LONDON, May 30 (Xinhua) — Manchester United’s coach, Erik ten Hag, says Harry Maguire faces a significant decision about his future with the club.

Though Maguire has a contract with Manchester United that runs until 2025 and continues to be a key part of the England squad, national team coach Gareth Southgate recently suggested that his international place could be at risk due to only playing 16 times in the Premier League.

Despite also featuring seven times in the Europa League, Maguire’s lack of sharpness led to errors in his team’s quarterfinal defeat to Sevilla, underlining the need for the towering defender to see more action.

However, with Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane ranking higher in the Old Trafford pecking order, Ten Hag concedes that it won’t be straightforward for the imposing defender.

“No one would be content with this situation,” the coach mentioned in an interview with The Times.

The former Ajax boss acknowledged that Maguire was also dissatisfied with not playing every week but maintained that “he consistently trains at peak levels, putting in 100% effort. He manages that situation well and his captaincy makes him important to the squad.”

“He’s up against stiff competition from Raphael Varane, who’s fantastic. Let’s say I’m pleased he’s here and when we needed him, he performed. But it’s also a decision he has to make,” the coach commented.

Ten Hag was also queried about the future of David de Gea after the goalkeeper made some errors this campaign. He assured that the 32-year-old would be at Manchester United for the 2023-24 season but refrained from making any further guarantees.

“I won’t say he will always be my number one, because in a club like United there should be competition for all positions,” he explained.

LONDON, May 14 (Xinhua) — Manchester City moved within just one win of the Premier League title after a dramatic Sunday’s action, which saw them win 3-0 away over Everton, while Arsenal lost 3-0 at home to Brighton.

The results leave Man City with 85 points with three games left to play, while Arsenal have 81 and have played a game more.

With a Champions League semifinal return leg against Real Madrid on Wednesday, City coach Pep Guardiola rested players such as Jack Grealish, Kevin De Bruyne, John Stones, and Bernardo Silva. His side struggled against a rival desperately needing points to avoid relegation.

Everton looked to be on top for the opening 20 minutes, but City eased themselves into the match and left them stunned with two goals in two minutes. Ilkay Gundogan netted a spectacular opener with his back to the goal in the 37th minute, and Erling Haaland powered in a header in the 39th.

Gundogan assured the win six minutes into the second half with a free kick into the top corner that left Everton keeper Jordan Pickford helpless.

The result piled the pressure on Arsenal, who were at home to a rival that was looking to bounce back from a shock 5-1 defeat to Everton last week.

Brighton took control of the game in the first half but only took the lead in the 51st minute due to Julio Ensico’s close-range header. Deniz Undav lifted the ball over Aaron Ramsdale with four minutes to play, and Pervis Estupinan sealed a stunning win in the sixth minute of injury time.

At the other end of the table, Southampton were the first team to have their relegation from the Premier League confirmed when they lost 2-0 at home to Fulham on Saturday afternoon.

Second-half goals from Carlos Vinicius and Aleksandar Mitrovic, who celebrated his return from suspension with a goal, condemned Southampton, who have lost seven of their last eight games.

Leeds United remain in the bottom three, but a 2-2 draw at home against Newcastle United will give them hope.

Luke Ayling put Leeds ahead from a tight angle, and it should have been 2-0, only for Nick Pope to save Patrick Bamford’s penalty.

Callum Wilson made no mistake at the other end two minutes later, and he netted a second penalty in the 69th minute. Rasmus Kristensen saved a point following a 79th-minute as Leeds ended with 10 men after Junior Firpo’s late red card.

That result means that a draw at home against Leeds next weekend will probably be enough to keep West Ham in the top flight (if Leicester City lose to Liverpool on Monday) despite their 2-0 defeat to Brentford.

Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa scored in the first half as Brentford dominated against a rival clearly focused on their Conference League semifinal against AZ Alkmaar.

Nottingham Forest took a valuable point away against Chelsea with two goals from Taiwo Awoniyi, who scored either side of Raheem Sterling’s brace for the lackluster home side.

Bournemouth will be safe if Leicester City fail to win their last three games of the season, even though they lost 2-0 away against Crystal Palace, who took the points thanks to goals from Eberechi Eze.

Manchester United had a relatively easy 2-0 win over Wolverhampton, who had little to play for. Anthony Martial’s 32nd-minute goal and a late strike from fit-again Alejandro Garnacho moved United four points clear of Liverpool, who visit Leicester on Monday.

Aston Villa beat Tottenham 2-1 with goals to claim their sixth consecutive home win under coach Unai Emery.

Source(s): Xinhua

MADRID, May 9 (Xinhua) — Real Madrid and Manchester City drew the first leg of their Champions League semifinal 1-1 in the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium after a thrilling 90-minute game.

Vinicius Jr put Real Madrid ahead in the first half, but Kevin de Bruyne leveled for the Premier League leaders midway through the second half.

Manchester City made six changes from the side that beat Leeds United at the weekend, while Real Madrid’s only changes from the team that won the final of the Copa del Rey were to bring in Luka Modric for Aurelian Tchouameni and Antonio Rudiger for the suspended Eder Militao.

Man City kicked off by dominating the ball, pressing high and winning possession high up the field, and Thibaut Courtois was called into action to save from De Bruyne in the eighth minute.

Five minutes later, he got down to push Rodri’s low effort out for a corner and then made two relatively comfortable saves from Haaland as City controlled midfield and denied Madrid any relevant possession.

Rodri’s overconfidence then gifted Madrid their first chance of the match as he allowed Vinicius to rob possession, and only a great clearance from Ruben Dias denied Karim Benzema a certain goal.

That gave Madrid hope, and from nowhere, Vinicius put them ahead from 25 yards after taking a pass from Eduardo Camavinga with his side’s first shot of the game.

Things got a bit feisty in the closing minutes of the half after Jack Grealish reacted to several bad challenges from Dani Carvajal, which went unpunished, while Toni Kroos was perhaps lucky to only see yellow for a late and high challenge on Ilkay Gundogan.

Real Madrid were on top at the start of the second half, with Rodrygo and Camavinga playing exceptionally well, but De Bruyne leveled for the visitors when Madrid were in their best moment.

Bernardo Silva slipped the ball to the Belgian, who drove in a rising effort from around 25 meters.

Source(s): Xinhua