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Team comes first
Paul Parker believes Jim Ratcliffe should focus on getting Manchester United firing on the pitch again before making plans to build a new stadium.
United’s new co-owner Ratcliffe, 71, says the club are considering building a state-of-the-art ground on a different site in Manchester instead of refurbishing Old Trafford.
“But I don’t think you can do both. We’ve seen so many clubs who have tried to do both [build a new stadium and a new team] struggle.
“Arsenal struggled, they haven’t won a title since they moved into that ground [Emirates Stadium]. Spurs have struggled as well, teams tend to struggle.
“The question is are they going to do the most important thing, which is go and get a proper team? A proper team will lift everything. You build a stadium around a team, not the other way around.”
Kroos returns
Toni Kroos has announced his return to the Germany national team ahead of Euro 2024 on home soil.
Real Madrid midfielder Kroos, 34, retired from international duty in 2021 after being eliminated by England in the last 16 of Euro 2020.
But the 2014 World Cup winner is now back in the fold after being asked to return by boss Julian Nagelsmann, who replaced Hansi Flick last September.
The 106-cap international is set to feature in upcoming friendlies against the Netherlands and France next month ahead of this summer’s European showpiece.
Kroos said on Instagram: “Hey folks, short and sweet, I’ll be playing for Germany again from March.
“Why? Because I was asked by the coach and I’m up for it. I’m sure that much more is possible with the team at the European Championship than most people think right now.”
Shaw blow
Manchester United and England left-back Luke Shaw could miss Euro 2024 after being sidelined for “a few months” with a muscle injury.
Shaw, 28, had to come off shortly before half-time during Sunday’s 2-1 victory at Luton, having been withdrawn at the break in United’s previous game against Aston Villa.
The defender has managed just 15 appearances in all competitions this term and only recently returned to action in January after a month out.
A statement from the Red Devils said: “Luke has sustained a muscle injury and will be out for an extended period.
“Further assessment is still required to determine the severity but we expect him to be absent for a few months.”
Shaw’s absence leaves Erik ten Hag short on left-back options once again, with Tyrell Malacia still sidelined and Sergio Reguilon’s loan switch from Tottenham cut short last month.
The perfect candidate
Ryan Babel wants to see former Liverpool team-mate Xabi Alonso succeed Jurgen Klopp at Anfield.
Bayer Leverkusen boss Alonso, 42, has been heavily tipped to take over when Klopp leaves this summer but the Spaniard has also been linked with the soon-to-be vacant post at Bayern Munich.
Former Netherlands and Liverpool winger Babel told BBC Radio 5 Live: “I think Liverpool would be the ideal scenario. It’s a great story.
“He has impressed the world with the performances he has accomplished so far. As a Liverpool supporter you would love to see that.
“Sometimes I feel like we like to get excited very quickly and then when things don’t go how we hope we like to chop their head off.
“So for Xabi it’s a good question to see if he will be ready. With Liverpool there’s a different expectation.”
Alves jailed
Former Barcelona right-back Dani Alves has been found guilty of raping a woman in a Barcelona nightclub and sentenced to four-and-a-half years in prison.
Alves, 40, had denied sexually assaulting the woman in the early hours of December 31, 2022.
The Brazilian was arrested in January 2023 and has been detained since then after requests for bail were denied due to him being considered a flight risk.
He has also been ordered to pay £1,283 to the victim by the court.
His lawyer had asked for him to be acquitted and Alves can appeal against the sentence.
