Man Utd defender Malacia admits he ‘didn’t agree’ with Van Gaal over centre-back trial – Newstrends
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Man Utd defender Malacia admits he ‘didn’t agree’ with Van Gaal over centre-back trial

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Tyrell Malacia

Man Utd defender Tyrell Malacia says he “didn’t agree” with Louis van Gaal trialling him as a centre-back in a recent international match.

The Netherlands made it to the Nations League finals on Sunday when they beat Belgium 1-0 with Malacia coming off the bench at the half-time interval.

Malacia is used to playing at left-back for Man Utd and his country but Van Gaal decided the 23-year-old would play on the left-hand side of a back three against Belgium.

It had been presumed that Daley Blind – who had been playing at left-back – would shift inside to left centre-back when Malacia replaced Nathan Ake at the break.

However, that wasn’t the case with Malacia performed well in a new position, keeping Belgium playmaker Kevin de Bruyne quiet in the second half.

Van Gaal and Malacia exchanged some heated words on the touchline during the match but the Man Utd defender admits he went forward “too much” for his role.

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“I went two or three times too much forward,” Malacia told De Telegraaf.

“That is not possible in this position as quickly. But I was corrected by others.

“I didn’t agree with it at the time, yes. That’s right. After the game we talked about that moment for a while and then it was over.

“I’m comfortable with United at the moment. The national coach thinks that I should also be able to play in the centre of the defence. But I feel best on the left.”

Van Gaal revealed after the match that the idea of playing Malacia at left centre-back was to prepare the Netherlands for the absence of Bruno Martins Indi at the upcoming World Cup.

“I put Malacia in the left centre-back role because Martins Indi is not going to make it to the World Cup squad in time due to injury,” Van Gaal told ESPN NL.

“I have to look at other players who can play there and I wanted to see what Malacia could do, so Ake was substituted.

“The defensive work he did very well, but the constructive work in the build-up could have been a lot better.”

But former Ajax and PSV Eindhoven player Kenneth Perez reckons Malacia – who joined Man Utd in the summer from Feyenoord – should be Van Gaal’s first-choice left-back heading into the World Cup in Qatar.

Perez said earlier this month:”If he continues this and becomes a regular base player for Manchester United, then he is very close to becoming the first left back of the Dutch national team.

“Especially in a three-man defence, where you need someone who is very active and willing in that position [wing-back].”

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Haaland four goals propel Man City to 5-1 victory against Wolves

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Erling Haaland

Haaland four goals propel Man City to 5-1 victory against Wolves

Erling Haaland showcased his goal-scoring prowess by netting four times as Manchester City secured a dominant 5-1 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers, keeping their hopes alive for a fourth consecutive Premier League title.

Responding to Arsenal’s earlier victory over Bournemouth, Pep Guardiola’s side delivered a commanding performance, closing the gap to just one point behind the league leaders with a game in hand.

Haaland’s goal-scoring exhibition began in the 12th minute when he calmly converted a penalty after a late challenge in the box. He then doubled City’s lead in the 35th minute with a towering header from Rodri’s cross.

Speaking after the match, Haaland expressed his delight, acknowledging his father’s legacy at the club and celebrating his remarkable tally of 25 goals for the season.

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The Norwegian striker added two more goals from the penalty spot, completing his first-ever four-goal haul and extinguishing any hopes of a Wolves comeback.

Guardiola praised Haaland’s performance, highlighting his journey back to form after a foot injury earlier in the season. Substitute Julian Alvarez sealed City’s victory with a late goal.

Despite a consolation goal from Wolves’ Hwang Hee-chan, the visitors struggled to match City’s clinical finishing and made too many errors, according to manager Gary O’Neil.

With the title race heating up, City now sits just one point behind Arsenal, with three games left to play. Guardiola remains focused on securing the necessary points to clinch the title, while Arsenal looks ahead to challenging fixtures against Manchester United and Everton in their final two games.

Haaland four goals propel Man City to 5-1 victory against Wolves

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Ronaldo’s hat-trick leads Al Nassr to 6-0 victory over Al Wehda

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Cristiano Ronaldo

Ronaldo’s hat-trick leads Al Nassr to 6-0 victory over Al Wehda

In a stunning display of dominance, Al Nassr secured a resounding 6-0 victory against Al Wehda in the Saudi Pro League 2023-24 clash on Wednesday at the Al-Awwal Stadium in Riyadh, with Cristiano Ronaldo stealing the spotlight by scoring a hat-trick.

The match started with Ronaldo narrowly missing an opportunity to open the scoring in the second minute, but he quickly made amends by capitalizing on a defensive error from the Al Wehda goalkeeper to give his team the lead.

Just seven minutes later, Ronaldo showcased his aerial prowess by nodding in a delightful cross from Brozovic, notching his 40th club goal of the season and doubling Al Nassr’s advantage.

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Although Al Wehda thought they had pulled one back through Odion Ighalo, the goal was disallowed for offside, maintaining Al Nassr’s lead. Otavio extended the lead further with a composed finish, courtesy of a precise through ball from Mane.

Mane himself got on the scoresheet just before halftime, courtesy of a clever assist from Otavio, rounding off a sensational first-half performance for Al Nassr.

The second half saw no respite for Al Wehda as Ronaldo completed his hat-trick with a clinical finish after being set up by Mane. Al Nassr’s dominance was further highlighted by substitute Al Fatil, who sealed the victory with a late goal, hammering the ball into an empty net.

With this emphatic win, Al Nassr maintains its position as the second-placed team in the league table, trailing leader Al Hilal by nine points. Meanwhile, Al Wehda finds themselves in 12th place, five points clear of the relegation zone.

Ronaldo’s hat-trick leads Al Nassr to 6-0 victory over Al Wehda

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Iheanacho eyes Aston Villa, turns down Leicester’s £65k weekly offer

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Kelechi Iheanacho

Iheanacho eyes Aston Villa, turns down Leicester’s £65k weekly offer

Kelechi Iheanacho, a Super Eagles and Leicester City striker, has rejected a new contract with the club despite interest from Unai Emery’s Aston Villa, Soccernet.ng reports.

The 27-year-old striker has made only ten league starts in the EFL Championships this season, with Enzo Maresca preferring Zambian Patson Daka to lead the line for the Foxes.

Iheanacho, along with Wilfred Ndidi, are nearing the end of their Leicester City careers, as their contracts expire in June 2024. While the defensive midfielder wants to join a Premier League top-six club, Iheanacho is not interested in staying at the King Power Stadium.

According to Football Insider, the highest-scoring African in the history of the FA Cup was offered an improved deal with a weekly wage of £65,000, but the Nigerian striker rejected the offer.

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‘‘He (Iheanacho) has been offered a new deal but not prepared to sign. But we will wait till the end of the season and see,’’ the report stated.

Several reasons might have sparked Iheanacho’s reaction, with the absence of playing time at the forefront. According to Football Fancast, Aston Villa are interested in bringing the 2021 FA Cup winner to Villa Park as a backup for Ollie Watkins.

The Villains have enjoyed a great season under Unai Emery and have their eyes locked on a place in the UEFA Champions League next season. Should Iheanacho join Villa, he would have the luxury of playing alongside skilled players like Douglas Luiz, Leon Bailey, Ollie Watkins and Moussa Diaby.

Aston Villa view Iheanacho as an experienced Premier League forward, representing a summer bargain that could make all the difference next season at Villa Park.

In 10 starts for Leicester, Iheanacho found the back of the net five times and created one goal, averaging a goal involvement every two games.

The Foxes have secured a return to the English Premier League after relegating on the last matchday in the previous season.

Iheanacho eyes Aston Villa, turns down Leicester’s £65k weekly offer

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