Sports

‘This is the worst Manchester United team for decades’ – Owen slams Red Devils squad.

The retired forward believes the quality of players available to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is among the poorest Old Trafford has seen for a long time
Former England striker Michael Owen has labelled the Red Devils’ squad “the worst Manchester United team for decades”.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has overseen the departures of high-profile names such as Romelu Lukaku, Alexis Sanchez and Ander Herrera, while investing heavily in young, British talent.

However, the Red Devils have struggled at the start of the campaign and find themselves 10th in the Premier League table, 12 points off league leaders Liverpool.And Owen believes the squad is one of the poorest the club has seen in a long time, owing partly to Solskjaer’s efforts to rebuild the side.

“Yes, I’d say [Manchester United are now a mid-table team]. I don’t think they’ll be top six this season, personally,” said Owen.

“Top half I think is likely, but just the fact we’re having this conversation is the worry, isn’t it?

“This has got to be the worst Manchester United team for decades, hasn’t it? Since before Sir Alex Ferguson took over.

“It’s been happening for a few years. For maybe five, six, seven, eight years you’ve been thinking ‘it can’t get any worse’, and it has.

“The point that I’d like to make is that in many ways, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has knowingly weakened his team.

“Getting rid of people like Lukaku, Herrera, [Matteo] Darmian, Sanchez, [Chris] Smalling. He knows he could improve his team with those players, but I think he’s taken the view that you’ve got to take a couple of steps backwards to then move forwards.

“He’s done that on purpose thinking, ‘right, we’ve just got to rid ourselves of players that, OK they’re probably better than what we’ve got, but are they going to take us to where we want to go?’

“That answer is no, then you’re almost starting from scratch and I think that’s what Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has done.”

Manchester United drew 0-0 away from home against AZ in the Europa League on Thursday, and travel north to face Newcastle United in domestic action on Sunday.

Sports

UEFA with official press release for the founders of the Super League, Juve, Real and Barca

UEFA has decided to terminate disciplinary proceedings against Juventus, Real Madrid and Barcelona “until further notice”.

Juventus, Real Madrid and Barcelona are the only three clubs that have not yet withdrawn from the Super League.

UEFA has threatened to exclude them from the Champions League, but such a thing is claimed that it will not happen, not for now.

A disciplinary procedure has been opened for the founding clubs of the Super League, but UEFA a few moments ago issued an official statement announcing:

“Following the opening of disciplinary proceedings against Barcelona, Juventus and Real Madrid for a violation of the legal framework of UEFA in relation to the so-called ‘Super League’ project, the UEFA Appeals body has decided to terminate the proceedings until another announcement “, it is said in the announcement of UEFA.

Sports

Douglas Costa will complete the transfer to Gremio within 48 hours

Douglas Costa is expected to complete his move to Gremio within 48 hours, said the vice-president of the Brazilian club.

The 30-year-old joined Bayern Munich on loan from Juventus this October, but the Bavarians had informed the Serie A giants that they would not buy the player.

The Brazilian is now expected to return to his former club Gremio on a free transfer.

“Negotiations are underway. Juventus have officially authorized us to make a deal with the player,” Gremio vice-president Marcos Herrmann told Globo Esporte.

“We are waiting for the documentation, which should arrive on Tuesday or Wednesday, and there is enough time to register the player before the deadline. We are optimistic.”

Douglas Costa’s contract with Juventus expires in 2022, but the Bianconeri will end the deal with the Brazilian winger a year ago.