Category: Soccer

Livingston let fans vote on Twitter poll over goalkeeper's future

Livingston let fans decide whether goalkeeper Gary Maley deserves a new contract with a TWITTER POLL giving them the chance to ‘get him out’ – but voters are backing him to stay!

  • Third choice goalkeeper Gary Maley’s Livingston contract expires next month
  • The 37-year-old is the only part-time player in the Scottish Premiership
  • He has not played for the club’s first-team in over two years
  • Yet fans are backing him to stay, with over 150,000 voting in the Twitter poll 

Livingston have left the fate of one of their player’s future at the club down to supporters after putting up a poll of whether he should stay or go on Twitter.

Goalkeeper Gary Maley is out of contract next month, but in deciding whether to retain him or not the Scottish Premiership side have asked fans whether the club should ‘offer him a new contract’ or ‘get him out’.

The club said: ‘Quite possibly a football first but we’re giving you the chance to decide on the future of goalkeeper Gary Maley. 

Gary Maley’s Livingston future is down to fans to decide with his contract up in the summer

‘With his contract expiring next month, we’re leaving it in the hands of the fans as to whether or not we offer “Stretch” an extension. Stay or go – you decide!’

The 37-year-old joined the club when they were languishing down in Scotland’s third tier in 2016 and he is currently the third choice stopper.

He has featured just nine times for the club since joining and not has played a first-team game for over two years. 

Over 150,000 supporters have already voted in the online poll, many backing him to stay 

But it’s good news for the keeper as the poll, which has has over 150,000 votes, is currently backing him to stay with a day left to vote, even if the Twitter post appears to be ‘tongue in cheek’.

Despite being the only player in the top flight on a part-time contract he was won praise from his manager Gary Holt.

‘Big Stretch has been great for us with helping the boys out with different movements and where to finish and stuff like that during training,’ Holt said in December.

‘I have to give the big man some plaudits. He does get a lot of stick but there’s nothing happier sometimes than when you see people sitting in the stand smiling who have played their part. 

Maley’s team-mate Marvin Bartley could not resist the urge to play along with the poll

‘He certainly takes a fair bit from everyone but it’s also pleasing to see that something you work on comes off and he plays a big role in that.’

However Maley can count himself lucky his team-mates do not have more of a say in his future, with Marvin Bartley failing to resist the urge to play along with the poll.

‘100% he goes can’t push forward as a club with ‘players’ like him! Bye big man, look after yourself,’ he tweeted.




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Lee Bowyer confident Charlton can avoid relegation if Championship season resumes

Charlton manager Lee Bowyer is confident his side can battle their way out of relegation trouble, if the Championship resumes as hoped next month.

Players at Championship clubs were allowed to return to training on Monday, in the first step towards a potential resumption of the season, which was halted in March due to the coronavirus pandemic.

  • Jenkins: Charlton takeover bid ‘in the balance’
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  • What’s next for the EFL?
  • Championship players given coronavirus self-test option

Players trained in small groups and took part in non-contact sessions.

Charlton are currently in the bottom three but are only three points off 17th place in the table.

Bowyer is adamant the English Football League (EFL) need to find a way to ensure the season is concluded and he is optimistic about Charlton’s prospects if it does resume.

“Everybody signed up to a 46-game season. To finish it now would be wrong, especially now when we are back training,” Bowyer told Sky Sports News.

“Now that we are testing and everyone is spending this money, that will play a big part in it because otherwise it would all be a waste.

“The EFL have said that they want to finish the season. It is important that we do that and hopefully we will manage to finish.

“We have proven when we have got a full squad that we can compete with all the teams in this division.

“We were in a bad place at one stage but was just purely down to the numbers of injuries we had. Once we started to get a few back then we started to pick up results again.

“So we will be ready and, like I said, I believe in the squad that we have got to get us out of this.”

Former Swansea chairman Huw Jenkins is attempting to buy Charlton but revealed to Sky Sports News earlier this week his takeover bid “hangs in the balance” after his exclusivity period expired.

Five weeks of discussions with Charlton were concluded in the middle of last week when a provisional deal was struck to buy the club for £1m.

However, a 48-hour period for him to complete the deal has expired, and Jenkins is aware of three or four other interested parties who are in discussions with owner Tahnoon Nimer.

Despite the uncertainty, Bowyer insists he and his squad will remain focused on helping the club avoid relegation.

“Obviously it is a difficult situation but it is something that we cannot control,” Bowyer said.

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Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has Philippe Coutinho transfer back-ups if Barcelona bid fails

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has alternatives to Philippe Coutinho if he cannot sign the Barcelona playmaker. The Gunners have been linked with a swoop to bring the Brazilian back to the Premier League.

But CaughtOffside insist Arsenal could only sign Coutinho if the Barcelona No 10, currently on loan at Bayern Munich, if it was a temporary deal.

The north London outfit cannot afford the fee Barca would want for them to recruit his talents on a full-time basis.

The Catalan giants are said to be keen to recoup around £70million for the player they paid over £140m to sign from Liverpool in January 2018.

Barca are said to have offered Coutinho to several of Arsenal’s Premier League rivals including Chelsea and Tottenham.

And Arsenal’s only hope of landing the 27-year-old, who was one of the best players in the league for Liverpool, is if a loan deal where Barca pay a significant chunk of his wages can be agreed.

Coutinho earns around £250,000 a week from the La Liga heavyweights – which would make him Arsenal’s second-highest paid player.

The Gunners are known to want to cut down their wage budget, with a lack of Champions League football in recent seasons – added to the coronavirus pandemic – having hit their finances.

But CaughtOffside add that if Arsenal miss out on Coutinho, Arteta has back-up options for that area of the pitch.

The Spanish coach is reportedly aware he must identify a long-term replacement for Mesut Ozil, who will leave the Emirates at the end of his contract in 2021.

It is not mentioned who Arteta’s alternatives are although Arsenal have been strongly linked with £23million Feyenoord creator Orkun Kokcu and Gent’s Jonathan David, who would cost around £20m, among others.

Out-of-contract wingers Willian and Ryan Fraser, of Chelsea and Bournemouth, are also both capable of playing in the No 10 role.

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American-born Canadian Davis has however made it clear where he sees his future, after having produced 23 goals and 10 assists in Belgium aged just 20 this term.

He told Sky Sports: “I never knew big clubs would be interested in me so early.

“It’s overwhelming, but I think I can make the next step.

“It’s time for me to move and go somewhere where I can keep developing and get to the potential that I have. The league that would suit me the most right now is the Bundesliga.

“It’s similar to the Belgian league in terms of the tempo and the physicality, but obviously the quality is higher in Germany and there is more competition.”

But former Manchester United defender Jaap Stam, who managed Kokcu at Feyenoord, thinks the 19-year-old has a bright future.

The Turkey under-21 international produced three goals and six assists this season before the Dutch league was cancelled due to COVID-19.

“He would need to adjust because the step to Arsenal and the Premier League is totally different when you compare it to Holland,” Stam told Goal.

“The pace of the game, the quality, the intensity is a lot higher.

“But he has the ability. He is a player who has the personality to want to improve, he always wants to do better.

“He’s never happy with himself, he’s disappointed if he doesn’t score, or his passes aren’t good enough.

“When I joined Feyenoord, he hadn’t played a lot because everyone said he was too young.

“I put him in the first team and let him play most of the games, I trusted him and saw a lot of ability in him.

“Now he’s proving himself in Holland and is one of the best midfield players in the country.

“He’s certainly got the ability to make that step to the Premier League.”

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Bukayo Saka drops latest Arsenal contract hint amid Liverpool transfer links

Bukayo Saka has dropped his latest hint he is prepared to sign a new contract to keep him at Arsenal.

The 18-year-old has emerged as arguably Arsenal's most promising youth star this season in an impressive breakthrough campaign.

His performances down The Gunners' left flank has even attracted interest from Premier League leaders Liverpool.

Arsenal are keen to tie Saka down to a new deal to ward off their rivals, as the youngsters current contract is due to expire next year.

And his latest post on social media suggests he's ready to commit to his boyhood club for the foreseeable future.

Saka posted a picture of him in an Arsenal kit as a child to his Instagram account, captioned: "Kid with a dream…"

Former Arsenal youth star Charlie Gilmour reacted to the post, urging his old teammate to put pen to paper.

It was reported last month that talks between Saka and Arsenal had hit a lull, with no discussions taking place since February.

But it seems the ball may be moving again on tying the England youth star down.

Saka only signed professional terms with Arsenal once he turned 17, and is believed to be on a £7,000-per-week deal at present.

Given the youngster's standout form, he is expected to be offered a considerable pay rise.

He has already contributed eight assists this season, as well as three goals, while largely deputising at left-back for injured duo Kieran Tierney and Sead Kolasinac.

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How Premier League, LaLiga and Serie A returns are shaping up

After the Bundesliga’s successful return, Europe’s plans are taking off… the Premier League could resume contact training this week while LaLiga and Serie A are aiming for mid-June restarts (and Turkey and Denmark are hoping to have fans in stadiums!)

  • The Bundesliga’s return to action earlier this month has shown Europe the way
  • Premier League is facing a decisive week in the future of Project Restart
  • LaLiga are hoping to restart on June 11 with the Seville derby televised
  • Serie A is expected to ratify its own return in a meeting this week
  • Sportsmail look at the state of play across the major leagues in Europe 

After the initial success of the Bundesliga’s return to competitive action in the last two weeks, leagues across Europe are accelerating their own restart plans.

LaLiga announced their intention to restart in mid-June while Serie A is expected to confirm its own resumption date later this week.

This week is also expected to see the Premier League firm up its own Project Restart protocols with contact training possibly by Friday.

The Premier League faces a crucial week as it aims to confirm its return next month

Raheem Sterling involved in a group training session at Manchester City’s Football Academy

West Ham’s Declan Rice has a temperature check as he arrives at the club’s training ground

With seasons in France, Holland, Belgium and Scotland already cancelled, the focus extends further afield.

Portugal’s league is set to return on June 3, Greece on the weekend of June 6-7 and Turkey on June 12, while Denmark’s season is set to resume this Thursday.

Here Sportsmail take a look at the state of play across Europe’s remaining major leagues… 

Premier League

The Premier League’s Project Restart will either hit major obstacles or edge even closer to completion this week as a number of crucial issues will be decided.

No return date has been decided by the league, while a number of players and managers have expressed their concerns.

There have also been a small number – just eight – positive tests across the Premier League in two rounds of checks. Those tests will continue in the coming week, with clubs receiving up to 80 tests to make sure that 40 players and staff can be checked two times a week.

The Premier League is hoping to step up to increased numbers in group training this week 

Managers and players will meet Premier League officials on Tuesday  to discuss the phase two protocols, which include a return to competitive and contact training.

A vote will be held on Wednesday over a return to contact training and there is a growing feeling that clubs will support it.

That will allow the division to move forward when it comes to planning the fixture list and a likely restart date – thought to be either June 19 or June 26 – as they will have an idea of when teams will carry out full training again.

This next stage would see groups increase to 12 with restricted contact, including tackling. It is likely that clubs will implement infrastructure to allow it on Thursday, so some teams might not train fully until Friday. 

LaLiga

Spain took a major step towards a mid-June return to action by allowing group training on Monday.

In the latest phase of the Spanish league’s moves towards a resumption of the season, clubs can train in groups of 14 this week, up from 10 last week, and Barcelona and Real Madrid stars were among those pictured doing so. 

The authorities in Spain are gradually lifting lockdown restrictions in a country where nearly 30,000 people have died with Covid-19.

Spain took a major step towards a mid-June return by allowing group training on Monday

Gareth Bale juggles the ball during Real Madrid’s training session on Monday morning 

Group training sessions with 14 players are the penultimate phase of the back-to-action process with full squad sessions expected to begin next week.

But this will depend on how the coronavirus pandemic progresses in the coming days. Five players in Spain’s top two divisions tested positive earlier this month.

‘We’ve gone through some very difficult and complicated moments during this pandemic and we don’t want to jump the gun,’ said LaLiga president Javier Tebas on Sunday.

Tebas said the league is expected to return with the derby match between Sevilla and Real Betis on Thursday June 11. All matches will be played without fans in attendance. 

Kick-off times will change to take into account the high temperatures of the Spanish summer. For example, the Seville derby will kick-off at 10pm local time (9pm UK).

‘Our plan for kickoff times during the week would be to play in the afternoon or evening, between 7.30-8 pm or 9.30-10 pm,’ he said. 

‘Over the weekend, there would be three slots: 5pm, 7.30pm, 9.30 or 10pm.’

Barcelona sit at the top of LaLiga, two points ahead of rivals Real Madrid with 11 games remaining. 

Serie A

Italy’s Serie A is close to confirming a return to action on either June 13 or 20, three months after the season was brought to a halt by the virus.

Italian Minister of Sport Vincenzo Spadafora confirmed decisions made regarding league competition will be ratified in a council meeting on May 28. 

The Italian Football Federation has decided teams in the country’s top three tiers must complete the 2019-20 season by August 20, with the 2020-21 campaign scheduled to begin on September 1.

Paulo Dybala arrives for training at Juventus wearing a face mask over his mouth and nose

Cristiano Ronaldo and his Juve team-mates could be back in action by mid-June

Teams returned to training earlier this month, with team training beginning just over a week ago. 

Earlier this month Fiorentina, Sampdoria and Torino all confirmed positive tests results to coronavirus, but there have been no new cases in the past fortnight. 

Serie A are looking at imposing a number of new rules to ensure the return is as safe as possible.

They include a ban on team photos and mascots, a mandatory eight-question form on COVID-19 symptoms for anyone attending games and a possible yellow card for spitting.

Denmark Superliga

Danish football bosses are planning to welcome back fans into their stadiums as their top flight prepares to resume on Thursday..

Although matches will initially be behind closed doors, preparations are being made for the Superliga to follow the lead of theatres and cinemas in the country, which will have capacity reduced to allow for social distancing between guests.

Bringing back supporters is some way down the agenda for the highest-profile European leagues yet in Denmark, they are looking at having crowds again in the near future.

Danish football bosses are planning to welcome back fans into their stadiums in near future

‘We would really like spectators back at stadiums,’ said Claus Thomsen, the chief executive of the Danish Football League. ‘By our assessment we are able to do it in line with how it will be handled in theme parks, theatres or cinemas.’

The League are to issue guidelines on how fans can attend matches while keeping a safe distance from others. Thomsen added: ‘Everything is separate. People won’t come into contact with each other at matches.’

Last month, Superliga leaders FC Midtjylland developed the idea of ‘drive-in’ football, which would involve two big screens showing the game to fans parked in 2,000 spaces. It would also allow up to 10,000 fans to tune into the TV commentary through their car radio.

Midtjylland marketing director Preben Rokkjaer said: ‘We have a stated goal of creating the best stadium experience. Coronavirus does not change that, it just provides some other preconditions.’

Midtjylland are 12 points clear the top of the table and are due to face AC Horsens on Monday in their first game back in action.

Portugal Primeira Liga

Top-flight football in Portugal is set to return in just a week’s time, with two matches scheduled for June 3, including Porto’s trip to FC Famalicao.

Last week nine stadiums passed inspections and were declared ready to host matches, with six more of the 18 in the division requiring improvements.

The government’s DCS health directorate wants the minimum possible number of stadiums used with 10 rounds of matches set to be played out from June 3 to the final day on July 26.

Benfica’s Nuno Tavares undergoes a test ahead of a training session earlier this month

Several clubs including Madeira-based Maritimo and Algarve outfit Portimonense have already complained about not being able to play at their home stadiums, but the league is set to press on regardless.

Unlike other leagues that plan on keeping the structure of a usual season with games played predominantly over the weekend, Portugal’s Primeira Liga will stagger games across most days of the week in order to fit the completion in before August.

Portugal has seen over 30,000 confirmed cases of the virus with 1,330 deaths confirmed by May 25. Players will be required to pass coronavirus tests twice a week.

Earlier this month three players at Vitoria Guimaraes tested positive and it was also reported that three players and two staff members at Famalicao had tested positive – though they did not confirm the results.  

The season has turned into a two-horse race between Porto, who lead with 60 points, and Benfica, who are one point behind.

The Segunda Division campaign has already been curtailed, with Nacional and Farense promoted to the top-flight.  

Greece Super League 

Greek Super League clubs agreed earlier this month to resume the play-offs on weekend of June 6-7.

Its return will come nearly three months after Olympiacos and Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis tested positive for coronavirus – though all players returned negative results.

Clubs returned to socially-distanced training earlier this month before advancing through the protocol stages.

Olympiacos’ players tested negative back in March after their owner tested positive

Ten of the 14 teams in the league were in favour of continuing the league, including league leaders Olympiakos and third-placed AEK Athens.

PAOK Thessaloniki, Panathinaikos, Panetolikos and bottom-side Panionios were against resuming.

Greece has only 2,882 positive tests and 172 confirmed deaths from coronavirus as of May 25. 

Olympiacos lead the league with 66 points from 26 games with 10 games left to play in both the championship and relegation play-off divisions.  

Turkey Super Lig 

Football in Turkey’s top-flight is slated for a June 12 return, and there is even some optimism that an initial resumption behind closed doors will be opened up to fans by July.

But the league has returned positive cases as recently as last week, when BtcTurk Yeni Malatyaspor said that two people, including a player, had tested positive for the coronavirus. 

Earlier this month Besiktas announced that eight employees had tested positive.  There have also been positive cases at MKE Ankaragucu, Kasimpasa, Fenerbahce and Ankaragucu.

Earlier this month Besiktas announced that eight employees had tested positive

Besiktas have installed a gigantic disinfection cabinet at the entrance to their training ground

Sivasspor coach Riza Calimbay has described the touted return date as ‘wrong, very wrong’, and added: ‘The league was suspended when there were only a few cases, now they want to resume when there are thousands. I cannot understand why.’

Turkish FA president Nihat Ozdemir outlined his intentions over the restart earlier this month: ‘Our objective is to complete the campaign, otherwise there will be problems.

‘We want to complete the season on the pitch. Tests will be performed frequently during preparations.

‘If there are cases, we’ll quarantine them and continue on our way. There are countries about to restart where the situation is worse than ours.

‘Our first objective is to play without fans. If things go well, maybe we can play matches with fans in July.’




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Man Utd turn focus to Timo Werner and Moussa Dembele transfers amid Odion Ighalo exit

Manchester United are eyeing Timo Werner and Moussa Dembele with Odion Ighalo primed to return to China, reports say. The Nigeria international has impressed for the Red Devils since joining on loan in January, scoring four goals from eight games. But, with the player set to leave Old Trafford, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is now eyeing replacements.

Manchester United were criticised by many within the footballing world following their decision to swoop for Ighalo in January.

However he’s proven to be a shrewd acquisition in the time since, with the Nigeria international scoring four goals from eight games.

Ighalo is, though, set to return to the Chinese Super League with Shanghai wanting him back in time for the new season.

And Goal claim United could now swoop for Werner and Dembele, with the pair under consideration behind the scenes at Old Trafford.

RB Leipzig have seen Werner scale new heights following the arrival of Julian Nagelsmann at the start of the season.

The Germany international has scored 24 Bundesliga goals this season, managing seven assists along the way.

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Werner was sublime at the weekend as Leipzig kept their hopes of winning the league title alive with a 5-0 win over Mainz, with the striker scoring a hat-trick.

And it’s claimed that United have him in their thoughts as Solskjaer hunts a replacement for Ighalo this summer.

Another player being considered is Lyon’s Dembele.

The France international was tipped to join United in the January transfer window, only for Ighalo to join instead.

Lyon may have to cut their best players loose this summer in order to raise funds following their failure to qualify for the Champions League.

They finished seventh in the Ligue 1 table following the French government’s decision to scrap the campaign as a result of the coronavirus crisis.

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And he’s been of interest to United for a number of years, with interest dating back to when Dembele played for Fulham.

Since leaving the Cottagers he’s impressed, becoming a key asset for Brendan Rodgers at Celtic prior to his return to France.

And he could be set for a sensational return to England should United decide to go after him at the end of the season.

Meanwhile, Solskjaer recently opened up on what he wants from any new signing – and admitted he preferred players without egos.

“I’d rather have a hole in the squad than an a**hole,” Solskjaer told United We Stand.

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“Personality is so important. We’re a team in a team environment. You want players to have a bit of ego and edge but they have to be able to adapt.

“In March 2019, players were physically tired, mentally tired and we had injuries. The players started with negative thinking, whereas now it’s positive thinking.

“There were other things I didn’t like last year, some personal agendas which couldn’t be sorted out until the summer.

“There will always be players who want to play more in football, but if a team is to be successful then players have to be available at different times.

“I feel in this group we don’t have one bad apple.”

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PSG offer teenager Edouard Michut his first professional contract

PSG offer teenage midfielder Edouard Michut his first professional contract in bid to ward off interest from Manchester City and Barcelona

  • Barcelona and Man City have been keeping tabs on PSG’s Edouard Michut
  • The 17-year-old has been impressing at youth level for Paris Saint-Germain
  • PSG have attempted to convince him to stay by offering a three-year deal

Manchester City and Barcelona are set to miss out on highly-rated Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Edouard Michut with the French club having offered the 17-year-old a professional contract.

The youngster has been labelled the ‘new Marco Verratti’ after impressing at youth level for the French giants and the two clubs have kept an eye on him for a long time.

PSG have been in negotiations with the Michut for more than two weeks and are confident they can tie him down to his first senior deal.  

PSG have offered teenage midfielder Edouard Michut his first professional contract

The Ligue 1 champions are offering the him a three-year contract with the player regarded as one of the biggest prospects in the club’s youth setup. 

Juventus and Valencia have also shown interest in Michut, who has been at the Parc des Princes since he was 13 years old. 

His current contract with PSG expires at the end of next season and his agent said on Monday that they ‘hope to find a contractual agreement in an ambitious project.’

Michut has also impressed for France at both Under 16 and Under 17 level, showing his potential pedigree in the process.

The Frenchman currently plays for the PSG under-19s, despite only turning 17 at the beginning of March, and has been even been called up to train with Thomas Tuchel’s team.      

The teenage midfielder playing in the Gambardella Cup match back in December


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Marcus Rashford honoured with award for charity work during coronavirus crisis

Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford has received a special recognition award in honour of the charity work he has contributed amid the coronavirus crisis.

The 22-year-old has been heavily involved in the community, and has helped raise close to £20million for FareShare, a charity which helps fight hunger and food waste.

As a reward for his work, the High Sheriff of Greater Manchester, Eamonn O'Neal, sent Rashford a special certificate, which the England international shared on social media.

Rashford posted a picture of the certificate on Twitter along with the message: "Wouldn’t normally share these types of things but this certificate is not just for me, it belongs to you all. Each and every one of you that has contributed the few £s you can, you’ve all made a huge difference.

"2.8million children a week are receiving meals they otherwise wouldn’t have during this lockdown because of YOUR help. I couldn’t have done any of this without the help of you all and @fareshare

"To be recognised by my city is a great feeling. From being young I knew that if I ever got in a position that I could help I would and I’m so proud of what we’ve achieved so far. Thank you all, you’re all superstars

"And we won’t stop until children and their parents no longer have to worry about where their next meal is coming from. I appreciate you all, thank you to the High Sheriff of Greater Manchester."

The certificate read: 'To Marcus Rashford, for outstanding activity and contribution to the community.'

Rashford received a great deal of praise from Twitter users, with United fan Scott Patterson posting: "Well done Marcus lad. You make Manchester very proud," while another added: "Congratulations Marcus. You deserve recognition for everything you have done and not least for starting the initiative. Your generosity and big heart makes you role model for us all."

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Angel Gomes names players he models game on – including three Man Utd icons

Manchester United attacking midfielder Angel Gomes has named former Barcelona star Andres Iniesta as the player who he tries to model his game on, while he has also recalled how Nani, Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez inspired him as a child.

Gomes, 19, came through the academy at United and became the youngest player to represent the club when he made his debut aged 16 years, 268 days old in 2017.

He has yet to cement himself as a regular in the first-team but big things are expected in the future, and speaking to the club's official website Gomes explained which players he most aspires to be like.

"In terms of who I model parts of my game on, I’d say [Andres] Iniesta," Gomes said. "He was always one of my idols.

"[He was] a big player I watched while growing up. [He played] in similar positions as me and I've always tried modelling my game on Iniesta.

"In terms of footballers when I was young it was always Ronaldinho, the Brazilian players, Robinho [plus Portuguese] Cristiano Ronaldo at the time.

"I remember the Joga Bonito stuff with the freestyling and stuff like that. As a youngster, all you wanted to do was practise skills, so I’d say players like Ronaldo [were my inspiration]."

Gomes was a regular at Old Trafford as a youngster, and added: "Then obviously, when I was growing up at United, Nani had a big influence on me and when I was around eight years old, when I used to go and watch, it was that time when we had a great season and [we had Cristiano] Ronaldo and [Carlos] Tevez.

"All those players inspired me when I was growing up."

Gomes has made just two Premier League appearances this season, but has played in three Europa League games, and will be desperate to try to make his mark when football returns.

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Man United let Sheffield United keep Dean Henderson for the season

Manchester United to allow Sheffield United to keep goalkeeper Dean Henderson on loan until the end of the season… despite the two teams fighting for a European spot

  • Manchester United will allow Sheffield United to keep Dean Henderson on loan
  • His contract was due to expire in June, but the season has been extended
  • He is seen as a long-term replacement for David de Gea at Manchester United 
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Manchester United are set to allow Sheffield United to keep loanee goalkeeper Dean Henderson until the end of the season, according to The Telegraph.  

His loan contract was due to expire at the end of June, but with the Premier League campaign extended beyond that due to the coronavirus pandemic, Man United had to make a decision whether to recall him.

Henderson has been on loan with the Blades since the start of the 2018-19 season, and has made 76 appearances, keeping 32 clean sheets. 

Dean Henderson is set to be allowed to finish the season on loan at Sheffield United

His deal was set to expire in June, but Chris Wilder will be happy to see his goalkeeper stay

Despite Manchester United and Sheffield United battling for a European spot before the season was suspended, the Red Devils have decided to allow Henderson to continue at Bramall Lane if the Premier League does come back.

Manchester United currently occupy fifth place, but Sheffield United have a game in hand and are only two points behind. 

Henderson will be allowed to play a full role in all of Sheffield United’s remaining games, except their away game against United. 

He helped Sheffield United win promotion to the Premier League last season, and has been key in their success so far this season too after bouncing back from an early mistake.

The 23-year-old is seen as a long-term replacement for David de Gea at Manchester United

After coming through the youth ranks at Carlisle and Manchester United, Henderson has spend the majority of his career on loan since 2016, and is still yet to make an appearance for the United first team.

He is seen as a long term replacement for David de Gea at the club, although United are expected to find another loan move for him after his spell with Sheffield United ends. 

He was reportedly offered a new deal earlier this year, with United chiefs hoping to fend off interest from Chelsea. 




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