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Marc Skinner insists Manchester United’s “rebels” are closing the gap on Chelsea going into the Women’s FA Cup final on Sunday. Wembley is expecting a 90,000 sell-out crowd – a record for a women’s domestic club match – for the showdown between the top two teams in the Women’s Super League. United hold a one-point lead over Chelsea but Emma Hayes’ side have a game in hand and, with three WSL matches to play, are favourites to win a fourth consecutive title. Chelsea also have a firm hold on United with six successive victories against the Red Devils, including a potentially decisive 1-0 home win in March – the only time Skinner’s side have failed to score in 28 games this season. Skinner said: “We are getting closer. We remember the Chelsea game last time and I’m absolutely convinced – and we have got VAR this time – we should have had two penalties and you might be talking about the title race differently. “There’s no doubt in my mind that if you want to pick a favourite then Chelsea should be put on that mantle because they’ve done this before. “But the reality is we have a team of rebels and that might not be the fact on Sunday. “Single game, single focus, and we will try to accept all the psychological challenges and manage and adapt the best we can. We are there to try and win it.” Chelsea have been in fine form since bowing out of the Champions League at the semi-final stage to Barcelona. They have beaten Liverpool, Everton and Leicester to narrow the gap on United and scored 15 goals in the process. “I’m sure the coaches of Leicester and Everton will be disappointed with the mistakes in those games that made it a little bit easier for Chelsea to score those (13) goals,” said Skinner, who has labelled Blues top scorer Sam Kerr a “machine”. “But they did score them and they are deadly. We’ve got to make sure we keep that to a minimum. “Chelsea create chances in every game they play, so we’ve got to hurt them at the other end. “If we do that, and play to that mentality, then it’s going to be a really exciting game. “We know we can beat Chelsea and that’s not saying we’re going to beat Chelsea because we know how difficult that is. We’ve got to trust our process of play.” The United team were only formed in May 2018 and this is their first final. But England Euro 2022 heroes Alessia Russo, Ella Toone and Mary Earps, as well as Norwegian midfielder Vilde Boe Risa, have won every single final they have played in. Toone also scored against Brazil in the 2023 Women’s Finalissima last month, which England won on penalties with Earps proving a shoot-out heroine. Asked if United had practised penalties ahead of Sunday, Skinner said: “Absolutely. It would be remiss not to do that. We’ve been doing it over the last few weeks. “Mary’s experience will be massive, but we can’t win this on individuals’ experience. We have to do it as a collective, because we’re going to have to suffer.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Eurovision has disrupted Man City’s schedule, Pep Guardiola says Everton have their edge back at the right time in relegation battle – Sean Dyche Anything can happen in football – Pep Guardiola wary of threat posed by Everton

Michael Carrick received the ultimate endorsement for his managerial abilities this week when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer insisted the former midfielder will take charge of Manchester United in future. Carrick has been in charge of Middlesbrough since October, and has led the club up the table and into a coveted play off spot, with just three matches standing in their way of reaching the Premier League. The former Manchester United midfielder has taken charge previously at Old Trafford, albeit briefly, when he succeeded Solskjaer on a temporary basis, for just three matches. He oversaw victories over Arsenal and Villarreal before stepping down following the appointment of Ralf Rangnick in December 2021. Solskjaer heaped high praise on Carrick, noting his calm demeanour, reflective nature and meticulous over details as crucial for his successes as manager and believe he will take the reigns at Old Trafford one day, if the 41 year old desires. Carrick took charge of Middlesbrough in October 2022 and has guided the club to fourth place in the Championship and a position in the play-offs, arguably exceeding similar exploits of those he once called England teammates in Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard. His exploits with the Championship club have largely gone under the radar, for someone who spent 12 years at Manchester United and made 34 England appearances. Chris Wilder was unceremoniously sacked on 3 October after the club suffered five defeats in the first 11 games of the Championship campaign, with the prospects of promotion far from anyone’s hopes. Few then could have predicted Middlesbrough’s almost meteoric rise up the table, from just one point above the relegation zone to within touching distance of the riches of the Premier League. It was Carrick’s first permanent managerial position, but he had learned his trade as part of Jose Mourinho and Solskjaer’s coaching staff and has impressed in the north east. His time on the Tees saw Boro secure 15 wins from his first 20 matches, but they have trailed off slightly recently, with just two wins from their last seven games, ahead of a play-off meeting with Coventry, who have spent just 17 days in the promotion places this campaign. Should Carrick lead Boro into the Premier League he will have exceeded all expectations when he took over the role. While Carrick never received the same focus as the Liverpool and Chelsea midfielders as a player, he has also gone under the radar when it comes to management, while Lampard and Gerrard’s managerial campaigns have received significantly more media attention. Gerrard had some success at Rangers, and led the club to their first top-flight title in over 10 years, before leaving in November 2021 to take charge of Aston Villa, where he lasted less than a year. Since his sacking and the appointment of Unai Emery, Villa are now on the cusp of Europe. Lampard is currently employed on his second spell at Chelsea following a disastrous time at Everton and before that, Chelsea. He took charge of his former club from July 2019 to January 2021 but was sacked, and recently returned only in a temporary position to see the club through to the end of the campaign. However, neither Gerrard, Lampard nor Carrick have yet managed successfully in the top flight, although the former United midfielder will be looking to change that, with the first leg of the play-offs at Coventry on 14 May. Read More When are the play-offs? Coventry City aiming to come full circle after journey to hell and back A tiny ground and a squad costing less than a Man City sub. How are Luton within reach of the Premier League? From Netflix embarrassment to the Premier League? Sunderland seek to leave chaos behind A closer look at this season’s play-off contenders as promotion battle resumes Everton have their edge back at the right time in relegation battle – Sean Dyche Jurgen Klopp happy Liverpool ‘could show up a little bit’ before end of season

Everton manager Sean Dyche believes his side have got their “edge” back at just the right time. A surprise 5-1 win at Brighton on Monday has raised hopes of escaping relegation and he knows that ability to find something extra will be crucial as they host Premier League leaders and treble-chasers Manchester City. Dyche took over a side at the end of January that had lost eight of nine matches but after the initial bounce a new manager occasionally brings, beating Arsenal and Leeds in his first three games, results tailed off again. The team had registered just one win in 11 before victory over the Seagulls but Dyche thinks that result – after encouraging signs in their previous outing in a 2-2 draw at Leicester – shows that much sought-after X-factor is returning. “I looked at some of the performances, the body language, intent and meaning behind the performance and in some way, I thought some things were lacking,” he said. “We’ve adjusted that side of it, the purposefulness of the side, some of the quality moments, some of the defensive side but the actual feel of the performance and mentality of the performance has grown. “Watching the intent, body language and desire of a team, it’s hard to explain, but I know it when I see it, I’ve been in the game all my life. “You get stats – our team and their team – and it can look like there’s nothing in it, but there’s a big difference in body language intent and desire from those stats. “Compared to some of the performances since I got here, that kind of edge has improved.” Everton’s win over Brighton was a huge morale boost but facing City, even at Goodison Park, is a daunting task for a side who probably require at least one more win from their remaining three games to extend their top-flight status into a 70th successive season. And while time is running out to save themselves, as they did on the penultimate game of last season, Dyche is keen to change the view on the significance which has been placed on coming good when it is needed at the end of a campaign. “The thing I’m trying to get to here is that every single game should matter. Every single game should be the most important one. We are trying to build that momentum,” he added. “I’ve never believed in ‘the business end of the season’. The first game should be the business end of the season because that might be the one that wins you a title, gets you promoted or keeps you in a division. “If you take big games along the way then fantastic – it’s great for you, great for the team, great for the prowess of the club and the badge, great for everything. “But that should be the mentality on day one, not just because you’re playing Man City and it’s near the end of a season. “We are trying to adjust that, it is a longer-term thing, but that is my belief. Of course it is a fantastic occasion to take on one of the biggest teams in terms of winning trophies, but that doesn’t make it easier.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Anything can happen in football – Pep Guardiola wary of threat posed by Everton Moises Caicedo has no point to prove against admirers Arsenal – Roberto De Zerbi Jurgen Klopp happy Liverpool ‘could show up a little bit’ before end of season

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is delighted his players have finally been able to show some of their best form before the end of the season. An inconsistent campaign has left the Reds with only an outside chance of qualifying for the Champions League and only a run of six successive victories – their best sequence in over a year – has put them in that position. “We play a really bad season, I think everyone in this room agrees, and now we have 62 points. It is strange,” said Klopp ahead of Monday’s trip to Leicester. “There is still quality in the boys. I am really happy we could show up a little bit. Where it will end up it’s really not about that. “I know everyone wants to go to Champions League, I understand that 100 per cent as that’s what I want, it is just not really likely, that is the situation we created. “But to show up and show again we are able to do special things I am really happy about. “Winning six games in a row is special and if it was easy we would have done it much more often, other teams would have done it much more often. “Adding the seventh is even more difficult but eight and nine really difficult because it is football and other teams prepare well for the games and they have their own targets but this part of the season gave us a clear sign we are still there. Leeds 1-6 Liverpool Liverpool 3-2 Nottingham Forest West Ham 1-2 Liverpool Liverpool 4-3 Tottenham Liverpool 1-0 Fulham Liverpool 1-0 Brentford “Not everything is bad about us and around us. We had a bad season but let’s see what we can make of it.” Part of Liverpool’s problem has been their woeful away record, which is only the ninth-best heading into the weekend. It has been boosted by recent wins at Leeds and West Ham which has given Klopp’s side the opportunity to win a third in a row away from home for the first time this season at Leicester. “Our away record is still not brilliant. This season I think we are third or fourth (they are second before this weekend) in the home table and ‘somewhere’ in the away table so it is still not great,” added Klopp. “But we had that discussion years ago, early when I came here, that at home we created something like a fortress but away we were not a top-six or top-four team at that time and we realised it is not that difficult, the difference is not as big as we might think. “But there is a difference and we have to make sure we are ready for that. We just were not consistent enough, we needed too much help from the outside in moments this season and didn’t use it then always. That’s why we are in the position we are in.” While the lack of Champions League football will be financially damaging next season Klopp is confident it will not impact his transfer plans. “It is not about that. When I talk to a player – if I am allowed, which is rarely the case – but you realise in his eye that he has already clarified (the situation),” he said. “We can’t tell anyone in the moment that we will definitely be in the Champions League next year so if we are talking to him then he already knows. Winning six games in a row is special and if it was easy we would have done it much more often, other teams would have done it much more often Jurgen Klopp “It is obvious that we have to fight for being part of the Champions League and trophies and if you want to be part of that you are more than welcome. “There is only one thing we can’t guarantee this year and that is Champions League football but all the rest is still the same, it is a fantastic football club. “It is still Liverpool, we are really attractive for a lot of players and we should not forget that and that’s why I’m not concerned about that factor. “Everything is more difficult without the Champions League, that is how it is especially in the long term, so we should not do these kind of things more often but apart from that it is absolutely OK the situation we are in.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Anything can happen in football – Pep Guardiola wary of threat posed by Everton Moises Caicedo has no point to prove against admirers Arsenal – Roberto De Zerbi On this day in 2006: Liverpool win thrilling FA Cup final against West Ham

Roberto De Zerbi expects Brighton to lose key players in the summer but does not feel Moises Caicedo has added incentive to impress during Sunday’s Premier League clash with Arsenal. Influential midfielder Caicedo expressed his desire to leave Albion amid January bids from the title-chasing Gunners but subsequently signed a new contract at the Amex Stadium after the offers were rejected. The 21-year-old Ecuador international and Argentina’s World Cup winner Alexis Mac Allister, 24, continue to be heavily linked with rival clubs ahead of the transfer window opening next month. Seagulls head coach De Zerbi has already begun planning for next season, having last week clinched the signing of Brazilian forward Joao Pedro from Watford for a reported fee of almost £30million. The Italian is braced for some big-name departures in the coming months but wants his squad fully focused on a tricky weekend trip to Emirates Stadium and the ongoing push for Europe. “I don’t know what will happen next season but I think if you want to improve your team, you have to decide (make plans) before the next season,” he said. “I think we will lose some important players and we have to be ready to restart stronger than this season.” Asked if Caicedo has extra motivation to perform in north London, De Zerbi replied “No, I think no. “He’s playing for Brighton now and only Brighton. I have no doubts but I want only players focused in our team and our club. “He’s playing very well. He always is one of the best players on the pitch.” Pedro’s imminent arrival in a club-record deal was confirmed before Brighton’s Europa League quest was damaged by a 5-1 thrashing at the hands of relegation-threatened Everton. De Zerbi believes the transfer is a statement of intent as Albion bid to build on the best league campaign in the club’s 122-year history. “Joao Pedro is a very important signal,” he said. “I spoke with him last month and I am really pleased to work next year with him. I think Joao Pedro can be a top player for us. “He’s a young player and he’s a right player for us. It’s a good deal for Brighton.” Brighton have injury concerns ahead of the trip to the capital, with Solly March and Adam Webster joining Tariq Lamptey, Adam Lallana, Jakub Moder and Jeremy Sarmiento on the sidelines, while Joel Veltman is a doubt. Webster’s absence should result in a recall for on-loan Chelsea defender Levi Colwill. Although England Under-21 international Colwill is expected to remain at Stamford Bridge next term, De Zerbi hopes to keep hold of him. “I would like to work with him another two, three, four years because it’s difficult to find another left centre-back with his quality,” he said. “He’s a good guy. This year his improvement has been fantastic and I hope he can stay with us.” Seventh-placed Brighton will bid to dent Arsenal’s title pursuit by bouncing back from Monday’s embarrassing heavy loss to the lowly Toffees. While De Zerbi is a big admirer of Mikel Arteta’s men, he is optimistic about registering a second away win of the season against the Gunners following November’s 3-1 Carabao Cup success. “Arsenal are one of the best teams in the Premier League,” he said. “They play in a clear way. I like them in terms of style of play, I love this style. “But we are playing well and we have the quality to reach the result. “We are fighting for the Europa League. If you are fighting for a dream, every game is tough.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Anything can happen in football – Pep Guardiola wary of threat posed by Everton Jurgen Klopp happy Liverpool ‘could show up a little bit’ before end of season On this day in 2006: Liverpool win thrilling FA Cup final against West Ham

Pep Guardiola is wary of an Everton side he feels should not be in a relegation battle. Guardiola takes treble-chasing Manchester City to Goodison Park on Sunday for a match crucial at both ends of the Premier League table. Leaders City need points to retain their advantage over title rivals Arsenal while the Toffees are battling for survival. Everton have endured a miserable campaign but they dramatically boosted their hopes of beating the drop by claiming a stunning 5-1 win at European hopefuls Brighton on Monday. “They have the history and the quality of team to not be in this position,” said City manager Guardiola. “Brighton is one of the toughest places to go and the result had a real impact, I am sure, not just in the table but in their mood. “Brighton have had incredible results against Wolves and Man United but immediately they were surprised by two early goals. “The defensive structure, the physicality Everton have, is really good and anything can happen in a football game.” The importance of the fixture means City cannot afford to ease up ahead of the second leg of their Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid next Wednesday. The champions played out a 1-1 draw with the Spanish giants at the Bernabeu Stadium on Tuesday. The challenge facing them at Goodison will be completely different and Guardiola recognises it requires a change of mindset. “The way they play is special, we have to adapt as quickly as possible,” he said. “There are four games left in the Premier League and it is really important for us to be there, to keep our destiny – or what you play for – in our hands and we have to prepare as best as possible. “When we play for all competitions, you have to switch and adapt.” The human being can have incredible energy that you don't believe you have. Pep Guardiola Guardiola admits his side’s current schedule is draining but, with the team still firing on three fronts, he expects their determination and winning mentality to carry them through. He said: “Winning helps to be better. It you win the previous game your mental recovery is better. “The human being has incredible resources to move forward, keep going. If you desire mentally, the human being can have incredible energy that you don’t believe you have.” City will check on the fitness of defender Nathan Ake, who missed the game in Spain through injury. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Moises Caicedo has no point to prove against admirers Arsenal – Roberto De Zerbi Jurgen Klopp happy Liverpool ‘could show up a little bit’ before end of season On this day in 2006: Liverpool win thrilling FA Cup final against West Ham

Pepe Reina saved three penalties and his own reputation as Liverpool won a thrilling FA Cup final against West Ham on this day in 2006. Reina almost threw the cup away in normal time at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium with mistakes which gifted the Hammers two goals. But he was the hero of the shoot-out, saving from Bobby Zamora, Paul Konchesky and Anton Ferdinand to break the gallant Hammers’ hearts. Liverpool’s seventh FA Cup win mirrored the result which saw them crowned champions of Europe in Istanbul 12 months earlier, and – just like against AC Milan – Reina only had his shot at glory thanks to another superhuman effort from Steven Gerrard. Liverpool skipper Gerrard equalised twice – the second a 30-yard thunderbolt in injury-time – and then scored his penalty despite suffering cramp in the closing minutes of the game. The 125th FA Cup final was the best in years, and certainly the most exciting since Manchester United’s 3-3 draw with Crystal Palace in 1990. For a long time, the magic of the cup looked like giving West Ham another FA Cup triumph in the year former managers Ron Greenwood and John Lyall died. They were two goals ahead inside half an hour and were leading as the stadium announcer called for four minutes to be added on at the end of normal time. Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez praised Liverpool heroes Gerrard and Reina, but insisted his FA Cup triumph was a team effort. “You must give the credit to all my players. A lot of them had cramps after 62 games this season, but they kept going to the end,” he said. Maybe we like to do it the difficult way, but it's not good for the heart Rafael Benitez “We know about the quality of Steve. He will get lots of credit, but I prefer to talk about my team and our supporters, who were like an extra player. “Maybe we like to do it the difficult way, but it’s not good for the heart. It would be better if we could start by winning and then stay calm. “It was a fantastic final with two teams fighting really hard. The character of the team can be a key factor for the future because we can be sure we can win these kinds of games.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Players really want to come – Erik ten Hag optimistic for transfer window Dean Smith cancels Leicester day off to sort ‘lingering’ issues at troubled club Julen Lopetegui only wants committed players at Wolves

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Ryan Mason again reiterated he was ready to become Tottenham head coach on a dramatic day in the search for Antonio Conte’s successor after Julian Nagelsmann was ruled out of the running. Nagelsmann has been heavily linked with the post since his shock departure from Bayern Munich at the end of March. The 35-year-old was in the mix for the Spurs job in 2021 before Bayern swooped in at the time. When Conte left Tottenham soon after Nagelsmann’s dramatic exit from the Bundesliga champions, it was anticipated the German coach would again be in the running for the vacancy at the Premier League club. Speculation has rumbled on since but, while Tottenham have great respect for Nagelsmann, they will not be meeting or interviewing him for the role and he is not a contender, the PA news agency understands. Mason remains the current man in post on an acting head coach basis and earlier on Friday listed Eddie Howe as an inspiration after he took the Bournemouth job at the same age of 31. “I’ve always said I’m ready,” Mason insisted ahead of Saturday’s trip to Aston Villa. “I’m ready for this moment. I feel like I can help the club. That’s my general feeling and I’ll stay true to that. That’s been my feeling ever since the club trusted me to take on this responsibility. “Obviously, you mentioned Eddie Howe and he is an incredible manager. He’s an inspiration. “I think one, probably not spoken about a great deal as well, is Gary O’Neil. The job that he’s done (at Bournemouth) has gone under the radar a little bit but a young English manager and his first job.” Last weekend’s 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace earned Mason a first win during his second stint as Tottenham’s interim boss. During his first spell in 2021, where he won four of his six Premier League games, the former Spurs midfielder was accused by a section of supporters’ of favouritism towards his old team-mates. However, having dropped virtual ever-present Eric Dier last Saturday, Mason shut down those claims. He added: “That’s an absolute myth. I’ve never heard that, but if you’re saying that, it’s not true. “My job is to pick a team that I feel is best capable of winning a football match. It’s not a case of having friends. That was clear two years ago and that’s clear now. “I’m in a position where I need to do a job to the best of our abilities with my coaching team. “We’re professionals so every decision we make is in the best interests of the team and the football club.” Meanwhile, Tottenham talisman Harry Kane has spent some of the past week discussing the club’s current plight during various interviews and regularly referenced how key values had been lost in recent years. Kane mentioned how the culture and environment created by old boss Mauricio Pochettino had to be restored in a hint that his future could lie with Spurs despite continuously being linked with a move away. “I’m happy that I saw him speak out the other day on things that he wants to be in place going forward for this football club because it’s important that our best players drive and push for certain things,” Mason said. “It’s good. I back him. I think what he said is right.” Spurs have endured a difficult campaign with Conte and Cristian Stellini leaving, while Fabio Paratici departed his role as managing director of football after being given a worldwide ban for his role in allegations of false accounting at Juventus. On the pitch, Tottenham failed to go beyond the quarter-final stage in the Champions League, FA Cup or Carabao Cup and can only hope for a sixth-place finish now. But Mason stated: “We’re a big football club with big players, top players. “We have a lot to be successful and a lot to be excited about, so I’m not doom and gloom. Definitely not. We're not in as bad a position as some people might think....hopefully we can kick on and be successful Ryan Mason “I’m optimistic about this club. I believe in the group. I believe in the club. I believe that there’s many people here that want to make it right and want to put it right and be good. “Obviously, it’s been a difficult season for us, it has been quite up and down. I think some of it’s probably been self conflict. It’s come from within at times, which probably shouldn’t happen. “But we’re not in as bad a position as some people might think, we’re in a good position. And hopefully we can kick on and be successful.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Marco Silva wants assurances over Fulham ambition before discussing new deal Brendan Lawlor holds off Kipp Popert to win G4D Open Novak Djokovic makes winning return at Italian Open despite complaints

Marco Silva said he will seek assurance that Fulham share his ambition before entering into talks over a new contract, with his current deal set to expire at the end of next season. The Cottagers remain on track for a highest-ever top-flight points tally this campaign, with two wins needed from their final three games to make it a record-breaking year. Silva’s stock has risen greatly since taking over at Craven Cottage following the team’s relegation to the Sky Bet Championship in 2021, returning them to the Premier League at the first attempt and ensuring a comfortable mid-table finish. They had briefly looked like challenging for Europe after a 1-0 win at Brighton in February took them sixth, but have dipped after winning only three times in the league since, a run that has in part coincided with the loss of top-scorer Aleksandar Mitrovic to an eight-game ban. Mitrovic will return for Saturday’s trip to bottom side Southampton as Fulham seek to cap an historic season. But with a gulf in resources an obstacle to breaking into the top seven, Silva was asked whether he would need to leave the club in order to fulfil his potential, or fight to try and break the league’s glass ceiling. “Myself as a manager, always if you do something in one season, you should aim to do better the next season, it’s always like that,” said Silva. “I know that sometimes the high expectation plays against you as well, that is clear. “My way to be in football is always to try to do something different, try to improve in all aspects of the game, to try to perform better. Of course if you perform better you start to achieve different results and try to improve the results as well. “We have to be realistic, but at the same time we have to be really ambitious as a football club because the competition will be harder, will be more difficult and we have to prepare ourselves as best as we can. “We want to improve all aspects of our game and as a club. “Definitely (ambition will play a part in contract talks). It’s been like that from the first season I joined the club. First season, I knew what in that moment I was going to face, it was a club that was relegated, the situation in the Championship is to try to settle the team and get the best out if the squad that you have. “The season after we did well in the market, not spending the same amount of money as other clubs but I think we did it really well. Next season we have to do the same, try to improve in all the areas of the squad, and of course match the ambitions of myself and the owner of this club like we did the last two seasons.” Top-scorer Mitrovic will be available for the first time since being banned for grabbing the referee during Fulham’s FA Cup exit to Manchester United in March. The striker has been training with the club throughout his suspension and Silva insisted he will be ready to play a part in his side’s final three games. “I didn’t feel that I really needed to give him a week out of the club to be with the family or to relax a little bit,” said the manager. “He didn’t need it. “What I saw from him always is him ready to work, it’s a very good sign, a sign that he knew what he is going to face during this long period, but at the same time he knew that he had to work really hard, and he did. “Now it’s important for us to forget the last eight weeks and all the things that happened. If you compare with everything that happened this season, it’s unbelievable that number of games, but that was the decision and you have to respect it.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Ryan Mason ready to take on Tottenham job as Julian Nagelsmann is ruled out Brendan Lawlor holds off Kipp Popert to win G4D Open Novak Djokovic makes winning return at Italian Open despite complaints