o’clock. And you know what she’s like. She’ll expect us on the dot. What time is kick-off?”

“Quarter past five”

“Oh”

“Oh”

Silence frosts the window panes.

Guilt-tripped into wearing the club shop

I’ll happily concede that this is an entirely personal gripe but I am not one for wearing club colours on matchday. A scarf at a push on a particularly chilly February afternoon.

Over Christmas however leaving the house bedecked in everything short of a f***ing rosette becomes almost compulsory as your generous and considerate loved ones insist on seeing their presents given an airing at least the once.

There is a passive-aggressive smile as you depart. Well it is Christmas.

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Saturday turned out to be a special day for Declan Rice, which left him with more than one reason to celebrate.

Not only did West Ham United secure a 3-1 win against Southampton to get themselves out of the relegation zone, but it was also his 100th appearance for the club, which he posted about on Instagram after the final whistle.

It is some achievement for the 21-year-old to have played so many times already, after making his debut with a cameo against Burnley on the last day of the 2016/17 season.

His progress is perhaps best embodied by the fact that he has also become an England international during that time.

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Looking at his performance against Southampton, he showed the maturity that has been characteristic of his game since breaking into the team.

He made three tackles, five clearances, three interceptions and two dribbles, while also winning five aerial duels.

His teammates have shown appreciation for the midfielder, with Robert Snodgrass, Angelo Ogbonna and Jeremy Ngakia commenting on his picture.

Rice’s original Instagram post, and the comments from his teammates, can be seen below:

Meanwhile, West Ham fans hailed one man’s performance against Southampton.

Raheem Sterling could be in trouble with the FA as a result of a video posted on Chelsea’s official TikTok account.

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• Blues prevailed in dramatic derby clash
• Objects thrown from the crowd
• England star appeared to send them back

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The England international winger was among those in action for the Blues as they took in a derby date with London rivals Tottenham on Monday. Cole Palmer converted a penalty in that contest and was struck on the leg by an object thrown from the crowd while shushing the home support in celebration.

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• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Sterling joined in the celebrations as Chelsea levelled matters at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium – before going on to claim a 4-1 win – and spotted the missile thrown at Palmer as he began to head back towards his own half of the field. Rather than leave it on the ground, the 28-year-old picked it up and returned it towards the stands.

  @chelseafc

  Spot on from Cole! 🤫 #chelsea #cfc #colepalmer

  ♬ original sound – Chelsea FC

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  DID YOU KNOW?

  Said footage was caught on camera by Chelsea’s own media team, and has been posted online for the world to see. According to the, Sterling could now be punished. The FA did not spot the incident at the time, but are now investigating in a bid to determine whether any further action – such as a retrospective ban – needs to be taken.

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• WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

  The Football Association has sanctioned players returning missiles to the stands before, with Richarlison suspended after throwing a lit flare into the crowd while at Everton, while Didier Drogba missed three games for Chelsea are returning a coin to the terraces in a meeting with Burnley and former Liverpool defender was given a similar ban for hurling a £1 coin at Arsenal supporters at Highbury in 2002.

MatériaMais Notícias

Diego Lugano, superintendente de relações institucionais do São Paulo, fez elogios à postura da equipe reserva escalada por Fernando Diniz no duelo contra o Guarani, neste domingo, na Vila Belmiro. A vitória por 3 a 1 acabou ajudando o Corinthians, que disputava a classificação às quartas com o Bugre e avançou ao vencer o Oeste em Barueri por 2 a 0.

“Classificados em primeiro no grupo, partimos agora para um jogo difícil contra o Mirassol. Grandeza não se mede apenas pelas conquistas e pelo patrimônio. Se mede também pela forma como se comporta. Pela conduta. Não poderia ser diferente. Temos história e essência para honrar. Valores necessários para jogar aqui. Valores que vão além do esporte”, escreveu o uruguaio.

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O São Paulo classificou-se em primeiro lugar de seu grupo e ganhou o direito de jogar contra o Mirassol, nas quartas de final, no Morumbi. A Federação Paulista deve confirmar data e horário deste duelo nesta segunda.