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Manchester United have made their worst defensive start to a season in 60 years after conceding three goals against Galatasaray on Wednesday.

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United lost lead to draw 3-3 with GalatasarayHave now conceded 33 goals in 20 matchesTheir worst record since 1962-63WHAT HAPPENED?

United surrendered a 3-1 lead to draw 3-3 with the Turkish side, putting their Champions League campaign in danger with one game left of the group stage. The Red Devils have now conceded 33 goals in all competitions this season – their worst record after 20 matches since they let in 43 in the 1962-63 season, according to .

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Conceding three goals in such a crucial game puts more pressure on goalkeeper Andre Onana and coach Erik ten Hag. The Cameroon international did not cover himself in glory with the goals, particularly Hakim Ziyech's second free-kick. Onana got a hand to the ball but failed to keep it out, making it 3-2 and allowing Galatasaray to go on and seal a vital point later on.

DID YOU KNOW?

Ten Hag's team have taken just four points from their five Champions League matches and need to beat Bayern Munich in their last game and hope that Galatasaray fail to beat Copenhagen in the group's other match. United have endured a tough start to the Premier League campaign, too, as they sit sixth in the table, conceding 16 goals in 13 games.

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The Red Devils hope to bounce back and secure a third consecutive Premier League victory on Saturday when they visit Newcastle at St James' Park. Newcastle, who beat Chelsea 4-1 last week, are seventh in the table and a point behind United.

The summer transfer window is open for business, with Lionel Messi and Karim Benzema among the superstar names that could be heading to Saudi Arabia.

Seven-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi is – after two years in France – preparing to leave Paris Saint-Germain as a free agent. Real Madrid, meanwhile, have confirmed that prolific striker Benzema – who landed his own Golden Ball in 2022 – is set to bring a 14-year stint at Santiago Bernabeu to a close.

Two iconic forwards are said to be attracting interest from the Middle East, but they are not the only ones reportedly mulling over offers to join Cristiano Ronaldo in the Saudi Pro League.

claims that seven other established stars are being lined up for big-money moves, with World Cup winners and proven Premier League goalscorers featuring on that list.

Getty ImagesLionel Messi

The mercurial Argentine has known for some time that he would be bidding farewell to PSG at the end of his contract.

He will walk away as a two-time Ligue 1 title winner, but his stint in France has not played out entirely as planned – with disgruntled supporters turning against him.

An emotional return to Barcelona has been speculated on, along with a move to MLS, but Messi is said to have an offer on the table from Al-Hilal that would make him the highest-paid player on the planet.

Advertisement(C)Getty ImagesKarim Benzema

After hitting 354 goals for Real Madrid – winning four La Liga titles and five Champions League crowns along the way – Benzema has announced that he will be leaving the Bernabeu this summer.

He may be 35 years of age, but the former France international still knows his way to the back of the net and is said to have been lined up for a switch to Al-Ittihad.

Getty ImagesSergio Ramos

Another of those preparing to sever ties with PSG as a free agent.

Real Madrid icon Ramos followed former Barcelona rival Messi to Parc des Princes in the summer of 2021. Injuries stunted his early progress in France, but the 37-year-old centre-half remains a classy operator on his day. His vast experience would be of obvious interest to clubs around the world.

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GettyAlexis Sanchez

Chilean forward Alexis has got his career back on track following forgettable spells at Manchester United and Inter.

He has thrived in France with Marseille, netting 18 times through 44 appearances in the 2022-23 campaign. At 34 years of age, he may be tempted to land one more lucrative contract in the Middle East before hanging up his boots.

Chelsea are reportedly ready to give up on their protracted pursuit of Moises Caicedo, with Leandro Paredes emerging as an alternative target.

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Blues looking for midfield reinforcementsSeagulls proving difficult to deal withWorld Cup winner may be lined upWHAT HAPPENED?

The Blues remain in the market for midfield reinforcements after parting company with the likes of N’Golo Kante, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Mason Mount and Mateo Kovacic. They had been hoping that long-standing interest in Brighton star Caicedo would reach a positive conclusion in the summer transfer window.

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That has not been the case, with the Seagulls knocking back several bids as they refuse to budge in their £100 million ($127m) valuation of the highly-rated Ecuador international. Chelsea are now turning their attention elsewhere, with claiming that Paris Saint-Germain ace Paredes is in their sights.

AND WHAT'S MORE

Mauricio Pochettino previously worked with the Argentina international at PSG and – with the 2022 World Cup winner into the final year of his contract in France – he is considered to be a cut-price option at Stamford Bridge. He does not fit the profile of player usually targeted by the Todd Boehly-Clearlake ownership team, but the 29-year-old’s experience could prove invaluable.

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There remains a chance that Conor Gallagher will also leave Chelsea before the next deadline passes, with the Blues still keeping an eye on Edson Alvarez of Ajax, USMNT star Tyler Adams of Leeds, Everton’s Amadou Onana and Celta Vigo star Gabri Veiga.

Mikel Arteta will reportedly contest the FA's decision to charge him for his "embarrassing" VAR comments after Newcastle defeat.

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Arteta called VAR decisions "embarrassing" and "disgrace"FA charged him under Rule E3.1Spaniard to contest FA chargesWHAT HAPPENED?

After Arsenal's loss to Newcastle, courtesy of a controversial Anthony Gordon winner following three video checks, Arteta criticized VAR decisions meted out by Stuart Attwell and Andy Madley, calling them "embarrassing" and a "disgrace" to the sport. The Gunners manager was subsequently charged with a breach of FA rule E3.1 as his comments allegedly "constitute misconduct" and "are insulting towards match officials and/or detrimental to the game and/or bring the game into disrepute."

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Arteta has until Friday to respond to the charges and according to the manager will not back down and contest the charges. The club stood firmly behind their manager and even released a statement to that effect with Declan Rice also coming out in supportof his coach.

DID YOU KNOW?

The FA emphasizes stricter rules on manager-referee interactions Arsenal reportedly feel they have been singled out. Roberto De Zerbi escaped the red eye of the FA after commenting that he dislikes “80 per cent of England’s referees” after Brighton were held to a draw by Sheffield United. Meanwhile, Mauricio Pochettino also escaped punishment after he angrily confronted referee Anthony Taylor on the Stamford Bridge pitch after the thrilling 4-4 draw with Manchester City.

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Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR ARSENAL?

Arteta could face a potential touchline ban and a fine if proven guilty. However, he can still be present in the dugout on Saturday against Brentford if the ban is not announced before the match.

Which African All-Stars could be part of the Red Devils’ reconstruction under their incoming Dutch coach?

Getty ImagesTen Hag signs on

Erik ten Hag has finally been confirmed as the new Manchester United manager, ending months of speculation as to who will be the next man in the Old Trafford dugout.

The scale of the rebuilding job on his hands is massive given how far United have fallen behind their rivals and, just on Tuesday, interim manager Ralf Rangnick said the club could need up to 10 new players to get to where they need and want to be.

As Ten Hag plots his transfer targets, GOAL's Joel Omotto looks at six African players who could help his rebuilding job.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesEdmond Tapsoba

Harry Maguire, Raphael Varane, Victor Lindelof, Eric Bailly and Phil Jones cost United a combined fee of nearly £200 million yet the club badly needs a defender.

United’s leaky backline has conceded 48 goals in the Premier League this season, the highest among the top 10, a damning indictment on their recruitment.

They can start getting it right by bringing in Burkina Faso defender Tapsoba, who has been in impressive form for Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen.

Tapsoba is a ball-playing defender who is good in one-versus-one situations while also athletic, features none of the current United centre-backs possess.

Unlike Varane, Bailly and Jones, who cannot keep injuries at bay, Tapsoba has no such troubles as he has already featured in 60 Bundesliga games since joining Leverkusen in 2020, giving United continuity and stability.

ProshotsNoussair Mazraoui

Another area that needs a makeover is right-back, where Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Diogo Dalot have failed to impress over the last three years.

The two offer little going forward and are not defensively sound, making Morocco’s Mazraoui an upgrade for this position if Ten Hag opts to raid his former team.

Going for a former player would make adaptation easy for Mazraoui since he understands the Dutchman’s philosophy.

Mazraoui is good at keeping the ball and has no problem bombing down the wing while providing pin-point crosses, something United have lacked for years.

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(C)Getty ImagesYves Bissouma

The Mali central midfielder, who plays for Brighton and Hove Albion, possesses everything that United do not have in the engine room.

The six-foot-tall defensive midfielder is a towering presence who is good at reading the game and adept at progressing the ball through long and short passes which will allow United to play through the lines in Ten Hag’s favoured possession-based 4-3-3 system.

He will not come cheap though since Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur are also said to be interested, but United could finally find a replacement for Michael Carrick if they managed to get Bissouma.

Mary Earps was left disappointed as Manchester United went down against Arsenal in the WSL on Saturday.

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Earps expressed disappointment after defeatArsenal thrashed United 3-1Seven points behind third-placed GunnersWHAT HAPPENED?

An own goal by Geyse and a strike each from Cloe Lacasse and Kim Little helped Arsenal take a formidable 3-0 lead in the first half. Lucia Garcia then reduced the margin by scoring a consolation goal towards the end of the match as United suffered a devastating defeat.

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Lionesses goalkeeper Mary Earps was left heartbroken after the defeat as she took to Instagram to share some photographs from the match with the caption, "Gutted doesn’t even come close."

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Mark Skinner's side have now lost four times in the WSL and conceded their 18th league goal in the current campaign which is the most among the top five teams. After Saturday's defeat, the Red Devils saw their gap with the third-placed Gunners increase to seven points which complicates their chances of qualifying for next season's Champions League.

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Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR MANCHESTER UNITED?

Skinner's side will be next seen in action against West Ham on March 3 before they take on Brighton in the FA Women's Cup quarter-final on March 9.

Julian Gressel has explained why the Lionel Messi-led ex-Barcelona clique at Inter Miami is not a problem, with there no divides in the camp.

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Argentine icon moved to America in 2023Joined by a number of familiar facesMartino working with happy camp in FloridaWHAT HAPPENED?

Eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi completed a stunning move to the United States in the summer of 2023. He has been joined at Chase Stadium by former Camp Nou colleagues Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba and Luis Suarez. That quartet are understandably close, but they have not broken away from the rest of Tata Martino’s squad.

Get the MLS Season Pass today!Stream games nowAdvertisementGetty ImagesWHAT GRESSEL SAID

USMNT star Gressel has said, per , of the iconic foursome that continues to capture the imagination in Florida: “Of course they are good friends. We all know that. That's why it's completely normal that they are a little more connected. They have achieved a lot together and the families get along well too. That's why naturally they work a lot in a group of four. But they are very integrated, they take the whole team with them and make a lot of jokes. We had barbecues together. This is a completely normal team structure, like in any other team of which I was a member.”

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While considering Messi to be one of the guys in Miami, Gressel admits that working alongside the all-time great does take some getting used to. He added on that process: “Of course at first it seems a little surreal. You don't even know what to expect. And it's hard to realize all this right now. And that's how it still is, if I'm honest. It's hard to put into words what you feel. But so far everything is going well, he is a very nice guy. It is easy to talk to him, and even joke. And of course the quality of the place is incredible. Being there so close is really great and a great experience for me.”

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GettyDID YOU KNOW?

Gressel went on to say of the aura that surrounds Messi: “The first time I saw him he was in the locker room. I came in, said good morning and introduced myself, I said I was Julian. And he said, 'I'm Leo', in such a way that everything fits together. He's a normal boy, a shy boy who doesn't talk much now. But it's crazy, generally crazy to play with him. Of course he is an eight-time Ballon d'Or winner and, in my opinion, the best player who has ever played. That's why he is special and he also has a special status, which is also completely normal. But as a team-mate and as captain is really good and approachable in a normal way. He's a really nice guy and a normal family man.”

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A subtle nod to the team you love

adidas has unveiled new Essential Collections for each of their clubs, including Man United, Arsenal, Leeds, Celtic FC, Real Madrid, Juventus, and Bayern Munich. The timeless collections allow fans to represent their team in everyday wear, with clothing featuring a clean and classic feel throughout.

adidas

The Essentials range showcases the DNA of each club by using their home colours, while a minimalist adidas style keeps things casual.

adidas

Each team's collections come filled with clean, low-profile pieces perfect for keeping comfortable, whether you're headed to watch the game or just hanging out at home. You'll find zipped hoodies, sweatshirts, signature Samba trainers, joggers, and more to sport your football club pride.

Celtic FC

adidas continue its commitment to reducing waste with part of the collection made with at least 60% recycled content and using cotton products that support sustainable cotton farming.

GOAL takes a closer look at all of the adidas clubs' collections below:

Shop: The adidas Originals Essential Team Collections

From classic suede Samba trainers to sweatshirts featuring embroidered cannons, the Arsenal Originals Essential collection is timeless. The pieces are perfect for activewear when you want to emulate your favourite players on the pitch, or a casual 'fit for every day. Decked in the club's traditional red and white, you can proudly don the versatile collection wherever you go.

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Man United's adidas Originals Essentials collection is timeless and can blend into any outfit. A black colourway is used for all the items to allow the United club badge to shine, alongside the embroidered red adidas Originals logo on the upper chest. United's Samba shoes top off the collection with a leather and suede black upper, leaving the adidas Three Stripes to shine in Cherry Red for the ultimate Red Devils touch.

Deep blue is at the forefront of the Leeds adidas Originals Essential collection and the bright yellow embroidered Originals logo finishes off the use of the club colours. We all know it can get bitterly cold up North, so the sweatshirt and jacket combo is great for fans who will be making a trip to Elland road this season.

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Show you follow football royalty with the sleek all-white adidas Originals Essential collection for Real Madrid. You can never go wrong with a white tee or sweatshirt for a classic look wherever you go and adidas embody classic club DNA with true adidas heritage fit for a collection fit for real football legends and proud fans.

Emi Martinez is looking to make more history with the Argentina national team, taking a couple of records from Sergio Romero in the process.

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Helped to secure global glory in 2022Also a Copa America winnerWants to become a centurionWHAT HAPPENED?

The enigmatic Aston Villa goalkeeper is already assured of legend status in his homeland after helping the Albicelste to Copa America and World Cup triumphs. His performances at those events – particularly in penalty shootouts – are set to live long in the memory.

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Martinez only made his senior international debut at 28 years of age, in June 2021, but he is already up to 33 caps and believes he can push towards becoming an Argentine centurion – something that no other keeper has achieved for the South American nation.

WHAT THEY SAID

Martinez sits eighth on Argentina’s goalkeeper appearance list at present – behind the likes of German Burgos, Sergio Goycochea and Ubaldo Fillol – with ex-Manchester United shot-stopper and current Boca Juniors star Romero topping the charts with 96 caps. Martinez has told of chasing ‘Chiquito’ down: "I cannot say that I am the best when I still have a lot to do. I want to reach 100 games and surpass it. Everyone talks about Goyco or Pato, but Chiquito did a great job in the national team. He reached a world final; two Copa America finals. We were unlucky to lose, but he did a great job.”

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Martinez also has Argentina’s clean sheet record in his sights, having secured seven successive shut-outs dating back to the 2022 World Cup final. He now has 24 to his name in total, with Romero once again topping that roll of honour on 47.

Manchester United's Premier League meeting with Burnley kicks off at an unusually late time on Saturday.

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United face BurnleyKick-off moved to later in the dayNew rules behind changeWHAT HAPPENED?

Saturday's match at Turf Moor kicks off at 8pm local time on Saturday, which is unusually late. There was no 12.30pm match on Saturday, with other matches starting at the usual 3pm slot and then Brentford's match against Everton going on at 5.30pm.

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It is rare for Premier League games to start later than 5.30pm on Saturdays, but United's clash at Burnley has been moved because of new rules surrounding the Champions League.

Many coaches have complained about the lack of recovery time for players after playing midweek matches and the new rules have been brought in to address the issue.

DID YOU KNOW?

The new regulations mean that clubs who were in Champions League action at 8pm on a Wednesday cannot play in the 12.30pm kick-off the following Saturday. As a result, the Burnley vs United match was moved to later on Saturday.

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Getty ImagesWHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

After the weekend's clash, United will face Crystal Palace in the league on Tuesday.