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Wednesday, December
Sir Alex Ferguson used to serve Manchester United players dinner on Christmas day to help keep the traditions going.
“As a footballer, Christmas means more games and if you’re lucky and your team are doing well it means more wins, more goals and more celebration,” Betfair ambassador Berbatov said.
“This is how it is in England, there are many games, it means more football than lunch or dinner with your family, that’s for sure .
“It’s great for the fans to watch more football, but for the players it can be a tough time, especially with all the games, it is easy to get tired when you play so many games around Christmas time, especially if you have no depth in your squad you can easily get fatigued which can lead to injuries and then your mood isn’t the greatest, trust me.
“When I was at Manchester United, this time of year was always special. We would train then afterwards go to the canteen for Christmas dinner and Sir Alex and the staff would serve us the food.
“It was a nice tradition, we all felt like a brotherhood as a team and it was a good thing to have. We would crack jokes and have some banter, the manager served us food for the holidays, it was all good fun.
“When we went home, we would also have Christmas dinner, but you had to pay attention and watch what you eat because you had a game. You didn’t want Sir Alex in your face if you lost a match or gained some kilos. ”
Christmas for players
Dimitar Berbatov insists the Christmas period is a special time despite the amount of games players are forced to play.
“When I was at Manchester United, this time of year was always special,” he told Betfair.
“We would train then afterwards go to the canteen for Christmas dinner and Sir Alex and the staff would serve us the food. It was a nice tradition, we all felt like a brotherhood as a team and it was a good thing to have.
“We would crack jokes and have some banter, the manager served us food for the holidays, it was all good fun.
“When we went home, we would also have Christmas dinner, but you had to pay attention and watch what you eat because you had a game. You didn’t want Sir Alex in your face if you lost a match or gained some kilos. ”
Man Utd open talks with Kalidou Koulibaly
Manchester United have started talks with Napoli over the availability of Kalidou Koulibaly , according to transfer expert Ian McGarry.
Solskjaer sees Koulibaly as a potential defender to put Maguire and Victor Lindelof under pressure, in a bid to improve their form .
“It’s my information that Koulibaly has informed Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis of his desire to leave the club in January,” McGarry told Reach plc’s Transfer Window. Podcast.
“This has been an ongoing situation, but with the departure of Ancelotti who he was very close to, has brought the issue to a head.
“Koulibaly is now seeking a move away from Serie A. This has begun an option process led by Carlo Ancelotti at Everton who sees weaknesses in the Ever ton back line.
“But probably just as interesting, especially given their current form at the back, is Manchester United have made contact with Napoli regarding Koulibaly and the price Napoli are asking.
“This tells us two things. One; Manchester United have decided finally that Lindelof and Maguire are not as dependable as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer would prefer.
“I think we saw that in the Watford game at the weekend, when Maguire was beaten once again in an aerial challenge which led to the first goal.
“Interesting, also, that Koulibaly’s valuation is in excess of € 67 million [£55m]. It would be a substantial investment for either of the north west clubs to make that bid and satisfy De Laurentiis, who we know does not sell cheap. ”
Manchester United chiefs have engaged in “shocking” behavior by going over the manager’s head and have ignored the club’s roots as a football team, according to Old Trafford hero Paul Parker.
**** Parker said the Glazers and Ed Woodward have “discriminated” against the club and are simply taking United “backwards and backwards”.
“At this moment in time, everything that’s going on above the manager’s head is shocking,” Parker told Express Sport. “The stories are coming out all the time.
“ It’s becoming a hard world for everyone. It’s hard enough being an ex-player for a club, and if you played for that club and you enjoyed your time, you have a feeling for the club.
“You may not support them, but you at least want them to be right, and you don’t want them to be discriminated [against]. “At this moment in time, United are being discriminated [against]. The football side is, by the business side of it.
“It’s Manchester United. It’s not Manchester United FC anymore. It was a football club. Not a business, it was a football club for one side of the people of Manchester. Even that’s been taken away now. ”
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Man Utd news LIVE: Ed Woodward has been criticized (Image: GETTY)
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Ole Gunnar Solskjaer safe from sack
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been given the ultimate backing by Manchester United chief Ed Woodward, according to football expert Julien Laurens.
The Norwegian manager has been under intense scrutiny, especially since the 2-0 loss to Premier League basement side Watford on Sunday.
“It is a question a lot of Manchester United fans are asking,” Laurens told ESPN FC.
“For now Ed Woodward and the Glazer family have some faith in Ole Gunna r Solskjaer and they are working together on the January transfer window.
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Man Utd news Live: The latest rumors and gossip from Old Trafford(Image: GETTY)
“It shows you that Solskjaer is going to be here in the turn of the New Year and I was told he will be there in the summer no matter what happens.
“That doesn’t hide from the fact that he hasn’t been good enough. On Sunday was the one year anniversary and he just wasn’t good enough.
“Yes there have been good results and performances against the top clubs and we have seen that this season especially.
“They don’t know how to win games, they are not creative enough and they don’t have a plan B or plan C.
“It shows you the limitations of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in that job.”
Paul Pogba to leave Man Utd?
Juventus could land Paul Pogba in January if they press ahead with a planned offer of £ 65 .3million plus former Liverpool midfielder Emre Can, according to reports in Italy.
The Manchester United midfielder has not featured often this season due to injury.
Pogba is said to be fed up at Old Trafford and is looking for an escape route out of the club.
And Italian o utlet Tuttosport claim Juventus are ready to make a bid of £ 65 .3m and also include Emre Can in the offer to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Pogba joined United from the Old Lady back in the summer of But has struggled for consistency since making the switch back to Manchester.
The World Cup winner made a return to United’s first-team at the weekend in the dismal defeat to Watford.
Man Utd news Live: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is under pressure at Old Trafford
Erling Haa land wants Juventus move
Manchester United have reportedly missed out on their top transfer target Erling Braut Haaland. The Red Bull Salzburg forward has apparently agreed to join Juventus in January.
Italian news outlets Corriere dello Sport and Tuttosport have published stories on their front pages today claiming Haaland has made a decision on his future.
And the – year- old supposedly sees himself at the Serie A giants Juventus after meeting with club officials.
United, Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig had held talks with the highly-rated youngster.
But it appears Juventus have beaten their European rivals to sign an attacker who has scored goals in appearances this season.
Haaland’s release clause of £ (million) € (m) was activated by several bidders.
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