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DOHA: Real Madrid are a better team than they were a month ago but must be wary of Pachuca’s “quality”, said manager Carlo Ancelotti ahead of the FIFA Intercontinental Cup final against the Mexican club early tomorrow morning.

Since suffering a 2-0 defeat at Liverpool in the Champions League, Madrid have won three and drawn one of their last five games in all competitions.

Madrid are third in La Liga with 37 points from 17 matches, one point behind leaders Barcelona, ​​who have played one more match.

Pachuca defeated Egyptian club Al-Ahly 6-5 on penalties after a goalless draw to qualify for the Intercontinental Cup final.

However, Ancelotti did not underestimate the challenge of their opponents.

“I think we came into this match better than a month ago. We are highly motivated and excited to bring home the Intercontinental Cup again,” said Ancelotti ahead of the clash at the Lusail Stadium in Qatar.

“Every game is a trap, if Pachuca qualify it’s because they have something. We have to respect them for the quality they have. Finals are often a special feeling and a worry before the game,” he said.

“They have their own character, it’s a very important match for them. They have a clear system, they are a very dynamic team. I expect an entertaining match.”

Regarding injuries, Madrid will not take any risks with striker Kylian Mbappe.

The 25-year-old France captain, who was substituted in the first half of Madrid’s 3-2 win at Atalanta in the Champions League last week, was confirmed to have suffered a left thigh injury and missed Saturday’s 3-3 La Liga draw at 13th-placed Rayo Vallecano.

“Kylian’s situation is simple, he trained yesterday and had a good feeling. Today is important where he will evaluate his feelings,” said Ancelotti.

“If he’s good, he’ll play, but if there’s even a small risk, he won’t play.”

MANCHESTER: Manchester United added to the misery of defending Premier League champions Manchester City when late goals from Bruno Fernandes and Amad Diallo gave Ruben Amorim’s side a 2-1 victory at the Etihad.

Amorim’s first Manchester derby looked set to end in victory for Pep Guardiola’s City when Josko Gvardiol’s 36th-minute header put the hosts ahead.

However, Diallo sparked United’s comeback when the young Ivorian won a penalty kick that was converted by team captain Fernandes two minutes before the end of the game.

Diallo once again surprised City when he received a long pass and beat goalkeeper Ederson from a difficult angle.

City have now lost eight of their last 11 matches in all competitions, with just one win recorded.

They remain fifth in the Premier League on 27 points from 16 matches, nine points behind leaders Liverpool who have played one match less.

United, who briefly climbed to 12th on 22 points, slipped back to 13th when Tottenham thrashed Southampton 5-0 at St Mary’s.

Fernandes, who missed a golden opportunity to equalise before Diallo won a penalty, praised the United winger’s performance.

“He’s been really good, he’s done some great things, I think he’s got a lot more to do. When he’s like this, it’s hard to stop him,” Fernandes said of Diallo’s performance.

Meanwhile, Diallo said his team’s determination to win the Manchester derby sparked United’s comeback.

“In the second half, we put pressure, we wanted to win, this is a derby. We proved that we can win every game and we are happy to have done it today,” Diallo said.

MANCHESTER: Paul Pogba is expected to return to Manchester United after his contract was terminated by Juventus following a doping scandal, former Red Devils striker Louis Saha has said.

The 31-year-old left Old Trafford to join Juventus in 2022 after scoring 39 goals in 233 appearances for United.

He arrived at Old Trafford in 2016 for a then world record transfer fee, but failed to live up to expectations.

After a year in Turin, Pogba failed a doping test and was given a four-year ban, which was later reduced to 18 months when his appeal was upheld.

This means the World Cup winner with France could resume his career in March, but he is currently without a club.

Former United star Saha said his compatriot would return to Old Trafford to join a training session with Ruben Amorim’s squad.

“I’ve heard rumours that Paul Pogba will be offered the chance to come back and train with Man United in the New Year, and I think it’s the best opportunity for Paul.

“He needs to get back to his best as soon as possible, and training with great players will help him. I think he will be excited to be back at the club.”

“I also think Paul Pogba is still a special player. When you think about midfielders, Pogba has unique qualities.

“I think United’s squad lacks strength in midfield, and they don’t have the skilled players who can dominate from box to box, so he will add strength to United,” said Saha.

Last month it was reported that clubs from Major League Soccer, the Saudi Pro League and the English Premier League were interested in Pogba’s services.

MANCHESTER, England: Improving Manchester United’s defensive weaknesses, especially when it comes to set-pieces, has become a priority for new head coach Ruben Amorim, whose meticulous planning has been hampered by his team’s failure to deal with corner kick dangers.

Nottingham Forest needed just 90 seconds to score from a corner at Old Trafford late on Wednesday night as United suffered a 3-2 defeat and showed Amorim’s side had learned little from their 2-0 midweek defeat at Arsenal when both goals came from the spot.

“When this happened it was my fault, because I was responsible. We tried to do it in the best way, we worked a lot in this area because we saw it at Arsenal and it was really difficult,” Amorim told a news conference.

“At the beginning of the game (against Forest), you suffered with the first movement, it was really difficult to inject energy into the team, but then we managed to equalise and finally in the second half the same thing happened.”

United’s lack of height and strength at the back was exposed at free kicks and corners and Amorim reshuffled his team in the second half, bringing on centre-back Harry Maguire at 3-2 when he feared he would concede again.

“We put Harry Maguire on because of the set-pieces, to have more control over who wins the first ball. The only way to attack Nottingham is on the counter-attack, to try and win the first and second balls. When Harry is in the middle of the pitch he wins all the first balls,” said Amorim.

However, by then the damage had already been done.

United’s defence were careless in allowing Forest defender Nikola Milenkovic space, who rose above Lisandro Martinez to head home.

Martinez and goalkeeper Andre Onana were then at fault for Forest’s third goal in the 54th minute, a header from Chris Wood that should have been dealt with.

“Everyone is aware of the importance of set-pieces today, they are huge, a way to make a difference for you and your opponent. We did well today,” said New Zealand forward Wood.

Amorim insists he will stick to his principles, despite his shaky start at Old Trafford.

“This is happening to a lot of clubs and we need to keep trying to do the same thing in order to improve the team, because all this will change,” he said.

MADRID: Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti was delighted with Kylian Mbappe’s performance during their 2-0 La Liga win over Getafe at the Santiago Bernabeu.

The 25-year-old France captain scored Real’s second goal eight minutes after Jude Bellingham converted a penalty in the 30th minute.

Mbappe is now the club’s top scorer in the league this season along with Vinicius Jr who also scored eight goals.

After a lackluster performance in Wednesday’s 2-0 Champions League defeat at the hands of Liverpool, which included a second-half penalty miss, Mbappe came into full force against Getafe to score his 10th goal of the season in all competitions.

“He’s active, dangerous and scores great goals which is very important to control the game. That’s what we want from him.

“The fans understand more about the team and the players. They continue to support Mbappe after Anfield because it’s the right thing to do,” said Ancelotti.

The defending La Liga champions are now just one point behind leaders Barcelona with one more game to play.