Metro.co.uk

Gary Neville believes Tottenham’s allowing Cristian Romero to return to Argentina this week was a decision that was symptomatic of a club in disaray.

The Spurs skipper suffered a season-ending injury against Sunderland last month and has been unable to aid his side’s hopes of beating the drop.

Roberto De Zerbi’s men face Everton on the final day knowing they will maintain their Premier League status should they match West Ham’s result against Leeds.

Romero will be in attendance at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium but his presence was in doubt earlier this week having been given permission to return to Argentina to continue his rehabilitation from a knee issue ahead of the World Cup

‘I don’t want to answer about Romero, about (Dejan) Kulusevski,’ said De Zerbi in his pre-match press conference.

‘They can’t play, they don’t play and they are not here. My focus is on Djed Spence, on (Randal) Kolo Muani, on Richarlison.

‘We have to play and to play with blood, with character and with spirit because it’s a final. They played a great final last season and they won a trophy.

‘Maybe there was a bonus, no? After tomorrow, there is not a trophy, there is not a bonus, there is something more important than a trophy and a bonus, there is the future of the club.

‘There is the history of the club, there is the pride of the players, there is the pride of the family of the players, there is the dignity of every one of us, and for that, I can’t lose energy thinking about the next season.’

Romero’s decision to go back to his homeland has sparked anger amongst the fanbase and Neville feels a measure of sympathy for supporters who have seen their club mismanaged on almost every level.

He said: ‘It’s another something Tottenham fans can look at and think there’s another disconnect.

‘They are coming here today to support their team and the captain or the club is considering not be here for the last game of the season. Bad decision. Poor choice.

‘What are you thinking? Did you not think he’d been spotted back in Argentina? Did you not think he’d be seen as missing in action?

‘It’s symptomatic of poor decision making, it’s something they’ve corrected and he’s going to be here but everyone knows originally the decision was not for him to be here.’

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Glenn Hoddle believes Tottenham’s current predicament must force a major rethink, but said shrewd recruitment and decision-making can get them back on their feet sooner rather than later.

Tottenham head into the final day of the Premier League season with the very real possibility of relegation still looming over their shoulder.

Spurs needed just a point against Chelsea in midweek to condemn West Ham to relegation, but a 2-1 defeat at Stamford Bridge means there is work still to be done against Everton on Sunday.

Roberto De Zerbi’s side only need a point to survive, and could even afford to lose if 18th-place West Ham fail to beat Leeds United at home.

Even if Tottenham avoid the drop, it would mark a second successive 17th-place finish in the league for Spurs and one that Hoddle believes must spark a major rethink at his former club.

‘The Europa League triumph really papered over the cracks,’ Hoddle told Metro. ‘There’s been a crack there for quite some time.

‘The system is clearly not working at the moment, and needs to be revised. If this were any business, that’s what they’d be doing. They’d be stripping it down and saying, this ain’t working, let’s get a new CEO or new board and go from there.

‘What I’m hoping is that we stay up and the fear of going down, the fear of actually thinking about it and getting so close to dropping, actually ignites something in the club from above the playing staff, above the coaching staff, that this can’t happen again. That’s got to be a crossroads, which is the lowest crossroads. That’s got to be the lowest one.’

Spurs have long faced criticism from fans for their stringent wage structure and lack of ambition when it comes to squad investment, and Hoddle urged those in charge to get back to basics when it came to the club’s running.

‘I think the owners have got to look at it as a football club first and foremost,’ he added. ‘Everything’s got to revolve around that and aimed at that, rather than being an asset.

‘We have a great stadium, and it’s bringing in great income, but if the income comes in, spend it on the club, spend it on the football club. The history of Tottenham is a football club. It’s not anything else and never will be.’

He continued: ‘Rather than looking at it negatively, I think you’ve got to see it as a challenge. You’ve got to look at the positives out of it and take on the challenge.

‘That comes from the staff, the players, the staff. When I say staff, it means the recruitment, it means everything. The money that’s going to be made available to go and build a squad.’

But Hoddle was also quick to look for positives, highlighting the superb turnaround at Manchester United under Michael Carrick as evidence of how quickly the right formula can be found.

‘You’ve got everything there,’ he said. ‘The infrastructure’s there, the training ground, the stadium. A lot of clubs do it the other way around, but everything’s there.

‘They’ve now got to focus on getting this quality. That doesn’t mean you have to spend millions and millions and millions. There are quality players around Europe and in Britain, and it’s the recruitment that has to be really looked at.

‘But football’s a funny business as we know. You could say it could take seven, eight years, like Arsenal, but you could turn around very quickly. Look at Manchester United within one season, it can happen very quickly like that.

‘Look at Eddie Howe when he went to Newcastle when they were second from bottom. They were in the relegation zone and look what happened. He got them a trophy and they played in the Champions League. It can happen very quickly with good management and good players.’

Glenn Hoddle was speaking courtesy of BOYLE Sports, Home of the Early Payout. 18+ BeGambleAware.

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The final weekend of the Premier League season is here with plenty of business still to be addressed.

Arsenal were crowned champions on Tuesday night, meaning the biggest drama on Sunday will come at the bottom of the table where one of Tottenham or West Ham will be relegated.

Spurs are two points clear of their London rivals ahead of kick-off, meaning their fate is in their own hands. They host Everton, with David Moyes hoping to do the Hammers a huge favour with his old side taking on Leeds United in east London.

Bournemouth’s Champions League qualification dream is still very much alive, as his Brighton’s with the Seagulls hosting Manchester United who have already wrapped up third spot.

Arsenal meanwhile will get their hands on the trophy after their game with Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.

For the final time this season, England legend and Betfair ambassador Alan Shearer has revealed his Premier League predictions to Metro.

Brighton vs Manchester United

Brighton are at home and I’m going to say for that reason they will take all three points, just because there’s something at stake for them as well with a possibility of European football next season. Obviously, Man United have qualified for the Champions League and for that reason, I’m going to go for a Brighton home win.

Prediction – Brighton win

Burnley vs Wolves

I’m going to go for a 0-0 draw, which sort of sums both of their seasons up. They both deserve to go down and I can’t see this game being very entertaining so a bleak draw to end their seasons.

Prediction – Draw

Crystal Palace vs Arsenal

I think Oliver Glasner is more than entitled to rest players for the Conference League final if he wants to do that. I think he’ll leave three or four out and get them ready for Wednesday, which is one of the biggest games in their history.

This game also depends on how much celebrating Arsenal have done. I just think because of the relief, because of the no stress, no pressure and because of Palace’s cup final on Wednesday, I know Arsenal have a huge game the following Saturday in Budapest, but I guess, because of everything that’s going along with it, Arsenal will round out their Premier League season with a win.

Prediction – Arsenal win

Fulham v Newcastle

The noise has just quietened down for Newcastle having put a few wins together and that’s what happened last weekend and they got a good reception. Eddie Howe did walk around the pitch after the game. Newcastle seem to enjoy going to Fulham. The fans love going to Fulham. So, I’m gonna go for an away win.

Prediction – Newcastle win

Liverpool vs Brentford

There’s a bit of jeopardy for Brentford, isn’t there? And I guess Liverpool, with the goal difference that they have they will sneak over the line when it comes to Champions League football next year, but they have to sign off in style after what’s been a terrible season for Liverpool.

I’ve got no confidence in saying this, but I’m going to say Liverpool to win. Only because they’re at home and it’s the last game of the season.

Prediction – Liverpool win

Manchester City vs Aston Villa

I think the important thing in this game is that it will be Pep Guardiola’s last game as Man City manager in front of the home fans. Even though they’ve lost the Premier League,I think they’ll generate a great atmosphere, and the players will want to sign off in style for him.

I know they’ve won two trophies this season. But unfortunately, not the Premier League, but I’ll go, home win.

Prediction – Manchester City win

Nottingham Forest vs Bournemouth

Bournemouth will want to give their manager a good send-off, but this is a tough one to call. I thought VAR was terrible, it was disgusting last weekend, and Forest were robbed. They’ve got some really talented players. I think this could be a high-scoring draw, actually, so I’m going to go draw.

Prediction – Draw

Sunderland vs Chelsea

Chelsea were competitive defensively but offered very little in forward positions in the FA Cup final. They had one chance for Enzo Fernandez from the long throw. They did a job defensively but then sort of nullified themselves in scoring positions. I think Sunderland were brilliant last week at Everton. They’ve had a very good season. They’d like to sign off in style and I think they will. So, I’m going to go for a home win, Sunderland.

Prediction – Sunderland win

Tottenham vs Everton

It’s such a tough one to call, I mean, I have no confidence on either side, and this is a pure guess. The pressure that Spurs are going to be under, I do think that Everton will go and get something off Spurs. I’m going to go and say a draw, and I think Spurs will stay up on goal difference.

Prediction – Draw

West Ham vs Leeds

I saw West Ham last week, I was at the game at Newcastle on Sunday, oh my goodness, they were so bad defensively. They came in with a new system, tried to play five at the back and changed after 25 minutes or so because they were 2-0 down. But they were really, really poor.

They’ve got to try and get that win and try and put as much pressure on Tottenham Hotspur as possible, because you can imagine the picture where we’re flicking to Tottenham’s ground and we’re flicking to West Ham at different points on Sunday afternoon.

I’m going to go for a West Ham win but unfortunately, I don’t think it will be enough to keep them up as I can see Spurs and Everton playing out a draw at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium.

Prediction – West Ham win

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Joao Pedro and Levi Colwill have been left out of the Chelsea squad taking on Tottenham in the Premier League tonight.

The Brazil international, who was this week left out of Carlo Ancelotti’s squad heading to the US this summer, does not even make the bench for Calum McFarlane’s side at Stamford Bridge.

Pedro misses out due to a knock, with a minor issue also ruling out Malo Gusto.

The former Brighton star is Chelsea’s top scorer this season with 20 goals in his debut campaign for the club.

Colwill is also absent after playing the full 90 minutes in Saturday’s FA Cup final defeat against Manchester City.

According to reports, his absence is down to ‘load management.’

The centre-half has played just two first-team matches since returning from an ACL injury with Chelsea exercising caution over his game time.

Liam Delap leads the line in place of Pedro with Jesse Derry back among the subs after his recent head injury.

Pedro’s absence comes hours after his shock exclusion ahead of the World Cup with Ancelotti opting for a 34-year-old Neymar, along with Lyon’s Endrick and Zenit St Petersburg’s Luiz Henrique.

‘I tried to give my best at all times,’ Pedro said in response to his crushing snub on social media.

‘Unfortunately, it wasn’t possible to fulfil this dream of representing my country in a World Cup, but I remain calm and focused, as I always try to be.

‘Joys and frustrations are part of football. From now on, I wish good luck to everyone who is there.

‘I will be just another fan cheering for them to bring the sixth title home.’

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Former Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy admits he ‘could never have envisaged’ the prospect of Spurs being relegated from the Premier League this season.

Spurs currently sit two points ahead of 18th-placed West Ham with two Premier League games remaning.

Roberto De Zerbi’s side travel to Chelsea next Tuesday but will be in the relegation zone this weekend if West Ham win away to Newcastle United on Sunday afternoon.

Levy, meanwhile, was at Windsor Castle on Wednesday as he was made a CBE by the Prince of Wales for services to charity and the community in Tottenham.

The 64-year-old had been in charge of Tottenham for nearly 25 years before his shock departure in September.

‘All I’m focused on is making sure Tottenham stay in the Premier League,’ Levy told Sky Sports.

‘I could never have envisaged this at the beginning of the season. Obviously incredibly disappointed.

‘But let’s hope, let’s look forward and very much hope that next season we’re still in the Premier League.

‘I’m feeling the pain but I’m optimistic we’ll get through it. It’s been very, very difficult, but Spurs is in my blood and as I said, I’m hopeful we’ll be okay in the end.’

Asked about the prospect of Spurs’ facing Chelsea in their penultimate game of the season, Levy said: ‘Always tough, never a good place for us but hopefully this year is going to be different.’

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Roberto De Zerbi felt the referee in Tottenham’s draw with Leeds was ‘not calm’ and he reckons Arsenal’s win at West Ham could be to blame.

Spurs continued their battle against relegation when they hosted Leeds on Monday night and that fight will continue after a 1-1 draw with the Yorkshire side.

Mathys Tel scored a fantastic opener for the home team early in the second half, only to give away a penalty which Dominic Calvert-Lewin scored on 74 minutes.

There were nervy moments late on as Leeds pushed for a winner, with goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky pulling off a stunning save from Sean Longstaff, but the match ended level.

Spurs also had hopes of a late winner, especially when substitute James Maddison went down after a challenge in the penalty area from Lukas Nmecha.

It was only slight, but it seemed the Leeds forward did get a touch on the ball and nothing was given.

After seeing a penalty given against his side and not one for, De Zerbi offered an unusual assessment of the match officials, suggesting they lacked calmness after the drama of Arsenal’s win at West Ham on Sunday.

The Gunners picked up a huge three points, partly thanks to a late Hammers goal being ruled out after a VAR intervention.

On the match officials’ performance on Monday night, De Zerbi said: ‘I think they were not calm today, maybe they suffered the pressure of yesterday’s Arsenal game.

‘For sure we suffered the pressure today. We didn’t play with passion with the ball, too frenetic but also the referee was not calm today.’

He added on Callum Wilson’s ruled out goal against Arsenal: ‘I can’t understand the polemic about yesterday’s VAR because it was 200 per cent a foul, not 100 per cent, 200 per cent.’

With two games to play, Tottenham are 17th, two points and one place clear of West Ham. They also have a significantly better goal difference than their London rivals, which could prove pivotal.

The Spurs boss thought his team deserved to beat Leeds on Monday, but admitted they were not at the top of their game.

‘We didn’t play a great game – we played a good game,’ he said.

‘I think we deserved to win anyway but maybe the pressure, the crucial game, the crucial part of the season, we suffered too much.

‘Anyway I am happy because I watched my players with the right spirit, with the right mentality.

‘We made too many mistakes. If we want to win we have to reduce the mistakes, but we knew before this game it will be tough until the end of the season, until the last game. It is tough for us and tough for everyone.’

West Ham go to Newcastle on Sunday evening and can leapfrog Tottenham with a victory, although anything less and Spurs can put the relegation battle to bed before the final weekend of the season.

Tottenham go to Chelsea on the evening of Tuesday May 19.

The final day of the campaign sees Spurs host Everton and West Ham face Leeds in east London.

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Liverpool have been tipped to raid Tottenham for one of their best players if Spurs are relegated from the Premier League.

Tottenham are 17th in the table ahead of Monday’s clash with Leeds, one point above West Ham in the dreaded drop zone.

Spurs have underwhelmed all season and the team’s dismal form cost Thomas Frank his job after just eight months in charge.

Igor Tudor was appointed as Tottenham interim manager until the end of the season but the north London side did not improve under the Croatian.

Spurs won none of their league games under Tudor, slipping to four defeats in the league, although they did pick up a respectable point away at Anfield.

The decision to depart with Tudor after just 44 days came off the back of a hugely damaging 3-0 defeat at home to relegation rivals Nottingham Forest before the March international break.

Roberto De Zerbi was appointed shortly afterwards, and the fiery Italian has masterminded something of a late-season renaissance.

After losing his first game to Sunderland, De Zerbi helped Spurs pick up seven points in the resultant games courtesy of a draw with Brighton and wins over Wolves and Aston Villa.

But relegation is still a real risk for Tottenham, who were competing in a Champions League final not so long ago, and it could well lead to a mass exodus of talent.

Micky van de Ven would be one of the more obvious departees given his status as one of the best defenders in Europe and Jason McAteer believes his former club Liverpool could sign him on the cheap.

Van de Ven, who joined Spurs in 2023 in a £43m move from Wolfsburg, has been tentatively linked with a move to Anfield given Liverpool’s need for defensive reinforcements.

The reigning Premier League champions came agonisingly close to signing Marc Guehi last summer and then saw the former Crystal Palace captain complete a January move to Manchester City.

Asked whether he can see Liverpool making a move for Van de Ven, McAteer said on the Footy Accumulators No Tippy Tappy Football podcast: ‘It looks that way.

‘They missed out on Marc Guehi in the summer, and I was a little bit surprised that they let it go to the winter window to try and do the business.

‘You always bring competition in then; other teams are looking for players in that position, and City have got there before Liverpool. I think they missed out on one there.

‘Leoni came in at the start of the season; obviously, he picked up the really bad injury, which has set him back, and we brought in Jacquet as well.

‘I know he’s not coming until next season, but he is quality, and they have spent a lot of money on him. He will be looking at playing in the team, but they do need another centre-half.

‘There are a couple out there, but Micky van de Ven seems to be [on the market].

‘It will be interesting to see how it develops at Tottenham because if they do go down, they will be looking to offload players, and Liverpool might nick him for a little bit cheaper.’

Ex-Tottenham manager Tim Sherwood also believes Van de Ven would be a suitable target for Liverpool.

‘I think he’s the obvious choice on that left side, there aren’t many of those about,’ he added.

‘There is one other, Jarrad Branthwaite, but he ain’t going to Liverpool, so it opens up the door there for Micky to go in there as a Liverpool player.

‘I think he’d do well for them, I really do; he’s got all the attributes to be a top-drawer player.

‘I don’t think he’s the finished article; he still needs to develop, but he needs to play with someone like Virgil van Dijk.

‘Those experienced, good players he can look up to because he’s not the leader we think he is at the moment, and I think he needs to be shown how to lead.

‘It’s a learning curve, and he’s still learning, but it’s a good option.’

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Dimitar Berbatov has no doubt who should be in charge of Manchester United next season, saying the decision is a ‘no-brainer’.

The identity of the person in charge at Old Trafford next campaign is yet to be confirmed, but interim boss Michael Carrick’s chances of keeping the job are increasingly good.

The former Red Devils midfielder has produced excellent results since taking charge in January, securing a return to Champions League football next season.

It looks very likely Manchester United will finish third under his leadership, something which seemed fanciful when he took control after Ruben Amorim’s departure.

The 44-year-old may not have top level managerial experience, but he is doing everything he could possibly do in his audition for the role.

The style of football has improved, along with results, while the players seem very happy working under Carrick and his staff.

Asked if Carrick has done enough to earn the job on a full time basis, Berbatov told Sky Sports: ‘And more, in my opinion, and more.

‘The team has qualified for the Champions League, the team is playing free-flowing football with swagger, with so much belief, scoring goals.

‘Of course there is work to be done as well, for sure. But looking where the team were, with all the problems, with things that were going on, and now with how things have improved.

‘Michael Carrick and his staff, and of course the players, deserve the credit and I think if you ask anyone, probably 99 per cent will say of course!

‘I heard some of the interviews from the players who are supporting him. “We are going to die for him on the pitch. He knows how to speak with us, the results are here.”

‘For me, it’s a no-brainer, he needs to stay.’

It was Kobbie Mainoo who claimed Manchester United players were ready to ‘follow him and fight for him and die for him on the pitch,’ in remarkable praise for the interim manager.

Casemiro, who is leaving the club at the end of the season, has also backed Carrick to stay in charge.

‘In my opinion, he completely deserves it, I think he’s a guy who has already demonstrated that he has very good qualities to be a Manchester United coach,’ the Brazilian told ESPN.

‘So it’s not up to me to choose, it’s up to the club. But if I could give my opinion, of course he deserves it, and he deserves the club’s total trust.

‘Of course, the season is year-round, but since he arrived, he’s been doing an incredible job and I think that with more time he has everything to be a great manager of Manchester United.’

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‘Guess this’ll actually be a pretty big game for them. Probably one of the biggest games of their season?’

It was an hour into the match at Molineux last Saturday and this was the first time the Wolves fans sitting behind me had given their opponents a moment’s thought. They had bigger problems. After a record winless run at the start of the season they had finally been relegated that Monday. This was one of three remaining Premier League home fixtures before they’d return to the Championship, so they were quiet but had come out in numbers.

I was in the home end with my Wolves-supporting boyfriend. But as a Tottenham fan I was there covertly. And as the players lined up before kick-off, I had tears in my eyes. We had to win. Fail to beat the league’s worst side and, really, that would be it.

One of the biggest games of our season? This was the biggest game in our history. Being undercover for a match like this was a particular kind of torture. But the reason I need to tell you about it is that it gave me something valuable: a dramatic shift in perspective. Wolves know a lot about relegation.

Until last week, they’d been in the Premier League for eight straight seasons that included a European run. Last time that grand old club fell out of the top flight, they’d done the double drop to League One. Now they were off to the Championship again, feeling okay about it and hoping to enjoy watching their team win for a change.

I’m not trying to draw a comparison between Spurs and Wolves – this column will never be about the relative importance of football clubs. Everyone’s club is the biggest in the world, that’s the whole point. In any case, the situation Tottenham find themselves in is unprecedented. That’s largely down to the scale of the club’s financial resources. To be the ninth wealthiest club in the world, with the best stadium in England, banking hundreds of millions more annually than Champions League semi-finalists Atletico Madrid, and to be in this state? That’s special.

For every other club in the pyramid, the Spurs rubbernecking is fun. It’s all anyone wants to talk to me about, and it’s pretty much all I’m thinking about.

Tottenham's remaining fixtures

Aston Villa (A) – May 3

Leeds United (H) – May 11

Chelsea (A) – May 19

Everton (H) – May 24

This is not only a choice: I’m sitting in for the wonderful Danny Kelly on Spurs podcast The View From The Lane, broadcasting for 2-3 hours a week about Spurs and nothing else. But I can’t really help it. In Wolverhampton I took advantage of my necessary silence to focus my mind on willing the ball into the back of the net and then, afterwards, keeping it out. The 1-0 win reward for my (nearly) invisible celebration when Joao Palhinha scored.

Points aside, the main thing I gained was witnessing Wolves fans’ complete indifference to Spurs. To be among men who neither knew nor cared that Xavi Simons would be our 37th injury this season. They booed him! They were so angry he wouldn’t get up! They have nothing to play for! It was wild to be inside that alternate state of mind. I left the West Midlands as sure as I’ve ever been that Spurs will be relegated, but with a brand new feeling of calm.

I learned that whatever happens it will be fine. It may be that your world has ended, but no one else notices – what you give your focus to becomes your world. Supporting Spurs may feel below the level of choice, but still – I’m there because they’re mine. I feel grateful to care so much, and that’s not going to change.

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Tottenham will reportedly make a move to sign Marcus Rashford if the forward doesn’t complete a permanent switch to Barcelona this summer – and on the condition Spurs avoid relegation.

Rashford left Manchester United to join Barcelona on a season-long loan deal last summer with the option to make the arrangement permanent for €30million (£26m).

The England international enjoyed a very bright first-half of the season in Spain, enjoying his football again with 10 of his 13 goals coming before the end of January.

Head coach Hansi Flick is eager for the permanent move to go through but despite the forward scoring three in his four appearances, major doubts have emerged.

Reports in Spain have claimed the La Liga giants will attempt to negotiate a lower fee for the permanent switch – something United have no intention of doing. Should the stand-off continue, Rashford will be expected to return to Carrington for pre-season after this summer’s World Cup.

Catalan daily SPORT report it is increasingly likely Rashford will be heading back to Manchester where another permanent move away will be explored.

Rashford spent the second-half of last season on loan at Aston Villa with the publication reporting Tottenham have shown ‘genuine interest in signing the 28-year-old.

Any plans Tottenham have this summer however hinge on them avoiding relegation from the Premier League.

Despite winning their first game of the year away to Wolves on Saturday, Spurs remain in the relegation zone, two points clear of survival with four games left.

Should they go down, any plans to sign Rashford will be a write-off.

United legend Rio Ferdinand recently described that reported £26m arrangement with Barcelona as ‘absolute robbery’. But while there have been reports claiming Michael Carrick is open to integrating Rashford into the squad, Ferdinand believes his time at the club is up.

‘Potentially he’s that good, it’s just that we haven’t seen it for a while at Manchester United and there’s obviously reasons behind that.

‘But let’s forget that now, that page is turned. He’s now at Barcelona, ten goals, ten assists this season, what a loan signing he has been for Barcelona if you look at it like that.

‘Would you have that Marcus Rashford back [at Manchester United]? 100 per cent, but I think that ship has sailed.’

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