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Barca Feels Like Home – Rashford

BARCELONA, Spain: Marcus Rashford said his new club Barcelona “feels like home” after the Spanish champions completed the striker’s loan move from Manchester United early on Tuesday, with an option to make it permanent at a later date.

“Barcelona and Manchester United have reached an agreement for the loan of Marcus Rashford until 30 June 2026,” the La Liga champions announced in a statement.

“The agreement also includes an option to buy the England striker.”

Barcelona will pay around 75 percent of Rashford’s weekly wage of £325,000 for the duration of his stay at the club, according to Spanish media reports.

The 27-year-old England international is no longer a first-choice player under United coach Ruben Amorim and will spend the final months of the 2024-25 season on loan at Aston Villa.

“I think it was an easy choice for me, it’s a club based on family values, something I’ve been familiar with for a long time. It feels like home, so I think I’ve made the right decision,” Rashford told reporters.

“I’m really excited to get started and can’t wait to play the first match… it’s a special moment for me.”

Rashford, who made his United debut in 2015, has been a fringe player at Old Trafford with Amorim openly doubting his commitment and determination.

Despite being left out at his boyhood club, Rashford made it clear he did not want to criticise Manchester United.

“The situation with United is that the club is going through a phase of change and has been for a long time. I have nothing bad to say about Manchester United,” Rashford explained.

“I think the club played an important role, not only in my career but also in my life. I’m grateful to have been given the opportunity to play for them. Football is like life, not everything goes the way you expect.

“This is the next step for me, a new chapter in my life. I am now fully focused on this, to improve myself and help the team win the championship.”

Rashford will wear the number 14 jersey at Barcelona, a number previously worn by Thierry Henry and several other famous players.

“Wearing this jersey is an honour and I’m ready to give it my all,” said Rashford.

“This club was built on the spirit of winning and I’m here to contribute to that history.”

Chelsea Ties Man City 4-4

LONDON: Cole Palmer’s late penalty allowed Chelsea to tie treble champions Manchester City 4-4 in Premier League action at Stamford Bridge.

City squandered a goal advantage three times and the hosts just once, and Chelsea striker Palmer was decisive in the match against his former team.

Despite missing the opportunity to move to three points at the top of the league, City manager Guardiola, who is now only one point ahead of Liverpool, admitted to being excited about the classic clash.

“You enjoyed it? It’s a good advertisement and an exciting game for the English Premier League.

“It was a tough match. Now I think it was a fair result. Both teams played to win.

“We didn’t make the right decision after leading 4-3. This is the first time for me at Stamford Bridge we created a lot of chances, but they were the same,” said Guardiola.

Chelsea manager Pochettino agreed with Guardiola’s assessment of the eight-goal clash.

“We want to win and be the protagonists in this match. Matches like today prove why the English Premier League is the best in the world,” said Pochettino.

Erling Haaland’s penalty put City in front before Thiago Silva headed in Chelsea’s equaliser.

Raheem Sterling then headed past his former club to give Chelsea the lead, but Manuel Akanji replied with a header that leveled the score again before the break.

Continuing the second half, Haaland once again found the target but Nicolas Jackson scored Chelsea’s equaliser.

Rodri’s 86th-minute goal seemed to secure the three points for City, but rising star Palmer, who was sold by Guardiola in September, converted an injury-time penalty after Ruben Dias fouled Armando Broja.

As soon as the match ended, Pochettino rushed towards the referee, Anthony Taylor who blew the whistle as his team was attacking.

Pochettino also forgot to greet Guardiola after the match, but later apologized for his actions.

Finally Ten Hag Praised Maguire, Onana

MANCHESTER, England: Harry Maguire and Andre Onana, two Manchester United players who are the main criticism of the fans, received great praise from manager Erik ten Hag after the 1-0 victory over FC Copenhagen early this morning.

Maguire, whose taunts and jeers from the fans prompted ex-player David Beckham to come out in support, headed home in the 72nd minute, while Onana saved a late penalty in United’s first Champions League win of the season.

Ten Hag said Maguire, who also excelled in the 2-1 win over Sheffield United in the English Premier League last Saturday, played more proactively in possession.

“Handling crosses, defending well, coming forward to defend, very confident on the ball, he dominates, dominates his opponents,” said Ten Hag.

“Then you saw great skill from him with the header, a great pass from Christian (Eriksen) but a brilliant finish.”

Onana has been heavily criticized since arriving from Inter Milan in the summer transfer window.

But there was nothing but love for the goalkeeper after he darted to his left to punch out Jordan Larsson’s penalty before being mobbed by his team-mates.

“He showed personality and he realized before that it wasn’t his real level, he didn’t match his real skills and he could have done better and I thought last Saturday (in Sheffield) was a very good performance from him as well as today,” Ten Hag told reporters. .

The victory, which began with a tribute to club legend Bobby Charlton, who died last Saturday aged 86, lifted United to third in Group A with three points from three games.

While United have struggled with a lackluster start in the domestic league, they have now won their last three games in all competitions – perfect timing for the Ten Hag ahead of their clash with neighbors Manchester City at Old Trafford this Sunday.

“There’s a great spirit and they’re together and it’s always important as a team, the team is more important than the individual,” Ten Hag said.

“This is what we have ahead of the Manchester neighbors game… to fight together and then we have a very good chance to get a result.”

Newcastle Utd Begins European Campaign At AC Milan

LONDON: Newcastle return to the European Champions League for the first time in 20 years at AC Milan tomorrow.

The Magpies are hoping to make a name for themselves on the European stage after more than two decades of languishing in the Championship League.

Their main goal is to follow in the footsteps of Manchester City, which was also supported by funds from the Middle East country to win the treble last season.

When it managed to join the top four of the English Premier League in the first season since being taken over by the Public Investment Fund (PIF) from Saudi Arabia, Newcastle’s project was seen to achieve success faster than expected.

However, the early weeks of the new season saw Eddie Howe’s men face the real reality after losing to City, Liverpool and Brighton before coming back to beat Brentford 1-0.

Although many European stars have moved to Saudi Arabia over the past few months, Newcastle have remained prudent in their spending in the summer transfer window due to Financial Fair Play constraints.

They are only seventh in the list of the highest spending clubs of the English Premier League in the transfer market.

Newcastle and Milan were drawn in Group F along with Paris Saint-Germain and Borussia Dortmund.

However, Howe is not afraid of their first challenge in Europe’s top competition because his team is used to competing against stronger opponents in the English Premier League.

“I don’t see the difference. Preparations to meet European and English opponents are the same. For me, the English Premier League is the best league in the world.

“Now we’re going to Europe, it’s a different competition and challenge, but it’s still football,” Howe said.

Manchester City only won their first European Champions League last season, but have frequently competed in the tournament since being taken over by owners from Abu Dhabi in 2011.

The same is Newcastle’s goal and tomorrow’s game will determine whether they are able to make an impact on the European stage.

West Ham Can’t Wait For Maguire

MANCHESTER: Harry Maguire’s move to West Ham failed to consummate after the Manchester United defense demanded a reparation of 15 million pounds.

The Hammers are interested in the former United captain and their £30 million bid has been agreed by United.

However West Ham were forced to forgo the move as they refused to wait any longer for settlement talks between Maguire and United.

Maguire is willing to accept a lower wage away from Old Trafford and United are also willing to pay the centre-back a whopping 6 million pounds.

But Maguire, who dropped out of United’s first team last season, wants a bigger payout. His contract at Old Trafford still has two years remaining.

United manager Erik ten Hag wants the England defender to continue to compete for a place in the first team.

“For Harry he needs to compete for his place. He has the qualities to be a world class centre-half and now he is the best for England.

“He should be the best for us but he needs to prove it. If he’s not sure about competing he needs to leave.

“He needs to make a decision but I’m happy with him,” Ten Hag said after their 1-0 win over Wolves in their Premier League opener.

Bayern Munich defender Benjamin Pavard is one of the main candidates to replace Maguire.

The World Cup winner with France is looking forward to sheathing the United jersey, but Ten Hag will need to let go of Maguire to secure Pavard’s signing.