Rio Ferdinand criticizes Erik ten Hag for playing Manchester United key player out of position, saying- “I don’t care how experienced he is”
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Rio Ferdinand criticizes Erik ten Hag for playing Manchester United key player out of position, saying- “I don’t care how experienced he is”
Rio Ferdinand, a legend of Manchester United, has chastised Erik ten Hag for starting Casemiro as a center-back against his natural position for the fourth straight game.
The Brazilian faltered once more, and on Sunday, May 12, at Old Trafford, his mistake caused the Red Devils to lose 1-0 to Arsenal. Because of their back-row injury crisis, Ten Hag chose to start Casemiro and Jonny Evans at the center of Manchester United’s defense. The following players did not play against the Gunners: Raphael Varane, Luke Shaw, Harry Maguire, Lisandro Martinez, and Victor Lindelof.
The former Real Madrid superstar failed to get up the pitch in time to join his teammates to form an effective defensive high line. Instead, he kept Kai Havertz onside in the 20th minute, allowing the German to drill a low cross into Leandro Trossard who fired home to give Arsenal the win.
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HBAgency
Real Madrid Transfer News Roundup: Los Blancos want Florian Wirtz in 2025, club eyeing Reece James, and more – May 13, 2024
Ferdinand wasn’t impressed by Ten Hag’s decision to play Casemiro at centre-back, saying (via METRO):
“When is he (Erik ten Hag) going to take Casemiro out of the back line? Why can’t Sofyan Amrabat play there? Or Scott McTominay? I just don’t think it’s fair.”
“If you see a few mistakes from someone who is playing there, who has never played there before, and you see the mistakes early, you should go, ‘You know what, I’m not going to do this to you’ – I don’t care how experienced he is.”
He added:
“Come on, move him out of there and get back to the position he knows. Play Aaron Wan-Bissaka there. Then you could have Amrabat at right-back. That’s the most natural thing for me. Wan-Bissaka at centre-back and Amrabat at right-back. He was happy to play him at left-back for a few games.”
“We looked like an uncoached team. At the creative end of the pitch, we were lacking massively. Decision-making and quality was not there.”
Casemiro has struggled this season due to a lack of mobility in midfield, injuries, as well as a noticeable drop in form from last season. He has scored five goals and provided three assists in 30 appearances across all competitions.
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“What’s the point in being here?” – Paul Merson believes Manchester United star should be fuming after being snubbed for PL clash against Arsenal
Paul Merson has questioned Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag’s decision to not start Willy Kambwala over Casemiro at centre-back following their 1-0 loss to the Gunners on Sunday.
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Kambwala broke into the starting XI earlier this season, making eight league appearances to date (three starts). However, he suffered an injury in training, causing him to miss Manchester United’s last three games.
The 19-year-old centre-back made his return to Manchester United’s matchday squad against Arsenal but was surprisingly named on the bench despite Casemiro’s struggles at the back.
Merson noticed this and said (via United in Focus):
“I wanted to play football, I wasn’t gonna listen someone else [medics] tell me that I can’t play, I’m gonna play. And this is the problem. “If I’m not playing today and I’m the centre-half, Willy Kambwala, if I can’t, if I’m sub and I’m playing behind Jonny Evans and Casemiro, what’s the point in being here?”
Kambwala did feature in the final 15 minutes against the Gunners and looked lively, winning two duels, and making a solitary tackle.
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Man Utd’s pledge may need to be broken by Pep Guardiola as Manchester City moves one step closer to history
FULHAM 0-4 MANCHESTER CITY: Pep Guardiola’s team defeated Marco Silva’s team handily at Craven Cottage, moving them one step closer to a fourth straight title. According to Pep Guardiola, he will never be able to support Manchester United. However, don’t be shocked if you spot a small, bald Spanish man dressed in disguise on Sunday around Stretford End. He’ll be sporting a Fred the Red T-shirt and a red-and-white scarf that is knotted.
Two goals by Josko Gvardiol, a rare right-footer from Phil Foden and Julian Alvarez’s injury-time penalty kept the champions in charge of their own destiny. If they win at Spurs on Tuesday night and beat West Ham at the Etihad on Sunday then they will lift a record-breaking fourth successive title, regardless of what chasing Arsenal can do at Old Trafford on Super Sunday.
City now lead the table by two points with two games left to play. Making history appears to be a formality.
Guardiola, of course, is a control-freak who likes to do things his own way. But deep down he wouldn’t mind the rivals from across town to defy logic by taking points off Mikel Arteta’s men to make his task much easier – even though the Gunners’ once superior goal difference is now down to just two.
City have never won a Premier League game at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. They haven’t even taken a point from four previous visits.
They did knock Ange Postecoglu’s side out of the FA Cup on White Hart Lane in January – but Nathan Ake’s scrambled late winner was the 102nd effort that had produced on goal at the re-built stadium and remains their only goal. City have also lost there in the Champions League.
So despite Guardiola’s incredulity that he could even contemplate cheering on United, the suggestion may not be so ridiculous.
City have been here so many times before. They used to break Scouse hearts. Now, it seems, it will once again be North London ones.
Marco Silva’s players had been filmed flying kites at the training ground during the week, looking more like schoolboys on their summer holidays than a team ready to tear it up with City. But Fulham’s in-your-face approach in the early stages suggested they weren’t on the beach just yet.
City took a deep breath and did what they always do – grinding opponents down with a pass-and-move efficiency that was mesmerising. Even Fulham top scorer Rodrigo Muniz was forced to chase shadows on the half-way line with a grimace that suggested this wasn’t what the Brazilian had signed up for.
When City scored a goal of breathtaking beauty in the 13th minute it was like a bolt from the blue. A blur of 19 passes ended with Josko Gvardiol swapping possession with Kevin De Bruyne on the edge of the Fulham box. Gvardiol is the young Croatian centre-back who Guardiola has transformed into a goalscoring left-back – but he cut inside at speed to beat Bernd Leno with a low shot with his supposedly weaker right foot.
By the break City had made 424 successful passes. More than double what the home side had managed.
There was no let-up after the break, even if the sight of Fulham substitute Armando Traore running at pace did evoke memories of him tormenting Guardiola’s team when he was a Wolves player.
When Gvardiol scored again, sliding in at the far post to steer home Bernardo Silva’s cross, it was his fifth goal in the last seven games. Even Noel Gallagher joined in the celebrations with the rest of the 3,000 travelling fans.
By then Foden had made sure City were home and hosed. Silva’s shot was blocked by Joao Palhinha but it only invited Foden to swing his right foot and his drive found the bottom corner despite his scruffy connection.
Haaland missed a golden chance to increase City’s lead. The Norwegian had been substituted when Issa Diop clumsily ploughed into Julian Alvarez and was sent off before the Argentine striker took retribution by sending Leno the wrong way from the spot.
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Mind-games: Pep Guardiola gives fresh warning to Arsenal saying ‘It can happen’
Pep Guardiola, the manager of Manchester City, has issued a new warning to Mikel Arteta and Arsenal before this weekend’s games.
Liverpool’s prospects of winning the title were all but dashed when they lost to Everton in midweek, but the Gunners defeated Chelsea to keep up their own title challenge.
Manchester City then hammered Brighton last night to keep their own pace up in what was an ominous looking win for Guardiola’s side.
Naturally, since the midweek results are complete, everyone has been talking about how Liverpool is no longer in the running and that it is now just between Arsenal and City.
However, speaking in his presser (BBC) today, City manager Guardiola had a word of warning to Arsenal and indeed, his won team.
Pep Guardiola fires warning to Arsenal after seeing what’s happened to Liverpool
Commenting on the title race, Guardiola insisted that Arsenal shouldn’t take their eye off the ball as defeats can come at any time.
And with a NLD against Tottenham this weekend, Guardiola fired a warning to the Gunners.
“What happened to Liverpool, two defeats in a row, it can happen to Arsenal, it can happen to us. What is important is that still we are there. There is a lot of games to play,” Guardiola said.
Arsenal won’t lose two games in a row
This might be a bit of mind games from the City manager but there is simply no way that Arsenal are losing two games between now and the end of the season, never mind two.
They are in the zone and firmly ‘locked in’ as they say.
Indeed, it would be a surprise to see Arsenal drop any points at all int he run-in, such has been their level of performance in recent weeks.
Of course, Mikel Arteta will be keeping his players fired up and ready to go for every game and situation.
And in doing so, he’ll be hoping it is indeed City who slip up.
The title race looks like it’s going to go right down to the wire this season after last year’s ended up comfortable for City.
Put simply, whoever does come out on top, will have more than earned it this year.
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Pep Guardiola gives statement to praise his team for still keeping the treble dream alive
Following their victory over Luton, Pep Guardiola praises his Manchester City team’s hunger. After a 5-1 crushing at The Etihad, City reclaimed the top spot in the Premier League. Chris Southampton and Ian Ladyman weigh in on who should win Player of the Year in the Premier League.
Pep Guardiola praised his team for being “alive” for a second Treble and urged them to seize the “incredible” chance to battle on all fronts once more.
For the first time since November, City defeated Luton 5-1 to finish the day atop the Premier League standings. With an FA Cup semifinal match against Chelsea coming up on Wednesday, all eyes will be on Real Madrid in the Champions League.
Asked about how his team step up when the season reaches its final stages, he said: ‘It is incredible to be here again. What a privilege.
‘After we are done the previous season we are still fighting in the Premier League with 21 points left. On Wednesday we are playing against Real Madrid with a chance to qualify for the semi-finals and all the energy our fans will bring.
‘And FA Cup next Saturday against Chelsea, again a semi-final. What a privilege. Imagine no chance for the Premier League, no chance for any competition.
Pep Guardiola praised his team for still being alive as they hunt a second treble in a row
The star of the show against Luton was Jeremy Doku as City returned to the top of the table
The champions were at their best as the thrashed the Hatters 5-1 to send out title warning
‘So try to extend for one more week, one more week. In the Premier League we have one more week. We have a chance.
‘I don’t know what will happen tomorrow but no win today, they win. We have to win our games and make [Arsenal and Liverpool] feel pressure. This is the only message we can do with six left. We’ve done our job.’
It was a scintillating display from City, with Jeremy Doku the star of the show as Guardiola made six changes from the side that drew 3-3 away to Real Madrid in midweek.
For Luton Town and their boss Rob Edwards, he was simply glad to reach the final whistle.
‘Today was the hardest game we’ve had all season,’ he said.
‘It felt like they were in our final third all season. We couldn’t get out and they were excellent.
‘Today was always going to be very difficult. I’d almost made peace with it at the beginning.
Rob Edwards was proud of his Luton side on what he called their hardest games of the season
‘I’m proud of the lads. I wiped it as soon as I went into the changing room. Let’s be realistic, they are a brilliant football team who are way ahead of us at the moment.
‘It was a tough start but then we gathered ourselves and stayed in it. We kept going and I’ve got to give the players credit for that.
‘They suffocated us and controlled the game, it was a long day for us.’
City now have one eye on tomorrow’s games as Arsenal host Aston Villa and Liverpool welcome Crystal Palace to Anfield, both with the chance of leapfrogging City.
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Gameweek 33 of the Premier League: Verified squad updates for each club and their manager quotes
In advance of gameweek 33, Sports Mole compiles the official squad news for every Premier League team as well as the statements from their managers regarding their injury status.
ARSENAL
Gameweek 33 opponents: Aston Villa (H)
Out: Jurrien Timber (knee)
Doubtful: None
Mikel Arteta quotes: “We have got one more day to prepare the match and we will see if everyone is available. We have some [doubts] but with another day hopefully everybody is going to be OK.
“[Timber] has still got a few steps to make. He needs to play a game at least with the U23s. He is going to have an in-house game soon as well. He has done everything in training, now it’s getting that match fitness and having people around and starting to compete in matches, which is different to training.
“For everything we see in training and the time that he was fit, I think he is going to have a big, big impact in the team.”
ASTON VILLA
Gameweek 33 opponents: Arsenal (A)
Out: Emiliano Buendia (knee), Tyrone Mings (knee), Boubacar Kamara (knee), Jacob Ramsey (toe), Douglas Luiz (suspended)
Doubtful: Clement Lenglet (knock), Matty Cash (hamstring)
Unai Emery quotes: “We will train tomorrow, today we recover with some players, we did compensation work. [Clement] Lenglet and [Matty] Cash are training today with the group.
“We’ll work tomorrow again and see how they will feel to get a decision about the team and the players to be available for Sunday.”
BOURNEMOUTH
Gameweek 33 opponents: Man Utd
Out: Ryan Fredericks (calf), Luis Sinisterra (thigh), Marcus Tavernier (hamstring), Tyler Adams (back)
Doubtful: Chris Mepham (illness), Antine Semenyo (illness)
Andoni Iraola quotes: “The problem with Ant [Semenyo] in the past week is that he has a cold and not 100%. He played 45 minutes against Palace and was probably not at his 100%. He wanted to push and he is in good form, so we wanted him to push.
“Probably there was more risk involved, when you are not feeling well and you go to a football pitch and probably the injury risk is higher. But for me, for the technical staff, for the doctors, for him, it’s difficult to make this decision.
“Also this week we had some players that are 50/50. It is difficult to decide, because sometimes it works, sometimes they can get injured.
“I hope [Marcus Tavernier] can play the last games, but it is going to be difficult. If everything goes well, he could be available for us for the last two games, or something like this. It is tough when someone like Tav gets a muscle injury and is out for four or five games. But it is something that is happening to all of the teams and we have to accept it.
“Tyler [Adams] is improving. He is out definitely tomorrow, but it is a muscle thing. I think he can continue this improvement and he can be available next week.
“[Chris Mepham] has a health issue. Even with Ryan Fredericks, it is the same situation. I hope we don’t have more. With a cold, normally you don’t lose games, you try to push, it is sometimes decisions we have to make about if they are ready for 90 minutes or go on in the second half.”
BRENTFORD
Gameweek 33 opponents: Sheff Utd (H)
Out: Joshua Dasilva (knee), Rico Henry (knee), Ben Mee (ankle), Aaron Hickey (hamstring)
Doubtful: Christian Norgaard (back), Ethan Pinnock (ankle), Kevin Schade (adductor)
Thomas Frank quotes: “Everyone from last week, when we faced Aston Villa, is available. Ivan [Toney] is fine.
“The good news is that [Kevin] Schade is available and will make the squad – that’s very good news. And Ethan Pinnock is available as well.
[Could Ivan Toney start?] “Definitely, yes.”
BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION
Gameweek 33 opponents: Burnley (A)
Out: Solly March (knee), Kaoru Mitoma (back), Jack Hinshelwood (foot), Billy Gilmour (knee), Adam Webster (knock), Evan Ferguson (ankle), James Milner (thigh), Tariq Lamptey (muscle), Julio Enciso (knock)
Doubtful: None
Roberto De Zerbi quotes: “The situation is tough. We still have nine injured players. It’s more or less the same squad we played against Arsenal [with], but with no Tariq Lamptey.
“Julio Enciso can’t play tomorrow. I don’t know if it’s a tough injury, but he’s not available.
“Billy [Gilmour] is better. I don’t know how much time before he can start with us on the pitch but he’s better. James Milner is the same. I think [Adam] Webster, Milner and Billy can be available in the next few weeks.”
BURNLEY
Gameweek 33 opponents: Brighton (H)
Out: Aaron Ramsey (knee), Nathan Redmond (thigh), Luca Koleosho (thigh), Dara O’Shea (suspended), Jordan Beyer (thigh), Ameen Al-Dakhil (unspecified), Han-Noah Massengo (ankle)
Doubtful: James Trafford (illness)
Vincent Kompany quotes: “[James Trafford] has been ill. He’s come back now and he looks in good spirits.”
CHELSEA
Gameweek 33 opponents: Everton (H)
Out: Wesley Fofana (knee), Romeo Lavia (thigh), Reece James (hamstring), Christopher Nkunku (hamstring), Levi Colwill (foot), Lesley Ugochukwu (hamstring)
Doubtful: Ben Chilwell (illness), Cole Palmer (knock), Malo Gusto (fatigue), Axel Disasi (unspecified), Enzo Fernandez (unspecified), Raheem Sterling (illness), Robert Sanchez (illness)
Mauricio Pochettino quotes: Robert Sanchez and Raheem Sterling are both suffering from illness, while Enzo Fernandez and Axel Disasi are undergoing medical assessment. Ben Chilwell is back in partial training, but Levi Colwill, Wesley Fofana, Reece James, Romeo Lavia, Christopher Nkunku and Lesley Ugochukwu remain on the sidelines.
“We’ll see. [Fernandez and Disasi] are under assessment. They have different types of issues. We don’t believe they are big issues but we will see if they can be available. They have not trained after Sheffield and that is why we don’t know.
“Chilly is training, partial training and see if he can be involved in the squad on Monday. It’s good news. But he hasn’t played too much this season.”
CRYSTAL PALACE
Gameweek 33 opponents: Liverpool (A)
Out: Sam Johnstone (elbow), Cheick Doucoure (Achilles), Rob Holding (ankle), Marc Guehi (knee), Chris Richards (knee), Matheus Franca (groin)
Doubtful: Jesurun Rak-Sakyi (thigh)
Oliver Glasner quotes: “[Michael Olise] is closer [to starting] than the week before. He had the whole week tra
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