bbc--2020-12-17--Not good enough and sold for £1,000 - how Lewandowski bounced back to reach top

Robert Lewandowski did not hide his disappointment when the 2020 Ballon d'Or award was cancelled because of coronavirus but now , having won the top men 's prize at the Fifa Best awards , he finally has his moment .
How could he not ?
His case was compelling .
He scored 55 goals in 47 games last season and finished as top goalscorer in three competitions : the Bundesliga , German Cup and Champions League .
Bayern won the treble , added triumphs in the Uefa Super Cup and German Supercup , and the striker was at the heart @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doubts his quality now , the 32-year-old Pole was not always destined for the top .
As a teenager , it seemed a distinct possibility he would not make it as a professional at all .
Life was tough for a 17-year-old Lewandowski in 2005 when his dad Krzysztof , a European junior champion in judo , died .
Robert had just moved from Delta Warsaw , a small fourth division team , to Legia , one of the best clubs in the country and winners of 14 league titles .
It was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in his career and Lewandowski slowly became a regular in Legia 's reserves , but a knee injury stopped his progress in its tracks .
While he was out for a few weeks , Legia made their decision .
Lewandowski was not in their future plans any more .
At the time , Legia thought they had better strikers and told him to leave .
After he found out , his mum , Iwona , drove him home and made him dinner .
But with his professional dream apparently shattered , Lewandowski did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he took a call from third division team Znicz Pruszkow .
The club always relied on buying players for little money , improving them and selling them on .
As Znicz 's former president Marek Sliwinski put it , Lewandowski was their `` goldfish '' .
They paid just £1,000 to buy him from Legia .
At the start , he was far from being Znicz 's biggest star .
He earned around £230 per month and there were squad members who were paid three times as much .
However , he quickly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home .
In his first season , he scored 15 goals and helped Pruszkow to promotion .
He continued scoring in the second division , too .
In December 2007 Jacek Grembocki took over as coach .
`` Pruszkow had a decent team and five players from that team made it to the Ekstraklasa [ Poland 's top flight ] , '' Grembocki tells BBC Sport .
`` But , of course , Lewandowski was a mega talent .
He had everything : he was hard-working , technical and fast .
`` After @ @ @ @ @ @ @ realised there was no chance at Legia .
So in order to become a pro , he had to work hard .
And Pruszkow got their superstar . ''
After two months , Grembocki became convinced : `` We played a friendly game against LKS Lodz , an Ekstraklasa side , '' he says .
`` He was put against experienced Croatian defender Ivan Udarevic .
Robert was the best player on the pitch .
`` I played seven games for Poland , so I thought it would not be a problem for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But of course , Bayern ?
Oh , that would be tough .
Now , Lewandowski is the best player in Europe .
He gave me a lot of joy .
`` Legia made a big mistake .
They considered him to be pretty good , but they thought they had better strikers .
I coached Lewandowski for two months and saw he could become a player for the national team .
In Legia , nobody saw it . ''
Thanks to Lewandowski 's goals ( 21 in total ) under Grembocki @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reach the top flight .
In the end , they narrowly missed out on promotion , as they claimed only one point from their last three games .
However , it was clear Lewandowski had all it took to play in the top flight and a lot of Ekstraklasa clubs showed their interest .
In 2008 , Legia got their second chance .
They missed out on Lewandowski again , though .
They wanted to strengthen the striker position , but chose Mikel Arruabarrena from CD Tenerife over Lewandowski .
While Arruabarrena never @ @ @ @ @ @ @ star at Lech Poznan , Legia 's rival .
Lech paid around £300,000 to Pruszkow .
Bartosz Bosacki was Lech 's captain at that time .
`` I remember his first training session , '' he says .
`` After it , every player thought he was good .
In the training game , he played against our Colombian defender Manuel Arboleda , one of the strongest men in Ekstraklasa .
Robert was not afraid , though .
`` When we look at Robert nowadays , he is an athletic man .
However @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so a lot of people thought he might have a problem in Ekstraklasa physically .
After that training session , we knew he would be good . ''
Lewandowski had strong competition for the number nine position in Peruvian striker Hernan Rengifo .
`` If the coach Franciszek Smuda played Robert , he chose him as a left or right midfielder .
But a few months later , the next coach Jacek Zielinski started playing him as a centre-forward and Robert became very effective , '' Bosacki explains .
In the 2009-10 season @ @ @ @ @ @ @ led Lech to the league title .
`` When he first came into the dressing room , he was quiet , but at the same time very confident when he played .
He was always the guy who knew what he wanted , '' adds Bosacki .
Poland manager Leo Beenhakker called him up and gave him his international debut against San Marino .
Perhaps inevitably , he scored .
Bosacki remembers one of Poland 's training sessions .
`` I played against Robert and I had a big problem defending against him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and he told me : 'He is good ' .
I answered : ' I am happy I play with him in the same team ! '
'' After two years at Poznan , Lewandowski was destined for a big move abroad .
Blackburn Rovers were one of the clubs thought to be interested .
However , he never travelled to England to negotiate as Eyjafjallajokull , the Icelandic volcano , erupted and stopped flights around Europe .
In the end , Borussia Dortmund bought him for less than £4.5m .
At Dortmund @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at Lech .
Paraguayan striker Lucas Barrios was Jurgen Klopp 's preferred choice for the main striking role , so Lewandowski had to play out of position .
After Klopp shifted him to the centre of the attack , Lewandowski became the team 's star .
`` Everything changed in Dortmund - that was a very important move for him , '' Bosacki says .
He has never looked back since .
He scored four against Real Madrid in the 2012-13 Champions League semi-final and one year later moved to Bayern Munich , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in nine minutes in a league game against Wolfsburg in 2015 .
`` He put a lot of work in and had the support of a great family and wife .
Players like Lewandowski only think about one thing : success , success and success .
Now , he plays not only for Poland , but for Bayern , too .
And he is a legend , up there with Messi and Ronaldo , '' Grembocki adds .
Lewandowski has 116 caps and 63 goals for his national team .
`` He is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Polish football , '' says Grembocki .
And now , at last , he has cemented his place among the game 's greats .

Robert Lewandowski has scored 177 goals in 201 Bundesliga appearances for Bayern Munich
Robert Lewandowski did not hide his disappointment external-link when the 2020 Ballon d'Or award was cancelled because of coronavirus but now, having won the top men's prize at the Fifa Best awards, he finally has his moment.
Lewandowski always looked like the obvious choice to come out on top from a shortlist also featuring Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
How could he not? His case was compelling. He scored 55 goals in 47 games last season and finished as top goalscorer in three competitions: the Bundesliga, German Cup and Champions League. Bayern won the treble, added triumphs in the Uefa Super Cup and German Supercup, and the striker was at the heart of it all.
But while nobody doubts his quality now, the 32-year-old Pole was not always destined for the top. As a teenager, it seemed a distinct possibility he would not make it as a professional at all.
Only Lionel Messi (118) and Cristiano Ronaldo (134) have more Champions League goals than Lewandowski's 71
Life was tough for a 17-year-old Lewandowski in 2005 when his dad Krzysztof, a European junior champion in judo, died.
Robert had just moved from Delta Warsaw, a small fourth division team, to Legia, one of the best clubs in the country and winners of 14 league titles.
It was supposed to be a major stepping stone in his career and Lewandowski slowly became a regular in Legia's reserves, but a knee injury stopped his progress in its tracks.
While he was out for a few weeks, Legia made their decision. Lewandowski was not in their future plans any more. At the time, Legia thought they had better strikers and told him to leave.
After he found out, his mum, Iwona, drove him home and made him dinner. But with his professional dream apparently shattered, Lewandowski did not want to eat.
Fortunately, he took a call from third division team Znicz Pruszkow. The club always relied on buying players for little money, improving them and selling them on. As Znicz's former president Marek Sliwinski put it, external-link Lewandowski was their "goldfish". They paid just £1,000 to buy him from Legia.
At the start, he was far from being Znicz's biggest star. He earned around £230 per month and there were squad members who were paid three times as much. However, he quickly established himself. He had found a home.
In his first season, he scored 15 goals and helped Pruszkow to promotion. He continued scoring in the second division, too.
In December 2007 Jacek Grembocki took over as coach. "Pruszkow had a decent team and five players from that team made it to the Ekstraklasa [Poland's top flight]," Grembocki tells BBC Sport. "But, of course, Lewandowski was a mega talent. He had everything: he was hard-working, technical and fast.
"After that knee injury, I think he realised there was no chance at Legia. So in order to become a pro, he had to work hard. And Pruszkow got their superstar."
After two months, Grembocki became convinced: "We played a friendly game against LKS Lodz, an Ekstraklasa side," he says. "He was put against experienced Croatian defender Ivan Udarevic. Robert was the best player on the pitch.
"I played seven games for Poland, so I thought it would not be a problem for him to get into the national team. But of course, Bayern? Oh, that would be tough. Now, Lewandowski is the best player in Europe. He gave me a lot of joy.
"Legia made a big mistake. They considered him to be pretty good, but they thought they had better strikers. I coached Lewandowski for two months and saw he could become a player for the national team. In Legia, nobody saw it."
Thanks to Lewandowski's goals (21 in total) under Grembocki, Pruszkow became a surprise contender to reach the top flight. In the end, they narrowly missed out on promotion, as they claimed only one point from their last three games. However, it was clear Lewandowski had all it took to play in the top flight and a lot of Ekstraklasa clubs showed their interest.
In 2008, Legia got their second chance. They missed out on Lewandowski again, though. They wanted to strengthen the striker position, but chose Mikel Arruabarrena from CD Tenerife over Lewandowski.
While Arruabarrena never scored for Legia, Lewandowski became a star at Lech Poznan, Legia's rival. Lech paid around £300,000 to Pruszkow.
Lewandowski scored 41 goals in 82 games for Lech Poznan
Bartosz Bosacki was Lech's captain at that time. "I remember his first training session," he says. "After it, every player thought he was good. In the training game, he played against our Colombian defender Manuel Arboleda, one of the strongest men in Ekstraklasa. Robert was not afraid, though.
"When we look at Robert nowadays, he is an athletic man. However, back then he was thinner, so a lot of people thought he might have a problem in Ekstraklasa physically. After that training session, we knew he would be good."
Lewandowski had strong competition for the number nine position in Peruvian striker Hernan Rengifo. "If the coach Franciszek Smuda played Robert, he chose him as a left or right midfielder. But a few months later, the next coach Jacek Zielinski started playing him as a centre-forward and Robert became very effective," Bosacki explains.
In the 2009-10 season, Lewandowski scored 18 goals as he led Lech to the league title. "When he first came into the dressing room, he was quiet, but at the same time very confident when he played. He was always the guy who knew what he wanted," adds Bosacki.
Lewandowski was the top scorer in the 2009-10 Polish top flight
Poland manager Leo Beenhakker called him up and gave him his international debut against San Marino. Perhaps inevitably, he scored.
Bosacki remembers one of Poland's training sessions. "I played against Robert and I had a big problem defending against him. After training I spoke with Beenhakker and he told me: 'He is good'. I answered: 'I am happy I play with him in the same team!'"
After two years at Poznan, Lewandowski was destined for a big move abroad. Blackburn Rovers were one of the clubs thought to be interested. However, he never travelled to England to negotiate as Eyjafjallajokull, the Icelandic volcano, erupted and stopped flights around Europe. In the end, Borussia Dortmund bought him for less than £4.5m.
Lewandowski scored 103 goals for Dortmund in four years at the club
At Dortmund, he faced a similar problem as at Lech. Paraguayan striker Lucas Barrios was Jurgen Klopp's preferred choice for the main striking role, so Lewandowski had to play out of position. After Klopp shifted him to the centre of the attack, Lewandowski became the team's star. "Everything changed in Dortmund - that was a very important move for him," Bosacki says.
He has never looked back since. He scored four against Real Madrid in the 2012-13 Champions League semi-final and one year later moved to Bayern Munich, where his achievements include scoring five goals in nine minutes in a league game against Wolfsburg in 2015.
"He put a lot of work in and had the support of a great family and wife. Players like Lewandowski only think about one thing: success, success and success. Now, he plays not only for Poland, but for Bayern, too. And he is a legend, up there with Messi and Ronaldo," Grembocki adds.
Lewandowski has 116 caps and 63 goals for his national team. "He is the best player in the history of Polish football," says Grembocki.
And now, at last, he has cemented his place among the game's greats.


bbc--2020-12-17--Aston Villa frustrated by Burnley in entertaining stalemate

Last updated on .From the section Premier League Aston Villa did everything but score in a thoroughly entertaining goalless stalemate with Burnley as the hosts failed to win for the fourth successive home match .
Matthew Lowton denied his former club by hacking Ahmed El Mohamady 's shot off the line before Nick Pope tipped Anwar El Ghazi 's attempt on to the bar .
Kortney Hause headed against the post while Burnley 's best chance fell to Chris Wood whose header was clawed away by Emiliano Martinez .
Despite failing to win , Villa have kept six clean sheets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than any other side - while boss Dean Smith said he was not concerned by his side 's failure to score .
`` We had enough chances to win two games , maybe even three , '' he said .
`` My concern is when you 're not getting chances .
`` We look like a team unlikely to concede goals as well , when you do that you 'll accumulate points . ''
Villa will wonder how on earth they did not manage to hit the net after peppering the Burnley @ @ @ @ @ @ @ frustrating night for Smith 's side , Netherlands forward El Ghazi marked his first Premier League start with eight attempts alone .
The last time Villa won at home they put seven past reigning champions Liverpool in an extraordinary game .
This could easily have been a similar outcome but the hosts were not clinical enough .
Pope made six saves in total with his fingertip stop to deny El Ghazi the best of the lot .
Even at the end Jack Grealish and Tyrone Mings went close but Villa , who were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before this , failed to score for just the second time this season .
Grealish was outstanding in midfield but even he was left frustrated as Burnley dug deep to frustrate their opponents , who remain 11th in the table after a first draw of the season .
The Clarets had dropped back into the relegation zone after Fulham 's draw with Brighton on Wednesday but a third unbeaten game lifts them back above the Cottagers .
Since being hammered 5-0 at Manchester City on 28 November , Sean Dyche 's side have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ frustrated Villa .
They played their part in an end-to-end thriller at Villa Park , Martinez made to work hard for his latest clean sheet .
Ashley Westwood had already gone close with a first-time shot when Wood got on the end of Josh Brownhill 's cross to force the Villa keeper into a diving save .
Robbie Brady and Ben Mee also forced saves while Dwight McNeil 's driving runs caused Villa problems all game , but the Clarets ' meagre return of six goals in 18 hours of Premier League action @ @ @ @ @ @ @ owner ALK Capital is hoping to conclude its takeover of the club in time to give Dyche a chance to bolster his squad in the January transfer window .
After a tough start to the season , at least his side is beginning to move in the right direction .
`` It was n't a great result , just a good result , '' said Dyche .
`` We had to get back to being strong defensively and we have done that .
`` We had a big result at Arsenal but doing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us since we 've been in the Premier League .
`` Now we have to find the balance of opening the team up enough to make sure we score more goals . ''
Another clean sheet for Pope - the stats • None Since his debut in September 2017 , Burnley 's Nick Pope has kept 31 Premier League clean sheets - the second most by an English goalkeeper , after Jordon Pickford ( 34 ) .
• None Anwar El Ghazi attempted eight shots against Burnley without scoring - the most by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ League game since John Carew vs Reading in February 2008 ( 8 shots , 0 goals ) .
• None Of the six occasions that a player has been fouled as many as seven times in a Premier League game this season , half have been against Jack Grealish - including this game tonight ( 7 ) .
Aston Villa 's next match is a West Midlands derby at West Brom on Sunday ( 19:15 GMT ) , while Burnley have an extra day to prepare for the visit of Wolves on Monday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Highlights and goals from eight midweek Premier League games including Liverpool v Spurs .
Match of the Day is streaming now

Last updated on .From the section Premier League
Aston Villa attempted 15 shots in the first half against Burnley, the most by any side without scoring in the opening 45 minutes of a Premier League match since September 2019
Aston Villa did everything but score in a thoroughly entertaining goalless stalemate with Burnley as the hosts failed to win for the fourth successive home match.
In a pulsating game, Villa had 15 shots in the first half alone and twice hit the woodwork.
Matthew Lowton denied his former club by hacking Ahmed El Mohamady's shot off the line before Nick Pope tipped Anwar El Ghazi's attempt on to the bar.
Kortney Hause headed against the post while Burnley's best chance fell to Chris Wood whose header was clawed away by Emiliano Martinez.
Despite failing to win, Villa have kept six clean sheets in the Premier League this season - more than any other side - while boss Dean Smith said he was not concerned by his side's failure to score.
"We had enough chances to win two games, maybe even three," he said. "My concern is when you're not getting chances.
"We look like a team unlikely to concede goals as well, when you do that you'll accumulate points."
Villa rue missed chances
Villa will wonder how on earth they did not manage to hit the net after peppering the Burnley goal with 27 attempts.
On a frustrating night for Smith's side, Netherlands forward El Ghazi marked his first Premier League start of the season with eight attempts alone.
The last time Villa won at home they put seven past reigning champions Liverpool in an extraordinary game. This could easily have been a similar outcome but the hosts were not clinical enough.
Pope made six saves in total with his fingertip stop to deny El Ghazi the best of the lot.
Even at the end Jack Grealish and Tyrone Mings went close but Villa, who were averaging more than two goals per game before this, failed to score for just the second time this season.
Grealish was outstanding in midfield but even he was left frustrated as Burnley dug deep to stop their opponents, who remain 11th in the table after a first draw of the season, from scoring.
Villa had enough chances to win two games - Smith
Clarets show resilience
The Clarets had dropped back into the relegation zone after Fulham's draw with Brighton on Wednesday but a third unbeaten game lifts them back above the Cottagers.
Since being hammered 5-0 at Manchester City on 28 November, Sean Dyche's side have held Everton, won at Arsenal and frustrated Villa.
They played their part in an end-to-end thriller at Villa Park, Martinez made to work hard for his latest clean sheet.
Ashley Westwood had already gone close with a first-time shot when Wood got on the end of Josh Brownhill's cross to force the Villa keeper into a diving save.
Robbie Brady and Ben Mee also forced saves while Dwight McNeil's driving runs caused Villa problems all game, but the Clarets' meagre return of six goals in 18 hours of Premier League action this season needs addressing.
Prospective Burnley owner ALK Capital is hoping to conclude its takeover of the club in time to give Dyche a chance to bolster his squad in the January transfer window.
After a tough start to the season, at least his side is beginning to move in the right direction.
"It wasn't a great result, just a good result," said Dyche. "We had to get back to being strong defensively and we have done that.
"We had a big result at Arsenal but doing the basics well has been important to us since we've been in the Premier League.
"Now we have to find the balance of opening the team up enough to make sure we score more goals."
Burnley trying to get balance right - Dyche
Another clean sheet for Pope - the stats
Since his debut in September 2017, Burnley's Nick Pope has kept 31 Premier League clean sheets - the second most by an English goalkeeper, after Jordon Pickford (34).
Anwar El Ghazi attempted eight shots against Burnley without scoring - the most by an Aston Villa player in a Premier League game since John Carew vs Reading in February 2008 (8 shots, 0 goals).
Of the six occasions that a player has been fouled as many as seven times in a Premier League game this season, half have been against Jack Grealish - including this game tonight (7).
What's next?
Aston Villa's next match is a West Midlands derby at West Brom on Sunday (19:15 GMT), while Burnley have an extra day to prepare for the visit of Wolves on Monday (17:30 GMT).
Player of the match Grealish Jack Grealish with an average of 7.70 Aston Villa Aston Villa Aston Villa
Burnley Burnley Burnley Aston Villa Avg Squad number 10 Player name Grealish Average rating 7.70 Squad number 26 Player name E Martínez Average rating 6.62 Squad number 7 Player name McGinn Average rating 6.14 Squad number 11 Player name Watkins Average rating 6.10 Squad number 21 Player name El Ghazi Average rating 6.08 Squad number 19 Player name Nakamba Average rating 5.99 Squad number 30 Player name Hause Average rating 5.95 Squad number 15 Player name Traoré Average rating 5.91 Squad number 5 Player name Mings Average rating 5.90 Squad number 27 Player name Ahmed El Mohamady Average rating 5.71 Squad number 18 Player name Targett Average rating 5.45 Squad number 39 Player name Davis Average rating 5.15 Burnley Avg Squad number 5 Player name Tarkowski Average rating 7.13 Squad number 1 Player name Pope Average rating 7.01 Squad number 2 Player name Lowton Average rating 6.51 Squad number 6 Player name Mee Average rating 6.29 Squad number 3 Player name Taylor Average rating 6.22 Squad number 11 Player name McNeil Average rating 6.17 Squad number 12 Player name Brady Average rating 6.16 Squad number 8 Player name Brownhill Average rating 6.15 Squad number 18 Player name Westwood Average rating 6.11 Squad number 19 Player name Rodriguez Average rating 5.85 Squad number 9 Player name Wood Average rating 5.83 Squad number 10 Player name Barnes Average rating 5.79 Squad number 23 Player name Pieters Average rating 5.58 Squad number 27 Player name Vydra Average rating 5.58
Line-ups
Match Stats
Live Text Line-ups Aston Villa Formation 4-2-3-1 26 E Martínez 27 El Mohamady 30 Hause 5 Mings 18 Targett 7 McGinn 19 Nakamba 15 Traoré 10 Grealish 21 El Ghazi 11 Watkins 26 E Martínez
27 El Mohamady
30 Hause
5 Mings
18 Targett
7 McGinn
19 Nakamba
15 Traoré Substituted for Davis at 80' minutes
10 Grealish
21 El Ghazi
11 Watkins Booked at 84mins Substitutes 3 Taylor
12 Steer
14 Hourihane
22 Engels
24 Guilbert
39 Davis
41 J Ramsey Burnley Formation 4-4-2 1 Pope 2 Lowton 5 Tarkowski 6 Mee 3 Taylor 12 Brady 18 Westwood 8 Brownhill 11 McNeil 9 Wood 19 Rodriguez 1 Pope
2 Lowton
5 Tarkowski
6 Mee
3 Taylor
12 Brady Booked at 32mins Substituted for Pieters at 90+1' minutes
18 Westwood
8 Brownhill
11 McNeil
9 Wood Substituted for Vydra at 82' minutes
19 Rodriguez Substituted for Barnes at 65' minutes Substitutes 10 Barnes
15 Peacock-Farrell
23 Pieters
26 Bardsley
27 Vydra
28 Long
41 Benson Referee: Craig Pawson Match Stats Live Text Post update Match ends, Aston Villa 0, Burnley 0. Full Time Second Half ends, Aston Villa 0, Burnley 0. Post update Foul by Tyrone Mings (Aston Villa). Post update Ashley Barnes (Burnley) wins a free kick in the attacking half. Substitution Substitution, Burnley. Erik Pieters replaces Robbie Brady. Post update Attempt missed. Jack Grealish (Aston Villa) right footed shot from the centre of the box is too high. Assisted by Matt Targett. Post update Attempt missed. Tyrone Mings (Aston Villa) header from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Ahmed El Mohamady with a cross following a set piece situation. Post update Jack Grealish (Aston Villa) wins a free kick in the attacking half. Post update Foul by Ben Mee (Burnley). Post update Foul by Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa). Post update Robbie Brady (Burnley) wins a free kick on the right wing. Post update Tyrone Mings (Aston Villa) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Post update Foul by Ashley Barnes (Burnley). Booking Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa) is shown the yellow card. Post update Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa). Post update (Burnley) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Post update Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa) wins a free kick in the attacking half. Post update Foul by Ben Mee (Burnley). Substitution Substitution, Burnley. Matej Vydra replaces Chris Wood. Post update Matt Targett (Aston Villa) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Page 1 of 7 rewind previous Navigate to the next page next Navigate to the last page forward


bbc--2020-12-17--Friday's gossip: Man Utd could make bid for Rice

Last updated on .From the section Gossip Manchester United could make a summer bid for West Ham 's Declan Rice , although the 21-year-old England midfielder is thought to prefer Chelsea should he leave the Hammers .
( Express ) Manchester United are working on a January exit for Marcos Rojo , with Newcastle keen on a loan move for the Argentina defender , 30 .
( The Athletic - subscription required ) Liverpool have added Roma centre-back Roger Ibanez to their list of defensive targets to cover injured Netherlands international Virgil van Dijk , 29 , and could bid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ AS Roma Live , via Team Talk ) Barcelona presidential hopeful Victor Font says he will not be repeating the mistakes of previous candidates by making bold transfer promises , amid links with Borussia Dortmund 's Norway striker Erling Haaland , 20 , but hopes to persuade Argentina playmaker Lionel Messi , 33 , to sign a new contract .
( Goal ) Hungary midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai , 20 , a target for Arsenal , has completed his move to RB Leipzig from sister club Red Bull Salzburg , and will join in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
( Mirror ) Arsenal appear to be on the verge of finally wrapping up a deal for Hertha Berlin centre-back Omar Rekik after the 18-year-old defender arrived in London on Thursday .
( Metro ) Napoli will demand at least £14m if they are to sell Poland striker Arkadiusz Milik in January amid interest from Juventus and Atletico Madrid .
The 26-year-old has also been linked with Everton .
( Goal ) Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti hopes he can see out the full length of his contract and deliver `` trophies and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his stay which will take him until the end of the 2023-24 season .
( Liverpool Echo ) Celtic are in talks with Northern Ireland goalkeeper Conor Hazard , 22 , over a new long-term deal .
( Football Insider ) Manchester United are in negotiations with Celta Vigo 's 16-year-old defender Stefan Bajcetic over a move to Old Trafford .
( La Voz de Galicia , via Sport Witness ) Arsenal 's Germany goalkeeper Bernd Leno , 28 , has accused his club 's squad of lacking `` discipline '' and having @ @ @ @ @ @ @ run of results in the Premier League , and insists Mikel Arteta is not to blame .
( Sky Sports ) AFC Wimbledon are considering the possibility of sharing their new home at Plough Lane with rugby league side London Broncos .
( London Evening Standard ) Anderlecht manager and former Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany says his on-loan City striker Lukas Nmecha has no noticeable weaknesses , as the Germany Under-21 international , 22 , continues to impress in Belgium .
( Manchester Evening News ) Anderlecht are keen for discussions with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for another season .
( Sports Illustrated ) Government minister Guy Opperman has written to the Premier League again `` to seek the answers '' that Newcastle supporters `` deserve '' after the club 's proposed takeover fell through last summer .
( Newcastle Chronicle )

Last updated on .From the section Gossip
Manchester United could make a summer bid for West Ham's Declan Rice, although the 21-year-old England midfielder is thought to prefer Chelsea should he leave the Hammers. (Express) external-link
Wolves are monitoring Liverpool and Belgium striker Divock Origi, 25, who could be allowed to leave in January. (Mail) external-link
Manchester United are working on a January exit for Marcos Rojo, with Newcastle keen on a loan move for the Argentina defender, 30. (The Athletic - subscription required) external-link
New West Bromwich Albion manager Sam Allardyce has prioritised bolstering the side's defensive options and has identified Crystal Palace centre-back James Tomkins, 31, as a potential signing. (Mail) external-link
Liverpool have added Roma centre-back Roger Ibanez to their list of defensive targets to cover injured Netherlands international Virgil van Dijk, 29, and could bid £30m for the 22-year-old Brazilian. (AS Roma Live, via Team Talk) external-link
Barcelona presidential hopeful Victor Font says he will not be repeating the mistakes of previous candidates by making bold transfer promises, amid links with Borussia Dortmund's Norway striker Erling Haaland, 20, but hopes to persuade Argentina playmaker Lionel Messi, 33, to sign a new contract. (Goal) external-link
Hungary midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai, 20, a target for Arsenal, has completed his move to RB Leipzig from sister club Red Bull Salzburg, and will join in January after signing a four-and-a-half year deal. (Mirror) external-link
Arsenal appear to be on the verge of finally wrapping up a deal for Hertha Berlin centre-back Omar Rekik after the 18-year-old defender arrived in London on Thursday. (Metro) external-link
Napoli will demand at least £14m if they are to sell Poland striker Arkadiusz Milik in January amid interest from Juventus and Atletico Madrid. The 26-year-old has also been linked with Everton. (Goal) external-link
Arsenal are monitoring the progress of 20-year-old Senegalese winger Abdallah Sima, who plays for Czech club Slavia Prague. Italian champions Juventus are also said to be interested in the player, who has been dubbed the 'new Thierry Henry'. (Calciomercato via Daily Express) external-link
Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti hopes he can see out the full length of his contract and deliver "trophies and something special" over the course of his stay which will take him until the end of the 2023-24 season. (Liverpool Echo) external-link
Celtic are in talks with Northern Ireland goalkeeper Conor Hazard, 22, over a new long-term deal. (Football Insider) external-link
Manchester United are in negotiations with Celta Vigo's 16-year-old defender Stefan Bajcetic over a move to Old Trafford. (La Voz de Galicia, via Sport Witness) external-link
Arsenal's Germany goalkeeper Bernd Leno, 28, has accused his club's squad of lacking "discipline" and having "no self-confidence" during a poor run of results in the Premier League, and insists Mikel Arteta is not to blame. (Sky Sports) external-link
From being sold for £1,000 to winning Fifa's best men's player The rise of Robert Lewandowski
AFC Wimbledon are considering the possibility of sharing their new home at Plough Lane with rugby league side London Broncos. (London Evening Standard) external-link
Anderlecht manager and former Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany says his on-loan City striker Lukas Nmecha has no noticeable weaknesses, as the Germany Under-21 international, 22, continues to impress in Belgium. (Manchester Evening News) external-link
Anderlecht are keen for discussions with Manchester City about extending Nmecha's loan for another season. (Sports Illustrated) external-link
Government minister Guy Opperman has written to the Premier League again "to seek the answers" that Newcastle supporters "deserve" after the club's proposed takeover fell through last summer. (Newcastle Chronicle) external-link


bbc--2020-12-18--US cyber-attack: US energy department confirms it was hit by Sunburst hack

The list of who was hacked is already long - and it is going to get longer .
These are @ @ @ @ @ frantic , days in the investigation as government departments , companies and organisations race to @ @ @ @ @ backdoor in their systems and what might have been stolen through it over a period @ @ @

US cyber-attack: US energy department confirms it was hit by Sunburst hack Published 18 December 2020
Image source, Reuters Image caption, The FBI is among those investigating the hacking campaign
The US energy department is the latest agency to confirm it has been breached in what is being described as the worst-ever hack on the US government.
The department is responsible for managing US nuclear weapons, but said the arsenal's security had not been compromised.
Tech giant Microsoft also said on Thursday that it had found malicious software in its systems.
Many suspect the Russian government is responsible. It has denied any role.
The US treasury and commerce departments are among the other targets of the sophisticated, months-long breach, which was first acknowledged by officials on Sunday.
Researchers, who have named the hack Sunburst, say it could take years to fully comprehend what is one of the biggest ever cyber-attacks.
How has the US government responded?
Image source, Reuters Image caption, Joe Biden said America would impose "substantial costs on those responsible for such malicious attacks"
President Donald Trump is yet to comment on the cyber-attacks.
Meanwhile, US President-elect Joe Biden has vowed to make cyber-security a "top priority" of his administration.
"We need to disrupt and deter our adversaries from undertaking significant cyber-attacks in the first place," he said.
"We will do that by, among other things, imposing substantial costs on those responsible for such malicious attacks, including in co-ordination with our allies and partners."
America's top cyber agency, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency (Cisa), gave a stark warning on Thursday, saying that addressing the intrusion would be "highly complex and challenging".
It said "critical infrastructure" had been damaged, federal agencies and private sector companies compromised, and that the damage posed a "grave threat".
The hack began in at least March 2020, and those responsible had "demonstrated patience, operational security, and complex tradecraft", the Cisa said.
The agency did not identify what information had been stolen or exposed.
Addressing the attack on the energy department, spokeswoman Shaylyn Hynes confirmed it was responding to a cyber-breach - but said "the malware has been isolated to business networks only".
She said security functions at the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), which oversees US nuclear weapons, had not been affected.
A race to see what's been stolen
The list of who was hacked is already long - and it is going to get longer. These are still early, and quite frantic, days in the investigation as government departments, companies and organisations race to see if they have a backdoor in their systems and what might have been stolen through it over a period of months.
The scale is potentially huge, but the truth is no-one is quite sure of the impact yet. So far, this looks to have been classic espionage - the targeted theft of information. There is not much sign yet that the hackers were planning to disrupt systems or carry out real world damage, although that could still emerge.
That also makes it trickier for the US to respond - after all, espionage is something it also carries out regularly. The problem is that in this case US defences were not good enough to spot and stop those responsible.
What do we know about the hack's consequences?
"There's a lot we don't yet know, but what we do know is a matter of great concern," Mr Biden has said.
Hackers are known to have at least monitored data within a range of key US government departments including state, defence, homeland security, treasury and commerce, Reuters news agency reports.
Cisa said the perpetrators managed to breach computer networks using network management software made by the Texas-based IT company SolarWinds.
Up to 18,000 SolarWinds Orion customers downloaded updates containing malicious software installed by hackers.
All US federal civilian agencies were told to remove SolarWinds from their servers earlier this week as a result.
Cisa said it was investigating "evidence of additional access vectors, other than the SolarWinds Orion platform".
Microsoft said it had identified more than 40 of its customers who were targeted in the cyber-attack, including government agencies, think tanks, non-governmental organisations and IT companies. About 80% of these were in the US, while others were in Canada, Mexico, Belgium, Spain, the UK, Israel and the UAE.
The company's president Brad Smith said the attack was "remarkable for its scope, sophistication and impact".
"This is not 'espionage as usual,' even in the digital age," he wrote in a blog post. "Instead, it represents an act of recklessness that created a serious technological vulnerability for the United States and the world."
Neither Cisa or the FBI have publicly said who they believe to be behind the attacks, but private security companies and officials quoted in US media have pointed the finger at Russia.
The Washington Post cast suspicion on a Russian hacking group called Cozy Bear or APT 29, which has ties to the country's spy agencies.
The Post reported that the same Russian group hacked the State Department and White House email servers while Barack Obama was president.
What is Russia saying?
In a statement shared on social media on Monday, the Russian embassy in the US said it "does not conduct offensive operations in the cyber domain".
"Malicious activities in the information space contradict the principles of the Russian foreign policy, national interests and our understanding of interstate relations," the embassy said.
You may also be interested in:


bbc--2020-12-18--Japan: Snow traps 1,000 drivers in frozen traffic jam

Officials have been using a combination of heavy machinery and physical labour to dig out the vehicles one by one @ @ @ @ @ were still stranded on the road as of Friday noon .

Officials have been using a combination of heavy machinery and physical labour to dig out the vehicles one by one, but around 1,000 cars were still stranded on the road as of Friday noon.


bbc--2020-12-18--Nigeria school attack: Hundreds of boys return home after kidnap ordeal

Some were tracked by the gunmen , who tricked them into believing that they were security personnel , students who @ @ @ @ @ students were rounded up , they were marched into the nearby forest by the armed @ @

"It wasn't Boko Haram," he said. "The local bandits we know about all along were responsible. These are people we know very well, I met some of their leaders. That is why an umbrella body of cattle breeders' association was used in contacting them. So the negotiation was made through this umbrella body of cattle breeders."


bbc--2020-12-18--Sierra Leone: Sam Jalloh's got away from the civil war through tennis.

Sam Jalloh saw his best friend killed in front of him during the Sierra Leone civil war .
He vowed @ @ @ @ @ violence - and tennis was his way out .
But in doing so , he @ @ @ @ @ the memory of his friend .
Video by Isaac Fanin .
Editing by Sara Al-Wajih @ @ @ @ @ .

Sam Jalloh saw his best friend killed in front of him during the Sierra Leone civil war. He vowed to get away from the violence - and tennis was his way out.
But in doing so, he found a way to honour the memory of his friend.
Video by Isaac Fanin. Editing by Sara Al-Wajih. Animation by Creatures Animation.


bbc--2020-12-18--Covid: US Vice-President Mike Pence to receive vaccine

The president , who contracted coronavirus in October and recovered after hospital treatment , said he was not scheduled to @ @ @ @ @ forward to doing so `` at the appropriate time '' .

"We want virtually everyone eligible to get this vaccine ultimately," Dr Fauci said in brief remarks. "By the time we get to several months into this [coming] year we will have enough people protected that we can start thinking seriously about the return to normality."


bbc--2020-12-18--Cyberpunk 2077: Sony pulls game from PlayStation store

“ They won ’ t make the game on last-gen look like it ’ s running on a high-spec PC @ @ @ @ @ it will be closer to that experience than it is now , ” the company @ @ @ @ @ its website .

Allow Twitter content?
This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.


bbc--2020-12-18--Mozambique's Islamist insurgency: UN warns of rising violence in Cabo Delgado

`` If I was [ born ] in a place like this , which is endowed with a lot of @ @ @ @ @ that wealth is being exploited , and I do n't see… a share of that @ @ @ @ @ be disgruntled , '' she said , warning that a generation of young Mozambicans with @ @ @ @ @ dreams , '' might join the insurgency thinking : `` If I fight , maybe @ @ @ @ @ If I do n't fight , maybe I will still die '' .

"If I was [born] in a place like this, which is endowed with a lot of wealth, and I see that wealth is being exploited, and I don't see… a share of that wealth, I would also be disgruntled," she said, warning that a generation of young Mozambicans with "no hope, no dreams," might join the insurgency thinking: "If I fight, maybe I will die honourably. If I don't fight, maybe I will still die".


bbc--2020-12-18--'Just a few hours' left to agree Brexit trade deal, says Michel Barnier

And on the level playing field , he said there needed to be `` fair competition '' in place , @ @ @ @ @ sovereign United Kingdom would like to depart from those standards , that is their right @ @ @ @ @ it consequences when it comes to access to our markets without tariffs or quotas .
@

Although the majority of EU members are not coastal nations, and although everyone in the bloc would love to finally put this deal to bed - for political and financial reasons, as well as being plain fed up with the process - the EU as a whole won't try to force member states to sign up if they are unhappy.


bbc--2020-12-18--Libya's Gen Haftar frees Italy fishermen held for months

The men 's families had been campaigning in the Italian capital Rome to try and secure their freedom .
On @ @ @ @ @ of one of them , said : `` I ca n't wait to see them @ @ @ @ @ enjoy my moment , putting politics aside ...
It 's already Christmas for us .
@

The men's families had been campaigning in the Italian capital Rome to try and secure their freedom. On Thursday Cristina, the wife of one of them, said: "I can't wait to see them coming back home, and enjoy my moment, putting politics aside... It's already Christmas for us."


bbc--2020-12-18--Alibaba says its technology won't target Uighurs

That ’ s in addition to a large network of detention camps , in which more than a million are @ @ @ @ @ , and claims that minority groups are being coerced into working in textile factories .

That’s in addition to a large network of detention camps, in which more than a million are thought to have been detained, and claims that minority groups are being coerced into working in textile factories.


bbc--2020-12-18--Trump trade chief wants WTO leadership race reopened

`` We need to start negotiating again , we need to start making headway .
So I 'm glad you @ @ @ @ @ it 's been clearly a focus for us and to us its an organisation that @ @ @ @ @ idea and basically is n't functioning very well , but I think that can be @ @ @ @ @

"We need to start negotiating again, we need to start making headway. So I'm glad you brought up the WTO, it's been clearly a focus for us and to us its an organisation that started off as a good idea and basically isn't functioning very well, but I think that can be sorted out also."


bbc--2020-12-18--Nigeria school attack: Was it really Boko Haram?

It was from a school in Chibok , in Borno state , that hundreds of girls were abducted by Boko @ @ @ @ @ many of them remain missing .
Another mass kidnapping of schoolchildren also took place in @ @ @ @ @ north-eastern state .

It was from a school in Chibok, in Borno state, that hundreds of girls were abducted by Boko Haram in 2014, and many of them remain missing. Another mass kidnapping of schoolchildren also took place in 2018 in Yobe, another north-eastern state.


bbc--2020-12-18--Australia collapse as India open up lead in first Test

Last updated on .From the section Cricket India took the upper hand as 15 wickets fell on day two of a fast-moving first Test against Australia in Adelaide .
Australia captain Tim Paine made an unbeaten 73 , while Ravichandran Ashwin took 4-55 and Umesh Yadav 3-40 .
Earlier , India slipped from 233-6 overnight to 244 all out inside the first 19 balls of the day as Mitchell Starc finished with 4-53 .
Pat Cummins claimed 3-48 and also bowled Shaw through the gate in the six overs possible before the close in India 's second innings .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but they dropped Paine on 26 and twice reprieved Marnus Labuschagne , who made 47 , in a sloppy fielding display .
Although Australia , superbly marshalled by Paine , added 80 for the final three wickets , India remain favourites to win this day-night encounter and take a 1-0 lead in the four-Test series .
At the end of day one batsman Cheteshwar Pujara spoke about India 's desire to get up to at least 275 , but their lower order succumbed tamely .
Ashwin - off the third ball of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ behind by Paine , while Mohammed Shami and Yadav were also unable to handle the pace and superb line and length of Starc and Cummins .
As disappointing as they were with the bat , India were superb with the ball on a pitch that offered some turn but little for the seamers .
Stand-in opener Matthew Wade and Joe Burns dug in for over an hour before both were trapped lbw for eight by Jasprit Bumrah .
Steve Smith , Australia 's talisman , looked unusually scratchy - he edged short of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ajinkya Rahane at slip in Ashwin 's first over to depart for one .
Travis Head and debutant Cameron Green fell cheaply to Ashwin - the former to a leaping Kohli catch at mid-wicket - to leave the hosts 79-5 .
Labuschagne struggled against the shorter ball , dropped by Bumrah at fine leg on 12 and by Shaw at square leg on 21 .
He also overturned a caught behind on 41 .
When Labuschagne and Pat Cummins were dismissed in the same Yadav over Australia were 111-7 and facing a three-figure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who was also put down by Mayank Agarwal at deep fine leg - combined solid defence with counter-attacking strokeplay .
He hit 10 fours in his 99-ball innings , receiving useful support from Starc , Nathan Lyon and Josh Hazlewood to limit India 's lead to 53 .
'Test cricket like this can not be beaten ' - reaction Australia 's Marnus Labuschagne : `` It was a day full of action .
We fought hard with the bat and got ourselves close to their total , which is big .
We got @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , so we 're very much in this game .
`` It 's just one of those wickets where you never quite feel in ; you are just grinding your way into the innings .
`` It was a nice opportunity to come out and bowl again - a few more overs might have been nice to potentially get them two or three down .
`` The way Tim and the lower order batted was superb , scrapping our way through , and that 's the way it 's going to be for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ live coverage of day three on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra and the BBC Sport website on Friday from 04:40 GMT .

Last updated on .From the section Cricket
Ravichandran Ashwin's three wickets came in the space of eight overs
First Test, Adelaide Oval (day two) India 244 (Kohli 74, Starc 4-53) & 9-1 Australia 191 (Paine 73*; Ashwin 4-55, Yadav 3-40) India lead by 62 runs Scorecard
India took the upper hand as 15 wickets fell on day two of a fast-moving first Test against Australia in Adelaide.
The superb tourists bowled Australia out for 191 but lost opener Prithvi Shaw in reaching 9-1, a lead of 62.
Australia captain Tim Paine made an unbeaten 73, while Ravichandran Ashwin took 4-55 and Umesh Yadav 3-40.
Earlier, India slipped from 233-6 overnight to 244 all out inside the first 19 balls of the day as Mitchell Starc finished with 4-53.
Pat Cummins claimed 3-48 and also bowled Shaw through the gate in the six overs possible before the close in India's second innings.
It could have been better for India, but they dropped Paine on 26 and twice reprieved Marnus Labuschagne, who made 47, in a sloppy fielding display.
Although Australia, superbly marshalled by Paine, added 80 for the final three wickets, India remain favourites to win this day-night encounter and take a 1-0 lead in the four-Test series.
How costly were India's drops?
At the end of day one batsman Cheteshwar Pujara spoke about India's desire to get up to at least 275, but their lower order succumbed tamely to the pace and accuracy of Starc and Cummins.
As disappointing as they were with the bat, India were superb with the ball on a pitch that offered some turn but little for the seamers.
Stand-in opener Matthew Wade and Joe Burns dug in for over an hour before both were trapped lbw for eight by Jasprit Bumrah.
Steve Smith, Australia's talisman, looked unusually scratchy - he edged short of Virat Kohli at slip before fencing to Ajinkya Rahane at slip in off-spinner Ashwin's first over to depart for one.
Travis Head and debutant Cameron Green fell cheaply to Ashwin - the former to a leaping Kohli catch at mid-wicket - to leave the hosts 79-5.
Labuschagne struggled against the shorter ball, dropped by Bumrah at fine leg on 12 and by Shaw at square leg on 21. He also overturned a caught behind on 41.
When Labuschagne and Pat Cummins were dismissed in the same Yadav over Australia were 111-7 and facing a three-figure deficit, but the superb Paine - who was also put down by Mayank Agarwal at deep fine leg - combined solid defence with counter-attacking strokeplay.
He hit 10 fours in his 99-ball innings, receiving useful support from Starc, Nathan Lyon and Josh Hazlewood to limit India's lead to 53.
'Test cricket like this cannot be beaten' - reaction
Australia's Marnus Labuschagne: "It was a day full of action. We fought hard with the bat and got ourselves close to their total, which is big. We got their bowlers bowling a few more overs, so we're very much in this game.
"It's just one of those wickets where you never quite feel in; you are just grinding your way into the innings.
"It was a nice opportunity to come out and bowl again - a few more overs might have been nice to potentially get them two or three down.
"The way Tim and the lower order batted was superb, scrapping our way through, and that's the way it's going to be for the whole game."
Commentator Jim Maxwell on the BBC World Service's Stumped podcast: "India will be happiest going into day three because Australia has to bat last.
"There's a bit of uneven bounce - that's why batting has been so difficult and at times very painstaking to watch - but the contest has been thrilling.
"If India can lead by 200-plus, they're in an excellent position to go one up in the series."
Listen to live coverage of day three on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra and the BBC Sport website on Saturday from 04:40 GMT.


bbc--2020-12-18--Arteta wants 'time' - but will Arsenal give it to him?

When Arsenal appointed Mikel Arteta as head coach a year ago on Sunday , they were 10th in the Premier League and seven points adrift of the Champions League places .
So for the Gunners now to be 15th in the table , 10 points off fourth and significantly closer to the bottom three than the European places has inevitably raised questions .
The absence of supporters at Emirates Stadium means taking the temperature of the fan base can be tricky .
Social media is rarely a place to find measured , nuanced debate , so perhaps it is not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is losing .
Nothing new there , but those who want change one year after the Arsenal manager 's arrival should know it will make no difference .
`` We have to accept the Premier League form in recent weeks has not been good enough for this football club , '' Arteta said on Friday .
`` It 's like anything in this industry - you need results .
But after a big shake-up we need to find stability .
We need time , we all knew that when they made the decision @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It was n't a quick fix . ''
The vote of confidence issued to Arteta by Arsenal technical director Edu seems to me more than empty rhetoric .
It bodes well for the manager that the message is very clearly that he will be given that time he says he needs .
The reality is he is certainly going to need it .
How bad is the current situation ?
The optimists would tell you things are n't anything like as bad as they might seem and that Arteta 's Arsenal have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's FA Cup ) and , despite everything , are within a few victories of the European places .
The other way of looking at it , of course , is that they are sixth from bottom , have won once in nine games and are enduring their worst start to a season in 39 years .
But context is important .
He arrived in mid-December , a notoriously bad time to join any club .
Then the pandemic hit .
So to be reflecting 12 months on with the FA Cup in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disastrous place to be .
The unusual nature of this season also means coming to definitive conclusions is difficult .
Perhaps the FA Cup win raised expectations too high .
It was a victory by a side that need root and branch changes if they are ever to return to their former glories , not just on the pitch .
Arsenal know it and so does Arteta .
Why is Arteta struggling to resolve the problems ?
It is n't rocket science .
In its simplest sense Arteta is struggling because he has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ think he would also admit that changes around him that are required to win consistently do not come quickly .
Perhaps most worryingly , there is a lack of character and hierarchy within the team and that is very difficult to buy or replace .
How do you make leaders in a matter of months ?
The persistence on Granit Xhaka , both by Arteta and his predecessor Unai Emery , is because he is one of the top personalities in the group .
And of course there is the persistent question of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The notion that the uncomfortable situation that exists between Arteta and the German is in some way linked to the Spaniard 's intransigence is way off the mark .
Bearing in mind the colossal financial burden of having a player like Ozil twiddling his thumbs at the club , the idea that Ozil would not have been given his chance to show Arteta that he has a vital part to play in the Arsenal renaissance is frankly preposterous .
My feeling is Arteta will have given him ample opportunity to prove himself , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because everyone , including Arteta , knows what a fantastic asset he could be .
To suggest he is being deliberately sidelined because of some imaginary political stand is , in my opinion , judging not knowing the full story .
I sense Edu can not speak as freely as he might wish to because of the contract situation the player has , and I imagine there are probably things that are best left unsaid .
The Ozil issue is reflective of the wider problem - Arteta simply does not have enough consistent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ base that is needed to bring stability to the side .
Not yet anyway .
To do that he will need to re-instil the winning mentality that was prevalent in so many of the great Arsenal sides of yesteryear , not just on the pitch but throughout the whole structure of the club .
Arteta wants to create a culture where everyone is challenged , everywhere , as that is still missing .
It is also not lost on him , nor the club , that while he is a talented and very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lot to learn .
When , at his arrival , he told Arsenal employees that his door is always open to anyone , he was not only offering his support but also asking to grow together .
Passionate , obsessed and perhaps too concerned with trying to cover too many bases - I ca n't imagine whom he learned that from - the message , according to sources close to players , sometimes becomes overloaded .
It would not be the first time a rookie coach has tried to explain everything at once @ @ @ @ @ @ @ assimilate it all .
It is an aspect of his coaching approach that he knows he has to work on .
And he will because , over and above everything , Arteta has a very clear idea of what he wants to do with the team and is aware he has to learn ways to mould it to his image .
His magic appears in the regular one-on-one conversations he has with all the first-team players , who have never been briefed so often by a manager .
The youth players who have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been impressed by the emphasis on detail in training ( Arteta takes the most important parts of it , while his coaching staff , who are also adapting to working at a top Premier League club , add their part ) and have loved the empowering that comes from hearing the manager say , just before coming on for the first time , `` you know what to do , I trust you '' .
There have been flashes of brilliance on the pitch that indicate things are going in the right @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and mediocrity .
But one thing is very clear : the squad believe in what is being proposed and now , if Arteta decided to dramatically change his tactics , his players would not let him do it .
The club , perhaps thinking of magical quick fixes , have considered the presence of a senior figure as a calming , guiding influence and Arsene Wenger 's name has cropped up .
But that idea comes with a warning .
Sir Alex Ferguson , and before him Bill Shankly , also tried to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and neither ended particularly well .
Tactically , some consider Arteta a bit too cautious , and he certainly has had to forget for now some of his principles to use what is at his disposal .
This Arsenal side are improving in their ability to move the ball from box to box , plus they are one of the top teams in Europe when it comes to recovering the ball in the opposition half , but they are clearly not showing enough creativity in the middle of the pitch , and that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their difficulties in the final third .
In a nutshell , Arteta needs to improve what he has while working with Edu to find ways to buy in the quality he needs .
Will Arteta get time and what will he do next ?
There are some positives for the future .
Players like Gabriel Magalhaes , Thomas Partey , Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang , Gabriel Martinelli and Xhaka are vital in the short term but the squad he has is unbalanced .
While the free signing of Willian could have gone better , there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to challenge for European places .
But there is much more to be done .
Arteta has not been helped by the unfortunate injury to Partey , who does not have a replacement and whose job was not only to add quality and calm to the midfield , but also to lead and make the team more robust and competitive .
Off the pitch Arteta 's relationship with Edu is very good - they speak every day .
Arteta is your typical first to arrive , last to leave type of coach , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conversations will have included the conclusion that the squad is not good enough but also too big , and I fully expect a number of players to go out on loan this winter so they can gain experience and polish their skills - players like Reiss Nelson and Emile Smith Rowe , the kind who will almost certainly go on to become Arsenal staples , but not yet .
Crunch time will then come in the summer when five players come to the end of their contracts .
That represents a big opportunity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the same wavelength , to make more strides in the direction they want to form a team that is proactive , dominant , offensive , dynamic , fast and physical .
There is not a single doubt anywhere in the club that Arteta can become a top coach and manager , but he will need to be helped by those around him .
Edu will constantly monitor that the relationship between his manager , coaching staff and squad is working well and so far he has seen nothing to suggest everyone is not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ long-term plans .
`` I said it from the start - I felt really supported by the owners , by the board , by the technical director and then everybody who is at the club , '' Arteta said .
`` It is a feeling I feel with the staff , with the coaches , with the players - what chemistry do you have with them ?
Do they follow you ?
Do they believe in you in what you are trying to do ?
I always have to say thank you because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against what we are trying to do . ''
`` Long term '' is the key part of all of this .
If Arteta is to succeed at the Emirates then the Arsenal fans must accept it is going to take time .
• None Documentaries Like Nowhere Else : From inspiration to infamous , the story of Lance Armstrong • None Comedy Like Nowhere Else : Give Kurupt FM a go with the People Just Do Nothing box set

When Arsenal appointed Mikel Arteta as head coach a year ago on Sunday, they were 10th in the Premier League and seven points adrift of the Champions League places.
That, it was felt, was just not good enough.
So for the Gunners now to be 15th in the table, 10 points off fourth and significantly closer to the bottom three than the European places has inevitably raised questions.
The absence of supporters at Emirates Stadium means taking the temperature of the fan base can be tricky. Social media is rarely a place to find measured, nuanced debate, so perhaps it is not surprising #ArtetaOut trends when the team is losing. Nothing new there, but those who want change one year after the Arsenal manager's arrival should know it will make no difference.
"We have to accept the Premier League form in recent weeks has not been good enough for this football club," Arteta said on Friday.
"It's like anything in this industry - you need results. But after a big shake-up we need to find stability. We need time, we all knew that when they made the decision with me to start this new project. It wasn't a quick fix."
The vote of confidence issued to Arteta by Arsenal technical director Edu seems to me more than empty rhetoric. It bodes well for the manager that the message is very clearly that he will be given that time he says he needs.
The reality is he is certainly going to need it.
How bad is the current situation?
Arsenal slipped to a fourth straight home defeat with a 1-0 loss to Burnley at Emirates Stadium at the weekend before drawing with Southampton on Wednesday
The optimists would tell you things aren't anything like as bad as they might seem and that Arteta's Arsenal have already won a trophy (last season's FA Cup) and, despite everything, are within a few victories of the European places.
The other way of looking at it, of course, is that they are sixth from bottom, have won once in nine games and are enduring their worst start to a season in 39 years.
But context is important. He arrived in mid-December, a notoriously bad time to join any club. Then the pandemic hit. So to be reflecting 12 months on with the FA Cup in the trophy cabinet is far from a disastrous place to be. The unusual nature of this season also means coming to definitive conclusions is difficult.
Perhaps the FA Cup win raised expectations too high. It was a victory by a side that need root and branch changes if they are ever to return to their former glories, not just on the pitch.
Arsenal know it and so does Arteta.
Why is Arteta struggling to resolve the problems?
It isn't rocket science. In its simplest sense Arteta is struggling because he hasn't got good enough players and I think he would also admit that changes around him that are required to win consistently do not come quickly.
Perhaps most worryingly, there is a lack of character and hierarchy within the team and that is very difficult to buy or replace. How do you make leaders in a matter of months? The persistence on Granit Xhaka, both by Arteta and his predecessor Unai Emery, is because he is one of the top personalities in the group.
And of course there is the persistent question of what to do with Mesut Ozil.
The notion that the uncomfortable situation that exists between Arteta and the German is in some way linked to the Spaniard's intransigence is way off the mark.
Bearing in mind the colossal financial burden of having a player like Ozil twiddling his thumbs at the club, the idea that Ozil would not have been given his chance to show Arteta that he has a vital part to play in the Arsenal renaissance is frankly preposterous.
My feeling is Arteta will have given him ample opportunity to prove himself, not just for financial reasons but primarily because everyone, including Arteta, knows what a fantastic asset he could be. To suggest he is being deliberately sidelined because of some imaginary political stand is, in my opinion, judging not knowing the full story.
I sense Edu cannot speak as freely as he might wish to because of the contract situation the player has, and I imagine there are probably things that are best left unsaid.
The Ozil issue is reflective of the wider problem - Arteta simply does not have enough consistent seven-out-of-10 performers who can provide the vital base that is needed to bring stability to the side. Not yet anyway.
To do that he will need to re-instil the winning mentality that was prevalent in so many of the great Arsenal sides of yesteryear, not just on the pitch but throughout the whole structure of the club. Arteta wants to create a culture where everyone is challenged, everywhere, as that is still missing.
It is also not lost on him, nor the club, that while he is a talented and very promising coach, he still has a lot to learn. When, at his arrival, he told Arsenal employees that his door is always open to anyone, he was not only offering his support but also asking to grow together.
Passionate, obsessed and perhaps too concerned with trying to cover too many bases - I can't imagine whom he learned that from - the message, according to sources close to players, sometimes becomes overloaded.
It would not be the first time a rookie coach has tried to explain everything at once and players have found it difficult to assimilate it all. It is an aspect of his coaching approach that he knows he has to work on. And he will because, over and above everything, Arteta has a very clear idea of what he wants to do with the team and is aware he has to learn ways to mould it to his image.
His magic appears in the regular one-on-one conversations he has with all the first-team players, who have never been briefed so often by a manager. The youth players who have made their debuts in the first team have been impressed by the emphasis on detail in training (Arteta takes the most important parts of it, while his coaching staff, who are also adapting to working at a top Premier League club, add their part) and have loved the empowering that comes from hearing the manager say, just before coming on for the first time, "you know what to do, I trust you".
There have been flashes of brilliance on the pitch that indicate things are going in the right direction as well as moments of doubt and mediocrity. But one thing is very clear: the squad believe in what is being proposed and now, if Arteta decided to dramatically change his tactics, his players would not let him do it.
Arteta secured his first major trophy as a manager when Arsenal beat Chelsea in the FA Cup final in August
The club, perhaps thinking of magical quick fixes, have considered the presence of a senior figure as a calming, guiding influence and Arsene Wenger's name has cropped up. But that idea comes with a warning. Sir Alex Ferguson, and before him Bill Shankly, also tried to get close to decision-makers after their retirement and neither ended particularly well.
Tactically, some consider Arteta a bit too cautious, and he certainly has had to forget for now some of his principles to use what is at his disposal. This Arsenal side are improving in their ability to move the ball from box to box, plus they are one of the top teams in Europe when it comes to recovering the ball in the opposition half, but they are clearly not showing enough creativity in the middle of the pitch, and that same lack of quality and confidence explains their difficulties in the final third.
In a nutshell, Arteta needs to improve what he has while working with Edu to find ways to buy in the quality he needs.
Will Arteta get time and what will he do next?
There are some positives for the future. Players like Gabriel Magalhaes, Thomas Partey, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Gabriel Martinelli and Xhaka are vital in the short term but the squad he has is unbalanced. While the free signing of Willian could have gone better, there are enough quality players in the squad to challenge for European places.
But there is much more to be done.
Arteta has not been helped by the unfortunate injury to Partey, who does not have a replacement and whose job was not only to add quality and calm to the midfield, but also to lead and make the team more robust and competitive.
Off the pitch Arteta's relationship with Edu is very good - they speak every day. Arteta is your typical first to arrive, last to leave type of coach, completely immersed in the profession.
Their conversations will have included the conclusion that the squad is not good enough but also too big, and I fully expect a number of players to go out on loan this winter so they can gain experience and polish their skills - players like Reiss Nelson and Emile Smith Rowe, the kind who will almost certainly go on to become Arsenal staples, but not yet.
Crunch time will then come in the summer when five players come to the end of their contracts. That represents a big opportunity, now that the decision-makers are on the same wavelength, to make more strides in the direction they want to form a team that is proactive, dominant, offensive, dynamic, fast and physical.
There is not a single doubt anywhere in the club that Arteta can become a top coach and manager, but he will need to be helped by those around him. Edu will constantly monitor that the relationship between his manager, coaching staff and squad is working well and so far he has seen nothing to suggest everyone is not on board with the coach and his long-term plans.
"I said it from the start - I felt really supported by the owners, by the board, by the technical director and then everybody who is at the club," Arteta said.
"It is a feeling I feel with the staff, with the coaches, with the players - what chemistry do you have with them? Do they follow you? Do they believe in you in what you are trying to do? I always have to say thank you because I haven't seen anything that goes against what we are trying to do."
"Long term" is the key part of all of this. If Arteta is to succeed at the Emirates then the Arsenal fans must accept it is going to take time.


bbc--2020-12-18--Rashford double as Man Utd come from behind to beat Sheffield Utd

Last updated on .From the section Premier League Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was frustrated by his side 's `` sloppy start '' but praised their `` brilliant football '' as they moved to sixth in the Premier League with a comeback victory over bottom club Sheffield United .
Goalkeeper Dean Henderson , playing against his former club , gifted the Blades an opener after five minutes when forward Oliver Burke blocked his clearance , allowing David McGoldrick to tap in .
John Fleck missed a glorious chance to make it 2-0 , which proved costly as Solskjaer 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against the winless Blades .
Rashford equalised after 26 minutes , his powerful strike from Victor Lindelof 's through ball giving Aaron Ramsdale no chance .
Anthony Martial ended his 491-minute goal drought by collecting Paul Pogba 's pass and beating Ramsdale at the second attempt .
And Rashford appeared to have made things comfortable nine minutes after the break by shooting under the diving Ramsdale following a swift counter attack .
But there was late concern when McGoldrick headed in from a corner for the hosts with three minutes left , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` We played some brilliant football between their first goal and their second goal - the end was a bit too uncomfortable for my liking , '' Solskjaer said .
`` We never make it easy for ourselves .
The start was sloppy and slow , and I 'm surprised by this because we showed them videos and it happened again .
`` It was a test for Dean after making a mistake like this , but he passed with flying colours . ''
Victory moves Manchester United to within a point @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wilder 's Blades have made the worst start to a season in top-flight history after 13 games , and remain nine points from safety .
Manchester United boss Solskjaer appears to have come through the sticky patch which saw his position come under pressure last month following defeats by Arsenal and Istanbul Basaksehir .
They have since exited the Champions League , but after a slow start to their domestic campaign , their away form in the league has been a saving grace .
The baffling aspect is that despite picking up a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Old Trafford , in each game Solskjaer 's team have gone behind .
It is almost as if they need the extra challenge to inspire them .
In this case , it was a woeful piece of play between former Sheffield United players Henderson and Harry Maguire after five minutes , with the goalkeeper hesitating before Burke closed him down , allowing McGoldrick to score his third goal of the season .
For Henderson , who is trying to challenge David de Gea to be first choice in goal , it was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had excelled on loan at the Blades for the previous two seasons .
But it appeared to galvanise the visitors , who could have scored four or five goals before the break .
Rashford was their chief tormentor , ably supported by Bruno Fernandes and Pogba in midfield .
Once Martial had finally got on the scoresheet , he then helped set up Rashford for his 12th of the season to become United 's top scorer .
It crowned a perfect evening for the 23-year-old , who earlier earned a Fifa Foundation award @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to combat child poverty .
There were further chances for Martial and substitute Juan Mata to make the game safe , and in the end United were reliant on their defence to keep them ahead as the hosts mounted their late revival .
Despite another defeat for the Blades - their 15th in 16 games stretching back to last season - the noises coming out of the club this week have been positive .
Before their 3-0 loss at Southampton on Sunday , Saudi owner Prince Abdullah said he would `` stick with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while right-back George Baldock said the players had `` 100 % faith '' in their manager .
In this match , Wilder lost none of his effervescence on the touchline , cajoling his players to respond as the visitors took control and prompting their late fightback .
There was also a finger-pointing episode with Solskjaer as the two managers disagreed about Ethan Ampadu 's late challenge on Rashford .
But after the Blades had taken a fortunate lead and then missed a chance to double it , the visitors found it easy to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the hosts ' plight was not helped by an early injury to midfielder Sander Berge .
They will rue the Red Devils ' third goal , which Ramsdale should have saved , especially as the tireless McGoldrick later got his fourth of the season direct from a corner before Henderson made up for his earlier error by saving well from Mousset at the death .
Despite chalking up an unwanted record of eight successive league defeats , and having been outclassed for much of the match by the Red Devils ' swift attacking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wilder 's team have not lost their appetite to compete even if their chances of staying up already seem remote .
Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder speaking to BBC Sport : `` I 'm happy with the manner of the performance .
Tonight was about a performance if I 'm being honest , we needed one from the players and we asked some questions from some world-class players .
`` I am a free manager anyway , I do n't worry about what I ca n't control .
I do n't worry about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work and doing it to the best of my ability .
There is a huge gulf , people do n't understand what Sheffield United are about when they talk about people 's futures .
`` I have been in the game long enough to know that that question will be asked .
There is a story to every club and we accept that . ''
Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer : `` We have got good players and today we found the spaces behind them really well .
`` He [ Dean @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ball for the first goal .
We saw the good and bad from him today because he made a great save towards the end . ''
Man Utd flying on the road - the stats • None Sheffield United have won fewer points after their first 13 games of a league season than any other team in English top-flight history ( one ) • None Manchester United are the fourth side in English top-flight history to record 10 consecutive away league wins , after Spurs ( 10 in 1960 ) , Chelsea ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( 11 in 2017 ) .
• None They have now scored at least twice in 10 consecutive away league games - the longest such run by a team in the top flight since Spurs in October 1960 ( also 10 ) .
• None Manchester United become only the third team in Premier League history to win their opening six away games of a season , following Chelsea in 2008-09 and Manchester City in 2017-18 .
• None In 26 home games in the Premier League since the start of last season @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or more goals on two occasions - both have been against Manchester United .
• None Having only made one error directly leading to a goal in 36 Premier League appearances for Sheffield United last season , Dean Henderson made his first after just three appearances for Manchester United .
• None Marcus Rashford has five goals in six away games in the Premier League this season , as many as he did in 16 away appearances in the competition last term .
• None Rashford has scored 43 goals under Ole Gunnar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by any Manchester United player under a single manager since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013 .
• None David McGoldrick 's opener for Sheffield United was their first open play goal in the Premier League since 4 October against Arsenal .
Sheffield United visit Brighton on Sunday ( 12:00 GMT ) , while Manchester United host Leeds United later that day ( 16:30 ) .
• None Highlights and goals from eight midweek Premier League games including Liverpool v Spurs .
Match of the Day is streaming now

Last updated on .From the section Premier League
All five of Marcus Rashford's Premier League goals this season have come away from home
Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was frustrated by his side's "sloppy start" but praised their "brilliant football" as they moved to sixth in the Premier League with a comeback victory over bottom club Sheffield United.
Marcus Rashford's double ensured the visitors maintained their perfect away record in the Premier League this season but it came after a horror start and a late scare.
Goalkeeper Dean Henderson, playing against his former club, gifted the Blades an opener after five minutes when forward Oliver Burke blocked his clearance, allowing David McGoldrick to tap in.
John Fleck missed a glorious chance to make it 2-0, which proved costly as Solskjaer's side dominated for much of the match against the winless Blades.
Rashford equalised after 26 minutes, his powerful strike from Victor Lindelof's through ball giving Aaron Ramsdale no chance.
Anthony Martial ended his 491-minute goal drought by collecting Paul Pogba's pass and beating Ramsdale at the second attempt.
And Rashford appeared to have made things comfortable nine minutes after the break by shooting under the diving Ramsdale following a swift counter attack.
But there was late concern when McGoldrick headed in from a corner for the hosts with three minutes left, and Henderson then saved Lys Mousset's shot.
"We played some brilliant football between their first goal and their second goal - the end was a bit too uncomfortable for my liking," Solskjaer said.
"We never make it easy for ourselves. The start was sloppy and slow, and I'm surprised by this because we showed them videos and it happened again.
"It was a test for Dean after making a mistake like this, but he passed with flying colours."
Victory moves Manchester United to within a point of fourth-placed Leicester City, while Chris Wilder's Blades have made the worst start to a season in top-flight history after 13 games, and remain nine points from safety.
Away days continue to suit Solskjaer's side
Manchester United are the first side to score two or more goals in 10 successive away games in the English top flight since Tottenham in 1960
Manchester United boss Solskjaer appears to have come through the sticky patch which saw his position come under pressure last month following defeats by Arsenal and Istanbul Basaksehir.
They have since exited the Champions League, but after a slow start to their domestic campaign, their away form in the league has been a saving grace.
The baffling aspect is that despite picking up a sixth successive league win this season away from Old Trafford, in each game Solskjaer's team have gone behind. It is almost as if they need the extra challenge to inspire them.
In this case, it was a woeful piece of play between former Sheffield United players Henderson and Harry Maguire after five minutes, with the goalkeeper hesitating before Burke closed him down, allowing McGoldrick to score his third goal of the season.
Man Utd played some fantastic football - Solskjaer
For Henderson, who is trying to challenge David de Gea to be first choice in goal, it was a poor reflection of the player who had excelled on loan at the Blades for the previous two seasons.
But it appeared to galvanise the visitors, who could have scored four or five goals before the break. Rashford was their chief tormentor, ably supported by Bruno Fernandes and Pogba in midfield.
Once Martial had finally got on the scoresheet, he then helped set up Rashford for his 12th of the season to become United's top scorer.
It crowned a perfect evening for the 23-year-old, who earlier earned a Fifa Foundation award in recognition of his inspirational charity work to combat child poverty.
There were further chances for Martial and substitute Juan Mata to make the game safe, and in the end United were reliant on their defence to keep them ahead as the hosts mounted their late revival.
Blades still showing fight despite poor form
Despite another defeat for the Blades - their 15th in 16 games stretching back to last season - the noises coming out of the club this week have been positive.
Before their 3-0 loss at Southampton on Sunday, Saudi owner Prince Abdullah said he would "stick with Wilder" whatever happens this season, while right-back George Baldock said the players had "100% faith" in their manager.
Wilder pleased with 'manner' of Blades performance
In this match, Wilder lost none of his effervescence on the touchline, cajoling his players to respond as the visitors took control and prompting their late fightback.
There was also a finger-pointing episode with Solskjaer as the two managers disagreed about Ethan Ampadu's late challenge on Rashford.
But after the Blades had taken a fortunate lead and then missed a chance to double it, the visitors found it easy to cut through the home defence, and the hosts' plight was not helped by an early injury to midfielder Sander Berge.
They will rue the Red Devils' third goal, which Ramsdale should have saved, especially as the tireless McGoldrick later got his fourth of the season direct from a corner before Henderson made up for his earlier error by saving well from Mousset at the death.
Despite chalking up an unwanted record of eight successive league defeats, and having been outclassed for much of the match by the Red Devils' swift attacking play, the last 10 minutes showed Wilder's team have not lost their appetite to compete even if their chances of staying up already seem remote.
'I don't worry about my job'
Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder speaking to BBC Sport: "I'm happy with the manner of the performance. Tonight was about a performance if I'm being honest, we needed one from the players and we asked some questions from some world-class players.
"I am a free manager anyway, I don't worry about what I can't control. I don't worry about my job. I keep coming into work and doing it to the best of my ability. There is a huge gulf, people don't understand what Sheffield United are about when they talk about people's futures.
"I have been in the game long enough to know that that question will be asked. There is a story to every club and we accept that."
Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer: "We have got good players and today we found the spaces behind them really well.
"He [Dean Henderson] dillied and dallied on the ball for the first goal. We saw the good and bad from him today because he made a great save towards the end."
Man Utd flying on the road - the stats
Sheffield United have won fewer points after their first 13 games of a league season than any other team in English top-flight history (one)
Manchester United are the fourth side in English top-flight history to record 10 consecutive away league wins, after Spurs (10 in 1960), Chelsea (11 in 2008) and Manchester City (11 in 2017).
They have now scored at least twice in 10 consecutive away league games - the longest such run by a team in the top flight since Spurs in October 1960 (also 10).
Manchester United become only the third team in Premier League history to win their opening six away games of a season, following Chelsea in 2008-09 and Manchester City in 2017-18.
In 26 home games in the Premier League since the start of last season, Sheffield United have only conceded three or more goals on two occasions - both have been against Manchester United.
Having only made one error directly leading to a goal in 36 Premier League appearances for Sheffield United last season, Dean Henderson made his first after just three appearances for Manchester United.
Marcus Rashford has five goals in six away games in the Premier League this season, as many as he did in 16 away appearances in the competition last term.
Rashford has scored 43 goals under Ole Gunnar Solskaer in all competitions - the most by any Manchester United player under a single manager since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013.
David McGoldrick's opener for Sheffield United was their first open play goal in the Premier League since 4 October against Arsenal.
What next?
Sheffield United visit Brighton on Sunday (12:00 GMT), while Manchester United host Leeds United later that day (16:30).
Player of the match Rashford Marcus Rashford with an average of 7.53 Sheff Utd Sheffield United Sheffield United
Man Utd Manchester United Manchester United Sheffield United Avg Squad number 17 Player name McGoldrick Average rating 6.68 Squad number 14 Player name Burke Average rating 5.38 Squad number 6 Player name Basham Average rating 5.22 Squad number 24 Player name Brewster Average rating 5.19 Squad number 4 Player name Fleck Average rating 5.18 Squad number 11 Player name Mousset Average rating 5.17 Squad number 12 Player name Egan Average rating 5.16 Squad number 2 Player name Baldock Average rating 5.14 Squad number 22 Player name Ampadu Average rating 5.09 Squad number 3 Player name Stevens Average rating 5.06 Squad number 19 Player name Robinson Average rating 5.06 Squad number 8 Player name Berge Average rating 4.64 Squad number 1 Player name Ramsdale Average rating 4.60 Squad number 15 Player name Jagielka Average rating 4.54 Manchester United Avg Squad number 10 Player name Rashford Average rating 7.53 Squad number 18 Player name Bruno Fernandes Average rating 7.05 Squad number 9 Player name Martial Average rating 6.75 Squad number 6 Player name Pogba Average rating 6.49 Squad number 5 Player name Maguire Average rating 6.43 Squad number 27 Player name Alex Telles Average rating 6.14 Squad number 8 Player name Mata Average rating 6.06 Squad number 2 Player name Lindelöf Average rating 5.90 Squad number 29 Player name Wan-Bissaka Average rating 5.85 Squad number 11 Player name Greenwood Average rating 5.78 Squad number 31 Player name Matic Average rating 5.76 Squad number 34 Player name van de Beek Average rating 5.64 Squad number 39 Player name McTominay Average rating 5.38 Squad number 26 Player name Henderson Average rating 5.19
Line-ups
Match Stats
Live Text Line-ups Sheff Utd Formation 5-3-2 1 Ramsdale 2 Baldock 6 Basham 12 Egan 19 Robinson 3 Stevens 8 Berge 22 Ampadu 4 Fleck 14 Burke 17 McGoldrick 1 Ramsdale
2 Baldock
6 Basham
12 Egan Booked at 70mins
19 Robinson Booked at 90mins
3 Stevens
8 Berge Substituted for Jagielka at 12' minutes Booked at 51mins Substituted for Mousset at 63' minutes
22 Ampadu
4 Fleck
14 Burke Substituted for Brewster at 73' minutes
17 McGoldrick Substitutes 10 Sharp
11 Mousset
15 Jagielka
16 Norwood
21 Verrips
23 Osborn
24 Brewster Man Utd Formation 4-2-3-1 26 Henderson 29 Wan-Bissaka 2 Lindelöf 5 Maguire 27 Alex Telles 31 Matic 6 Pogba 11 Greenwood 18 Bruno Fernandes 10 Rashford 9 Martial 26 Henderson Booked at 90mins
29 Wan-Bissaka
2 Lindelöf
5 Maguire
27 Alex Telles
31 Matic
6 Pogba Booked at 90mins
11 Greenwood Substituted for Mata at 74' minutes
18 Bruno Fernandes Substituted for van de Beek at 80' minutes
10 Rashford
9 Martial Substituted for McTominay at 90' minutes Substitutes 1 de Gea
8 Mata
17 Fred
21 James
23 Shaw
34 van de Beek
39 McTominay Referee: Michael Oliver Match Stats Live Text Post update Match ends, Sheffield United 2, Manchester United 3. Full Time Second Half ends, Sheffield United 2, Manchester United 3. Post update Victor Lindelöf (Manchester United) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Post update Foul by Lys Mousset (Sheffield United). Booking Paul Pogba (Manchester United) is shown the yellow card. Booking Jack Robinson (Sheffield United) is shown the yellow card. Post update Marcus Rashford (Manchester United) wins a free kick on the left wing. Post update Foul by Ethan Ampadu (Sheffield United). Post update Attempt saved. Lys Mousset (Sheffield United) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Rhian Brewster with a headed pass. Booking Dean Henderson (Manchester United) is shown the yellow card. Substitution Substitution, Manchester United. Scott McTominay replaces Anthony Martial. Post update Anthony Martial (Manchester United) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Post update Foul by George Baldock (Sheffield United). Post update Foul by Alex Telles (Manchester United). Post update George Baldock (Sheffield United) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Post update Marcus Rashford (Manchester United) wins a free kick on the left wing. Post update Foul by George Baldock (Sheffield United). goal Goal! Goal! Sheffield United 2, Manchester United 3. David McGoldrick (Sheffield United) header from very close range to the bottom left corner following a corner. Post update Corner, Sheffield United. Conceded by Alex Telles. Post update Alex Telles (Manchester United) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Page 1 of 6 rewind previous Navigate to the next page next Navigate to the last page forward