Cristiano Ronaldo smashes Manchester United into the lead in their 2-0 Premier League victory over Brighton at Old Trafford on Tuesday, February 15, 2022. Reuters
Cristiano Ronaldo smashes Manchester United into the lead in their 2-0 Premier League victory over Brighton at Old Trafford on Tuesday, February 15, 2022. Reuters
Brighton's Alexis Mac Allister shoots at goal. Reuters
Brighton's Alexis Mac Allister shoots at goal. Reuters
United's Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after scoring. Reuters
United's Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after scoring. Reuters
Manchester United's Jadon Sancho sees a first-half shot saved by Brighton goalkeeper Robert Sanchez. PA
Manchester United's Jadon Sancho sees a first-half shot saved by Brighton goalkeeper Robert Sanchez. PA
United's Cristiano Ronaldo after a missed chance. Getty
United's Cristiano Ronaldo after a missed chance. Getty
Brighton's Jakub Moder heads at goal. Reuters
Brighton's Jakub Moder heads at goal. Reuters
Brighton's Jakub Moder shoots at goal under pressure from Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes. AP
Brighton's Jakub Moder shoots at goal under pressure from Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes. AP
Rereree Peter Bankes checks the pitchside monitor before sending off Brighton's Lewis Dunk. PA
Rereree Peter Bankes checks the pitchside monitor before sending off Brighton's Lewis Dunk. PA
Manchester United's Jadon Sancho heads the ball. Reuters
Manchester United's Jadon Sancho heads the ball. Reuters
Bruno Fernandes celebrates scoring Manchester United's second goal. Getty
Bruno Fernandes celebrates scoring Manchester United's second goal. Getty
Referee Peter Bankes shows a red card to Brighton's Lewis Dunk. PA
Referee Peter Bankes shows a red card to Brighton's Lewis Dunk. PA
United's Cristiano Ronaldo heads a chance wide in the second half. Reuters
United's Cristiano Ronaldo heads a chance wide in the second half. Reuters
Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes scores their second goal. Reuters
Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes scores their second goal. Reuters

Sport

Football

'We are united': Harry Maguire denies reports of rift with Cristiano Ronaldo

Marcus Rashford had dismissed talk of dressing room divide earlier this week

The National

February 18, 2022

  • English
  • Arabic

Manchester United captain Harry Maguire denied reports of a rift with Cristiano Ronaldo, insisting the team is united and focused.

United are in the midst of a disappointing season, with a top-four finish the best they can hope for in the Premier League.

Read more

Neither away-goals change nor PSG and Bayern look likely to halt English march in Europe

Maguire has also been below par. Reports suggested the United skipper has felt undermined by Ronaldo's influence.

Marcus Rashford dismissed talk of a dressing room divide earlier this week and Maguire has denied the latest reports.

"I've seen a lot of reports about this club that aren't true and this is another," Maguire posted on social media ahead of Sunday's Premier League match at Leeds.

"Not going to start posting about everything that is written but I needed to make this one clear. We're united and focused on Sunday. Enjoy your day everyone."

Manchester United v Brighton player ratings

MANCHESTER UNITED RATINGS: David De Gea - 8: Saved from Maupay early doors. Super flying stop from Moder as Brighton were the better side in the first half. Relieved as a 77th minute Moder shot struck his crossbar. Reuters
MANCHESTER UNITED RATINGS: David De Gea - 8: Saved from Maupay early doors. Super flying stop from Moder as Brighton were the better side in the first half. Relieved as a 77th minute Moder shot struck his crossbar. Reuters
Diogo Dalot - 6: Crossing could have been better in the first half when United were poor. More touches than any other home player shows how involved he was. Getting better defensively. EPA
Diogo Dalot - 6: Crossing could have been better in the first half when United were poor. More touches than any other home player shows how involved he was. Getting better defensively. EPA
Harry Maguire - 6: Tested in a poor first half. Like his team, much better in the second half when he grew more confident. PA
Harry Maguire - 6: Tested in a poor first half. Like his team, much better in the second half when he grew more confident. PA
Victor Lindelof - 7: Came in at the last minute as Varane was ill and did well. Fast and more aggressive as game went on. Welbeck got between him and Maguire to head towards De Gea on 90 minutes. AFP
Victor Lindelof - 7: Came in at the last minute as Varane was ill and did well. Fast and more aggressive as game went on. Welbeck got between him and Maguire to head towards De Gea on 90 minutes. AFP
Luke Shaw - 6: Little impact in first half. Better in second as United pressed further up. Booked after 71 minutes. Getty
Luke Shaw - 6: Little impact in first half. Better in second as United pressed further up. Booked after 71 minutes. Getty
Scott McTominay - 6: Midfield was overrun in a first half where the entire United team didn’t win a single tackle. Won the first tackle after 51 minutes to help set up Ronaldo. AFP
Scott McTominay - 6: Midfield was overrun in a first half where the entire United team didn’t win a single tackle. Won the first tackle after 51 minutes to help set up Ronaldo. AFP
Fred - 5: Back in the team and gave the ball away for Brighton’s first attack. Disappointing first half. And second as he gave the ball away too much. Ironic cheers when his number came up to come off. AFP
Fred - 5: Back in the team and gave the ball away for Brighton’s first attack. Disappointing first half. And second as he gave the ball away too much. Ironic cheers when his number came up to come off. AFP
Bruno Fernandes - 8: Lovely touches, if not perfect accuracy in the first half. Booked for protesting in second half. Missed a sitter on 71 minutes before setting up chance for Ronaldo soon after. Scored brilliant second for United in injury time. Reuters
Bruno Fernandes - 8: Lovely touches, if not perfect accuracy in the first half. Booked for protesting in second half. Missed a sitter on 71 minutes before setting up chance for Ronaldo soon after. Scored brilliant second for United in injury time. Reuters
Anthony Elanga - 5: Selected ahead of Rashford again. A touch hesitant in the first half. Switched sides in the second and was fouled by Dunk that saw Brighton reduced to 10 men. AFP
Anthony Elanga - 5: Selected ahead of Rashford again. A touch hesitant in the first half. Switched sides in the second and was fouled by Dunk that saw Brighton reduced to 10 men. AFP
Jadon Sancho - 7: United’s first shot on target in opening 10 minutes and should have scored. That was United’s only effort on target in the first half. Neat around the area. Applauded when he came off. Reuters
Jadon Sancho - 7: United’s first shot on target in opening 10 minutes and should have scored. That was United’s only effort on target in the first half. Neat around the area. Applauded when he came off. Reuters
Cristiano Ronaldo - 8: Set up early chance for Sancho Scored the opener on 51 minutes, ending his longest goal drought for 13 years. Saw powerful header saved as he came close to making it two. Reuters
Cristiano Ronaldo - 8: Set up early chance for Sancho Scored the opener on 51 minutes, ending his longest goal drought for 13 years. Saw powerful header saved as he came close to making it two. Reuters
SUBS: Paul Pogba – (On for Fred 74’) 7: United controlled middle with him on pitch. Tricks and good combination play with those around him. Quick-thinking on the free-kick for the second. Reuters
SUBS: Paul Pogba – (On for Fred 74’) 7: United controlled middle with him on pitch. Tricks and good combination play with those around him. Quick-thinking on the free-kick for the second. Reuters
Marcus Rashford – (On for Elanga 79’) 6: Brought down by a yellow card challenge as he launched attack. Reuters
Marcus Rashford – (On for Elanga 79’) 6: Brought down by a yellow card challenge as he launched attack. Reuters
Alex Telles – (On for Sancho 79’) N/A. Getty
Alex Telles – (On for Sancho 79’) N/A. Getty
BRIGHTON RATINGS: Robert Sanchez - 7: Solid block from Sancho and fine acrobatic stop to turn Ronaldo header over bar. No chance with goals. Getty
BRIGHTON RATINGS: Robert Sanchez - 7: Solid block from Sancho and fine acrobatic stop to turn Ronaldo header over bar. No chance with goals. Getty
Joel Veltman - 6: Dutchman’s superb cross found Moder in box who would have opened scoring but for De Gea. Found Sancho’s pace too hot to handle at times and left on backside by Fernandes’ skill before United’s late second. AP
Joel Veltman - 6: Dutchman’s superb cross found Moder in box who would have opened scoring but for De Gea. Found Sancho’s pace too hot to handle at times and left on backside by Fernandes’ skill before United’s late second. AP
Lewis Dunk - 5: Captain helped restrict United to just one shot on target in the first half but, like his teammates, got sloppy at start of second and rightly shown red card after VAR check for bringing down Elanga. PA
Lewis Dunk - 5: Captain helped restrict United to just one shot on target in the first half but, like his teammates, got sloppy at start of second and rightly shown red card after VAR check for bringing down Elanga. PA
Adam Webster - 6: Awful miss-control gifted ball to Ronaldo, who in turn set-up Sancho for early chance. Skinned very easily by Portuguese ahead of United’s opening goal but made a few timely challenges as United took advantage of extra man in second half. Getty
Adam Webster - 6: Awful miss-control gifted ball to Ronaldo, who in turn set-up Sancho for early chance. Skinned very easily by Portuguese ahead of United’s opening goal but made a few timely challenges as United took advantage of extra man in second half. Getty
Marc Cucurella - 7: Very important block to nudge Elanga off ball with United man poised to shoot. Looked to push forward from left-back whenever possible and Spaniard is having a good first season in Premier League. AP
Marc Cucurella - 7: Very important block to nudge Elanga off ball with United man poised to shoot. Looked to push forward from left-back whenever possible and Spaniard is having a good first season in Premier League. AP
Yves Bissouma - 6: Left Ronaldo in aheap on the floor with one strong first-half challenge. Side-footed great chance just wide five minutes before break. Caught in possession in run-up to Ronaldo goal. Reuters
Yves Bissouma - 6: Left Ronaldo in aheap on the floor with one strong first-half challenge. Side-footed great chance just wide five minutes before break. Caught in possession in run-up to Ronaldo goal. Reuters
Pascal Gross - 7: Picked out Moder and Mac Allister for first-half opportunities with excellent passes and shanked a volley wide himself. Unfortunate to make way as red card forced Brighton into making changes. PA
Pascal Gross - 7: Picked out Moder and Mac Allister for first-half opportunities with excellent passes and shanked a volley wide himself. Unfortunate to make way as red card forced Brighton into making changes. PA
Jakub Moder - 8: Had game’s first chance after six minutes but saw shot saved by De Gea. Thought he’d found net with thumping header but Spaniard pulled-off a magnificent stop. Cracked crossbar with curling strike from distance with 13 minutes to go. AP
Jakub Moder - 8: Had game’s first chance after six minutes but saw shot saved by De Gea. Thought he’d found net with thumping header but Spaniard pulled-off a magnificent stop. Cracked crossbar with curling strike from distance with 13 minutes to go. AP
Alexis Mac Allister - 6: Failed to connect properly with strike inside penalty area that he scuffed straight to De Gea. Booked in second half for hauling back Rashford. Reuters
Alexis Mac Allister - 6: Failed to connect properly with strike inside penalty area that he scuffed straight to De Gea. Booked in second half for hauling back Rashford. Reuters
Leandro Trossard - 6: Neat and tidy from Belgian without any big opportunities falling his way. Sacrificed after Dunk sending off. AP
Leandro Trossard - 6: Neat and tidy from Belgian without any big opportunities falling his way. Sacrificed after Dunk sending off. AP
Neale Maupay - 6: Seagulls’ top scorer didn’t get a sight of goal in opening 45 minutes but harassed and harried United’s defenders. Getty
Neale Maupay - 6: Seagulls’ top scorer didn’t get a sight of goal in opening 45 minutes but harassed and harried United’s defenders. Getty
SUBS: Tariq Lamptey – (On for Trossard 59’) 6: Supplied cross for Welbeck’s injury-time header that fellow substitute should have at least hit target with. Getty
SUBS: Tariq Lamptey – (On for Trossard 59’) 6: Supplied cross for Welbeck’s injury-time header that fellow substitute should have at least hit target with. Getty
Steven Alzate – (On for Gross 59’) 7: Good block to deny United substitute Telles a shot at goal and played part in helping set up late chances for teammates. Getty
Steven Alzate – (On for Gross 59’) 7: Good block to deny United substitute Telles a shot at goal and played part in helping set up late chances for teammates. Getty
Danny Welbeck – (On for Maupay 70’) 5: Former United striker missed chance to earn team late point when headed chance over bar. Getty
Danny Welbeck – (On for Maupay 70’) 5: Former United striker missed chance to earn team late point when headed chance over bar. Getty

United's 2-0 win against Brighton on Tuesday lifted them back into fourth place in the English top-flight. But interim manager Ralf Rangnick faces a tough battle with a number of other sides also in the mix.

While Maguire has been off colour, Ronaldo has also suffered notable dip in form.

The Portuguese star, 37, went six games without a goal before finally getting back on the scoresheet against Brighton.

That victory stopped a dismal run of three successive games in which United had blown a first-half lead. And even though United moved up to fourth, but Rangnick will know their Champions League rivals have games in hand on a side that remain incapable of impressing over 90 minutes.

“It is great always when you have the three points especially after we draw the last few games. We are all very happy,” De Gea said after the Brighton game.

“We should be fighting for more things than the top four, but that is the reality. There are many teams fighting for the same position and with the quality we have we should win a lot of points.”

On Women's Day
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
if you go

The flights

Air Astana flies direct from Dubai to Almaty from Dh2,440 per person return, and to Astana (via Almaty) from Dh2,930 return, both including taxes. 

The hotels

Rooms at the Ritz-Carlton Almaty cost from Dh1,944 per night including taxes; and in Astana the new Ritz-Carlton Astana (www.marriott) costs from Dh1,325; alternatively, the new St Regis Astana costs from Dh1,458 per night including taxes. 

When to visit

March-May and September-November

Visas

Citizens of many countries, including the UAE do not need a visa to enter Kazakhstan for up to 30 days. Contact the nearest Kazakhstan embassy or consulate.

Kareem Shaheen on Canada
Match info

Manchester United 1
Fred (18')

Wolves 1
Moutinho (53')

UPI facts

More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions

Ticket prices
  • Golden circle - Dh995
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  • Lower Bowl Platinum - Dh95
  • Lower Bowl premium - Dh795
  • Lower Bowl Plus - Dh695
  • Lower Bowl Standard- Dh595
  • Upper Bowl Premium - Dh395
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Babumoshai Bandookbaaz

Director: Kushan Nandy

Starring: Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Bidita Bag, Jatin Goswami

Three stars

Background
Tearful appearance

Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday. 

Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow. 

She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.

A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.

UAE currency
More on this story:
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
COMPANY PROFILE

Name: Lamsa

Founder: Badr Ward

Launched: 2014

Employees: 60

Based: Abu Dhabi

Sector: EdTech

Funding to date: $15 million

PROVISIONAL FIXTURE LIST

Premier League

Wednesday, June 17 (Kick-offs uae times) Aston Villa v Sheffield United 9pm; Manchester City v Arsenal 11pm 

Friday, June 19 Norwich v Southampton 9pm; Tottenham v Manchester United 11pm  

Saturday, June 20 Watford v Leicester 3.30pm; Brighton v Arsenal 6pm; West Ham v Wolves 8.30pm; Bournemouth v Crystal Palace 10.45pm 

Sunday, June 21 Newcastle v Sheffield United 2pm; Aston Villa v Chelsea 7.30pm; Everton v Liverpool 10pm 

Monday, June 22 Manchester City v Burnley 11pm (Sky)

Tuesday, June 23 Southampton v Arsenal 9pm; Tottenham v West Ham 11.15pm 

Wednesday, June 24 Manchester United v Sheffield United 9pm; Newcastle v Aston Villa 9pm; Norwich v Everton 9pm; Liverpool v Crystal Palace 11.15pm

Thursday, June 25 Burnley v Watford 9pm; Leicester v Brighton 9pm; Chelsea v Manchester City 11.15pm; Wolves v Bournemouth 11.15pm

Sunday June 28 Aston Villa vs Wolves 3pm; Watford vs Southampton 7.30pm 

Monday June 29 Crystal Palace vs Burnley 11pm

Tuesday June 30 Brighton vs Manchester United 9pm; Sheffield United vs Tottenham 11.15pm 

Wednesday July 1 Bournemouth vs Newcastle 9pm; Everton vs Leicester 9pm; West Ham vs Chelsea 11.15pm

Thursday July 2 Arsenal vs Norwich 9pm; Manchester City vs Liverpool 11.15pm

 

Updated: February 18, 2022, 12:10 PM`
Manchester UnitedPremier LeagueCristiano Ronaldo