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While that was poor from Manchester United as a whole, it’s striking that the difference makers just aren’t making the difference. Cunha was MIA and Sesko is a shadow of the player he proved to be in the Bundesliga. Lack of depth a real issue. Wolves had a better bench. #MUNWOL

Sesko had time to bring that ball down, give it a cuddle, and shoot it. What a ball from Casemiro.

Sat down with @empiregass.bsky.social to talk Portugal national team, Cristiano Ronaldo and … Paulo Futre for @kickbacksoccer.bsky.social. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/k...

Character wise, there’s a bit of 2016 Leicester City in this Aston Villa.

Not sure anyone will displace Ayden Heaven from United’s XI. His progression over the last few weeks, alone, is striking. My player of match, along with Manuel Ugarte, who covered a ridiculous amount of ground. Ruben Amorim needs a decent transfer window and a bench. #MUNNEW

Morocco v Mali, Manchester United v Newcastle, and post-gym, guilt-free Xmas dinner leftovers. Happy Boxing Day to me.

Senegal the more impressive of all the contenders that have played so far, and by a mile. Wasteful at time, but creating plenty of opportunities. Little expected from Botswana but they aren’t much weaker than Zimbabwe and we all saw what they almost did yesterday.

Salah!!!! When it mattered the most. Heartbreak for Zimbabwe, who defended like their lives depended on it.

Good reaction from Angola after going a goal down. Not particularly impressed by South Africa. Still early goings. Plus, first match nerves, and all that.

After taking punches from Mali for 85 minutes, Zambia throw caution to the wind and score an equalizer. Daka flew in like a poisoned dart.

Time to turn my attention to AFCON. Have a feeling that this edition is going to be a bit special. Looking forward to rooting for my mother’s Angola and seeing Algeria develop into the tournament’s dark horse. We shall see how Morocco deal with the burden of expectation.

Morgan Rogers did (and has done) for Villa what Matheus Cunha is supposed to do for United. The Brazilian played well - scored a goal and worked his socks off - but it’s the point-blank header miss that everyone will ultimately remember. Unfair. But that’s football. #AVLMUN

Not sure there are too many players who can strike a ball better than Morgan Rogers. And isn’t this a reflection of Man United’s season? Dominant but incapable of scoring. Let’s see what happens with Bruno Fernandes. Can’t imagine they turn this around without him. #AVLMUN

Manchester United’s soft press has been effective, disrupting Aston Villa’s build and forcing them to go long. But the few times that line of confrontation has been bypassed, United have found themselves having to do some emergency defending. #AVLMUN

Renato Veiga, you absolute ding dong. That red is never going to get overturned even though it’s more of an orange.

Eric Garcia is far from a fan favorite at Barcelona, but he’s putting in a decent shift in midfield. He’s put out a couple of fires in extremis, as Barca’s high line continues to get the team into trouble.

Manchester United’s bench 🫠

Very good start from Villarreal ruined by a foul in the box. That will be so frustrating.

Big win for Juve. Are they legitimate title contenders? As for Roma, they’ve now lost to Juve, Napoli, Milan and Inter. Not a good sign.

Real Madrid are there for the taking in transition. Cut open so easily.

Edon Zhegrova has delivered some sumptuous crosses.

Marcus Edwards needs more minutes at Burnley. Changes the dynamic.

Jarrod Bowen deserves at least a season on a good team.

Yesterday, Portuguese football witnessed another stupefying and damaging refereeing mistake. The focus now needs to be on raising refereeing standards and accountability. Instead, Portugal’s three big clubs are intent on blaming each other for the problem. The cycle continues.

Unhinged

Talavera making things interesting and testing Alonso’s follicular fortitude.

Agustin Rossi putting Flamengo behind the 8 ball.

A late “Harry Maguire as a winger” cameo, would be perfect for this game.

Someone needs to press Mbeumo’s reset button.

Ayden Heaven has shown that he can be a good center-back, but his positioning has cost Manchester United two goals. Evanilson was clinical, though. Seriously underrated player. #MUNBOU

Roma finally translate their dominance with a goal. Sharp finish from Wesley.

Manchester United fans want their team to be aggressive and play on the front foot at Old Trafford. That’s what they got in that first half. Some wastefulness in front of goal and a naive defensive mistake have so far dictated the score line. #MUNBOU

That was a scary moment for Tyler Adams and all USMNT fans.

Ruben Amorim won’t change his tactics 🤬 Ruben Amorim changes tactics to mitigate the absence of starters 🤬 😵‍💫

Woltemade’s stock had been skyrocketing (for club and country) so the footballing gods had to intervene.

Palace won’t believe they’re behind.

After a standout game in Munich, Maxi Araujo rewards himself with a goal, today. Clinical finish to put Sporting two goals up against Aves.

When healthy and at his best, Reece James is one of my favorite players to watch. Press resistant, tactically savvy and with effortless passing range. Enzo Maresca has unlocked one of the best midfielders in the Premier League with a little help from Thomas Tuchel.

Griezmann with a new haircut and a sharp touch for the would-be Atleti winner

Union Berlin just scored such a lovely goal. Simple overload on the right, followed by a sumptuous cross and clinical headed finish. Lovely.

Over the last 48 hours, Portugal has reminded much of the world that unions and the working class have more power than a government that tries to exploit them.

Whether Bayern deserve to win this, is an irrelevant point. Refereeing crew gifted them the second goal. To not even go to the monitor to determined whether Luis Suarez was fouled. Surprised Sporting didn’t have a complete breakdown after that.

Goal Sporting! João Simões, you absolute diamond! Add another 10 million to his price tag.

Mature display from Sporting in what was a physically demanding first half. Mostly limited Bayern to shots from outside the box and made the Germans uncomfortable in transition, occasionally. Too many performers to highlight, but the back 3 of Quaresma, Reis & Diomande was solid.

Sporting essentially playing with a back 3. Maxi Araujo will be shadowing Michael Olise.

I’m still traumatized from the last time Sporting faced Bayern in the Champions League (08/09). With all of Sporting’s injured absentees, I’m fearing the worst.

Brutal way for Stanford to lose the national championship. Florida State with the winning goal 3 minutes from the final whistle.

Milan can thank Pulisic for turning that game on its head.

Mason Mount is a coach’s dream. Delicate silky feet, high footballing IQ, and a blue-collar work ethic. Amorim figure that out quickly. If only he could remain healthy. #MUFC