Man Utd captain Bruno Fernandes saved some praise for Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp after hailing Pep Guardiola as “the best coach in the world”.
The Red Devils have struggled to keep pace with Liverpool and Man City in recent years as they’ve struggled during the post-Sir Alex Ferguson days.

As well as Man Utd failing to challenge for a Premier League title since 2013, it has been made harder by Man City’s Guardiola and Liverpool’s Klopp in recent years.
And Man Utd midfielder Fernandes can appreciate Guardiola and Klopp’s impact on the English game and named the former as “the best coach in the world”.
“We are talking about the best coach in the world, without a shadow of a doubt,” Fernandes told A Bola. “In recent years, he has been the best coach in the world.
“He is probably the coach who most changed the game of football. Nowadays, everyone wants to be Guardiola, there’s no need to hide that.
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“All teams, from the second to the first divisions, everyone tries to play like City and everyone tries to find the dynamics that City has, because they have results and success.
Related video: 'I have not been at my best' - Fernandes admits he has struggled at Man Utd this season (SNTV)

New Manchester United. Things you do collective,

“For me, having praise from a coach like Guardiola is something spectacular, because, as I said, we are talking about a coach that I really appreciate and who, for me, today, is the best coach in the world.”
Man Utd eased some of the pressure building on Erik ten Hag over the weekend when they beat Liverpool 4-3 in their FA Cup quarter-final on Sunday.
And Fernandes has revealed his great respect for Klopp and insists the Liverpool boss is one of the managers he appreciates the most in world football.
On Klopp, Fernandes added: “We are talking about a coach who is one of the ones I most appreciate, for the intensity he brings to games and the passion he has for football.
“I think what he did now is yet another demonstration of how much he loves football.
“He feels that, if he is not at his best, he is not giving his best to the game. And I think a little like that too, in the same way as him, probably.


“He is a coach who changed the dynamics of Liverpool, who brought hope to the club. If we look at it, Klopp is the coach who has probably won the fewest titles and, even so, achieved the most in terms of the passion of the world of football, the passion of the fans, the transformation he brought to a club.
“He won big titles, he won the Premier League, the Champions League, and some cups, but the biggest prize he will take away from these years will be the flame, the passion and the new dynamics he brought and which made Liverpool once again believe in being [a] champion, in being able to fight for titles, in being among the best.
“That’s something that no one will ever take away from Klopp. We are talking about another coach who really influences my passion for football.”
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Real Madrid: La Liga claim Los Blancos seek ‘competitive advantage’ with Vinicius racism claims

La Liga has accused Real Madrid of attempting to ‘obtain a competitive advantage’ by throwing shade at referee Juan Martinez Munuera for omitting the insults that Osasuna fans aimed at Vinicius Junior in their clash on Saturday.
Vinicius was headline news once again as Madrid claimed a 4-2 win, after the Brazilian notched a brace but was also seen arguing with opposition players and the officials, leading Osasuna fans to abuse him from the stands – a worrying trend of opposition supporters this season.

‘Insults and vexatious screams…’

Real Madrid issued a statement on Monday night in which it has announced that it has filed a complaint with the Disciplinary Committee of the Royal Spanish Football Federation against Martinez Munuera, who they claim ‘omitted, voluntarily and deliberately, the insults and vexatious screams repeatedly directed at our player Vinicius Junior, despite being insistently warned by our players at the same time they were taking place.’
It was claimed that the fans could be heard chanting “Vinicius, die” throughout the game.
Madrid explained that ‘it has conveyed the insults and vexatious screams to the State Commission against Violence, Racism, Xenophobia and Intolerance in Sport’ with the aim of ‘that those who uttered them are identified and punished.’

Real Madrid seek ‘competitive advantage’

La Liga issued a statement in response, in which it confirmed its commitment to eradicate all forms of intolerance from football, expressed ‘unequivocal support’ for the referee and claimed this was simply the latest attempt of many by Real Madrid to ‘obtain a competitive advantage’.
The statement read:

‘The Delegate Commission of LALIGA, meeting today, wishes, following the complaint that Real Madrid CF has made against the referee Martínez Munuera before the Disciplinary Committee of the Royal Spanish Football Federation, to express its absolute rejection of the complaint filed by Real Madrid CF and express its unequivocally support to Mr. Juan Martínez Munuera and, by extension, the Spanish arbitration group.
‘LALIGA, in its firm commitment to eradicate all forms of violence, racism, xenophobia and intolerance in soccer, in addition to carrying out numerous awareness and prevention campaigns, denounces to the Disciplinary Committee of the RFEF and to the State Commission against Violence, Racism, Xenophobia and Intolerance in Sport of the CSD, all those actions produced in the matches of the National League Championships of First and Second Division, which may constitute the above infractions.
‘In this sense, the Delegate Commission of LALIGA considers that said complaint is one more manifestation of the merciless campaign undertaken by Real Madrid CF against the Spanish referees, with the presumed intention of putting pressure on said body, in order to obtain a competitive advantage with the decisions that said group has to make. As indicated and accredited by the Technical Committee of Arbitrators, Mr. Martínez Munuera’s way of proceeding has been impeccable and has scrupulously conformed to the regulations governing the arbitral action.
‘Any other interpretation that can be made of the facts is simply spurious.’

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Real Madrid striker offers advice to ‘peculiar’ Vinicius Junior after Brazil star receives ban

Real Madrid forward Joselu has offered his thoughts on Brazil international Vinicius Junior, who received a one-match La Liga ban over the weekend.
Vinicius has emerged as one of the standout wingers in the world after Real Madrid paid around £40m to sign him from Flamengo in 2018.

“He is a peculiar boy…”

The 23-year-old has already played over 250 times for the Spanish giants across all competitions and he’s among the contenders to be the next £100m footballer.
Sadly, his time at Real Madrid has been marred by cases of racist abuse as he has consistently been the victim of vile chants from rival supporters. Earlier this month, he called for UEFA ‘punishment’ after being subjected to ‘deplorable’ abuse from Atletico Madrid fans.
Over the weekend, Vinicius netted a brace in Real Madrid’s 4-2 victory over Osasuna. This result leaves Carlo Ancelotti’s side eight points clear of second-placed FC Barcelona.
Vinicius received his fifth booking of the season against Osasuna for complaining to the referee after a decision went against him so he will miss Real Madrid’s home match against Athletic Bilbao on March 31.

“Don’t leave us with ten…”

Joselu has now offered his opinion on Vinicius, who needs to “improve” his in-game “gestures”.
“Vini is a peculiar boy. Inside the locker room, he is a very humble boy, very smiley. He is a boy who, from day one, has treated me very well since I arrived here. He is so decisive, such a good player, one of the best players in the world and I think that bothers rivals and the fans,” Joselu told El Desmarque.
Related video: Real Madrid slam referee for not reporting abuse against Vinicius Jr (Reuters)

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“It is clear that there are gestures that he can improve, but he is very young and we are all supporting him. There will be times when he has to decide how to carry out and deal with those gestures and those things, but he is a spectacular boy.
“In the locker room we all have a lot of affection for him and little by little it’s going to bring out the positive side of him in all of this.”
Offering advice to his team-mate, he added: “The typical thing, especially when you are in a match: ‘Don’t leave us with ten.’
“I think he is such a decisive and decisive player in every game, that he knows it. He knows that he can decide a match alone and I think he is very fundamental for us.”
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Ancelotti meanwhile has encouraged Vinicius to “control” the “pressure” he comes under during matches.
“He’s a decisive player, in everything he contributes. He could have scored more goals, but he’s effective in everything”, Ancelotti told Marca.
“He has a lot of pressure, which he must control a little more. I didn’t say anything special to him, just that he played an extraordinary game.
“He’s going to improve because he is a serious, humble and intelligent boy.”

Man City face ‘expulsion’ from Premier League after Forest commission sets ‘major’ precedent

Manchester City could face ‘expulsion’ from the Premier League according to the 52-page report detailing why Nottingham Forest have been deducted four points for breaching FFP rules.
The Forest sanction, confirmed by the Premier League on Monday, has pushed Nuno Espirito Santo’s side from 17th to 18th, suddenly a point adrift of safety.

Man City whataboutery

Forest were allowed permissible losses of £61million ($77.6m) as a promoted club in 2022-23 but were found to have exceeded that threshold for a three-year period by the precise sum of £34,536,000.
Everton were also punished for a breach of profit and sustainability rules (PSR) in November, with their initial 10-point penalty reduced to six on appeal.
The sanctions have led to inevitable questions as to what the punishments for Manchester City, and indeed Chelsea, will be, with both clubs alleged to have broken the rules far more significantly.
City are vehemently contesting the 115 charges brought by the Premier League in February 2023, with an independent commission set to hear the case in the autumn, while Chelse are waiting to be charged after the club flagged financial misconduct relating to payments made to agents off the club books in Roman Abramovich’s era.
Related video: Nottingham Forest: Club could face further Premier League point deduction if £30m of player sales... (Dailymotion)

The Blues’ latest financial accounts show £150m has been set aside by Todd Boehly and Clearlake to cover potential legal costs.

Premier League ‘expulsion’

If found guilty, the two giants will likely face penalties far beyond those doled out thus far, and the 52-page report detailing Forest’s wrongdoing suggests they could be expelled from the Premier League.
Robert Glancy KC, sports law specialist Mark Hovell and accountancy expert Steve Holt pointed to the unlimited sanctions available in any case, “ranging from a warning through to expulsion from the Premier League”.
The Commission added: “Where a PSR breach is ‘minor’, then it will be for other Commissions to determine if any points deduction is necessary, appropriate or proportionate.
“But if the breach is properly described as ‘major’ then it may be the case that even a very severe sanction such as expulsion is more appropriate.”
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Tottenham star to oust Man Utd player as national team captain after ‘perfect’ praise

Not only are Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United battling for Champions League qualification this season, but their players are also competing to be captain of one national team.
Plenty of Man Utd players have been selected for international duty this week, including Bruno Fernandes, Marcus Rashford, Scott McTominay, Rasmus Hojlund and Alejandro Garnacho. Rising star in midfield, Kobbie Mainoo, was initially named as part of the England U21 setup, but he has since been called up to Gareth Southgate’s senior squad.


Victor Lindelof is another Man Utd player who is expected to add to his international caps in the coming week. The centre-back has played 64 times for Sweden so far and was named their captain in August 2021, following the retirement of Andreas Granqvist.
However, Lindelof is at risk of losing the armband in the near future. Ahead of Sweden’s friendlies against Portugal and Albania, Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet have taken a look at which players could lead the national team in the future.
Experienced forward Emil Forsberg and Aston Villa goalkeeper Robin Olsen are both options, though manager Jon Dahl Tomasson has been urged to give the captaincy to Tottenham star Dejan Kulusevski.
The right winger is ‘more analytical and vocal’ than Lindelof, which means he could organise and motivate the team better. Plus, Kulusevski is a very skilful attacker who could inspire those around him by either scoring a fantastic goal or assisting one of his team-mates.
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All right, so before we start,

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Kulusevski is still young at 23 years of age, but he is maturing and improving under Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou. As such, the report labels him a ‘perfect captain in a year or so’, which suggests the clock is ticking on Lindelof’s reign.
While Lindelof will be gutted if he loses the captaincy, Tomasson could justify the decision by stating that Kulusevski is part of a new era looking to take Sweden even further in international competitions. While Lindelof is 29, there are younger player such as Kulusevski, Alexander Isak, Hugo Larsson and Anthony Elanga looking to make a name for themselves at future tournaments.
However, that will not happen at this summer’s European Championship. After finishing third in Group F behind Belgium and Austria, Sweden failed to qualify for the Euros in Germany.


During the upcoming games against Portugal and Albania, Lindelof will be aiming to put in two dominant performances to show Tomasson why he is the perfect man for the armband. But it is clear that Kulusevski’s influence on the Swedish national team will only grow.
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Liverpool legend taunts Ten Hag sack as Man Utd move for Gareth Southgate gains serious momentum

The chances of Gareth Southgate becoming the next Manchester United manager are growing by the day and amid claims by a Liverpool icon that Sir Jim Ratcliffe has “already decided” to sack Erik ten Hag at the end of the season.
The Red Devils showed real promise under the Dutchman in his first year at the helm, guiding the club to Carabao Cup success, the FA Cup final and, most importantly, a third-placed finish in the Premier League. But this season has been swamped by inconsistencies that has seen Manchester United fall seriously behind the country’s three top sides as well as humiliated on their return to the Champions League.

And while Sunday’s dogged and determined 4-3 victory over Liverpool in the FA Cup finals showed what they are capable of at their best, it remains uncertain if that will be enough to save Ten Hag for what some now feel is the growing inevitability of his sacking as manager.
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Indeed, reports have been gathering pace for several months now that Ten Hag is on borrowed time with what was, at one stage, their worst part to a season for since 1930/31 putting him under serious pressure.
Since then, British billionaire Ratcliffe has finalised his £1.3bn investment into 27.7% of the club and is about to draft in some key appointments behind the scenes, not least Omar Berrada as CEO and Dan Ashworth as sporting director.
And between the three of them, a decision on Ten Hag’s future will be made at the end of the season.
Related video: Erik ten Hag reacts to Man Utd's epic 4-3 victory over Liverpool (Metro)

Gareth Southgate to Man Utd rumours gather serious pace

However, the signs do not look good for the Dutchman and strong reports on Tuesday claim the axe will not only fall but that United were also increasingly confident of persuading Southgate to become their new manager.
The 53-year-old’s deal with the FA to manage the England national side is due to expire come the end of the calendar year and a move to appoint him after the country’s European Championship campaign is over would reportedly set the Red Devils back a mere £800,000.
And with Ratcliffe reportedly canvassing both INEOS officials and respected former United players on Southgate’s arrival, it seems there is a growing optimism at Old Trafford that he would be the perfect candidate to step into the Dutchman’s shoes.
Such an appointment would also curry favour with Ashworth, who knows the England boss’ methods well from his time at the Football Association.


Per fresh reports, United are now pressing Southgate into a decision on taking the job soon, so as to help with their planning and over the increasingly-likely possibility that Ten Hag will be removed from his role, regardless of how the rest of the season pans out.
However, sources have stessed to TEAMtalk that no decision has yet been made over Ten Hag’s future and that success in the FA Cup and in qualifying once again for the Champions League would make a decision to axe him hard to justify. To that end, we understand that, quite simply, any decision on his future will be held off until the season’s end.
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Southgate playing down Man Utd rumours

Southgate himself has been quick to play down talk of a move to United, with the England coach insisting just last week he did not want anything to distract from his mission of leading the country to Euro 2024 glory.
To that end, he is well aware of the expectations on his shoulders and that anything less than an England victory will be considered a failure.

“I have to deliver in the job I’m in, so there’s no point in me thinking any further ahead than that,” Southgate said when questioned about Manchester United links recently.
“My focus is delivering the best possible European Championship for England. Since I came to St George’s, our target has been being in the final four of things, with the ultimate aim of winning.
“If you look at the trajectory of a team, we’re at that point where we’ve done a lot of the climb and the enjoyable bit and we’re at that last bit, really, of winning and getting over the line.
“We’ve shown the consistency in the world ranking for the last five years, so there’s consistency of performances. We have to translate that with the next step now.
“That’s the challenge I have to accept as well and I’m really comfortable with that. There’s no point in speculating about what might happen after the summer.”

Southgate added: “I think we would have to sit and think about that at the end of the tournament. I’m happy to talk about it briefly now, but I’m not going to talk about for the whole summer, what’s next.
“We’ve consciously shelved any discussions internally about what might be next, because I think if we had sat and signed a new contract and done that before the tournament, everybody would have said: ‘Well, you did this with (Fabio) Capello and you should be proving yourself before you sign.’
“So, look, I’m completely relaxed about that and I have no idea where we’ll be in the middle of July, other than I hope it’s Trafalgar Square and let’s get the party on!”

Liverpool icon goads Ten Hag over Man Utd sack

Ten Hag, meanwhile, remains determined to fight on in the United hotseat and continues to state that his players are both behind him and that he is planning for next season at the Old Trafford helm.
As it stands though, his deal is currently due to expire in summer 2025, meaning this summer was always going to represent something of a crossroads in his time at United regardless of whether he was coming under pressure of the sack or not.
Indeed, former Liverpool player and manager Graeme Souness is adamant that the decision to remove Ten Hag as manager has already been taken, with the axe set to fall regardless of how this season pans out.
“I think they will have made their mind up already that he there’ll be a change at Man Utd, Souness said on talkSPORT.
“There’ll be a new coach in place next year, unless they go on the most amazing run and find themselves in the top four.
“But I come back to it, that group of players. With average players, you get up and down performances. They’ve got away with it.
“His argument will be, ‘We’ve had lots of injuries’ – but every manager can point to injuries over a season.
“I think what will cause him difficulty – or danger – with the people now making the decisions will be that the players he’s brought in.
“The spin he’s trying to put on their performances, they will see through that.”
IN DEPTH: Three ways Ten Hag can miraculously avoid Man Utd sack, as Ratcliffe prepares to swing the axe

Ten Hag ‘doesn’t have the chops for Man Utd job’

Asked if United will stick with Ten Hag, fellow presenter Simon Jordan added: “I honestly don’t know. And it’s not me sitting on the fence.
“I think a lot depends on how he runs his season out and what I think he represents.
“For me sitting remotely, no. I’ve started from the outset believing that Ten Hag doesn’t have the chops for this job.
“But that’s also laced with the idea that when you ask me: ‘Who does then?’ Not sure.
“My gut feel says no, I wouldn’t [keep Ten Hag]. But my gut feel is they will for a period of time.”
Ten Hag has already lost 16 of 41 matches played so far this season in all competitions, while the Dutchman’s overall win percentage rate currently sits at 60.78% with 62 victories from 102 matches in charge.