Nkunku set for debut
Berbatov backs Rashford
MANCHESTER – Marcus Rashford should captain Manchester United against Liverpool, suggested Dimitar Berbatov, ahead of crunch Premier League clash at Anfield. Bruno Fernandes will miss the clash against the Reds tomorrow after he collected his fifth booking of the season during a 3-0 defeat against Bournemouth at Old Trafford last weekend. This means Erik ten Hag has to pick a new leader and Berbatov has put forward Rashford’s name as he believes that the under-fire striker will be boosted with this show of faith. Liverpool are in stellar form this season and currently sit at the pole position in the Premier League standings. They have lost just once in 16 matches and boast of having the meanest defence in the league, along with Arsenal, with just 15 goals conceded.
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LONDON – French forward Christopher Nkunku will be a part of Chelsea’s squad for the first time this season when they face Sheffield United this weekend, manager Mauricio Pochettino said yesterday. Nkunku signed from RB Leipzig in July but required surgery on a knee injury he suffered in pre-season. Chelsea have struggled with injuries since the start of the season and there was more bad news last weekend when three players went off injured during the 2-0 defeat at Everton. After two consecutive away defeats, at Manchester United and Everton, Chelsea are 12th in the standings on 19 points and today host bottom club Sheffield United, who have eight points.
De Jongs agent furious
BARCELONA – Frenkie de Jong’s agent has hit back at claims that the midfielder faked illness to avoid Barcelona’s Champions League clash against Royal Antwerp. The midfielder was absent from the Catalan side’s trip to Belgium for their final group stage match and RAC1 reports that sporting director Deco spoke to him on the phone and doubted the midfielder’s excuse that he was ill. De Jong’s agent, Ali Dursun, has stepped forward to set the record straight, highlighting his professionalism. The representative told De Telegraaf: “Total fake news. It is the biggest nonsense that has been released around Frenkie in a long time. The player is just sick.” Barcelona have now lost two games in a row and will hope to have De Jong back and fit again when they come up against Valencia in La Liga today.