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Metro
a minute ago
- Metro
Barcelona manager fumes with his players after Marcus Rashford La Liga debut
Barcelona beat Mallorca 3-0 as Marcus Rashford made his La Liga debut for the club, but manager Hansi Flick was far from happy afterwards. It looked like an ideal start to the league campaign for the champions as Raphinha, Ferran Torres and Lamine Yamal scored the goals away from home. However, Flick was not impressed as he felt his team lacked effort and energy after the home team had two players sent off. Mallorca were seriously up against it when they had Manu Morlanes sent off on 33 minutes and then Vedat Muriqi was shown red just six minutes later. The score was 2-0 at the time and Flick felt his team just coasted to victory from there rather than pushing on for more goals. Metro's new weekly football newsletter: In The Mixer. Exclusive analysis, FPL tips and transfer talk sent straight to your inbox every Friday – sign up, it's an open goal. 'I didn't like the match,' Flick said in a scathing review of his team's performance. 'These are three important points, but after going 2-0 up, and with the two red cards, I think my team played at 50 per cent. 'That can't happen. I need to talk to the players about this. You can't play at 50 per cent against nine players, that's not what I expect. This is not acceptable.' Rashford was given a first run out in the Spanish top flight as he replaced Torres on 69 minutes. Flick had some sympathy for the England international coming on to face a team in a low block and with his teammates lacking the intensity required. 'Rashford didn't have the chance to play more freely because Mallorca was crowded at the back,' he said. 'Also the team played with less intensity, and I wasn't happy about that.' Rashford reacted to his first La Liga appearance on Instagram, writing: 'Best way to start 💪🏾 Vamos equipo.' It had been something of an uncertain time for the on-loan Manchester United forward as on Friday he had still not been registered to play in La Liga ahead of Barcelona's opener the following day. Speaking ahead of the league campaign, Flick said: 'For me, the situation, you can imagine I'm not happy about that. But I know the situation and I believe in the club. 'We will focus on what we can change and what is in our hands. The other things, I believe in the club.' The registration was clearly made in time, just before the clash with Mallorca and Rashford will be hoping it is the first of many appearances for his new club. The next two La Liga games are away from home as well, at Levante and Rayo Vallecano, so Rashford could make his home debut on September 14 against Valencia. Barca are hoping to move back into the Camp Nou by this point, but may well still be playing at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys as renovations continue. MORE: Glenn Hoddle names 'team to beat' in Champions League and snubs PSG MORE: How Manchester United scuppered Barcelona's transfer plans with £74m signing MORE: Marcus Rashford urges Manchester United to copy Liverpool strategy
Daily Mirror
a minute ago
- Daily Mirror
Major Premier League controversy as VAR strikes in Chelsea vs Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace were left furious after seeing Eberechi Eze's wonder goal ruled out at Stamford Bridge. The in-demand winger thought he had given the Eagles the lead with a stunning free-kick. But referee Darren England was sent to the monitor and ruled out the strike. In a landmark moment, he explained why the goal was chalked off - due to a foul by Marc Guehi on Moises Caicedo in the build-up. After rewatching the footage, official England said: 'After review, away number six [Guehi] is less than one metre away from the wall as the shot is taken. Therefore, it's an indirect free kick and a disallowed goal'. "There are times when you ask in football where you ask if something is right or wrong," said Chris Sutton on Sky Sports. "And that just seems mightily, mightily harsh." Meanwhile, ex-Chelsea man Steve Sidwell added: "How many times have we seen that in the past where there's blocking? If that is the precedent set on the opening weekend it has to stay for the season." The goal would have represented a memorable moment for Eze, who appears to be on the verge of a move away from Palace. Tottenham have been strongly linked with a swoop for the winger and want to pay around £60m for his services. Eze was expected to be sidelined for the trip to West London but was surprisingly named in the starting XI vs Chelsea.
Daily Mirror
a minute ago
- Daily Mirror
Paul Scholes fears one Man Utd problem blocks Champions League for Ruben Amorim
As Ruben Amorim continues to scour the transfer market, Manchester United icon Paul Scholes pointed out the flaw which concerns him for the Red Devils and could cost them Manchester United's midfield could scupper Ruben Amorim's hopes of qualifying for the Champions League, according to Paul Scholes. The Red Devils have attacked the transfer window again this season by bringing in Diego Leon, Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko. Nearly £200million has been forked out so far, but the United boss has pumped the majority of his transfer kitty into bolstering his attacking options. Finding the back of the net proved a massive headache for United last term, but doubts still remain over the midfield. The Red Devils had shown interest in Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Carlos Baleba, but have since cooled their pursuit after it became apparent the Seagulls won't be parting with him. Considering United's spending spree and the standard across the Premier League, Scholes confessed the engine room could prove to be Amorim's biggest headache. Speaking on The Overlap Fan Debate, Scholes, when pressed on what he believes success would look like for United, said: "It's a tricky one after being so bad last year. Now seasons can change. "We saw last year with Nottingham Forest, it doesn't have to take five to 10 years to get back where you want to be. Although it is looking better, I still think there are issues with the team. The midfield, I know we don't want to go through it again. But, top six. I think top six would be more than acceptable. "As much as you don't want to say that, I always think Manchester United should aim for the very best and aim for the highest. I am just not sure. I think there are too many good teams now. "I think Liverpool, Chelsea and City are all on the up. Arsenal [as well], I did not even mention Aston Villa, Newcastle. I think there is a lot of competition now to get top six." According to talkSPORT, England and Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton has surfaced as a potential transfer target instead of Baleba. Nevertheless, Palace have previously suggested the former Blackburn Rovers ace carries a £100m valuation. Currently, United are expected to enter the season with Manuel Ugarte, Kobbie Mainoo, Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro as their primary central midfield choices. Ugarte failed to make a significant impact during his first season at Old Trafford, whilst Mainoo also struggled when deployed as one of two defensive midfielders. Furthermore, doubts remained over Casemiro's pace considering he has now reached 33 years of age, whilst Fernandes' assets lie in his creativity and finishing ability. Nevertheless, should any of the midfielders manage to take command of United's engine room, Scholes would prefer it to be Mainoo. He added: "I think we spoke last year about, what they lack in the midfield is that controlling midfield player. "I thought that was going to be him (Mainoo). It seems like it's a little bit confused now. Can he be that midfielder again? Can he be that midfielder who can play in a two? He'll obviously need a lot of legs around him. Or is he now one of the No. 10s? I'm just confused."
