Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has clarified his stance on forward Marcus Rashford after urging the Manchester United man to ‘prioritise his football’.
Rashford has blossomed into a national hero ever since the start of the COVID-19 outbreak, fighting social inequality and working tirelessly to provide food for Britain’s less-privileged households during a period of financial instability.
So, it came as a bit of a surprise to see Solskjaer urge the 23-year-old to focus on his task on the pitch – something which, understandably, didn’t sit too well in Rashford’s camp.
When he sat down for his press conference on Tuesday, Solskjaer immediately spoke on the situation unprompted, insisting his comments have been blown out of proportion.
“Just to get the elephant out of the room straight away, you know the headline which came before the Leicester game,” Solskjaer began (via Manchester Evening News).
“We are so unbelievably proud of what Marcus Rashford has done on and off the pitch. You made a headline off one little comment.”
It’s understood that Rashford took no offence to Solskjaer’s comments and accepted that they were meant as praise, but there was some frustration towards the boss’ decision to bring up an argument which regularly surfaced during the early stage of the pandemic.
Countless politicians urged Rashford to ‘stick to football’ as he incessantly campaigned to end food poverty, with the United star famously forcing the government to U-turn on their decision to end the provision of food vouchers for low-income households.
He continues to fight to this day and combines that with his efforts on the pitch. Rashford returned from shoulder surgery in the 4-2 defeat to Leicester, bagging his side’s second goal during his 25 minutes on the pitch.
Leonardo Bonucci has urged Juventus to rediscover the team spirit and work rate that he claims has been missing since Cristiano Ronaldo’s arrival.
Ronaldo moved to Turin in 2018 and racked up 101 goals in 134 appearances, winning the Serie A title in his first two years with Juventus, but things began to fall apart last season and the Portugal international moved to Manchester United in the summer with a year left on his contract.
At Old Trafford, Ronaldo has faced criticism for his poor teamwork, which many feel has actually harmed United, and Bonucci suggested Juventus had endured something similar during the 2020/21 season.
“Ronaldo made a choice that we respected,” Bonucci told Amazon Prime Sport (via Gianluca Di Marzio). “Last year the team played for him, now the group must rediscover that Juve spirit that was there before his arrival.”
One of the things Bonucci hopes to see is for Juventus to ‘rediscover the taste of fatigue’ – an apparent dig at Ronaldo’s limited work rate.
Ronaldo’s limitations have been discussed at length following United’s disjointed performance in their 4-2 defeat to Leicester, in which he started in attack but failed to inspire a positive team showing yet again.
However, even before that game, critics had begun to question Ronaldo’s overall influence on the team, with United legend Gary Neville discussing the topic on The Overlap.
“With it comes big positives, but with it also comes problems,” he said. “Ronaldo had to be managed, shall we say.
“In the 2008 Barcelona semi-final away from home, Cristiano Ronaldo was shoved up front on his own, and Rooney and Park Ji-sung were shoved wide, and Tevez was brought back to [mark] Busquets. You couldn’t carry him in the big games because he generally doesn’t work hard enough.
“So he’s playing up front now – you’re never going to press from the front. So the idea that Manchester United can become a pressing team with Cristiano up front is never going to happen. He wasn’t pressing 10-15 years ago.”
Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman has confirmed winger Ansu Fati is close to putting pen to paper on a new contract at Camp Nou.
Talks with the 18-year-old have been underway for a while now and reports last week suggested that an agreement was close to being reached – El Clasico against Real Madrid on October 24 was touted as a potential closing date.
Things are moving in that direction now as Koeman has confirmed a deal is in the works and should be wrapped up in the near future.
“I’m told that Barça is close to renewing the contract of Ansu Fati – and it’s big news for Barcelona because we’re talking about a boy that can mark the club’s future,” he said (via Mundo Deportivo).
Barcelona and Fati’s agent, Jorge Mendes, have struck a deal on a contract running until the summer of 2026 which will pay him like the superstar he is growing into. The basic terms have been agreed and it’s now just a case of negotiating the final details.
Talks have dragged on for a little while, but both Fati and Barcelona have always been clear about their desire to strike a deal. The winger has made no secret of his wish to stay at Camp Nou, despite numerous sides from across Europe taking an interest.
Manchester United’s name has been thrown around a lot, but Fati’s focus has always been solely on Barcelona and he appears set to reap the rewards of that.
Fati has already been handed the famous number 10 shirt following Lionel Messi’s departure to Paris Saint-Germain, and team-mate Sergio Aguero admitted the youngster has been doing the number proud in recent weeks.
“Fati is doing very well,” he said (via Sport). “He has a special talent that we have to take advantage of.
“He is young, so we must help him to continue growing. These days it is very difficult to stay at the top level, so us veterans must support him.
“Everyone knows that he is one of those talents that doesn’t come around often.”
After a lengthy international break, which did genuinely seem to go on forever, the Champions League is back in town.
Matchday three is upon us, and all eight groups are shaping up nicely as we get to the halfway stage of the first phase.
There are some big games to look forward to, as well as ones you may look to avoid, but every single game is crucial in determining who makes it through to the knockout stages.
Here’s 90min‘s predictions and previews ahead of a busy couple of days…
Pep Guardiola needs a response in the Champions League / Quality Sport Images/GettyImages
Club Brugge vs Man City
When is kick off? Tuesday 19 October 17:45 (BST) Where is it being played? Jan Breydel Stadium
Manchester City will be looking to bounce back from their Champions League defeat to Paris Saint-Germain on matchday two when they travel to Belgium to take on Club Brugge.
They are the favourites for three points despite trailing their opponents by a point, and rightly so.
Read 90min’s full match preview here.
Prediction: Club Brugge 0-3 Man City
PSG vs RB Leipzig
When is it being played? Tuesday 19 October, 20:00 (BST) Where is the match being played? Parc des Princes
PSG’s quest for a maiden Champions League trophy continues on Tuesday night with a home game against Group A basement boys RB Leipzig.
Leipzig are huge underdogs after a shaky start to life under new boss Jesse Marsch, particularly as the Parisians have already downed tournament favourites Manchester City at the Parc des Princes.
Read 90min’s full match preview here.
Prediction: PSG 3-1 RB Leipzig
Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool smashed Porto on matchday two / Quality Sport Images/GettyImages
Atletico Madrid vs Liverpool
What time is kick off? Tuesday 19 October, 20:00 (BST) Where is it being played? Wanda Metropolitano
Atletico Madrid and Liverpool go head to head in one of the standout fixtures of matchday three.
Both sides have got off to a decent start in the competition; Jurgen Klopp’s Reds particularly impressing after scoring eight times in two games – beating Milan 3-2 and Porto 5-1, the latter away from home.
Expect a good game here between two very capable sides.
Read 90min’s full match preview here.
Prediction: Atletico Madrid 2-3 Liverpool
Porto vs Milan
What time is kick off? Tuesday 19 October, 20:00 (BST) Where is it being played? Estadio do Dragao
It’s a must-win game for both Porto and Milan in Group B’s game other game.
Both are without wins after playing Atletico and Liverpool, though it’s the hosts who are slightly better off – they have at least taken a point after playing Diego Simeone’s La Liga champions.
That said, Porto were battered at home by Liverpool, and Milan will fancy their chances of a cheeky away win.
Prediction: Porto 1-2 Milan
Pedro Goncalves won’t be at Sporting for too long / Quality Sport Images/GettyImages
Besiktas vs Sporting CP
What time is kick off? Tuesday 19 October, 17:45 (BST) Where is it being played? Vodafone Arena
Again, it’s a battle of two winless sides when Besiktas and Sporting CP clash at the Vodafone Arena.
Realistically both are playing for a future Europa League berth, but their first duel may end up in a share of the spoils before they lock horns again on matchday four.
Prediction: Besiktas 1-1 Sporting CP
Ajax vs Borussia Dortmund
What time is kick off? Tuesday 19 October, 20:00 (BST) Where is it being played? Amsterdam ArenA
There’s one thing that Ajax and Borussia Dortmund have in common, and that’s the fact that both teams love scoring goals.
On one side you’ve got *checks notes* Ajax’s Sebastien Haller, who has already bagged five in two games, while on the other you’ve got Erling Haaland, who might actually be half human and half cyborg.
Expect more for them here.
Prediction: Ajax 2-2 Borussia Dortmund
Karim Benzema has a shot at winning the 2021 Ballon d’Or / Quality Sport Images/GettyImages
Shakhtar Donetsk vs Real Madrid
What time is kick off? Tuesday 19 October, 20:00 (BST) Where is it being played? NSC Olimpiyskiy, Kiev
Real Madrid play their first fixture following the international break when they travel to Shakhtar Donetsk.
Carlo Ancelotti’s men were given a major shock when they fell to a 2-1 defeat to minnows Sheriff Tiraspol, so they will be revved up and keen to ensure the same doesn’t happen agains the Ukrainian giants.
Read 90min’s full match preview here.
Prediction: Shakhtar Donetsk 1-2 Real Madrid
Inter vs Sheriff Tiraspol
What time is kick off? Tuesday 19 October, 20:00 (BST) Where is it being played? San Siro
Inter are yet to register a win in this season’s Champions League after failing to overcome both Real and Shakhtar in their first two games.
That makes victory against a Sheriff side who have miraculously taken six points out of six an absolute must. Surely they will get it? Don’t bet on it.
Read 90min’s full match preview here.
Prediction: Inter 1-1 Sheriff Tiraspol
How to watch every Champions League game on TV
UK audiences will be able to watch live coverage on BT Sport, with a full highlights show broadcast on both Tuesday and Wednesday evening.
US viewers can watch games on fuboTV and Paramount+, while DAZN will be broadcasting every Champions League game live in Canada.
Viewers from around Europe can find full TV listings here.
Ronald Koeman needs a Champions League win, badly / David Ramos/GettyImages
Barcelona vs Dynamo Kyiv
What time is kick off? Wednesday 20 October, 17:45 (BST) Where is it being played? Camp Nou
Barcelona’s Champions League campaign has been disastrous so far, with Ronald Koeman’s side slipping to back-to-back 3-0 defeats against Bayern Munich and Benfica respectively.
Lose again to Dynamo Kyiv on Wednesday and they face a seriously tricky task to avoid crashing out at the group stages. Fortunately, they have a couple of players available again, and should win.
Read 90min’s full match preview here.
Prediction: Barcelona 2-0 Dynamo Kyiv
Benfica vs Bayern Munich
What time is kick off? Wednesday 20 October, 20:00 (BST) Where is it being played? Estadio da Luz
Bayern Munich will hope to keep their dominant start to their Champions League journey going when they travel to Portugal to meet Benfica.
Julian Nagelsmann’s side have bagged eight goals and are yet to concede in their two European games, and are strong favourites to pick up another win.
Read 90min’s full match preview here.
Prediction: Benfica 1-3 Bayern Munich
Man Utd’s tactical naivety has seen Ole Gunnar Solskjaer questioned / Alex Pantling/GettyImages
Man Utd vs Atalanta
What time is kick off? Wednesday 20 October, 20:00 (BST) Where is it being played? Old Trafford
Man Utd welcome Atalanta to Old Trafford as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer looks to ease the growing pressure on his position as manager.
United were indebted to a stoppage time winner from Cristiano Ronaldo against Villarreal in their previous Champions League outing, having previously gone down to a shock defeat in Switzerland against Young Boys.
This should be a thriller, and Atalanta will more than play their part in what should be a very open game.
Read 90min’s full match preview here.
Prediction: Man Utd 3-2 Atalanta
Young Boys vs Villarreal
What time is kick off? Wednesday 20 October, 20:00 (BST) Where is it being played? Stade de Suisse
Unai Emery’s Villarreal travel to Switzerland to take on Young Boys knowing they must pick up three points on the road.
Winless after drawing with Atalanta and losing to Manchester United late on, the pressure is on against the Swiss champions – who have already beaten the Red Devils on their own patch. A tight cagey affair is in prospect, and the out-of-form visitors may not get what they want…
Prediction: Young Boys 0-0 Villarreal
Matthias Jaissle is Red Bull’s latest bright young coach / Christian Kaspar-Bartke/GettyImages
Salzburg vs Wolfsburg
What time is kick off? Wednesday 20 October, 17:45 (BST) Where is it being played? Red Bull Arena, Salzburg
The most wide open group in this season’s competition is probably Group G, with all four teams likely thinking they can qualify for the knockout stages.
Salzburg have impressed the most so far, picking up four points from six, but opponents Wolfsburg are unbeaten after draws against Sevilla and Lille. Will that change here? Potentially, yes.
Prediction: Salzburg 2-0 Wolfsburg
Lille vs Sevilla
What time is kick off? Wednesday 20 October, 20:00 (BST) Where is it being played? Stade Pierre-Mauroy
Lille surprisingly won Ligue 1 last season ahead of PSG, but then inexplicably lost their manager Christophe Galtier to OGC Nice.
Things aren’t going so well under new boss Jocelyn Gourvennec, and their poor domestic form has carried over into Europe. Sevilla will rightly fancy their chances of victory on the road.
Prediction: Lille 1-2 Sevilla
Romelu Lukaku has cut a frustrated figure in recent games for Chelsea / Jonathan Moscrop/GettyImages
Chelsea vs Malmo
What time is kick off? Wednesday 20 October, 20:00 (BST) Where is it being played? Stamford Bridge
The champions of Europe are in action on Wednesday night when Chelsea welcome Malmo to Stamford Bridge.
The Blues are in fine form domestically, but slipped up against Juventus on matchday two of the competition. That’s a wrong that Thomas Tuchel’s side will want to convincingly right here.
Read 90min’s full match preview here.
Prediction: Chelsea 3-0 Malmo
Zenit vs Juventus
What time is kick off? Wednesday 20 October, 20:00 (BST) Where is it being played? Gazprom Arena
A trip to the Gazprom Arena is never one that opposing teams relish, but that’s the fate of Juventus on Wednesday night when they collide with Zenit.
Two wins out of two is a very healthy spot for Max Allegri’s Bianconeri, and things are looking a lot brighter domestically after a string of Serie A wins. It won’t be straightforward against a Zenit side who have three points of their own, but the odd goal may go the way of the Italians.
Exclusive – Newcastle United’s search for a new manager to replace Steve Bruce has narrowed down to three candidates.
90min understands that final interviews are taking place this week, and the names in the frame are Eddie Howe, Paulo Fonseca and Lucien Favre – all of whom held initial talks with the club last week.
Newcastle plan on having a new manager in place by this weekend, with the idea being that current boss Bruce is relieved of his duties before the game against Crystal Palace.
The Magpies had initially intended on sacking Bruce in their first week before appointing current number two Graeme Jones on an interim basis, but they have instead opted to get a new permanent boss in now.
The club’s new owners are now all in the North East after chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan flew in to attend Sunday’s Premier League defeat against Tottenham – a plan 90min revealed on Thursday.
Now alongside Amanda Staveley, her husband Mehrdad Ghodoussi – who co-owns PCP Capital Partners – and other board member Jamie Reuben, Al-Rumayyan will help to finalise the appointment of the club’s new manager.
The new owners have been taking advice from numerous people in and around football in England, as they look to try and get the appointment right.
90min can reveal that Howe has emerged as a target after glowing references from former West Ham and Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp, and his son Jamie. The 43-year-old has been out of work since leaving Bournemouth in 2020, following their relegation from the Premier League.
Howe was close to landing the Celtic job in the summer, only to have a change of heart at the last minute, and is the only domestic candidate in the running – with Newcastle also talking to Fonseca and Favre, two highly experienced foreign coaches.
Fonseca has a growing reputation across the continent, and was Tottenham’s initial first choice to succeed Jose Mourinho as their head coach. But despite agreeing terms with the club, a move broke down over footballing philosophy.
The 48-year-old Portuguese – who does speak English – was last in charge of Roma, who he left in May, and has previously enjoyed spells in charge of Porto, Braga and Shakhtar Donetsk.
He also held talks with Everton in the summer, and rejected the overtures of Crystal Palace – but 90min understands he is hugely keen to take on the task at Newcastle.
Paulo Fonseca came close to joining Tottenham / Marco Luzzani/GettyImages
Likewise, former Borussia Dortmund manager Lucien Favre likes the idea of working in the Premier League.
The 63-year-old Swiss left Dortmund in 2020 and has been linked to a host of clubs since. He is keen to get back into work, having spent most of his time in Germany coaching the likes of Hertha BSC and Borussia Monchengladach, and is by far the most experienced of the three candidates.
Others remain keen on taking the position, but Howe, Favre and Fonseca will all undertake final interviews in the coming days.
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