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Former Manchester City defender Bacary Sagna has accused Manchester United’s players of ‘giving up’ this season after Monday night’s shambolic 4-0 defeat to Crystal Palace.
The Reds slumped to a record-breaking 13th Premier League defeat of the season and fans are awaiting more as we face Arsenal, Newcastle and Brighton before the league campaign ends.
Sagna, who also played for Arsenal, has spoken to Paddy Power about United ahead of Sunday’s game.
The Frenchman said, as quoted by the Manchester Evening News: “There is no momentum at United. If it was easy for any coach, it would be different. Losing 4-0 to Crystal Palace, people will question Erik ten Hag and his ability to train the team, but it seemed like the United players have given up on this season. From one season to another, it can be very different – we saw it with Arsenal where people were demanding that Mikel Arteta step down but look where he is now. I think Ten Hag needs to be given more time, forget about this season, and just try to finish it on a positive note. I would not get rid of him just because they have had a bad season, he’s not the one on the pitch – of course, he’s making the selections, but he’s selecting good players. If it’s against you, it’s against you – and it seems to be against United this season.”
It should be seen as an insult because Sagna has levelled one of the worst criticisms possible at a group of professional footballers. That they’ve thrown the towel in and have no fight left for the manager.
Sagna lays the blame at the players rather than Ten Hag, and it will be interesting to see what players remain and who stays in the summer.
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Napoli show interest in struggling Manchester United striker
Manchester United have spent the summer revamping their attack. Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko all joined the club in moves totalling more than $270M. However, those new additions have left some members of United's team in need of a move away. Rasmus Hojlund appears to be one of those players. The 22-year-old Danish forward has been with United for two seasons. He was signed from Atalanta after an impressive debut season with the Serie A team that saw him register nine goals and two assists in 32 appearances as a 19-year-old. Hojlund's addition was supposed to be one for the future. However, a return of 14 goals and two assists in 64 Premier League outings is not what United would have been hoping for when they shelled out $86.4M to sign the young striker. And now, with the addition of Sesko, it would appear his time with United is running out. According to Frabrizio Romano, Serie A champions Napoli have contacted United over a potential loan move for the young and talented forward. Napoli is in need of a new striker following a recent injury to Romelu Lukaku that will keep him out for more than three months. Hojlund could still emerge as an elite striker. He's still in the developmental stages of his career. Unfortunately for him, Sesko joins the team with far more experience and a proven track record of scoring goals in one of Europe's elite divisions. As such, Hojlund will need to continue developing his game away from the Theatre of Dreams. Napoli would be a good landing spot for Hojlund. He would team up with former United midfielder Scott McTominay and former Manchester City star Kevin De Bruyne. Antonio Conte could also be the ideal manager to help take Hojlund's game to the next level. United would likely prefer a straight sale, rather than a loan deal. However, they will also be aware that a strong return to form from Hojlund could drive up his asking price next summer, which may make them open to a loan move under the right circumstances. Conte is a proven tactician who gets the best out of his players. Hojlund could thrive under his tutelage, especially as he's already experienced in the Italian league. Nevertheless, it's worth noting that Hojlund has remained steadfast in his desire to remain in Manchester and fight for his place. Still, the chance to join a reigning champion and assume a key role in their attack doesn't arise every day, and that could be a differentiating factor in Hojlund's decision-making.
Shaquille O'Neal makes peace with longtime enemy — mostly
Shaquille O'Neal and Dwight Howard patched things up Sunday after years of feuding. But even while describing their rapprochement, O'Neal couldn't keep from teasing his longtime nemesis. The "Big Aristotle" was at the BIG3 playoffs Sunday to watch Howard's L.A. Riot play the Chicago Triplets. In the middle of describing to Rachel Nichols how he and Howard had made peace, O'Neal broke off his explanation to make fun of Howard for missing a dunk. The two Hall of Fame centers had sparred for years, despite their common ground as former members of the Orlando Magic and Los Angeles Lakers. Some of the tension seemed to be due to Howard adopting O'Neal's "Superman" nickname, though O'Neal claimed to Nichols that he was simply being tough on Howard to motivate him. That explanation doesn't account for the time O'Neal mocked Howard for playing basketball in the Taiwanese league or the decade-plus he's spent roasting Howard on his podcast, in public appearances and on "Inside the NBA." Still, it appears that the two have made peace. Despite O'Neal being left off the original list of presenters, he insisted that he'll be among a group of Hall of Famers inducting Howard Sept. 6, including Dominique Wilkins, Robert Parish, Dennis Rodman and Patrick Ewing. It means that two of the most dominant big men of their eras have finally buried the hatchet. It's added a new level of interest to the Hall of Fame ceremonies, and it should be a sweet moment between O'Neal and Howard. As long as Howard doesn't mention Superman.
New report sheds light on how Cowboys view Micah Parsons situation
It is no secret that the relationship between Micah Parsons and the Dallas Cowboys is not on solid ground, but that does not necessarily mean it is tarnished beyond repair. On the latest episode of his podcast, which was released on Tuesday, ESPN's Adam Schefter predicted that Parsons and the Cowboys are "headed towards divorce." Schefter said the two sides have not spoken since April and that it seems like a matter of when — not if — they part ways. Longtime NFL reporter Josina Anderson was told the situation is not quite that grim, at least from the Cowboys' perspective. Anderson reported on Tuesday evening that the relationship between Parsons and Dallas "has not deteriorated to the point of an imminent divorce." "I did not detect any obvious tones of concern in my sourced conversation when I recently asked about ESPN's Adam Schefter's report stating he sees 'these two sides headed towards a divorce, in time.' ... I just feel Dallas has so much history with protracted (and) sensitive negotiations, thus my current impression is the club remains unrattled, at this time," Anderson wrote in a post on X. Parsons is earning just over $24M in the final year of his rookie contract this season. The 26-year-old had 12 sacks in 13 games last season and has 52.5 sacks in 63 career games. Parsons is arguably the best pass-rusher in the NFL when healthy. Although Parsons has formally requested a trade, the Cowboys maintain that they have no intention of dealing their four-time Pro Bowl defensive end. The only real leverage Parsons has is creating a headache in Dallas. He remains under contract, and the Cowboys also have the ability to use the franchise tag on him in each of the next two seasons. If Parsons were to sit out regular-season games, his contract would eventually toll. Even with Jerry Jones publicly taking shots at Parsons, one massive contract offer could change everything.
Green Bay Packers: Slo-Mo Video of Malik Willis’ TD Bomb to Matthew Golden Unleashes Wild Reactions
Green Bay Packers rookie wide receiver Matthew Golden just keeps on turning heads in the offseason. On Monday, Golden grabbed attention again after making a sensational grab for a touchdown off a pass from quarterback Malik Willis. Matched up against defensive back Keisean Nixon, the former Texas Longhorns star wideout secured a deep throw from Willis and took the ball to the house for a 46-yard touchdown. Nixon couldn’t help but joke about Golden while praising the first-year downfield weapon. “He sometimes acts like he’s a vet but I try to remind him that he’s a rookie,” Nixon said (h/t Mike Spofford of the Packers’ official website). “Other than that, M.G., helluva player. You can tell why he went first round. Strong at the catch point, strong hands, strong upper body. I think he’ll have a really good year.” Green Bay Packers fans react to Golden’s touchdown score in practice The Packers shared a slo-mo video of that connection between Willias and Golden, leaving fans with all sorts of excited reactions to it. “malik is the guy ️ no one wants to admit it,” said a fan on X. Another one said: “Malik for starting QB” From a commenter: “IVE SEEN ENOUGH MALIK WILLIS 4X MVP” “Finally we might have a 1000+ yard receiver,” a social media user posted. Via a different commenter: “@eamaddennfl He ran 4.2 how tf is he a 91 speed on madden boost his speed.” Said another: “Hey 2 throwing it to 22 might be the answer.” Willis and Golden could have more magic in store for the Packers, as there’s a chance they could see action this coming Saturday’s NFL preseason finale against the Seattle Seahawks at home.
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