MANCHESTER UNITED RATINGS: Onana. Didn’t come out for Villa’s opening goal and picked the goal out for the second time after 27 minutes. Soft goals. Played long balls over the top and assisted the attack. Top save on 62. Fine ball to Garnacho on 63. AP
Andre Onana 6/10
MANCHESTER UNITED RATINGS: Onana. Didn’t come out for Villa’s opening goal and picked the goal out for the second time after 27 minutes. Soft goals. Played long balls over the top and assisted the attack. Top save on 62. Fine ball to Garnacho on 63. AP
MANCHESTER UNITED RATINGS: Onana. Didn’t come out for Villa’s opening goal and picked the goal out for the second time after 27 minutes. Soft goals. Played long balls over the top and assisted the att
Played out of position and gave the ball to Bailey to set up a Villa attack. Poor in the first half, much better in the second as he was helpful in attack. Getty Images
Diogo Dalot 7/10
Played out of position and gave the ball to Bailey to set up a Villa attack. Poor in the first half, much better in the second as he was helpful in attack. Getty Images
Played out of position and gave the ball to Bailey to set up a Villa attack. Poor in the first half, much better in the second as he was helpful in attack. Getty Images
Questionable in Villa’s goal, but then another top performances alongside Evans. Tried to rally fans at the end on an intoxicating evening at Old Trafford. Getty Images
Raphael Varane 7/10
Questionable in Villa’s goal, but then another top performances alongside Evans. Tried to rally fans at the end on an intoxicating evening at Old Trafford. Getty Images
Questionable in Villa’s goal, but then another top performances alongside Evans. Tried to rally fans at the end on an intoxicating evening at Old Trafford. Getty Images
Cleaned up a Dalot error early on. Cleared a ball off the line on 71 from McGinn when it was 2-2. Impeccable timing and experience showed. Thirty five years old and playing like prime time Baresi. Reuters
Jonny Evans 8/10
Cleaned up a Dalot error early on. Cleared a ball off the line on 71 from McGinn when it was 2-2. Impeccable timing and experience showed. Thirty five years old and playing like prime time Baresi. Reuters
Cleaned up a Dalot error early on. Cleared a ball off the line on 71 from McGinn when it was 2-2. Impeccable timing and experience showed. Thirty five years old and playing like prime time Baresi. Reu
Needed more support in the first half, but while limited in attack, defensively sound. Getty Images
Aaron Wan-Bissaka 6/10
Needed more support in the first half, but while limited in attack, defensively sound. Getty Images
Needed more support in the first half, but while limited in attack, defensively sound. Getty Images
Sat deeper than Eriksen and Fernandes. Blocked off and couldn’t get near the ball for Villa’s opener. More minutes, more confidence, more maturity shown and, like the rest, he improved in the second. AP
Kobbie Mainoo 7/10
Sat deeper than Eriksen and Fernandes. Blocked off and couldn’t get near the ball for Villa’s opener. More minutes, more confidence, more maturity shown and, like the rest, he improved in the second. AP
Sat deeper than Eriksen and Fernandes. Blocked off and couldn’t get near the ball for Villa’s opener. More minutes, more confidence, more maturity shown and, like the rest, he improved in the second.
Big game. Looked fit, created, controlled and it’s better that he’s back from injury. Had United’s first shot on target on 10. AP
Christian Eriksen 7/10
Big game. Looked fit, created, controlled and it’s better that he’s back from injury. Had United’s first shot on target on 10. AP
Big game. Looked fit, created, controlled and it’s better that he’s back from injury. Had United’s first shot on target on 10. AP
Better. Shot on target early then, then well wide on 44. Set up Garnacho on 49 when he might have been better going it alone. Then did it for real. Brought down by Martinez as he chased a ball down. Getty Images
Marcus Rashford 7/10
Better. Shot on target early then, then well wide on 44. Set up Garnacho on 49 when he might have been better going it alone. Then did it for real. Brought down by Martinez as he chased a ball down. Getty Images
Better. Shot on target early then, then well wide on 44. Set up Garnacho on 49 when he might have been better going it alone. Then did it for real. Brought down by Martinez as he chased a ball down. G
Complained a lot, because it hurts how bad this United team were in the first half. Anticipated to win the ball in the buildup for United’s first and involved in the equaliser. Booked for moaning. Far better and more advanced in the second half. PA
Bruno Fernandes 7/10
Complained a lot, because it hurts how bad this United team were in the first half. Anticipated to win the ball in the buildup for United’s first and involved in the equaliser. Booked for moaning. Far better and more advanced in the second half. PA
Complained a lot, because it hurts how bad this United team were in the first half. Anticipated to win the ball in the buildup for United’s first and involved in the equaliser. Booked for moaning. Far
Did well in a 14th minute break, but let players run in behind him and didn’t track back. Hit side netting on 45, but offside. Put the ball in the net on 48 – a decent finish, but again offside. Finally got his reward with a neat finish for 1-2. Shot across goal on 63, then equalised on 70. What a moment. Man of the match. AP
Alejandro Garnacho 8/10
Did well in a 14th minute break, but let players run in behind him and didn’t track back. Hit side netting on 45, but offside. Put the ball in the net on 48 – a decent finish, but again offside. Finally got his reward with a neat finish for 1-2. Shot across goal on 63, then equalised on 70. What a moment. Man of the match. AP
Did well in a 14th minute break, but let players run in behind him and didn’t track back. Hit side netting on 45, but offside. Put the ball in the net on 48 – a decent finish, but again offside. Final
Manchester United's Rasmus Hojlund celebrates scoring their side's third goal of the game during the Premier League match at Old Trafford, Manchester. Picture date: Tuesday December 26, 2023. PA Photo. See PA story SOCCER Man Utd. Photo credit should read: Martin Rickett/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: EDITORIAL USE ONLY No use with unauthorised audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications.
Manchester United v Aston Villa - Premier League - Old Trafford
Manchester United's Rasmus Hojlund celebrates scoring their side's third goal of the game during the Premier League match at Old Trafford, Manchester. Picture date: Tuesday December 26, 2023. PA Photo. See PA story SOCCER Man Utd. Photo credit should read: Martin Rickett/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: EDITORIAL USE ONLY No use with unauthorised audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications.
Manchester United's Rasmus Hojlund celebrates scoring their side's third goal of the game during the Premier League match at Old Trafford, Manchester. Picture date: Tuesday December 26, 2023. PA Photo
SUBS: (Rashford 79) Came on and United scored the winner soon after. Getty Images
Antony 6/10
SUBS: (Rashford 79) Came on and United scored the winner soon after. Getty Images
SUBS: (Rashford 79) Came on and United scored the winner soon after. Getty Images
(Mainoo 81) Came on at 2-2. No dramatic winners here from him, that was left to his teammate. AFP
Scott McTominay 6/10
(Mainoo 81) Came on at 2-2. No dramatic winners here from him, that was left to his teammate. AFP
(Mainoo 81) Came on at 2-2. No dramatic winners here from him, that was left to his teammate. AFP
(Hojlund 88) Into a three-man defence. Covered from a Varane mistake to clear the ball. Getty Images
Willy Kambwala 6/10
(Hojlund 88) Into a three-man defence. Covered from a Varane mistake to clear the ball. Getty Images
(Hojlund 88) Into a three-man defence. Covered from a Varane mistake to clear the ball. Getty Images
(Eriksen 94) On for an injection of Mancunian energy and a Premier League debut. Hannibal Mejbri (Garnacho 94) - N/A. Getty Images
Dan Gore N/A
(Eriksen 94) On for an injection of Mancunian energy and a Premier League debut. Hannibal Mejbri (Garnacho 94) - N/A. Getty Images
(Eriksen 94) On for an injection of Mancunian energy and a Premier League debut. Hannibal Mejbri (Garnacho 94) - N/A. Getty Images
ASTON VILLA RATINGS: Martinez. Forced into a routine save by Eriksen in the tenth minute. Made two good saves to deny Rashford in the first half. PA
Emiliano Martinez 6/10
ASTON VILLA RATINGS: Martinez. Forced into a routine save by Eriksen in the tenth minute. Made two good saves to deny Rashford in the first half. PA
ASTON VILLA RATINGS: Martinez. Forced into a routine save by Eriksen in the tenth minute. Made two good saves to deny Rashford in the first half. PA
Endured a difficult outing against the pace and trickiness of Rashford. Made a vital interception to stop Mainoo from playing Rashford through on goal. AFP
Ezri Konsa 5/10
Endured a difficult outing against the pace and trickiness of Rashford. Made a vital interception to stop Mainoo from playing Rashford through on goal. AFP
Endured a difficult outing against the pace and trickiness of Rashford. Made a vital interception to stop Mainoo from playing Rashford through on goal. AFP
Enjoyed a good defensive performance in the first half but had to leave the field early in the second due to injury. EPA
Lucas Digne 6/10
Enjoyed a good defensive performance in the first half but had to leave the field early in the second due to injury. EPA
Enjoyed a good defensive performance in the first half but had to leave the field early in the second due to injury. EPA
Played a terrible pass straight into the path of Rashford and almost gifted the home side a goal. Assisted Dendoncker’s goal with a header back across the face of goal. Did well to stop Garnacho’s run into the visitors penalty area. EPA
Clement Lenglet 6/10
Played a terrible pass straight into the path of Rashford and almost gifted the home side a goal. Assisted Dendoncker’s goal with a header back across the face of goal. Did well to stop Garnacho’s run into the visitors penalty area. EPA
Played a terrible pass straight into the path of Rashford and almost gifted the home side a goal. Assisted Dendoncker’s goal with a header back across the face of goal. Did well to stop Garnacho’s run
Excellent recovery challenge to stop Dalot’s cutback into the danger area. His awful attempt at playing out from the back was pounced upon by the home side and led to Garnacho’s first goal. Unlucky to deflect Garnacho’s shot past Martinez for the home side’s second goal. Getty Images
Diego Carlos 4/10
Excellent recovery challenge to stop Dalot’s cutback into the danger area. His awful attempt at playing out from the back was pounced upon by the home side and led to Garnacho’s first goal. Unlucky to deflect Garnacho’s shot past Martinez for the home side’s second goal. Getty Images
Excellent recovery challenge to stop Dalot’s cutback into the danger area. His awful attempt at playing out from the back was pounced upon by the home side and led to Garnacho’s first goal. Unlucky to
Hardworking performance from the Belgian at the base of the visitors' midfield. Doubled the visitors' lead with an improvised flick from close range. Getty Images
Leander Dendoncker 7/10
Hardworking performance from the Belgian at the base of the visitors' midfield. Doubled the visitors' lead with an improvised flick from close range. Getty Images
Hardworking performance from the Belgian at the base of the visitors' midfield. Doubled the visitors' lead with an improvised flick from close range. Getty Images
Enjoyed an impressive first half, during which he helped build attacks from the back. Failed to make the same impact in the second and was left chasing shadows. Getty Images
Douglas Luiz 6/10
Enjoyed an impressive first half, during which he helped build attacks from the back. Failed to make the same impact in the second and was left chasing shadows. Getty Images
Enjoyed an impressive first half, during which he helped build attacks from the back. Failed to make the same impact in the second and was left chasing shadows. Getty Images
Found it tough going forward against the defensively astute Wan-Bissaka. Reduced to mostly defensive contributions in the second half. Getty Images
Jacob Ramsey 5/10
Found it tough going forward against the defensively astute Wan-Bissaka. Reduced to mostly defensive contributions in the second half. Getty Images
Found it tough going forward against the defensively astute Wan-Bissaka. Reduced to mostly defensive contributions in the second half. Getty Images
Looked lively at the beginning of the game and caused Dalot problems. Called Onana into action with a deft touch on the hour mark. AP
Leon Bailey 6/10
Looked lively at the beginning of the game and caused Dalot problems. Called Onana into action with a deft touch on the hour mark. AP
Looked lively at the beginning of the game and caused Dalot problems. Called Onana into action with a deft touch on the hour mark. AP
Opened the scoring with an inswinging freekick that left Onana bamboozled. Denied a goal by a goalline clearance from Evans in the second half. Unlucky to see the ball come off him and into the path of Hojlund for the Red Devils’ third goal. Getty Images
John McGinn 6/10
Opened the scoring with an inswinging freekick that left Onana bamboozled. Denied a goal by a goalline clearance from Evans in the second half. Unlucky to see the ball come off him and into the path of Hojlund for the Red Devils’ third goal. Getty Images
Opened the scoring with an inswinging freekick that left Onana bamboozled. Denied a goal by a goalline clearance from Evans in the second half. Unlucky to see the ball come off him and into the path o
An ineffective outing for Watkins up front for Aston Villa. He failed to test Onana and was hardly involved in build-up play. Getty Images
Ollie Watkins 4/10
An ineffective outing for Watkins up front for Aston Villa. He failed to test Onana and was hardly involved in build-up play. Getty Images
An ineffective outing for Watkins up front for Aston Villa. He failed to test Onana and was hardly involved in build-up play. Getty Images
SUBS: (Digne, 49) Muscled off the ball too easily by Garnacho to give the home side a very good chance in the 62nd minute. Caught out of position for the home side’s equaliser. AFP
Alex Moreno 4/10
SUBS: (Digne, 49) Muscled off the ball too easily by Garnacho to give the home side a very good chance in the 62nd minute. Caught out of position for the home side’s equaliser. AFP
SUBS: (Digne, 49) Muscled off the ball too easily by Garnacho to give the home side a very good chance in the 62nd minute. Caught out of position for the home side’s equaliser. AFP
(Jacob Ramsey, 77) Made a mess of a cross few minutes after coming on. Getty Images
Moussa Diaby N/A
(Jacob Ramsey, 77) Made a mess of a cross few minutes after coming on. Getty Images
(Jacob Ramsey, 77) Made a mess of a cross few minutes after coming on. Getty Images
(Bailey, 77) Tried to make things happen after coming on, but he was well marshalled by the home side’s backline. Tim Iroegbunam (Dendoncker, 86) - N/A. Jhon Duran (McGinn, 86) - N/A. AFP
Nicolo Zaniolo N/A
(Bailey, 77) Tried to make things happen after coming on, but he was well marshalled by the home side’s backline. Tim Iroegbunam (Dendoncker, 86) - N/A. Jhon Duran (McGinn, 86) - N/A. AFP
(Bailey, 77) Tried to make things happen after coming on, but he was well marshalled by the home side’s backline. Tim Iroegbunam (Dendoncker, 86) - N/A. Jhon Duran (McGinn, 86) - N/A. AFP

Sport

Football

Manchester United v Aston Villa ratings: Garnacho 8, Hojlund 7; Martinez 6, McGinn 6

Erik ten Hag's team stage stunning comeback to win 3-2 at Old Trafford

Andy Mitten
Olankunle Afolabi

December 27, 2023

  • English
  • Arabic

Manchester United showed great fighting spirit as Rasmus Hojlund capped a thrilling fightback from two goals down to seal a dramatic 3-2 victory against Aston Villa on Tuesday.

Erik ten Hag's side were in danger of another damaging defeat when John McGinn and Leander Dendoncker scored to put Villa in control by half-time at Old Trafford.

United were booed off at the interval but were a changed team after the break with Alejandro Garnacho scoring his team's first goal in seven hours and twenty minutes.

Garnacho struck again to equalise before Hojlund finally ended his goal drought with eight minutes left.

It was Hojlund's first league goal for United in his 15th appearance and his sixth in all competitions since his August move from Atalanta.

The result was a big relief for United who ended a four-match winless run in all competitions and rose to sixth in the Premier League.

"I said it before the game, I said it during halftime, keep believing and we will win this game," said United manager Erik ten Hag.

The timing of the result was significant as well, as it came two days after British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe struck a deal to take a minority stake at Manchester United.

Dave Brailsford, Ineos's director of sport who has been named a director of United since the Ratcliffe deal was done, sat in the director's box for Tuesday's much-needed victory.

"We are looking forward, I think it's positive for the club that they are in the stepping in," Ten Hag told reporters. "They have a lot of experience in sport on the highest level, F1, the cycling team (Ineos Grenadiers), other football clubs, so it can only help and support us to get our targets.

"So we are looking forward. They want to work with us and we want to work with them."

Player ratings from the match can be seen in the picture gallery above. To view the next image, click on the arrows or swipe if on a mobile device.

The specs: 2018 Audi R8 V10 RWS

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Engine: 5.2-litre V10

Gearbox: Seven-speed automatic

Power: 540hp @ 8,250rpm

Torque: 540Nm @ 6,500rpm

Fuel economy, combined: 12.4L / 100km

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Expo details

Expo 2020 Dubai will be the first World Expo to be held in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia

The world fair will run for six months from October 20, 2020 to April 10, 2021.

It is expected to attract 25 million visits

Some 70 per cent visitors are projected to come from outside the UAE, the largest proportion of international visitors in the 167-year history of World Expos.

More than 30,000 volunteers are required for Expo 2020

The site covers a total of 4.38 sqkm, including a 2 sqkm gated area

It is located adjacent to Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai South

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Kareem Shaheen on Canada
Countries recognising Palestine

France, UK, Canada, Australia, Portugal, Belgium, Malta, Luxembourg, San Marino and Andorra

 

Two products to make at home

Toilet cleaner

1 cup baking soda 

1 cup castile soap

10-20 drops of lemon essential oil (or another oil of your choice) 

Method:

1. Mix the baking soda and castile soap until you get a nice consistency.

2. Add the essential oil to the mix.

Air Freshener

100ml water 

5 drops of the essential oil of your choice (note: lavender is a nice one for this) 

Method:

1. Add water and oil to spray bottle to store.

2. Shake well before use. 

While you're here
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs

Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12

Power: 819hp

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The Book of Collateral Damage

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(Yale University Press)

Various Artists 
Habibi Funk: An Eclectic Selection Of Music From The Arab World (Habibi Funk)
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Citadel: Honey Bunny first episode

Directors: Raj & DK

Stars: Varun Dhawan, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Kashvi Majmundar, Kay Kay Menon

Rating: 4/5

UAE currency
Four reasons global stock markets are falling right now

There are many factors worrying investors right now and triggering a rush out of stock markets. Here are four of the biggest:

1. Rising US interest rates

The US Federal Reserve has increased interest rates three times this year in a bid to prevent its buoyant economy from overheating. They now stand at between 2 and 2.25 per cent and markets are pencilling in three more rises next year.

Kim Catechis, manager of the Legg Mason Martin Currie Global Emerging Markets Fund, says US inflation is rising and the Fed will continue to raise rates in 2019. “With inflationary pressures growing, an increasing number of corporates are guiding profitability expectations downwards for 2018 and 2019, citing the negative impact of rising costs.”

At the same time as rates are rising, central bankers in the US and Europe have been ending quantitative easing, bringing the era of cheap money to an end.

2. Stronger dollar

High US rates have driven up the value of the dollar and bond yields, and this is putting pressure on emerging market countries that took advantage of low interest rates to run up trillions in dollar-denominated debt. They have also suffered capital outflows as international investors have switched to the US, driving markets lower. Omar Negyal, portfolio manager of the JP Morgan Global Emerging Markets Income Trust, says this looks like a buying opportunity. “Despite short-term volatility we remain positive about long-term prospects and profitability for emerging markets.” 

3. Global trade war

Ritu Vohora, investment director at fund manager M&G, says markets fear that US President Donald Trump’s spat with China will escalate into a full-blown global trade war, with both sides suffering. “The US economy is robust enough to absorb higher input costs now, but this may not be the case as tariffs escalate. However, with a host of factors hitting investor sentiment, this is becoming a stock picker’s market.”

4. Eurozone uncertainty

Europe faces two challenges right now in the shape of Brexit and the new populist government in eurozone member Italy.

Chris Beauchamp, chief market analyst at IG, which has offices in Dubai, says the stand-off between between Rome and Brussels threatens to become much more serious. "As with Brexit, neither side appears willing to step back from the edge, threatening more trouble down the line.”

The European economy may also be slowing, Mr Beauchamp warns. “A four-year low in eurozone manufacturing confidence highlights the fact that producers see a bumpy road ahead, with US-EU trade talks remaining a major question-mark for exporters.”

If you go

The flights

There are direct flights from Dubai to Sofia with FlyDubai (www.flydubai.com) and Wizz Air (www.wizzair.com), from Dh1,164 and Dh822 return including taxes, respectively.

The trip

Plovdiv is 150km from Sofia, with an hourly bus service taking around 2 hours and costing $16 (Dh58). The Rhodopes can be reached from Sofia in between 2-4hours.

The trip was organised by Bulguides (www.bulguides.com), which organises guided trips throughout Bulgaria. Guiding, accommodation, food and transfers from Plovdiv to the mountains and back costs around 170 USD for a four-day, three-night trip.

 

Silent Hill f

Publisher: Konami

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC

Rating: 4.5/5

While you're here
The specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo

Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm

Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm

Transmission: 9-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh117,059

HIJRA

Starring: Lamar Faden, Khairiah Nathmy, Nawaf Al-Dhufairy

Director: Shahad Ameen

Rating: 3/5

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Who was Alfred Nobel?

The Nobel Prize was created by wealthy Swedish chemist and entrepreneur Alfred Nobel.

  • In his will he dictated that the bulk of his estate should be used to fund "prizes to those who, during the preceding year, have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind".
  • Nobel is best known as the inventor of dynamite, but also wrote poetry and drama and could speak Russian, French, English and German by the age of 17. The five original prize categories reflect the interests closest to his heart.
  • Nobel died in 1896 but it took until 1901, following a legal battle over his will, before the first prizes were awarded.
Spare

Profile

Company name: Spare

Started: March 2018

Co-founders: Dalal Alrayes and Saurabh Shah

Based: UAE

Sector: FinTech

Investment: Own savings. Going for first round of fund-raising in March 2019

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Brief scores:

Toss: South Africa, chose to field

Pakistan: 177 & 294

South Africa: 431 & 43-1

Man of the Match: Faf du Plessis (South Africa)

Series: South Africa lead three-match series 2-0

Living in...

This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.

Updated: December 27, 2023, 5:38 AM
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