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Steve McManaman names Barcelona star who is ‘better’ than Lamine Yamal

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Barcelona’s dominant 4-0 victory over Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League has set the football world buzzing, not just for the scoreline but for the performances that led to it.

On a night filled with flair and confidence at the Nou Camp, goals from Raphinha, Lamine Yamal, and a brace from Robert Lewandowski helped the Catalan giants take a huge step towards the semi-finals.

Yet, amid all the praise for teenage sensation Yamal, former Real Madrid star Steve McManaman believes Barcelona have an even more valuable gem in their squad: Pedri.

Yamal has been nothing short of phenomenal this season, further cementing his reputation as one of the most electrifying young talents in football.

The 17-year-old continues to rise, having already helped Barcelona secure the La Liga title last year before shining for Spain in their Euro 2024 triumph.

His consistency and maturity on the pitch belie his age, and he’s become an automatic name on the team sheet under Hansi Flick. His goal against Dortmund was just another example of his class.

However, McManaman, who was on commentary duty for TNT Sports, pointed to Pedri as the standout among Barcelona’s many stars.

According to the former midfielder, while the attacking trio of Lewandowski, Raphinha, and Yamal catches headlines, Pedri remains the heart of the team.

Once hailed as a child prodigy, Pedri’s journey has seen him battle injury setbacks, but this season he’s shown glimpses of his finest form.

McManaman highlighted Pedri’s vision, intelligence, and influence, calling him the best player Barcelona currently has.

Pedri, still only 22, has already made nearly 200 appearances for Barcelona and continues to be a pivotal figure for both club and country.

He also played a vital role in Spain’s successful Euro 2024 campaign, showing he can perform on the biggest stages.

His return to form is perfectly timed as Barcelona pursue silverware on multiple fronts this season.

Currently four points clear of Real Madrid in La Liga, the Blaugrana also have their eyes firmly set on the Champions League trophy.

With such a commanding lead heading into the second leg, Barcelona are heavy favourites to reach the semi-finals, where they could face either Inter Milan or Bayern Munich. Still, manager Hansi Flick remains cautious.

He emphasized that the tie isn’t over, warning against complacency and reminding everyone of football’s unpredictability.

He praised the unity and depth of the squad, noting the performance of not just the starting front three but also the contributions from the bench and the solidity at the back.

Borussia Dortmund manager Niko Kovac admitted the defeat was painful but tried to take positives from the match.

With a crucial Bundesliga clash against Bayern Munich coming up, he stressed the importance of improving defensively.

He acknowledged Barcelona’s quality and the need for his team to approach future games with more cohesion and intensity.

Barcelona’s emphatic performance has sent a strong message to the rest of Europe. While Yamal continues to dazzle, it’s Pedri who may quietly be steering the club back to glory.

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REVEALRD: Why do Man Utd have (Red) as their shirt sponsor vs West Ham

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Manchester United host West Ham United at Old Trafford this Super Sunday with momentum on their side.

After securing a spot in the Europa League final by dispatching Athletic Bilbao 4-1 on Thursday night, the Red Devils are looking to continue their winning form in the Premier League.

They had already established dominance in the first leg with a 3-0 away win, and their emphatic performance in the return leg sealed the tie with authority.

Their upcoming final will be an all-English clash against Tottenham Hotspur, setting up one of the most highly anticipated matches of the season.

This weekend, however, fans will notice a subtle but meaningful change on the pitch. Manchester United’s players will not be wearing their usual kits with Snapdragon’s branding across the front.

Instead, their jerseys will feature the logo of (Red), a charitable organization focused on fighting health inequality and supporting life-saving initiatives in vulnerable communities.

The partnership is part of a wider campaign and has the backing of United’s principal shirt sponsor, Qualcomm Technologies, which holds a £60 million-per-year deal with the club.

The decision to highlight (Red) during Sunday’s match underscores the club’s commitment to global causes. (Red) was founded in 2006 by U2 frontman Bono and activist Bobby Shriver, with a mission to combat AIDS and address health injustice in some of the world’s most at-risk regions.

United’s women’s team also showcased the (Red) logo during their recent Women’s Super League match against Arsenal, aligning both men’s and women’s squads with the initiative.

In addition to raising awareness, the kits worn in these fixtures will be auctioned off on MatchWornShirt, an online platform dedicated to selling match-worn memorabilia.

Proceeds from the auction will go directly to (Red)’s campaign efforts. Jennifer Lotito, president and COO of (Red), expressed her enthusiasm about the partnership, highlighting how collaborations like this one help drive meaningful change.

She emphasized that the jerseys are more than collectible items—they are symbols of solidarity and tools for impact.

As United push toward the end of the season with silverware in sight, their collaboration with (Red) brings additional purpose to their performance.

Supporters not only get to watch their team chase European glory but also participate in a campaign that reaches far beyond the pitch. The combination of high-stakes football and meaningful advocacy makes Sunday’s fixture one to watch—for both sport and humanity.

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Two Premier League clubs line up moves for ex-Man Utd striker Mason Greenwood

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Former Manchester United striker Mason Greenwood is attracting fresh attention from Premier League clubs as the summer transfer window approaches.

The 23-year-old has been in strong form for Marseille this season, netting 20 goals in 35 appearances, marking an impressive comeback after his high-profile departure from English football.

Greenwood left Manchester United in 2023 following a lengthy six-month internal investigation prompted by his arrest in January 2022. The arrest stemmed from allegations after disturbing content appeared online.

He was initially charged with rape and assault, though those charges were later dropped in February 2023 due to the withdrawal of key witnesses and new evidence that no longer supported a realistic prospect of conviction.

Despite his on-pitch performances in Ligue 1, Greenwood’s time in France has had its challenges. Some Marseille fans and even head coach Roberto De Zerbi have expressed concerns about his work ethic.

A recent incident saw supporters unveil a large banner at the Stade Vélodrome urging the young forward to improve his efforts during games. Nonetheless, Greenwood remains a significant attacking asset for the French club.

According to reports from The Telegraph, a move away from Marseille could be on the cards as early as this summer or in the January window. While interest from Spanish and Italian clubs, and even Saudi Arabian sides, has been mentioned, a return to England seems to be his preferred option.

However, such a move would be controversial given the nature of his exit from Manchester United and the public scrutiny surrounding his case. Campaigners in the UK, including domestic abuse advocacy groups, have openly criticized the idea of Greenwood returning to English football.

Manchester United issued a statement last year confirming Greenwood’s departure, stating that both the club and the player agreed it would be best for him to continue his career elsewhere.

The club also said the online material that led to public concern did not offer a complete picture and concluded that Greenwood did not commit the crimes he was initially charged with. Still, United acknowledged Greenwood’s admission of personal mistakes and his responsibility for them.

Following the club’s decision, Women’s Aid, a leading UK charity working to end domestic violence, welcomed the outcome, noting that it would offer some relief to survivors of abuse.

They also emphasized how football clubs’ handling of such cases can influence broader societal attitudes about what is deemed acceptable behavior.

Greenwood made 129 appearances for Manchester United, scoring 35 goals. At one point, he was considered one of the brightest prospects in English football and had earned a call-up to the national team under Gareth Southgate.

However, a return to the England squad is no longer in the cards after Greenwood switched his international allegiance to Jamaica.

While Barcelona’s rumored interest in the forward has faded, at least two unnamed Premier League clubs are reportedly evaluating a move despite concerns over public backlash. Greenwood remains under contract with Marseille, but if the right offer arrives, a transfer could soon become reality.

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Chelsea star Cole Palmer hits back at journalist over Reggie Walsh question

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Cole Palmer had a lively exchange with a reporter following Chelsea’s convincing semi-final victory in the UEFA Conference League.

After the Blues secured their spot in the final with a 5-1 aggregate win over Djurgårdens IF, the spotlight wasn’t just on the result, but also on the club’s youngest star, Reggie Walsh.

The 16-year-old midfielder made headlines by becoming Chelsea’s youngest-ever starter in European competition during the second leg, just days after making his senior debut in the first leg.

Walsh, already turning heads in the England U17 setup, has made an impressive leap, joining a select list of teenagers trusted on the European stage by Chelsea’s coaching staff.

Palmer, who turned 23 this week, found himself being playfully compared to the teenage sensation.

When a journalist commented that Palmer must feel like an “old man” next to Walsh, the former Manchester City forward quickly replied with a laugh, saying, “F***ing hell, what are you then compared to Reggie?” He followed up by praising the young talent, stating, “He’s a very good player.

I’m looking forward to seeing what he can do. I’m still young myself, so I have to keep growing and growing.”

Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca echoed Palmer’s sentiments after the dominant win over the Swedish side. Maresca expressed delight at Walsh’s performance and potential, saying, “You can see that he is a good player.

He is the kind of player we like—very good. He’s young and has a lot of room to grow. We’re very happy for him and his family.

He has to enjoy this moment.” The coach’s confidence in Walsh suggests that more first-team opportunities could be on the horizon.

Captain Reece James also shared his thoughts after seeing Walsh in action during an official match. “I’ve seen him in training, but games are different. This is the first time I’ve watched him play properly and I didn’t realise how good he actually was,” James admitted.

That admiration was shared by Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, who scored the only goal in the second leg. The midfielder emphasized the importance of guiding younger players, noting, “Reggie is 16 and he was fantastic—composed.

My job is just to tell them to play the game that got them here. What you saw was composure and calmness, and that’s a credit to the academy.”

Walsh, who joined Chelsea at the age of seven, has grown through the club’s ranks with patience and maturity. Remarkably, he was born just five months after the infamous moment when Chelsea legend John Terry missed his penalty in the 2008 Champions League final.

Now, over 16 years later, the next generation is making its mark, and Walsh appears ready to carry the club’s future hopes. His recent appearances suggest that Chelsea’s long-term investment in their youth system is continuing to bear fruit.

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