Month: January 2021

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has suggested that “fresh legs” could be vital for Man United against Man City in their upcoming Carabao Cup semi-final.

Man United are on a great run of form at the moment. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side are unbeaten in 10 games in the Premier League dating back to the start of November.

This run has seen them rise up to joint-top in the Premier League. With Liverpool losing 1-0 to Southampton on Monday, the Red Devils can move three points clear at the top if they win their game in hand.

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Big Midweek: Man Utd v Man City, Tottenham, Toney, Milan v Juve

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Man United have also progressed through to the Carabao Cup semi-finals. They beat Everton 2-0 at Goodison Park to reach the final four.

Solskjaer’s men host Man City at Old Trafford on Wednesday night. The winner of this tie will face either Tottenham Hotspur or Brentford in the final at Wembley.

The Red Devils have had more time to prepare for this semi-final than City. Their most recent game was their 2-1 victory on Friday against Aston Villa. Pep Guardiola’s side played two days later as they beat Chelsea 3-1 on Sunday at Stamford Bridge.

Speaking during his press conference on Tuesday, as cited by ESPN, Solskjaer suggested that United’s extra rest could be key against City:

“We’ve had four days now after Villa so hopefully we’ve got more fresh legs.

“It’s a difficult season but we’ll benefit from the rotations we’ve made. That’s going to be important with having fresh legs.

“With City against Chelsea, the freshness and sharpness and intensity they had, It was no surprise there because they had a few extra days to prepare.

“When you get to a semi you’ve done a lot of good work to get there.

“We’ve improved immensely in a year since the last semi when we were in Europe in August. For me, it’s a step closer to get to the final and we’ve developed a lot.

“You play football to win trophies, to get your hands on a trophy even though when you win you move onto the next one.

“It gives you a hunger to win more. The squad is focused, ready to give it a go and we’ve prepared well for this game.”

Burnley want to sign Man Utd outcast Phil Jones on loan until the end of the season, according to reports.

The England international hasn’t made a single appearance for the Red Devils this season after suffering a knee injury and is still recovering.

Last season he didn’t fare much better, though, with Jones only playing two Premier League matches and three Champions League fixtures.

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BIG MIDWEEK: Man Utd v Man City, Tottenham, Toney, Milan v Juve

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With Jones likely to be fit again this month, The Sun claims that the Man Utd ‘misfit’ is ‘the shock name at the top of the shopping list Sean Dyche will hand to new Burnley chairman Alan Pace’.

The report adds that Dyche is ‘tempted to take him on loan for the rest of the season’ after Man Utd ‘indicated they would be prepared to pay a large chunk of his £130,000 a week wages if he is loaned out.’

The situation with James Tarkowski could make Dyche even more ‘desperate’ to bring in another defender, with the centre-back linked with moves to Leicester City and West Ham.

The main ‘snag’ could be Jones’ history at Burnley’s arch-rivals Blackburn Rovers but, with games behind played behind closed doors, it shouldn’t pose too much of an issue this campaign.

 

Former Man Utd defender Rio Ferdinand has claimed he played in the Premier League after consuming three brandy and cokes.

Ferdinand was initially not one of the matchday squad for West Ham’s match against Arsenal during the 1996-97 season – but, as part of the travelling party, ended up being called onto the bench for the match.

The defender, who was only 17 at the time, was drafted into the squad after Paulo Futre – who was signed from AC Milan – stormed out of the stadium after being told he would not be wearing the No.10 shirt against Arsenal.

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FEATURE: Top ten Portuguese players in Premier League history

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And Ferdinand explained how he had to psych himself up to play a Premier League match after having three drinks.

“I was at West Ham and I was in the squad and did not get changed, so went up to the bar and had three brandy and cokes,” former Man Utd defender Ferdinand told The Mo Gilligan Podcast. “Then the kit man came and said ‘you’ve got to get changed’… as I had a brandy and coke in my hand.

“So I was like, oh. I put it down and have had three brandy and cokes and need to go play at Highbury. What’s going on?

“My first appearance at Highbury; I was 17, 18. So I went downstairs and was asked, ‘Are you alright?’ – I was like, ‘Yeah, I’m fine’ and I was right, I’m buzzing!

“Next thing, Paulo Futre walked out as he left because he wasn’t No.10. He looked at the numbers saw he wasn’t No.10 and walked out.

“[West Ham manager] Harry Redknapp was like, ‘We’ll sort it out next week, Paulo, we’ll change it, we’ll sort it.’

“Paulo just got in a taxi and went home. He left Highbury before a ball had been kicked.

“So I was brought down into the squad and then I came on. I was on the bench thinking please don’t bring me on. Three brandy and cokes, I can’t come on this pitch. I can’t come on and make an example of myself.

“So I went on for about 15 minutes.”

 

Retired WWE Hall of Famer Edge did another Q&A session with his fans on Twitter on Thursday. Here are some highlights of what Edge said about:

Why So Many Divas Are Leaving WWE:

“I don’t think they get a shot, and that’s why most leave. No incentive.”

Who He Would Face If He Could Wrestle One More Match:

Christian or “Stone Cold” Steve Austin

Would He Write Another Book?

“really depends if enough people want it I guess”

Whether The Legendary TLC Matches Shortened His Career:

“That and the spears over the years”

Did He Accomplish Everything He Wanted To In WWE?

“all that and then some”

* News On The Main Event Finish For SURVIVOR SERIES This Sunday