Two Manchester United transfer choices revealed by merciless Nottingham Forest after baffling £90m decisions

By Damerex -
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Manchester United’s decision to sell Anthony Elanga for £15m while rating Alejandro Garnacho at £70m illustrates the kind of errors that define their transfer missteps.  Manchester United are terrible at signings. That is no surprise. Their terrible history of post-Ferguson acquisitions is painfully familiar. However, they are arguably inferior in every facet of player sales, and insufficient emphasis is placed on how that disastrous failure has been more persistently harmful than subpar recruitment to their prospects for a significant rebuild.  They have never earned over £100m in a single season from player sales (four Premier League teams achieved this in just one season). They are the sole Premier League club whose highest sale happened prior to 2011. They still consider David Beckham's transfer to Real Madrid in 2003 as their fourth-biggest sale ever, and two players ahead of him – Angel Di Maria and Romelu Lukaku – were sold at a loss compared to their initial signing fe...
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All the information you require regarding the Champions League right now...

By Damerex -

We can figure out a lot of things from the finishing places now that the Champions League's new league phase is finally over. 

In the simplest terms possible, we are aware of which eight teams have advanced directly to the round of 16, which 16 teams are on their way to the playoffs, and which 12 teams have been eliminated completely.

However, for the teams that have managed to advance somehow, we also now understand their possible routes to the final. 

The play-off draw was a seeded, paired draw. This indicates that the team that placed ninth was matched up with a team that ended in 23rd or 24th position. The team that placed 10th received the other one. The 11th and 12th match with the 21st and 22nd, continuing in this way until you reach the 15th and 16th paired with the 17th and 18th. 

We might even launch items a little farther, as we still lack clarity on which part of the final last-16 bracket any team will land, but we do know, for example, that the clubs finishing first and second in the standings – Liverpool and Barcelona – will face one of the teams advancing from the 15th/16th/17th/18th section of the play-off stage. 

Now that the Champions League play-off draw is finished, we can give all of the British clubs a very shady first attempt at a possible path to the championship game.

The Champions League play-off draw in full

[22] Man City v 11 Real Madrid

[2] Celtic v [12] Bayern Munich

[24] Club Brugge v [9] Atalanta

[19] Feyenoord v [13] Milan

[17] Monaco v [16] Benfica

[20] Juventus v [14] PSV

[18] Brest v [15] PSG

[23] Sporting v [10] Borussia Dortmund

From this point forward, there are no restrictions on clubs from the same country meeting other clubs, and clubs that have previously faced each other in the league stage can also meet again. 

The initial legs of the play-offs will take place on February 11/12, while the second legs – featuring the seeded teams at home – are scheduled for February 18/19. 

Now, let’s enjoy ourselves and outline some potential paths to the final for the Brits, shall we? Clearly, this becomes increasingly questionable the further you delve, but we'll assume – clearly incorrectly – that the seedings based on league phase finishing positions remain valid and the 'better' or at least higher-ranked teams consistently win.

Arsenal's possible pathway to the Champions League final 

Prior to last night's final match at Girona, the Gunners had all but guaranteed a top-eight finish, but a victory there to guarantee a top-four finish may be beneficial later.

Round of 16: Milan/Feyenoord/PSV/Juventus

Quarter-final: Leverkusen/Atletico Madrid

Semi-final: Liverpool/Barcelona

Final: Barcelona/Liverpool 

Liverpool's possible path to the Champions League final 

Theoretically, Liverpool and Barcelona, who finished first in the table, should have secured one of the two simplest paths out of this situation; they will now be on opposite sides of the draw. Imagine it as a tennis competition, and you'll understand.

Round of 16: Benfica/Brest/PSG/Monaco

Quarter-final: Aston Villa/Lille

Semi-final: Arsenal/Inter

Final: Barcelona Fc

Celtic’s possible path to the Champions League final

Since they are in the City part of the draw, their post-playoff route will be the same.

Play-off round: Bayern Munich

Round of 16: Bayern Leverkusen/Atletico Madrid

Quarter-final: Arsenal/Inter

Semi-final: Liverpool/Barcelona

Final: Barcelona/Liverpool 

Manchester City’s possible path to the Champions League final

Naturally, it's even more dubious here because there's that simple little play-off round assignment to deal with first.

Play-off round: Real Madrid

Round of 16: Bayern Leverkusen/Atletico Madrid 

Quarter-final: Arsenal/Inter

Semi-final: Liverpool/Barcelona

Final: Barcelona/Liverpool 

Aston Villa’s potential route to the Champions League final

Villa's victory over Celtic on matchday eight secured them the final automatic berth in the round of 16, positioning them to go to the quarterfinals.

Round of 16: Sporting/Dortmund/Club Brugge/Atlanta

Quarter-final: Barcelona/Liverpool 

Semi-final: Arsenal/Inter

Final: Barcelona/Liverpool 


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