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Tim Weah admits that “patience is the key” for him at Juventus, with the USMNT star having to adapt his game to play a new position.

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American embracing a new challengeForged his reputation as a wingerNow taking on more defensive dutiesWHAT HAPPENED?

The United States international moved to Turin in the summer of 2023 with his reputation having been forged as a tricky winger. He is still operating as a forward for his country, but is often being asked to fill a more defensive role at club level.

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That was the case once again when lining up against fellow countryman Christian Pulisic and Yunus Musah in Juve’s crunch Serie A clash with AC Milan, as the versatile 23-year-old slotted in at right wing-back for Massimiliano Allegri.

WHAT THEY SAID

Weah claims to be embracing a new challenge in Italy, telling reporters after helping the Biaconeri to a 1-0 win over 10-man Milan – who saw Malik Thiaw sent off five minutes before half-time: “It was a really important match for us. We know how good Milan are, the match wasn't easy. We did everything right. After the red card we had to turn the game around, we scored a goal. And I'm proud of [Manuel] Locatelli, he changed the game. Patience is the key. They told me to be patient and always be ready. Playing at wing-back? I like it. I have to help the team, so I expand my knowledge of everything. For the USA I play on the wing, but I like to learn new things.”

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Weah is now up to nine appearances for Juventus, with the American seemingly no longer in direct competition with international colleague Weston McKennie when it comes to game time – with the former Leeds United loanee being moved back inside to a more natural central midfield berth.

Wrexham reportedly form part of the transfer race for non-league star Olukayode Osu, but he is also being monitored by Sheffield United.

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Youngster starring for Bracknell TownCan play in defence or midfieldInterest from across the Football LeagueWHAT HAPPENED?

The 21-year-old defender is currently turning out in the Southern Premier League Division South for Bracknell Town. He has been catching the eye in the semi-professional ranks, to the point that interest is building across the Football League.

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Osu, who is also capable of playing in midfield, is said to be attracting admiring glances from the top four tiers of English football. According to , Premier League outfit Sheffield United are leading the chase for his signature.

DID YOU KNOW?

They have had scouts cast an eye over Osu’s potential, with positive reports sent back to Bramall Lane. It would, however, be a big jump for him to head for the top flight and a stepping stone transfer may be the best option for all concerned.

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With that in mind, West Brom, Huddersfield and Barnsley are among the others monitoring Osu’s situation. He may also be given the chance to join the ambitious project being pieced together by Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney at Wrexham, with the Welsh outfit being credited with interest as they begin to identify targets for the January window.

The Real Madrid winger exited Brazil's World Cup qualifier against Colombia after 26 minutes.

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Limped off pitch with an apparent leg injuryInjured the same lower-body part in AugustProvided assist on Brazil's opening goalWHAT HAPPENED?

Vinicius went down halfway through the first half, and appeared to be gesturing towards the upper part of his left leg. He was removed from the contest immediately, and replaced by Joao Pedro.

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The injury is the second knock Vinicius has sustained this campaign. He injured the same leg against Celta Vigo in August, and was out of action for a month as a result.

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This season's leg issue is the first major knock the winger has picked up since being promoted to Madrid's first team in the 2019-20 season. He appeared in at least 35 games in all competitions in each of his first four campaigns with the senior side.

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Joilson Marconne/CBFWHAT NEXT FOR VINICIUS?

There is no update on the severity of Vinicius' injury, but Brazil boss Fernando Diniz will likely offer more insight in the days to come.

Erik ten Hag believes that Kobbie Mainoo can learn from Casemiro and highlighted the benefits of the two playing together at Manchester United.

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Mainoo a rising star at UnitedCasemiro a seasoned veteranTen Hag expects two to work togetherWHAT HAPPENED?

Mainoo is rapidly developing into a star at United, making 16 appearances for the club and scoring twice. Casemiro, by comparison, has been limited to just 10 appearances in the Premier League due to injury. Now that the pair are both fit, ten Hag expects Mainoo to learn and develop while playing alongside the 31-year-old.

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Ten Hag told reporters: "You can see it. We missed, for over a long period, very important players like Casemiro, like Lisandro Martinez, like Luke Shaw, also others. We discuss that often, but you see the impact of a player when he’s there. Like Casemiro, he gives you calmness and composure on the ball, he gives you options, he sees the vertical pass.

"He is always a step ahead of his opponent and breaks lines. We talk just about the offensive, how they have to serve, but then Casemiro is a very important player for our game so we’re happy he’s back.

"For Kobbie Mainoo, he can learn a lot from it and that togetherness, that bond… also Kobbie is very coachable and Casemiro has so much experience. Kobbie will learn a lot from it and that can even accelerate his development. So yeah, I’m happy to have him back and when they can play together I think they can take benefits from each other."

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United play Aston Villa on Sunday and will desperately need a win if they are serious about Champions League qualification. Ten Hag's side are currently sixth with 38 points, while Villa are fifth with 46. Were United to lose, they would fall 11 points behind fourth place, as Unai Emery's men would leapfrog Tottenham.

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WHAT NEXT?

Mainoo and Casemiro may well play together against Villa as United go in search of a third successive win in the league. They beat West Ham 3-0 last time out.

Manchester United's defensive struggles in the league this season have been evidenced by a shocking metric beaten only by Sheffield United and Luton.

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Man Utd have allowed 212 shots on goalOnly Sheffiled and Luton have worse recordTotal number equal to Arsenal and City combinedWHAT HAPPENED?

Opponents have taken 212 shots at the United goal this season in 14 games – only promoted sides Luton (240) and Sheffield United (264) have a worse record. Remarkably, this is the same total as Manchester City (97 in 13 games) and Arsenal (115 in 14 games) have conceded combined.

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United's defensive woes have plagued Erik ten Hag's tenure as manager. Drubbings by Liverpool and Manchester City have exposed holes throughout the side that have yet to be patched. United are conceding too many shots, and by extension too many goals.

Since the start of last season, United have a goal difference of just 15, having conceded 59 and scored 74 in 51 matches. This appears worrying reading when compared with their rivals; Manchester City, Arsenal, Newcastle and Liverpool's goal differences stand at 81, 63, 52 and 45 respectively.

DID YOU KNOW?

Following United's 3-3 draw with Galatasaray in midweek, United's shambolic defensive record was highlighted once again. After twenty games in all competitions this season, United have conceded 33 goals – the Red Devil's worst defensive record since conceding 43 in the 1962-63 season, according to Opta.

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GettyWHAT NEXT FOR UNITED?

Ten Hag's side need to stop allowing so many shots on goal, or they will continue to leak goals – regardless of who is inbetween the stick. The Dutchman will be scrambling for a solution and will need to find one soon, or the changing United hierarchy may look to a different coach. They will certainly need to improve in their next game against Chelsea on Wednesday.

Mary Earps revealed that she is "weirdly obsessed" with the London Tube map after an overground line was renamed after the Lionesses.

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Train line renamed after the LionessesEuston to Watford Junction will be known as the Lioness lineEarps shares excitement on social media Getty ImagesWHAT HAPPENED?

London's iconic Tube map has undergone a significant transformation, with the introduction of six distinctively named Overground branches. In what is a landmark tribute to the achievements of England's women's football team, the route connecting Euston and Watford Junction will now bear the title of the "Lioness Line," symbolizing the team's remarkable successes and contributions to the sport.

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Earps showed her excitement in an Instagram story with a caption that read: "This is so cool! I'm weirdly obsessed with the Tube map 🤣 This makes me so happy 😍😍".

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The Lioness Line, depicted by yellow parallel lines on the Tube map, holds profound significance as it passes through Wembley Stadium, the historic venue where the Lionesses secured their Euro 2022 victory against Germany, thanks to Chloe Kelly's unforgettable injury-time goal.

Joining the Lioness Line are five other distinct routes, each representing a unique aspect of London's rich history and culture. From the blue hues of Mildmay to the red tones of Windrush, and the maroon shades of Weaver, the rebranded lines pay homage to the diverse tapestry of the city's heritage, reflecting the neighbourhoods and landmarks they traverse.

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While the primary focus of the overhaul is on enhancing navigational clarity, the symbolic significance of naming a line after the Lionesses extends beyond mere aesthetics. It serves as a lasting tribute to the team's achievements, immortalizing their legacy within the fabric of London's transport infrastructure. The ambitious transformation project comes with an estimated cost of £6.3 million. The revamped Tube map is likely to be unveiled later in 2024.

Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney has tipped Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham to win the Ballon d'Or in the future.

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Rooney praises Bellingham's start to seasonTips player to fight for Ballon d'OrHopes his form continues in Euro 2024X/Instagram/TuttosportWHAT HAPPENED?

Bellingham has had a scintillating start to his career at Real Madrid with the midfielder topping the scoring charts in La Liga. The Englishman has touted the former Manchester United man as the biggest influence on his career, and Rooney was quick to return the compliment by tipping the 20-year-old as one of favourites for the next Ballon d'Or.

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Speaking to Sky Sports, Rooney said: "If he keeps doing what he’s doing then why not? Again we've gone through that cycle of Messi and Ronaldo where they’ve dominated that. I'm sure there will be five or six players fighting to try and win the next one. I'm sure if he keeps doing what he's doing he'll be right up there.

"It's great to see a young English lad take the opportunity to go and play abroad, be brave, he did really well in Germany and is now at one of the biggest club in the world and really shining. I'm really pleased for him and hopefully he can take that into the Euros and help us be successful."

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Bellingham followed in Rooney's footsteps recently when he won the Golden Boy Award, an honour that the Birmingham City coach won in 2004. Recent recipients of the award also include Erling Haaland, Pedri and Kylian Mbappe, three youngsters who are very likely to share the podium with Bellingham for years to come in the future.

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The English midfielder will next be in action when Real Madrid take on Real Betis on Saturday, December 9 as they look to build a gap on Girona and Barcelona who go head-to-head on December 10.

Barcelona youngster Lamine Yamal has signed a long-term deal with adidas, and will wear the same pair of boots sported by Lionel Messi.

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Pens long-term deal with adidas, spurning NikeFollowing in footsteps of MessiTeenager has become a regular for Xavi this seasonWHAT HAPPENED?

Yamal has established himself as one of the brightest young talents in football this year. And he has been appropriately rewarded, the academy graduate penning a long-term deal with adidas, the sportswear company announced on Monday.

AdvertisementWHAT LAMINE YAMAL SAID

Yamal revealed that Messi was a massive influence on his decision in a statement: "I am proud to join adidas as they have always been the brand of the best. Growing up, I idolized Leo Messi who has been with adidas since I first started watching football. I look forward to the many years ahead with adidas.”

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Yamal seems to be mimicking the career of Messi, who also rejected Nike to join adidas in 2006. The Argentine forward was older at the time, though – penning the deal at 19. The two will wear the same boots for the remainder of the season.

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The winger will hope to play a key role for Barcelona in the coming weeks. Xavi's side play Athletic Club on March 3 in a La Liga clash, and will have one eye on their Champions League round of 16 second leg tie with Napoli on March 12.

Wrexham co-owner Rob McElhenney joked that Paul Mullin is clearly "back to fitness" after a stunning first-half hat-trick against Accrington Stanley.

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Mullin back among goals Bagged his second hat trick of the season McElhenney lavished praise on the striker GettyWHAT HAPPENED?

In a dominant display against John Coleman's side, the Red Dragons surged to a commanding four-goal lead in the first half. Mullin ignited the scoring spree after just 17 minutes, heading home Ryan Barnett's precise cross. Not content with one goal, Mullin swiftly added a second, expertly slotting the ball into the corner of the net and then scored another in just 35 minutes to effectively seal the victory for the Red Dragons.

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Mullin would be relieved to get back his scoring boots as the striker was going through a rough patch. He went seven games without finding the net and had to make peace with filling a support role for Phil Parkinson. But after rescuing a point against relegation battlers Forest Green on Tuesday night with a 93rd-minute equaliser, he was back among goals against a bitter rival which impressed McElhenney.

WHAT MCELHENNEY SAID

The Hollywood star took to after the game, and wrote: "Guess Paul is back to fitness 🤷‍♂️"

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Mullin's hat-trick took his goals tally to 16 across competitions this campaign. Manager Phil Parkinson will undoubtedly be pleased with Mullin's performance as it propelled the team to their first win in four games, reigniting promotion aspirations. Currently positioned third in League Two, the Red Dragons trail league leaders Mansfield Town by just three points, although Nigel Clough's side holds a game in hand. Wrexham's upcoming challenge sees them face Morecambe next Saturday.

Celtic have their final Premiership game of the season this afternoon as the newly-crowned league champions welcome Motherwell to Parkhead.

Wednesday’s 1-1 draw against Dundee United was enough to confirm Ange Postecoglou’s side as the top dogs in Scotland and reclaim the league title.

Looking ahead to today’s showdown against Motherwell, it gives the home supporters one more chance to see their heroes in action before the season ends and celebrate the Premiership triumph.

On the chalkboard

Before the full celebrations can begin, the Hoops and Postecoglou will want to finish the season with another victory.

In terms of the starting XI, one man who didn’t start in midweek but should be in the team on this occasion is Jota.

After replacing James Forrest just after the hour mark at Tannadice, the Portuguese wizard – who was praised by Postecoglou for his “unbelievable” performances earlier in the season – had 25 touches of the ball.

With those touches, the winger completed 10 passes, had two shots at goal and won four of his five duels. This shows just how much of an attacking nuisance he can be for the Bhoys.

Since arriving at the Parkhead club on loan from Benfica, the 23-year-old has scored 12 goals and provided 14 assists in 39 games across all competitions.

To further highlight how deadly he has been for the Hoops, David Turnbull is the only player currently in the Celtic squad with a higher average for shots and crosses per game in the league this season than the Portuguese winger.

In terms of who the forward could replace, the fact that Liel Abada went off with an injury in midweek could pave the way for the 23-year-old to come back in if the Israel winger isn’t fit enough to play.

Also, in addition to being able to terrify Motherwell with his attacking prowess, another reason for Postecoglou to start Jota this afternoon is to give him what could potentially be his final game for the Hoops before he returns to his parent club in Lisbon.

However, this chance to end the season playing in front of the celebrating home fans could also sway the loan star into wanting to stay at the club and sign for Celtic on a permanent basis should Benfica allow it, which would be something extra for the fans to savour at Parkhead.

In other news: Postecoglou must axe wasteful £14.5k-p/w Celtic ace, he’s holding the team back