Football / News / Sports

Marcus Rashford double helps Man United beat Omonia Nicosia 3-2 in Europa League

Marcus Rashford came off the bench to score twice and help Manchester United overcome a half-time deficit to beat Omonia Nicosia 3-2 in a Europa League group phase clash in Cyprus on Thursday.

With United stunningly trailing to a first-half goal from Karim Ansarifard, Rashford came on at the interval and scored one and set up another for Anthony Martial to turn the game on its head within 20 minutes of his arrival.

Rashford added United’s third with six minutes remaining before Omonia ensured a nervy finale after Nikolas Panagiotou immediately pulled a goal back.

The result leaves United second in Group E on six points, three behind leaders Real Sociedad and three ahead of Sheriff. Omonia, who will visit Old Trafford in a week’s time, remain without a point.

Man United boss Erik ten Hag made three changes to the lineup that was blasted 6-3 by rivals Manchester City on Sunday, with Cristiano Ronaldo, Casemiro and Victor Lindelof coming into the side.

For Ronaldo, playing against the Cypriot cup winners seemed an ideal opportunity to get the one goal he needed for the 700th of his club career.

But while United expectedly dominated play from the off they failed to make that advantage count in the first 45 minutes.

Antony was the chief culprit, missing a glorious chance to open the scoring in just the 16th minute. After Bruno Fernandes ran over a pass from deep by Lisandro Martinez, Anthony found himself clean through on goal but instead of shooting chose to try and lay the ball back to Fernandes. The pass failed to find its target and the chance inexplicably came to nothing.

Fernandes was left frustrated again two minutes later when his chip beat the goalkeeper but came back off the crossbar.

Then in the 34th minute, the visitors were struck by a classic sucker punch.

Tyrell Malacia was caught in possession by Bruno in the Nicosia half while United had everyone ahead of the ball. The Nicosia forward was able to drive forward before finding the …

Football / Sports

Marcus Rashford scores twice to Lift United against streaking Gunners

Manchester United ended Arsenal’s winning start to the Premier League season in a thrilling clash that saw Antony score on his debut and Marcus Rashford hit a quick-fire double after Bukayo Saka had equalized in the second half.

After a bright start by both teams, Arsenal thought they had struck first as Gabriel Martinelli finished a devastating counter-attack but the goal was ruled out by VAR for an earlier foul on Christian Eriksen.

From there Arsenal took control but the Gunners were torn apart by United on the break, as Rashford set up Antony to steer a first-time finish past Aaron Ramsdale for a debut goal following his €100m move from Ajax.

Arsenal responded after the break with chances through Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka, before the England international fired a deserved equalizer on the hour-mark. It seemed as if Arsenal had the momentum, but they were hit with a counter-punch as Rashford raced away to restore their lead.

It was the latest swing in a thrilling match and with Arsenal pushing forward with more numbers, Rashford scored his second to seal United’s fourth straight win and end Arsenal’s unbeaten start.
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Football / Sports

Marcus Rashford kickstarts Erik ten Hag era against listless Reds

Manchester United marked the belated launch of a new era under Erik Ten Hag as they deservedly beat rivals Liverpool 2-1 at Old Trafford.

Having lost to Brighton & Hove Albion and Brentford in their opening two games of the new campaign, the Red Devils looked transformed as they outfought and out-thought their arch-rivals to earn their first win under the Dutchman.

Liverpool had ran out 5-0 victors at this stadium en route to falling agonizingly short of a quadruple trophy success last season, but they were well short of those standards in losing out this time around.

Goals in either half from Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford gave the revitalized hosts an advantage that they refused to surrender even after Mohamed Salah’s late header set up a potentially grandstand finish.

And that has left Jurgen Klopp searching for answers to a poor start that has seen his side return two draws and a defeat.

Ten Hag’s tough love pays off

Ten Hag’s decision to force his players to take part in a running session the day after their defeat to Brentford was questioned in some quarters.

But the Dutchman’s hardline approach appeared to pay off on Monday evening as his side outfought opponents who are renowned for their hard-working approach under Jurgen Klopp.

By fulltime against Liverpool at Old Trafford, United had run 18.3km more than they had across the 90 minutes in west London.

And that had played no small part in them forcing a team packed with quality into constant mistakes — a key facet of the victory.

Liverpool midfield question persists

If there is one area of the pitch Liverpool fans would most like to see reinforced before the end of the transfer window, it is undoubtedly midfield. The argument for bringing in a fresh face in the center of the park in the next few days was only strengthened by events at Old Trafford.

Admittedly, youngster Harvey Elliott performed well, but he was a rare bright spot in an engine room that largely failed to …

Sports / Tennis

Marcus Rashford and Andy Murray Support Emma Raducanu

Emma Raducanu was forced to withdraw from Wimbledon after struggling with her breathing during the second set of her fourth-round match with Australia’s Ajla Tomljanovic; Marcus Rashford leads defence of the teenager after she faced criticism for pulling out of the match.

Raducanu revealed she struggled with her breathing and felt dizzy during her fourth-round Wimbledon clash with Ajla Tomljanovic on Monday before being advised to retire.

Difficulty breathing was given as the official reason for her withdrawal on Monday night but the initial lack of explanation for what caused it led to intense speculation.

John McEnroe was heavily criticized after jumping to the conclusion immediately after the match on the BBC that she could not handle the occasion, and Piers Morgan said on Twitter saying she needed to toughen up.

Andy Murray weighed in, replying to a tweet from Kevin Pietersen about mental toughness being what separated good athletes from great ones, although the former England cricketer later insisted he had not been referring to Raducanu.

Murray wrote: “No question mental toughness can be what separates the best in sport but surely both of you aren’t judging her mental toughness on yesterday’s match?!

“I think some of what he (McEnroe) said was fair yes.. however the timing of it was a bit off considering nobody had any clue what her issue was injury/illness/breathings issues etc at the time of his comments.”

Several other sports stars then got behind the teenager who announced herself as a new star of British tennis by reaching the last 16 on her debut at the All England Club.

Rashford, who has taken on politicians in his bid to improve childrens’ lives for the better, drew

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