Friday, April 28, 2017
Monday, April 24, 2017
Sunday, April 23, 2017
Friday, April 21, 2017
Marcus Rashford comes to Jose Mourinho's rescue as Man United progress in Europe Manchester United player ratings against Anderlecht
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Rashford burst onto the scene last season with two goals against Danish club Myjdtlland in this competition last season but tonight’s goal was arguably the most important he has scored so far in his burgeoning career.
He suddenly re-discovered the coolness in front of goal that had deserted United all night in the second period of extra-time of their quarter-final second leg aginast Anderlecht.
When Marouane Fellaini headed down Luke Shaw’s long ball, Rashford shuffled past Leander Dendoncker and Kara Mbodji to score with a low left foot shot that keeper Martinez Ruben got his fingers to but couldn’t keep out.
It means United – England’s last survivors in Europe – are through to the semi-finals but they made desperately hard work of it thanks to wayward finishing that has been a recurring problem this season.
And Jose Mourinho heaped praise on his sharp-shooter, saying: “His mentality – his qualities are fantastic. He wasn’t scoring since September before Sunday but he showed his character and gave us more in different areas.
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“That is why I trust Marcus Rashford.”
Former England striker Gary Lineker went a step further when he tweeted: “I don't say this lightly, but Marcus Rashford is the most exciting young player I have seen in a long time. Love him.”
Rashford himself said: "All you can do is keep trying to create chances, that's what we kept doing and we pinned them back.
"We had a lot of chances and could have scored but sometimes games go like that. We got one in the end."
United failed to build on Henrikh Mkhitaryan's ninth minute goal thanks to a combination of fine saves by Anderlecht keeper Martinez Ruben and wayward finishing and some poor defending allowed Sofiane Hanni equalised before half-time.
Manchester United player ratings against Anderlecht
Thu, April 20, 2017Express Sport rates how the Manchester United players performed during the second leg of their Europa League quarter-final against Anderlecht at Old Trafford
Who impressed and who disappointed for Manchester United against Anderlecht?
United however should have killed off the Belgian champions in the second half.
Jesse Lingard, Rashford, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Paul Pogba all squandered great chances to as the game went into extra-time,.
United came close again in the first minute of added time when, after a ‘Rabona’ cross by Rashford, Pogba’s overhead scissor kick was blocked by Uros Spajic. Had it gone in it would have been a goal worthy of any game.
Their frustration increased when Pogba finally had the ball in the net but his goal was ruled out because Fellaini had climbed all over Spajic to head down Anthony Martial’s cross.
But Rashford, who scored the opener against Chelsea on Sunday, came to the rescue with his 10th of the season.
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United’s hard-fought win was marred however by the loss of two key players - Marcos Rojo and Ibrahimovic.
Rojo cheered off in the first half with a knee injury and in the last minute of normal time Ibrahimovic came down heavily on his right ankle and had to limp off.
But former United midfielder Paul Scholes believes Rashford can fill Ibrahimovic's boots until the end of the season.
"He will get his chance in the next few weeks looking at that. It doesn't look great,” Scholes said on BT Sport.
"Although he has walked off which is hopefully a good sign.
"We saw on Sunday the effect Marcus had on his own, he was a real handful against Chelsea.
"If Zlatan does miss out we know we've got a top player who can come into his place.
"Zlatan wasn't great tonight. He missed a few chances.”
Mourinho said of the injuries: “I don’t think they are easy injuries, but I prefer to wait until all the tests are done until after tomorrow.
"I will then speak how I feel. For now I can’t as I’m not a doctor but I think it is very negative.”
Thursday, April 20, 2017
Sunday, April 16, 2017
Wednesday, April 12, 2017
Tuesday, April 11, 2017
Arsene Wenger refuses to discuss his future as Arsenal fans jeer their own players Mesut Ozil distraught after Arsenal loss at Crystal Palace
Wenger refused to speak about his own future after goals from Andros Townsend, Yohan Cabaye and a penalty from Luka Milivojevic did the damage.
It was Arsenal’s heaviest Premier League defeat of the season and their worst since losing 4-0 at Southampton in December 2015. It was their fourth successive away defeat in the league – the worst run ever under Wenger.
It left them seven points outside the Champions League qualification places, with just eight games of a crumbling season left.
Wenger, who has yet to sign the two-year deal that is on the table for him, said: “I wouldn’t say that the players downed tools.
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Mesut Ozil distraught after Arsenal loss at Crystal Palace
Mon, April 10, 2017Click through the gallery for the snaps of Mesut Ozil after Arsenal's defeat at Crystal Palace
Click to reveal the snaps of Mesut Ozil after Arsenal's defeat at Crystal Palace
“Honestly, I’m so disappointed tonight. It has been such a long time since we lost a game in the way we did last night, that’s very disappointing.
“It would be inconvenient for me to speak about me. It was more painful for us to lose this game in the way we lost it. The top four is very difficult now.”
Angry Arsenal fans, some of who have been protesting and calling for the Frenchman to go for weeks, once again called for Wenger to go and jeered at their hapless players, singing, “You’re not fit to wear the shirt”.
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He said: “I want the fans to support the team. They are extremely disapointed and I can understand that, we all are. It is understandable. We played with a desire to win the game tonight with an offensive team. We knew what would face us. But they were sharper than us.”
Palace manager Sam Allardyce, whose team have now won five of their last six games to lift them six places above the relegation zone said: “Tactically the players were aware of how to beat Arsenal. The first thing was to defend and frustrate them, keep them playing sideways, then use the space behind the full-backs. Arsenal have been weak defensively.
“We won a lot of possession and created lots of chances. Yohan Cabaye’s goal, what a finish and that was down to pressing them. This was not a shock for me because we played Chelsea and won. We did that again and did it better. We all know Arsenal are going through their worst spell for years, but the only way to take advantage is by playing well.”
