Premier League
Win over Leeds proves we are united, says Rangnick
Manchester United coach Ralf Rangnick insisted that all is well in his team’s dressing-room and that the spirited 4-2 win over Leeds United in torrential rain on Sunday was proof of their unity.
A first United goal from a corner this season from Harry Maguire and a Bruno Fernandes header put the visitors in control at Elland Road by halftime, only for two Leeds strikes within 59 seconds soon after the break to level things up.
Manchester United remained calm and goals from substitutes Fred and Anthony Elanga secured a victory that cemented their place in the top four.
British media reported there had been clashes among the players, including a power struggle for the captaincy between Maguire and Cristiano Ronaldo.
“This performance was the best reply we could give to some articles last week that there was some disruption in the locker room,” Rangnick said. “This was a game you can only win with the mentality in the team.
“This was an important win after the results on Saturday. We had to win and I hope the way we win will give us new additional energy for the game in Madrid (in the Champions League) next week and against Watford on Saturday.
“Their first goal came out of the blue, I don’t think Rodrigo intended to play the ball where he did, but within a couple of minutes it was 2-2. It took us five minutes to shake ourselves. After that the reaction was great, we showed maturity and in the end we really deserved to win.”
Leeds seemed dead and buried at halftime, only for Rodrigo’s fortunate cross that found the net and Raphinha’s goal at the far post to turn the match on its head.
Having got into that position, Leeds manager Marcelo Bielsa feels his side should have taken something from the game, with the defeat leaving them perilously close to the relegation zone.
“After we got back level we had the chance to go 3-2 up and straight way they went up and scored again,” Bielsa said.
“We played better trying to get back into the game than when we were trying to keep a result but something has repeated that is difficult to resolve. We have to defend better.
“It is impossible not to be worried. We have conceded 50 goals. Do you think I cannot be worried? How can I not feel responsible?”
-Reuters
Thomas Partey, who formerly played for English Premier League soccer club Arsenal, has been charged with rape and sexual assault, London’s Metropolitan Police said on Friday.
Partey, a Ghana international, was charged with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault, with the charges relating to three women and the offences reported to have taken place between 2021 and 2022, the statement said.
Partey’s management did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
He is due to appear at London’s Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Aug. 5.
Partey, 32, was signed by Arsenal from Atletico Madrid for 50 million euros ($59 million) in October 2020 and became a key member of Arsenal’s first team.
He was first arrested in July 2022, though he was not named at the time and continued to play for Arsenal while investigations were ongoing.
-Reuters
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Five players including England forward Marcus Rashford and Argentina winger Alejandro Garnacho have informed Manchester United that they wish to explore a future away from the Premier League side, a club source said on Friday.
Brazilian midfielder Antony, Dutch defender Tyrell Malacia and England international Jadon Sancho are also looking to leave the club, the source added.
Rashford, who has made more than 400 senior appearances for United, has fallen out of favour with manager Ruben Amorim, played for Aston Villa on loan while United had their worst-ever Premier League campaign, finishing 15th in the standings.
Amorim had called Rashford’s work rate into question, saying he would rather put a goalkeeper coach on the bench than a player not giving their all.
Rashford said he was feeling fitter and better since joining Villa, where he scored two goals in 10 league appearances.
United also failed to qualify for the Champions League as they lost the Europa League final 1-0 to Tottenham Hotspur. Garnacho, who was a late substitute in the final, voiced his displeasure on social media after the loss.
“Up until the final, I played every round helping the team, and today I play 20 minutes, I don’t know,” he wrote in a post . “The final will influence (my decision), but the whole season, the situation of the club.”
Sancho was on loan at Chelsea, where he made 31 league appearances last season. Antony, who joined United from Ajax Amsterdam in 2022 for a reported initial transfer fee of more than $100 million, scored five goals in 17 LaLiga appearances on loan at Real Betis.
Malacia joined Dutch side PSV Eindhoven on loan in February.
-Reuters
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Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes turned down the opportunity to join Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal in order to keep playing “at the highest level”, he said on Tuesday.
The Portuguese midfielder admitted that he had considered the move, which media reports said was worth four times his current salary, after being contacted by Al-Hilal’s president.
“There was that possibility, the president of Al-Hilal called me a month ago to ask me about it,” Fernandes, who is preparing to face Germany with Portugal, told reporters on Tuesday.
“It was a big offer, very ambitious. There was a waiting period for me to think about the future.”
Fernandes ultimately decided to stay at United and said he was motivated by his desire to continue playing at the top level and encouraged by his family and the club’s coach Ruben Amorim.
“I would be willing to do it if Manchester United thought so,” Fernandes added. “I spoke to the coach Ruben Amorim who really tried to talk me out of it. The club said they would not be willing to sell me, only if I wanted to leave.
“I spoke to my wife and family, and she asked me what my personal goals were in my career.
“It would have been easy to move there but I want to keep myself at the highest level, playing in the big competitions and I feel capable of it. I am happy with my decision.”
The 30-year-old Fernandes scored 19 goals and provided 19 assists in 57 appearances across all competitions for United last season, winning the club’s Player of the Year award for the fourth time.
However, it was a season to forget for the team, as they finished 15th in the Premier League, their lowest league finish in half a century, and lost the Europa League final to Tottenham Hotspur.
-Reuters
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