Erik ten Hag has ordered Manchester United s players to ignore the Cristiano Ronaldo saga and keep their focus on beating Chelsea.

The United manager had to call a meeting with Ronaldo on Thursday after the veteran striker showed an errant side to his nature in the previous night s game against Tottenham.

By refusing to play as a substitute, according to Ten Hag, and leaving the stadium early, Ronaldo secured himself a weekend off.

He has been temporarily ostracised from the first team by United s Dutch boss, who made it clear he will not stand for any disruptive behaviour from the superstar, or from any member of his squad.

So Ronaldo will stay at home as United head to Stamford Bridge on Saturday, disciplined and with plenty of atoning to do.

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Chelsea head coach Thomas Tuchel insisted his comments about a possible Romelu Lukaku-Erling Haaland partnership were a joke as he tried to play down speculation linking the European champions with the Borussia Dortmund star.

Tuchel this week said Chelsea had discussed a move for Haaland and did not rule out partnering the in-demand Norwegian forward with Lukaku at Stamford Bridge.

However, Tuchel backtracked on those comments as Chelsea prepare to host Norwich City in the Premier League on Saturday.

I fell into a trap, Tuchel told reporters, referencing his Bild interview. I got an award in Germany. I got an award from a newspaper and they asked me about a player.

Normally I never, never speak about other players because simply I never, ever do.

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Alex McLeish will remain in charge of Birmingham next season, but is expected to orchestrate an immediate return to the Premier League.

Birmingham were relegated on Sunday after two seasons in the English Premier League, despite winning the Carling Cup in February.

Scotsman McLeish oversaw the club s automatic promotion to the top flight in 2009 after taking the club to second place in the Championship.

And it appears the former Rangers and Scotland boss must repeat that achievement if he is to survive beyond the next campaign.

The board regrets yesterday s result and subsequent relegation and feels that supporters, who have continued to back us magnificently, have been let down, Acting Chairman Peter Pannu said in a statement.

The club can co…

Market: Mansfield win

Odds: 4/9 @

Simply looking to extend their buffer at the top of the League Two table, Mansfield will welcome Colchester to Field Mill on Saturday afternoon.

Starting with the hosts, continuing on what has been a stunning League Two romp this season, Mansfield have certainly gained plenty of admirers. Opening this weekend’s fixtures holding a five-point buffer at the top of the table, Nigel Clough’s men will be looking to make another statement of intent here. Rightfully tipped as the standout promotion contender in 2024, the former Burton boss finds the mood in his camp at a red-hot high. Last seen putting in a thumping display as they stormed their way to a 5-1 romp away at Bradford, fans around Mill Field will be demanding a repeat pe…

Jurgen Klinsmann said it is unrealistic for people to think the United States can win the FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

The USA have been handed a tough draw at the World Cup, pitted alongside powerhouse nations Germany, Portugal and Ghana in Group G.

In an interview with the New York Times published on June 4, coach Klinsmann said: We cannot win this World Cup, because we are not at that level yet.

His comments were met angrily by USA outcast Landon Donovan, who argued the country could lift the trophy if they could beat the likes of Germany.

But speaking ahead of the USA s opening game against Ghana in Natal on Monday, Klinsmann was still sticking to his belief that winning the World Cup was a bridge too far.

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The Senegal FA have hit Blackburn Rovers forward El Hadji Diouf with a five-year international ban.

The former national captain was suspended for discrediting Senegalese officials and ignoring a summons to appear at a disciplinary hearing.

The 30-year-old was unlikely to represent his country again – regardless of the ban – as he announced his retirement from international football in 2007 and again in 2009.

He is, however, allowed to appeal the decision.

A Senegal FA statement read: “The Disciplinary Committee, after deliberation, inflicted on professional footballer El Hadj Diouf Ousseynou a five-year suspension from all football activities with effect from the date of notification of this decision.”

Diouf had described Senegalese foot…

Edinson Cavani has taken the time to praise Paris Saint-Germain team-mate Marco Verratti and believes the Italy international has what it takes to succeed at any big European club.

Verratti has developed into a key figure at PSG since joining the club from Pescara in 2012, the midfielder quickly establishing himself as a first-team regular under Laurent Blanc.

The 23-year-old s form has seen him linked with Real Madrid and Barcelona in recent months, with Cavani confident his colleague would flourish at either Spanish giant.

Verratti is a phenomenon who could play for any big team in Europe, Cavani told Marca.

He is the best player I have ever played with, both for the way he plays on the pitch and for his behaviour off the pitch. He is a great guy, alw…

Carlos Tevez made his international return off the bench as Argentina came from a goal down to beat Croatia 2-1 at Upton Park.

Tevez was an outcast under former Argentina coach Alejandro Sabella but was handed the chance to revive his career with the national team by new boss Gerardo Martino on Wednesday.

The South Americans ultimately had Lionel Messi and a deflected Cristian Ansaldi effort to thank for their win in east London.

Anas Sharbini had given the relatively inexperienced Croatia side a surprise lead 11 minutes in with a neat finish into the right-hand corner, and Argentina had to wait until the early part of the second half to restore parity.

Ansaldi s long-range strike took a wicked deflection off Sergio Aguero s hand to leave Lovre Kalinic h…

Prediction: France win

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International football has taken over in the last few days, with the domestic game taking a back seat as a result. The main reason for that is because the road to UEFA Euro 2020 has begun. Many nations across the continent will harbour realistic goals of reaching the tournament itself, but as we all know, this game doesn t work based on who is expected to win and who isn t. That s why, despite what you may think, fans shouldn t write off France vs Iceland as a foregone conclusion just yet.

France

It s been one hell of a year for the French national team, as they were able to cruise towards World Cup glory in Russia last summer. They saw off the challenge of many top teams along the way, with the 4-2 triumph…

Kylian Mbappe has joined Paris Saint-Germain in a deal that is set to make him the second most expensive player in history.

A year ago, the teenager was battling for a regular place in Monaco s starting line-up but he will now join Brazil superstar Neymar in a forward line at Parc des Princes that is the envy of world football.

Here, we take a look at the rapid rise of a phenomenal talent who, at 18, has thrilled Europe, won a major title and earned international recognition in double-quick time.

Scrubbing Henry from the record books

Mbappe s rapid pace, smooth technique and clinical eye for goal have drawn numerous comparisons to Thierry Henry. The Arsenal and France great also cut his teeth at Monaco and stood as the Ligue 1 club s youngest …