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• 15-Year-Old JJ Gabriel spotted in Man United first team training

  Manchester United manager Michael Carrick has promoted teenage prodigy JJ Gabriel to senior training ahead of the Aston Villa clash, signaling a clear development pathway for the highly-rated winger. ​Manchester United sensation JJ Gabriel has been pictured in first-team training at Carrington as manager Michael Carrick prepares for Sunday’s clash with Aston Villa. The 15-year-old forward, who has drawn interest from Barcelona and Real Madrid, was spotted alongside senior stars including Bryan Mbeumo. Although age restrictions prevent a Premier League debut this season, staff have already compared Gabriel’s outstanding technical talent to Ryan Giggs. ​Meanwhile, Paraguayan youngster Diego Leon has admitted he needs more “maturity physically, tactically, and technically” before he is ready for the English top flight. Leon, 18, has struggled with the intensity of U21 football since his arrival. “To play in the Premier League, you have to be one hundred percent ready,” Leon acknowledged, confirming he is focused on long-term development rather than an immediate breakthrough.

• Spanish media raise big concerns about Real Madrid vs Man City referee hours before match

  Spanish commentators have expressed significant concern regarding the appointment of Italian official Maurizio Mariani for tonight’s Champions League clash, citing his restrictive officiating style and historic statistics.

  ​Spanish media outlets have voiced grave concerns over referee Maurizio Mariani ahead of Manchester City’s Champions League visit to Real Madrid.

  Former official Iturralde Gonzalez criticized the 44-year-old’s tendency to control the flow of the match, stating:

  “He doesn’t let the game flow, he prefers to steer it where he wants, and I don’t like that kind of refereeing.” Gonzalez further warned: “Instead of letting the game unfold, he takes the game where he wants.”

  ​Mariani, who has a career record of 1,848 yellow cards, is perceived as a “no-nonsense” official who does not typically favor home sides.

  This adds pressure to a historic fixture marking the fifth consecutive season these giants have met in the knockout stages.

  Real Madrid, aiming for a 16th European title, face a City side that recently secured a 2-1 victory at the Bernabeu during the league phase in December.

• Rosenior believes ‘world-class’ Joao Pedro can become even better

  Chelsea head coach Liam Rosenior has praised Joao Pedro as a world-class talent, asserting he would not trade the in-form Brazilian for any other striker following his recent hat-trick against Aston Villa.

  ​Liam Rosenior has hailed Joao Pedro as a “world-class” talent following the striker’s impressive tally of ten goals in fourteen matches.

  Ahead of Chelsea’s FA Cup clash against Wrexham, Rosenior compared his leading man to elite peers like Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe.

  The head coach stated, “I wouldn’t swap Joao for anyone in this moment to be honest,” citing his exceptional attributes.

  ​Despite the Brazilian’s 20-goal total this season, Rosenior insists the 24-year-old still has significant room for growth.

  He noted that Pedro’s age allows for further development, adding, “I know there are a lot of things he can improve on.”

  Whether Pedro starts today remains uncertain as Rosenior considers rotation, but the focus remains on securing Chelsea’s first FA Cup trophy since 2018.

• Player Ratings: Mbeumo 3, and Mainoo 4, flop as Man United suffer first loss under Carrick at Newcastle

  Michael Carrick’s unbeaten start as Manchester United manager came to a crashing halt at St. James’ Park, where a late Will Osula strike secured a 2-1 win for a Newcastle side that played the entire second half with ten men.  

  ​The Red Devils tasted defeat for the first time under Carrick’s stewardship in a night of missed opportunities and defensive lapses.

  Despite a numerical advantage following Jacob Ramsey’s dismissal for simulation, United failed to break down a resilient Magpies defense.

  While Casemiro’s header briefly restored parity following Anthony Gordon’s penalty, Osula’s solo brilliance in the dying moments ensured the points stayed on Tyneside.

  ​Manchester United Player Ratings

  ​Senne Lammens: 7/10

  The young Belgian continues to grow in stature despite the result. While he wasn’t called upon to make a flurry of acrobatic saves, his command of the penalty area was authoritative. His distribution remains a key asset, and he handled the high-pressure atmosphere of St. James’ Park with notable maturity.

  ​Noussair Mazraoui: 6/10

  Handed a starting role, the fullback was a steadying presence on the right side of the defense. He carried out his defensive duties with minimal fuss but lacked the overlapping ambition to trouble Newcastle’s backline, eventually departing late with a knock.

  ​Leny Yoro: 6/10

  It was a steep learning curve for the teenager against a physical Newcastle front line. After some early positioning jitters, he grew into the game and was denied a goal of his own by a spectacular Ramsdale save. He remains a work in progress but showed glimpses of his high ceiling.

  ​Harry Maguire: 6/10

  The veteran defender was dominant in the air, winning several crucial headers to clear the danger. While he was largely composed against Newcastle’s pace, he will be disappointed not to have stepped out quicker to block Osula’s match-winning effort in the final minute.

  ​Luke Shaw: 6/10

  Shaw endured a bruising encounter, including a heavy collision with Dan Burn, but remained a gritty competitor. He offered some support in the buildup before being substituted at the hour mark as United looked to freshen up their defensive options.

  ​Casemiro: 6/10

  The Brazilian experienced a game of two halves. He showcased his elite vision with pinpoint passing in the first period and scored a vital equalizer with a clinical header. However, the relentless intensity of the Newcastle midfield eventually took its toll on his legs.

  ​Kobbie Mainoo: 4/10

  A difficult evening for the academy graduate, who struggled to cope with the physical intensity of the Magpies’ press. He was dispossessed in dangerous areas several times during the first half and, despite more space after the red card, failed to dictate the tempo as usual.

  ​Bruno Fernandes: 6/10

  The captain’s night was a mix of frustration and productivity. He conceded a clumsy penalty after a foul on Gordon but quickly made amends with a perfectly weighted free-kick for the equalizer. He probed for an opening late on but couldn’t find the decisive final ball.

  ​Bryan Mbeumo: 3/10

  A night to forget for the winger, whose performance was characterized by a lack of clinical edge. Missing a glaring opportunity with the goal at his mercy in the first half proved costly, and he struggled to find any meaningful rhythm before being hooked.

  ​Benjamin Sesko: 5/10

  While his hold-up play and link-up touches showed flashes of quality, the striker was largely starved of clear-cut chances. After a prolific run of form, he found himself well-shackled by the Newcastle center-backs and was unable to test Ramsdale.

  ​Matheus Cunha: 5/10

  Cunha worked hard to find pockets of space but lacked the final product to hurt the hosts. He forced a save in the first half but faded as the match progressed, failing to provide the creative spark needed to break down ten men.

  ​Substitutes & Manager

  ​Manuel Ugarte: 6/10

  Brought on to add bite to the midfield, he threw himself into the physical fray. He added energy and nearly found a winner with a header that sailed just over the crossbar.

  ​Joshua Zirkzee: 6/10

  Replacing the ineffective Mbeumo, the forward looked sharp and eager to influence the result. He drew a fantastic late save from Ramsdale and offered a more dynamic threat in the final third.

  ​Michael Carrick: 5/10

  Carrick will rue a missed opportunity to consolidate United’s position. While his initial setup was reasonable, he was slow to introduce attacking reinforcements despite his side holding a man advantage for over 45 minutes of play.

• Liam Rosenior on what constitutes a successful season for Chelsea

  Liam Rosenior has challenged his Chelsea squad to secure Champions League qualification and pursuit silverware across all competitions as the season reaches its critical final stage.

  Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior has defined Champions League qualification as the benchmark for a successful debut campaign at Stamford Bridge.

  Ahead of a pivotal clash with Aston Villa, Rosenior emphasized the club’s elite status, stating, “A successful season for this club has to be to qualify for the Champions League.”

  With nine league matches remaining, the Blues remain firmly in the hunt for a top-five finish.

  Beyond the Premier League, Rosenior refused to prioritize competitions, targeting silverware in both the Champions League and FA Cup.

  Upcoming knockout ties against Paris Saint-Germain and Wrexham loom large in a decisive March schedule.

  “No matter what the competition… we want to win and we expect to win every game we play,” he insisted, demanding peak focus as the squad transitions to the season’s “white ball” period.