Edinson Cavani is expected to be fit but Eric Bailly is a doubt for Man Utd; Everton will continue to be without goalkeeper Jordan Pickford; follow Man Utd vs Everton on Sky Sports Premier League from 7.45pm on Saturday; kick-off 8pm

Friday 5 February 2021 15:19, UK

Team news and stats ahead of Man Utd vs Everton in the Premier League on Saturday; kick-off 8pm.https://open.spotify.com/embed-podcast/episode/7HX4L5KHhzOYRYeFVVuHLz

Team news

Edinson Cavani should be fit for Manchester United‘s clash with Everton but Eric Bailly is a doubt.

Veteran striker Cavani was taken off at half-time of Tuesday’s 9-0 win against Southampton with an ankle knock, but manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer expects him to be fit for Saturday.

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Max stake varies. See bet slip for details. Odds subject to fluctuation. Further T&Cs apply. 18+

The United boss said centre-back Bailly is a doubt, while January signing Amad Diallo is set to play for the Under-23s again against Blackburn on Friday evening. Phil Jones is working his way back from knee surgery.

Everton will continue to be without number one goalkeeper Jordan Pickford in Saturday’s late kick-off.

Pickford has yet to recover from injury, with Robin Olsen set to continue between the posts after an impressive performance against Leeds.

Allan is set to return to team training on Friday but will not be fit in time for the weekend, while Jean-Philippe Gbamin also continues his recovery from a long-term

How to follow

Manchester United
Everton

Saturday 6th February 7:45pmKick off 8:00pm

Man Utd vs Everton will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Premier League from 7.45pm on Saturday; kick-off at 8pm. Sky Sports customers can watch in-game clips in the live match blog on the Sky Sports website and app. Free highlights will also be published on the Sky Sports digital platforms and the Sky Sports Football YouTube channel shortly after the final whitsle.

Jones Knows’ prediction

Everton are a big price here at 5/1, aren’t they?

Carlo Ancelotti’s team won’t win any awards for their style of football, but they have won seven of their opening 10 Premier League away games, including the last four on the bounce.

Only Tottenham and Manchester City have conceded fewer goals on the road than Everton’s 10 this season as Ancelotti has shown his experience and tactical nous to make the Toffees a team with great defensive unity. They’ll surely set-up to stifle United, who still don’t look comfortable trying to break down well-oiled defences at home.

If you rid the freakish win over Southampton from your minds, then it’s very hard to get carried away with United’s record when asked to make the running in games. In home matches against West Brom, Wolves and Sheffield United, they scored just three goals and managed only one at Old Trafford when faced with Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester City and Tottenham. They have also conceded 15 goals at home in the league so far this season – more than at this stage in any

previous Premier League campaign. And the expected goals against figure of 13.5 backs that poor metric up.

Everton are capable of frustrating the hosts and using their countering skills with Richarlison and Lucas Digne down the left, plus their big threat from set-pieces, to make this a tricky evening for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

JONES KNOWS PREDICTS: 0-1

BETTING ANGLE: Everton to win to nil (11/1 with Sky Bet)

Opta stats

• Manchester United have lost one of their last 27 home Premier League games against Everton (W20 D6), a 1-0 defeat in 2013/14 under David Moyes.
• Everton’s only win in their last 11 Premier League matches against Manchester United was a 4-0 victory at Goodison Park in April 2019 under Marco Silva (D4 L6).
• Since a run of six Premier League matches without a win at Old Trafford, Manchester United have won five of their last seven home games in the competition (D1 L1), scoring 20 goals and conceding just five.
• Everton are looking to win five consecutive away league games for the first time since April 1970 under Harry Catterick, a season which saw them win their seventh top-flight title.
• Only Manchester United and Leicester (8 each) have won more Premier League away games than Everton this season (7), with this the Toffees’ most wins on the road in a single league campaign since 2013-14 (8).
• This will be Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s 100th Premier League match as a manager (18 with Cardiff, 82 with Man Utd). He is the 70th different manager to take charge of 100 games, though none of the three who managed their 100th game against Everton have won: Dave Bassett in 1998 (lost 0-2), Roberto Martínez in 2012 (drew 1-1) & Paul Lambert in 2014 (lost 1-2).

• Everton manager Carlo Ancelotti has led two teams to victories at Old Trafford, winning with Milan in February 2005 and Chelsea in April 2010. Ancelotti could be only the second manager to win away to Manchester United with three different teams in the Premier League era, after José Mourinho (Chelsea, Real Madrid, Spurs).
• Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes ended a run of five Premier League matches without a goal or assist against Southampton, scoring once and assisting two more. Fernandes netted his 10th penalty goal in what was his 36th appearance, the fastest player to reach that tally in appearances since Andy Johnson in April 2005 (32nd appearance).
• Man Utd forward Anthony Martial has been directly involved in nine goals in his last 11 appearances against Everton in all competitions (6 goals, 3 assists), scoring and assisting as a substitute in their 2-0 win in the League Cup earlier this season.
• Man Utd’s Anthony Martial has scored in his last five Premier League appearances on a Monday, with the first game in this run coming against Everton in January 2018. The only player in Premier League history to score in six consecutive Monday appearances is Ian Wright between 1996 and 1998.

Pitch to Post Preview – Liverpool v Man City special: Jamie Carragher’s verdict, team news & line-ups, and the standout statshttp://www.whitecity.sport.blog

In this week’s Pitch to Post Preview Podcast Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher joins Peter Smith for an in-depth look at Sunday’s big clash between Liverpool and Man City.

Carragher gives his verdict on whether Liverpool can recover in the title race after their defeat to Brighton – and what they will have to do to beat Man City in their must-win match at Anfield.

We also hear the latest from both clubs, with Sky Sports News reporters Vinny O’Connor and Ben Ransom sharing the team news and discussing the selection issues ahead of the game.

And Sky Sports stats star Matt Cheetham has the numbers behind the five key areas of the game, so listen in and impress your mates with his stats and facts! He also makes his Pitch for what will happen in the match – and reveals whether the data backs up the predictions made by some of Sky Sports’ Twitter followers!

REVEALED: Anthony Joshua has ‘floored’ several of his sparring partners with some having to be sent home after getting ‘blown away’ by Brit during his preparations for money-spinning rematch with Andy Ruiz Jnr

• Anthony Joshua has floored several of his sparring partners in his training camp
• Timothy Moten said he has seen heavyweights get ‘blown away’ by Joshua
• Moten was brought in as a sparring partner to help prepare him for Andy Ruiz Jnr
• The Brit is just days away from his money-spinning rematch in Saudi Arabia 
• Moten says: ‘He’s mentally in a good place… his mentality right now is to destroy’

By Jordan Seward For Mailonline

Published: 21:01 GMT, 1 December 2019 | Updated: 21:12 GMT, 1 December 2019

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Anthony Joshua has ‘floored’ several sparring partners in his preparations for his money-spinning rematch with Andy Ruiz Jnr, reveals Timothy Moten.

American heavyweight Moten has been in camp with Joshua for the past three months, having been flown out to be one of his chief sparring partners ahead of next weekend’s showdown in Saudi Arabia, and has told Sportsmail that the Brit has been in devastating form in training as he bids to reclaim the WBA, WBO and IBF belts he surrendered to Ruiz back in June.

‘There have been guys here, I don’t want to say any names, but I’ve seen guys come into camp, get blown away and get sent home that same week,’ he said.

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Anthony Joshua has floored several of his sparring partners during his training camp

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Timothy Moten (left) pictured with Joshua (right) in training ahead of Andy Ruiz Jnr rematch

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‘He’s dropped a few of his sparring partners and he’s rocked a lot. Joshua is by far the hardest hitter I’ve been in the ring with.’

Moten wanted to help Joshua ahead of his major upset defeat at Madison Square Garden and was brought into this camp specifically to replicate the style of Ruiz, whom he shares a similar stature to, after reaching out to his team.

The 27-year-old has sparred over 60 gruelling rounds with Joshua in the build-up to his rematch with Ruiz, but it is the words that they’ve shared that has convinced him most lightning will not strike twice.

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Moten (L) pictured after a sparring session with Joshua – has done over 60 rounds with the Brit

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Joshua is mentally in a good place and is fully focused on the job in hand, according to Moten

‘Almost every session I ask him how he’s doing, what he thinking,’ Moten says. ‘He says to me, “Ready, ready”. Mentally he is in a good place. I can see that in his eyes. He’s got a focus I’ve not seen.’

Moten believes that losing to Ruiz has woken up the ‘monster’ in Joshua. ‘I think he may have needed that wake-up call. He needed to get that hunger back and I’m telling you, it’s there again,’ the American says.

‘He’s got that warrior’s spirit. His mentality is to destroy. He is like a focused, caged lion and when the time is right, he will unleash.’

Joshua’s plans were derailed last time after he was caught high on the temple just moments after putting Ruiz down in the third round of their first fight.

It was the shot that led to Joshua’s demise as the Brit was sent crushing to the canvas four times on route to a seventh-round stoppage defeat – the first of his professional career.

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Joshua’s plans were derailed last time after he was caught high on the temple by Ruiz Jnr

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Joshua has been working on staying composed to ensure that doesn’t happen again

Moten says there is little chance of that being repeated as Joshua has prepared accordingly and will be much more collected in his approach this time. 

‘There’s always a point in every Andy Ruiz fight where he reverts to that Mexican background and he is ready to bang, we saw that with Anthony Joshua in the first fight,’ Moten adds.

‘When Joshua floored him, he was hurt and that Mexican style came out. Joshua has been sparring a Mexican heavyweight, Elvis Garcia, who is exactly the same. 

‘One time Garcia was hit with a big shot by Joshua in sparring and we all thought: “Wooh, is he out” but then he came firing back at him, so Joshua is learning to keep his composure, move his head, keep his guard up high even if he lands hurtful shots. 

‘And then on top of that he has other guys here to work with his speed and general sparring. He’s got a bunch of guys here that are just perfect, we all just work perfect when we are in there with him because everybody is pushing him and we are getting the best out of him and you’ll see the results on fight night.’

Manchester United Babe Posts Topless Photo to Cheer for Her Favs on Game Day

As passions run high on the pitch, Instagramer Katrina Maria, who shot to online fame with pictures of herself often wearing nothing more than a Manchester United jersey, heated up social media with her style.

Dedicated Manchester United fan Katrina Maria has excited her 68,000 followers with a special treat for game day as her favorite club clashed with Aston Villa. The Faroe Islands-born beauty, who lives in Copenhagen but has left her heart at Old Trafford, has stripped almost naked for the occasion.

“Aaaaaaand it’s Game Day !!! Let’s goooo United!” she posted along with a picture, showing the beauty wearing only a black thong with a watermelon in her hand as she bent over a bed with a Manchester United T-shirt.

© Photo: Katrina Maria /twitterFootball Heartbreak: Manchester United ‘Sexiest Fan’ Roots for Denmark at World Cup (PHOTOS)The photo amassed over 4,000 likes and hundreds of exited comments like “Wow. Amazing,” or a more exaggerated “Woowww! very [sic] very beautiful.”

“The curves. I swear we have the sexiest Utd supporter. Love it Katrina,” one admirer posted.

Despite the beauty’s passionate support and the fact that the clash took place at their home arena, the game resulted in a disappointing 2-2 draw for Manchester United.

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Lewis Hamilton takes lights to flag victory in Abu Dhabi

Lewis Hamilton capped a glorious 2019 campaign with an emphatic lights to flag victory in the season-closing Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, beating Red Bull’s Max Verstappen by more than 16 seconds, with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc third. 

Starting from his fifth pole position of the season, the six-time world champion led every lap of the race to score his 11thwin of the season and added fastest lap to seal the sixth grand chelem of his career. Only the legendary Jim Clark has more, with eight. 

At the race start, Hamilton made a good start from P1 to lead into the first corner. Behind him Verstappen also got away well but quickly came under pressure from Ferrari’s fast-starting Leclerc. Verstappen defended but at the end of the long second straight, the Ferrari man swept past the red Bull to take P2. 

Behind him Sebastian Vettel in the second Ferrari settled into fourth ahead of the second Red Bull of Alex Albon. The Thai driver came under pressure in the earlt laps from the McLarens of sixth-placed Lando Norris and Carlos Sainz who had passed Renault’s Daniel Ricciardo off the line to steal P7 but he was able to fend off the challenge and the field settled into the first stint. Norris opened the pit stop window for the leading soft tyre starters by shedding his starting tyres for hard compound Pirellis on lap eight and Ferrari pitted both its drivers at the end of lap 12. Leclerc’s stop for hard tyres went smoothly, there was a problem with Vettel’s front left wheel and the German lost timewhile the problem was rectified. Leclerc resumed in P4 behind Hamilton, Max and Alex, but Vettel slipped to seventh. Red Bull Racing then pitted Albon and the Thai driver rejoined just two seconds behind Vettel. 

At the front, Hamilton and Verstappen continued to circulate their starting medium tyres and while others further back pitted, Valtteri Bottas, who had started from due to engine penalties, rose to fourth place behind Leclerc, with Vettel fifth and Albon sixth. 

Verstappen eventually made his sole stop of the evening on lap 25, taking on hard tyres. He emerged in third place, though just four seconds behind Leclerc and on newer tyres. Mercedes then brought Hamilton in at the end of the next lap and with a sizeable gap back to Leclerc the Briton rejoined in the lead. 

After his pit stop Verstappen began to report throttle problems in his car but despite the difficulty he quickly closed down Leclerc and on lap 32 muscled past the Ferrari down the inside into Turn 8. Leclerc fought back by trying to retake P2 around the outside into Turn 11 but Max held a strong line and Leclerc was forced to give up the fight. 

Further back, Bottas was closing hard on the leaders and on lap 39 he reeled in Albon and charged past the Red Bull man. With the Finn on a charge, Ferrari opted to pit both its drivers on lap 38 and when they emerged, Leclerc found himself 29 seconds behind Verstappen, while Vettel was 18.6s behind of Albon.

Armed with new medium tyres, Vettel then closed on Albon and the penultimate lap the German powered past the Red Bull to settle for sixth place. 

At the front, Hamilton marched on serenely and after 55 laps he crossed the line to take his 11thvictory ahead of Verstappen, for whom P2 ahead of the Ferrari of Charles Leclerc was enough to seal third place in the Drivers’ Championship. Fourth place went to Mercedes’ Valtteri Bottas, with Vettel fifth ahead of Alex. 

There was plenty of drama in the lower half of the top 10 on the final lap as Sergio Pérez passed Lando Norris for seventh place, while behind ninth-placed Daniil Kvyat, Carlos Sainz stole P10 from Daniel Ricciardo.

2019 FIA Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix – Race
1 Lewis Hamilton Mercedes 55 1:34’05.715 
2 Max Verstappen Red Bull/Honda 55 1:34’22.487 16.772
3 Charles Leclerc Ferrari 55 1:34’49.150 43.435
4 Valtteri Bottas Mercedes 55 1:34’50.094 44.379
5 Sebastian Vettel Ferrari 55 1:35’10.072 1:04.357
6 Alexander Albon Red Bull/Honda 55 1:35’14.920 1:09.205
7 Sergio Pérez Racing Point/Mercedes 54 1:34’30.618 1 Lap
8 Lando Norris McLaren/Renault 54 1:34’31.979 1 Lap
9 Daniil Kvyat Toro Rosso/Honda 54 1:34’33.236 1 Lap
10 Carlos Sainz Jr. McLaren/Renault 54 1:34’36.836 1 Lap
11 Daniel Ricciardo Renault 54 1:34’37.737 1 Lap
12 Nico Hülkenberg Renault 54 1:34’39.094 1 Lap
13 Kimi Räikkönen Alfa Romeo/Ferrari 54 1:34’46.495 1 Lap
14 Kevin Magnussen Haas/Ferrari 54 1:35’01.495 1 Lap
15 Romain Grosjean Haas/Ferrari 54 1:35’20.467 1 Lap
16 Antonio Giovinazzi Alfa Romeo/Ferrari 54 1:35’32.482 1 Lap
17 George Russell Williams/Mercedes 54 1:35’43.499 1 Lap
18 Pierre Gasly Toro Rosso/Honda 53 1:34’17.001 2 Laps
19 Robert Kubica Williams/Mercedes 53 1:34’29.473 2 Laps
Lance Stroll Racing Point/Mercedes 45 1:20’12.929 Brake

Lionel Messi scored for the first time at the Wanda Metropolitano to lift Barcelona to the top of LaLiga with a 1-0 victory over Atletico Madrid.

Barca hit the crossbar and Atletico struck a post, while Marc-Andre Ter Stegen and Jan Oblak displayed why they are two of the best goalkeepers in the world as the game appeared to be heading for a draw.

But Messi had other ideas in the 85th minute, beating Oblak with a composed finish from the edge of the area to ensure Barca leapfrogged Real Madrid to the summit on goal difference.

The defeat was Atletico’s first in 11 league games, but they have won only three of them and sit six points off the pace.

The win saw Barca return to the top of the standings with 31 points after 14 games, ahead of Real Madrid on goal difference, while Atletico were left in sixth spot on 25 points, having played one match more than Barca and Real. 

Earlier in the day Sevilla beat basement club Leganes 1-0 at home in an enthralling encounter.

Sevilla defender Diego Carlos struck the only goal in the 63rd minute of an end-to-end game, blasting into the roof of the net from close range inside a crowded penalty box after Jules Kounde’s overhead kick was parried.

Leganes produced a gutsy and bold display and created numerous chances to score throughout the game, with Moroccan forward Youssef En-Nesyri almost giving them the lead with a vicious bicycle kick early in the second half.

They laid siege to Sevilla’s area in added time but Julen Lopetegui’s side clung on, surviving nervy final seconds when a VAR review took place to determine whether the visitors should be awarded a penalty for pushing in the box.

Athletic Bilbao’s good form continues – the Basque outfit dispatched free-falling Granada 2-0 with a Raul Garcia penalty and a late Yuri Berchiche goal at San Mames.

Elsewhere, Osasuna came from behind to conquer relegation-threatened Espanyol 4-2.

Marc Roca’s 20th-minute spot-kick was cancelled out by Ruben Garcia before Ezequiel Avila, Jon Moncayola and a late Roberto Torres penalty pushed Los Rojillos well clear, despite Facundo Roncaglia’s dismissal leaving them a man down. Right at the death, Jonathan Calleri provided some consolation for the hosts with his first goal for the club.

Getafe thrashed Levante 4-0 as Leandro Cabrera, Jorge Molina Vidal, Angel Rodriguez and David Timor all got on the scoresheet.

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Reuters/ London

Britain’s Anthony Joshua has been taking advice on his training regime and diet from former heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko ahead of his title rematch with Andy Ruiz Jr. in Saudi Arabia on December 7.
Mexican-American Ruiz produced one of boxing’s biggest upsets when he dethroned the previously undefeated world champion Joshua with a seventh-round stoppage at New York’s Madison Square Garden in June.
Klitschko was defeated by Joshua in 2017 at Wembley Stadium with a technical knockout and the two boxers have stayed in touch even after the Ukrainian retired later that year at the age of 41.
“He said loads of stuff to me, Wlad was definitely ahead of the game. He’s more disciplined than me, he’s more diplomatic,” Joshua told British media.
“He was giving me dietary and training advice and that is maybe what people are talking about now when they see a difference in my body. Maybe that’s why – because I’ve adapted some of his teaching – my weight may fluctuate.”
Joshua was dropped to the canvas four times in the June bout by Ruiz and the 30-year-old Briton is looking for redemption having triggered a rematch clause, admitting his first defeat had made him a smarter fighter.
The second WBA, IBF and WBO title showdown has been dubbed the ‘Clash on the Dunes’ but Joshua, a former Olympic champion, said the belts would not define his legacy. “There’s nothing I’ve missed about being world champion,” Joshua said.
“I’ve always said the belt should never define the man. I walked as a champion before I even had a belt.
“This is fighting. One loss doesn’t take the spots off a cheetah. We don’t play games when it comes to boxing, we’re serious and after I took the loss I’ve had time to reflect.
“I now have things to prove to myself. I want to take it more seriously because I’m going to that next level.”

Leicester City’s Kelechi Iheanacho (right) celebrates after scoring against Everton as teammate James Maddison (left) and manager Brendan Rodgers look on in Leicester yesterday.

Leicester scored deep in injury time as they beat Everton 2-1 yesterday to cut the gap on Premier League leaders Liverpool to eight points. Kelechi Iheanacho scored the winner, with the video assistant referee confirming he was onside, as Leicester moved back to second and left Everton still hovering above the relegation zone.
Arsenal drew 2-2 at Norwich in Freddie Ljungberg’s first match as interim manager while Manchester United are ninth after a 2-2 draw at home to Aston Villa. Wolves remained sixth after a 1-1 draw at home to Sheffield United, who stayed one point and one place behind.
Leicester went into their match with Everton full of confidence but fell behind to a goal by Richarlison after 23 minutes. Jamie Vardy scored for the sixth match in a row to equalize on 68 minutes, taking his tally at home to 13 goals in 13 league games.
Everton looked set to hold on for a point but Iheanacho broke free to score in injury time, and though the linesman’s flag initially suggested he was offside, VAR said the goal should be allowed. “We have to enjoy this and go again on Wednesday night,” said Vardy, who said thoughts of the title like 2016 were not being discussed at the club. “We have lots of attacking threat and we’re putting it all together. We’ll just carry on doing what we’re doing.”
Arsenal interim manager Ljungberg said he could see some positive signs after his side came from behind twice to draw 2-2 at Norwich in his first game in charge. Two days after the sacking of Unai Emery, Arsenal needed two goals from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to secure a point against an impressive Norwich side.
The result was Arsenal’s ninth draw of the season, extending their winless streak to eight matches, leaving them eighth in the table. Norwich, who might have won it but for some superb goalkeeping by Bernd Leno, stayed second-bottom.
“I want this club to do well, it is only winning that counts: I wanted to win the games so I am disappointed but I have also seen some positive things,” Ljungberg said. “But we need to work on the transitions, we dominated and they break us too easily. In the beginning I saw a lot of things we worked on in training, but we need to score goals and take the lead.”
Teemu Pukki opened the scoring with a deflected shot after 21 minutes but Aubameyang equalised soon after with a retaken penalty, having missed the first but being given a lifeline because of encroachment.
Todd Cantwell restored the home side’s lead on the stroke of half-time but Aubameyang scored following a corner on 57 minutes. “It was a great performance — we delivered what we wanted to do,” Norwich manager Daniel Farke said. “I’m disappointed to some extent — we should have got three points. Some of that was due to a world class Bernd Leno. (But) four points from two games is quite good.”
Matt Doherty cancelled out Lys Mousset’s goal for Sheffield United as Wolves extended their unbeaten run to nine games. “We started both halves terrific,” Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder said. “We had plenty of chances and we should have scored more than one. We knew they’d fight back after we went ahead because of the fight they have as a team. This is always a tough place to come so I’m delighted we’ve kept our away record going.”
Manchester United’s troubles continued. Jack Grealish fired Villa ahead early on but a Tom Heaton own goal put United in front. When Victor Lindelof gave United the lead on 64 minutes it seemed Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side would win it, but Tyrone Mings equalised two minutes later. Villa are 15th, but only five points behind Tottenham in fifth.

Manchester United scouting report vs Astana: Youngsters Di’Shon Bernard, Mason Greenwood and James Garner rated

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer handed out starts to nine academy graduates

Manchester United faded in Kazakhstan as Astana rallied to hand them their first defeat of the season in the Europa League.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer took great pleasure in handing starts to nine academy graduates, with their qualification already secured.

The average age of the outfield players was just 20 years and 221 days, this was the youngest United side in European history.

Jesse Lingard gave the Red Devils the lead, but Dmitri Shomko and an own-goal from Di’Shon Bernard flipped the game in the hosts’ favour.

Here’s a closer look on how the next generation at United got on in Nur-Sultan.

Ethan Laird, 18 – 6

Initially a bit rash in the challenge, Laird grew into the game and was not overoared by the occasion. Good pace down the right to overlap but his delivery was mixed. Took some time to judge distance when the ball was fed out to his side, notably against Abdal Beysebekov, who preferred to come inside on his right.

Axel Tuanzebe, 22 – 6

Did not distinguish himself as the more experienced centre-back. An understandable lack of chemistry between the pair. 

Di’Shon Bernard, 19 – 6

Strong in the tackle and judged distance well, notably against Maevskiy, but not close enough to Dmitri Shomko for the equaliser and then put through his own net. Unlucky, but showed great promise.

Dylan Levitt, 19 – 6

Kept a nice positional discipline alongside Garner and was more positive on the ball, working in triangles to find space.

James Garner, 18 – 7

Diligent in tracking runs and able to win the ball high up the pitch, kept it simple despite Astana affording him time and space. 

Angel Gomes, 19 – 5

Struggled to impose himself on the game, his tricks rarely came off. Almost scored with a fine free-kick.

Tahith Chong, 19 – 4

Inconsistent touch when carrying the ball forward, did not capitalise on the space opened up by Greenwood’s movement as much as he should have done. A horrible miss at 0-1 to put the game away too.

Mason Greenwood, 18 – 6

Drifts well to the wings to release space for others, but snatched at the chances that came his way until a smart finish was

Real Madrid ‘eye £85m swoop for N’Golo Kante’

© Reuters

Real Madrid are reportedly weighing up an £85m move for Chelsea midfielder N’Golo Kante.

The 28-year-old has made over 150 appearances for the Blues since arriving from Leicester City ahead of the 2016-17 campaign.

The France international only signed a new deal at Stamford Bridge in the latter stages of 2018 and is contracted to his London club until the summer of 2023.

There has been speculation surrounding the 2018 World Cup winner in recent months, though, and according to reports in Spain, Madrid are desperate to bring him to the Bernabeu.

Los Blancos boss Zinedine Zidane is allegedly a huge admirer of the midfielder, with the club said to be considering an £85m swoop in next summer’s transfer window.

Kante played a key role in Leicester winning the 2015-16 Premier League title before moving to Chelsea, where has won the Premier League, FA Cup and Europa League.

Madrid also continue to be linked with a move for Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba.

Result: Pressure grows on Unai Emery as Arsenal slump to home Frankfurt defeat

Unai Emery’s Arsenal tenure lurched onto the latest setback as his side lost to Eintracht Frankfurt in front of a meagre Emirates Stadium crowd.

A 2-1 Europa League reverse means the Gunners are now winless in their last seven games, with Emery seemingly clinging to his job as other names continue to be linked with the post.

The Spaniard named a fairly strong side, recalling Granit Xhaka for his first appearance since he was stripped of the captaincy for swearing at supporters and naming Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in attack.

Aubameyang would put Arsenal ahead only for Daichi Kamada to strike twice in nine second-half minutes, having scored only once in his previous 27 appearances.

Officially, 49,419 tickets were sold but in truth it was the lowest attendance in the history of a stadium that opened in 2006.

With the sparse crowd unable to create any sort of meaningful atmosphere it was up to the Arsenal players to bring the game to life and they failed to do so once again.

By the end, it was a crop of Frankfurt supporters – officially banned by UEFA from attending the game – who were being heard over the home fans, plenty of whom were airing their grievances towards Emery.

Aubameyang headed a glorious chance wide in the early stages as Joe Willock got in the way of his captain.

Gabriel Martinelli then twice came close to opening the scoring, firstly capitalising on a rash Danny Da Costa clearance to fire at Frederik Ronnow before seeing his glancing header from the resulting corner cleared off the line.

Ronnow was on hand to prevent Bukayo Saka scoring as the half-hour approached, rushing from his line to block the winger’s attempted chip.

Emery’s experiment of deploying David Luiz as a defensive midfielder alongside the returning Xhaka ended prematurely when the Brazil international was forced off injured as the first half progressed.

Saka came close in the latter stages of the half but the deadlock was eventually broken by Aubameyang. The skipper was picked out at the back post and his low shot bounced up off the boot of Ronnow and in off the crossbar.

Xhaka almost toasted his recall with a goal of his own but could only fire wide as he slipped before meeting Aubameyang’s cross on the stroke of half-time.

The hosts continued to create opportunities and almost doubled their lead moments after the restart, only for Willock to be denied by the sliding Frankfurt captain David Abraham.

Calum Chambers then blazed over the crossbar before Arsenal were made to pay for their profligacy.

Kamada was picked out on the edge of the box and curled a fine effort out of reach of the despairing Emiliano Martinez, with a number of away supporters blowing their cover by celebrating.

The mood among the home fans quickly turned sour as Frankfurt began to enjoy more of the ball.

Martinez had to make a smart stop to keep out Filip Kostic’s strike – only for Kamada to score his second in quick succession as the Japan international lashed home from the corner that followed.

It could have been worse as substitute Mijat Gacinovic broke in behind only to see his shot blocked by Sokratis Papastathopoulos as banners and songs called for Emery’s departure.

“Emery Out. No tactics, no formation, nowhere to hide,” read some of the printed posters that emerged after the second goal as some of the home fans headed for an early exit.

There would be no late salvage job this time and – although Arsenal are all but through barring a thrashing against Standard Liege – it seems less and less likely that Emery will be in charge when the knockout rounds take place.