Paul Pogba made his long-awaited return to football as he started for Monaco against Metz at the weekend and the former Manchester United star has opened up on his mental turmoil
Paul Pogba has opened up on his mental difficulties as he attempted to find a way back into football. The French midfielder has endured a nightmare time of things since leaving Old Trafford.
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Injuries ruined his return to former club Juventus, Pogba making just 12 appearances for the Italian side. He was then provisionally banned in September 2023 after failing a routine drugs test.
Pogba was hit with a four-year ban from the game but that was eventually reduced to 18 months. Now 33, Pogba has attempted to get his career back on track with French side Monaco.
But it has not gone to plan so far, with the midfielder having made just six appearances for his new employers, with injuries having kept him on the sidelines. Having finally made his first start since his ban, Pogba has spoken candidly about how tough he has found his time away from the pitch.
Speaking with Ligue 1 Plus, he said: “Honestly, there were times when I was like, ‘That’s it, it’s getting on my nerves.’ I do everything, I come, I’m here, and it doesn’t stop, it just keeps going.
“I was thinking, ‘What more do I have to do to avoid all this?’ And actually, it’s about time and patience. You have to have the patience to keep going and not give up.”
Pogba has praised those around him for helping him through the tough times. He added: “I was lucky to have people around me, whether it was my family or close friends, who would say to me, ‘What are you talking about?’ When I see the messages, whether on social media or when I arrive at the stadiums, they applaud.”
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Pogba’s future remains up in the air. He has just over a year remaining on his contract at the Stade Louis II but he has vowed that simply starting a game will not satisfy him,
He said: “I can’t stop here. I want to give that love and joy back to the people.”
Speaking earlier this season, Monaco CEO Thiago Scuro admitted talks would be held over his future. He said: “Paul, first of all, was about performance. It is about performance, the first step.
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“Paul is a very talented player with a different tier than we are used to having in Ligue 1. He’s coming back from two years without playing – We knew that the challenge to bring him back would be high.
“Of course that he brings also an impact in terms of visibility to the league, to AS Monaco, commercial revenues, all of this. But as we all know, the player must be on the pitch performing for everything to work well. At the end, we started this process in the summer with a very high expectation.”
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Sky Sports, HBO Max, Netflix and Disney+ with Ultimate TV package
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Sky has upgraded its Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundle to now include HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, discovery+ and Hayu, as well as 135 channels and full Sky coverage of the Premier League and EFL.
Sky broadcasts more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more with at least 215 live from the top flight alongside Formula 1, darts and golf.
Two kids and a lack of time to really look after myself has taken its toll on my skin, but after a session with skincare expert Keeley Aydin I’m on a new skincare routine and feeling hopeful
Looking at myself in the mirror ahead of my 38th birthday, I couldn’t help but sigh as I noticed how tired and dull my skin had become within the last few years.
Two children, six years of pretty consistent broken sleep and a lack of time to fully concentrate on a little self care was really starting to show.
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So as I stare down the barrel of my 40s on the horizon, I knew it was time to start taking a bit more care of myself. And just like that my fairy godmother, in the form of skincare expert Keeley Aydin, stepped into my life.
For as long as I can remember, I have had a love/hate relationship with my skin. From battling acne in my teenage years, trying all kinds of tricks and trends to improve it, but being left with the scars and redness, I longed for clear skin.
At times throughout my life my skin has had that longed for glow, but age and life have brought me back to feeling like a teenager again and I just long to feel confident without make-up.
So when the chance came up to head to the Galgorm for a masterclass with Keeley herself and discover some new products in the ELEMIS range, it was like fate had stepped in.
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So the day after my 38th birthday, I headed off in the hope that maybe this was going to be a turning point for my skin.
I have to say, the Galgorm is my absolute favourite place to go and unwind as there is nowhere I would rather be than exploring the Thermal Village, especially with the latest new expansion across the river which opened earlier this year.
As part of the trip we got to enjoy the spa at our leisure before being booked in for an ELEMIS facial. Of course I had heard of the famous British brand before, known for their award-winning anti-ageing products, but I’d never had a chance to try them before.
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In another twist of fate, a friend had actually sent me a selection of the mini versions of some of their best sellers as my birthday gift the day before. It looked like I was really being pointed in the direction of this brand.
The facial was so relaxing, I likely dozed off once or twice, and the thing I enjoyed the most was the smell of the products, they have a wonderful aromatherapy fragrance. The smooth facial I received also included an element of massage around the neck, arms and head.
I’ve never had a treatment at the Galgorm before so it was something I’ll definitely factor in next time, especially knowing that the spa has a partnership with ELEMIS. Nicely relaxed and feeling glowing, we all headed to the masterclass with Keeley in the Orangery.
Now if you haven’t heard of Keeley before, then it’s time to get acquainted because this woman, also known as the ‘skin whisperer’, knows what she’s talking about.
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With more than 30 years experience in this industry, the majority of those years being with ELEMIS, she is an authority in looking after your skin.
One of the first things that strikes me about Keeley is her own skin, because it was absolutely stunning. Now in her 50s, this woman is living proof of how these products can help keep your complexion youthful.
The second thing is her ability to simply look at someone and know exactly what their issue is. That’s one of the aspects of ELEMIS I love as I learn more about the brand, it is all about the knowledge that healthy skin starts from within. There’s a lot within our own bodies that affects our skin and shows in different ways.
As soon as I ask Keeley about my own skin, she highlights that she believes my problems could stem from stomach issues and she has advised I limit my diary and said that wheat could also be a concern.
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I had always suspected elements of my diet could be contributing to my skin issues so I’m interested to see how many some adjustments could improve things.
Keeley was in Northern Ireland as part of the brands launch of their new products in the Pro-Collagen range, their new face of body care in the form of the Body Cleansing Balm and Marine Body Cream.
Beside us we have the products and a little water so we can try them out ourselves. The Body Cleansing Balm smells divine, and transports you straight to the spa. As soon as you mix it with a little water it foams up and creates a wonderful silky milk then foam texture on your skin. The great thing is that a little goes a long way, so you are only using a small amount across your whole body.
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When I ask Keeley how long one of their 300ml bottles should last, she tells me potentially up to four months. At £45 a bottle, I think that is pretty good value for money, especially if it means transforming every shower into a spa like experience.
Clinical trials show it will deliver 24 hour hydration and with the brand’s signature blend of nine essential oils, including lavender, chamomile and eucalyptus, it is a treat for the senses.
This is followed up by the Pro-Collagen Marine Body Cream, their take on their award-winning famous facial cream, this time becoming an anti-wrinkle cream for the whole body.
Again I’m floored by the beautiful scent, rose and mimosa, the silky texture has an instant impact on my poor dry shins. It’s priced at £70 for 200ml and again, a little goes a long way.
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But here is when Keeley’s expertise comes into play because she tells us that if we are not exfoliating then it’s just a complete waste of this product as it’s essentially being soaked up by the old dead skin cells. This is when body brushing and using the brand’s Frangipani Monoi Salt Glow Body Scrub (£50) play a key role in preparing the skin for these fab new products.
Body brushing is something I’ve done sporadically over the years, but never dedicated any real time to seeing if it works. Turns out this was a mistake of mine and we should all be body brushing every day and it will improve the tone of our skin over time.
However, it turns out I’ve been doing it wrong anyway because any time I’ve tried, I’ve been scrubbing so hard, probably with the hope of rubbing away any cellulite. It turns out what you need to do is use a gentler pressure and go from your hand, up your arm towards your heart. Then from your foot up towards your heart again and then across your torso. It’s definitely something I am trying to incorporate into my daily routine as Keeley said we would notice a difference.
So with these new products to help give the overall skin on my body a bit of TLC, what about my face and how to improve that?
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ELEMIS have an incredible range of products and I feel like a kid in a toy shop looking at the ones on display in the spa at Galgorm.
Keeley starts us all off with the Pro Collagen Hydrating Cleansing Mousse, which I am now using as a cleanser morning and night. As well as this I now have a double cleanse in the evening, using the famous Pro Collagen Cleansing Balm. I think this might be one of my favourite products, the smell is out of this world and I love how it goes on dry and then once you have rubbed it in, you add water and watch it foam up. I don’t think my skin has ever been so clean, it’s now my favourite part of the day using this in the evening.
Now one of the big things that Keeley emphasised we all should be doing is using toner. I had been but I must admit I was also using it to remove make up, and probably being too rough with my skin with a cotton pad. Now I just use the Pro Collagen toning mist after cleansing and again the smell takes me back to the spa and I love how my skin feels afterwards. Keeley had explained the importance of toning was to do with replenishing the moisture in your skin, post cleanse. This product is also good at reducing the appearance of pores which I am definitely looking forward to seeing the results of.
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Next up I am now trying the Pro Collgen Rose Essence In Lotion which is an absolute delightful smell, I know I have said others parts of my new skin routine are my favourite but the smell of this one is floral and just something I love to indulge in every day now. You can feel how hydrating it is as well so it’s a wonderful addition to my routine.
For those who are keen on floral scents as well, I hear the Galgorm is hosting an ELEMIS Rose-Inspired Afternoon Tea which is coming up on June 7 and features the ELEMIS Pro-Collagen Rose collection so that is definitely one to consider if you are interested in ELEMIS products and love some afternoon tea as well.
Now an ELEMIS routine would not be complete with their famous Pro Collagen Marine Cream. It’s been winning awards for years and it’s clear to see why.
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In the space of just two weeks I’ve already noticed improvements in my skin’s overall health and those pesky fine lines.
It honestly feels like I have found exactly what my skin was missing, and it’s not crazy trending treatments but good quality skincare with decades of research behind it. I love what ELEMIS stands for, looking after yourself from within so it shows on your face.
After learning all we could from Keeley it was time for some delicious food at Elements in the spa before heading back to the spa to spend the rest of the evening. I was in heaven.
As if learning all of this from ELEMIS wasn’t enough, I got to enjoy a night to myself at Galgorm, the ultimate treat. The next morning I squeezed in as much spa time before a leisurely breakfast at Gillies before I had to admit my night escape was over and it was time to head back to reality.
If any of this sounds like the ideal trip for you then you need to check out the 1 Night Spa Escape package with Galgorm. The lead-in rate is £565 for two people for an overnight stay in a resort guest room, complimentary mini bar, access to the Thermal Spa Village from check in until check out, Full Irish Breakfast, Celtic Sauna Infusion experience, 60 minute ELEMIS spa treatment and a three course evening meal in either Gillies Restaurant, Fratelli or Castle Kitchen + Bar.
Crews were called out to Royal Bolton Hospital on Minerva Road, Farnworth, on the afternoon of Saturday, May 2.
A member of the public reported that crews were sent to the second floor of the hospital, but the fire service has since confirmed the incident was a false alarm.
A Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: “A member of staff could smell burning, so firefighters were called out, but on investigation no fire or source was found.”
The incident turned out to be a false alarm (Image: Paul Miskiw)
It is believed the suspected issue was caused by the hospital’s air conditioning.
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Having made sure the scene was safe, fire crews were able to return to their stations soon after arriving that afternoon.
Members of the public have been encouraged to always call 999 in the event of an emergency as soon as it is safe to do so.
Channel 5 has confirmed that series seven of All Creatures Great and Small, its most successful drama series to date, has begun filming this spring in the Yorkshire Dales, with more heartwarming stories set to unfold in the fictional market town of Darrowby.
Based on the memoirs of Yorkshire vet James Herriot, the series has charmed audiences since its 2020 debut, airing six annual seasons to date, five in September and one in October.
All Creatures Great and Small (Image: CHANNEL5)
Filming began on March 25 in Grassington, North Yorkshire, which doubles as the fictional town of Darrowby with its period shop fronts and cobbled streets.
The Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority highlighted the return of filming in a recent social media post.
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The authority said: “Last week we saw the set of “All Creatures Great and Small” return to Grassington!
“The cast enjoyed rare sunny weather whilst filming for the sixth series of this popular drama took place in Grassington, transforming the village into the fictional town of Darrowby.”
Channel 5’s Commissioning Editor, Greg Barnett, said: “All Creatures Great and Small is a jewel in 5’s drama crown and continues to delight viewers year after year.
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“Its warmth, humour and heart, set against the beauty of Yorkshire, have made it a firm audience favourite.
“We’re thrilled to extend its future with two more series, with many new stories still to tell and more unforgettable adventures ahead for our Skeldale family.”
Production on the seventh series was confirmed earlier this year by cast member Samuel West, who plays Siegfried Farnon.
Mr West posted a behind-the-scenes photo showing Nicholas Ralph, who plays James Herriot, looking out across the Yorkshire landscape in costume.
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He captioned the photo: “Nick enjoying today’s location near Burnside.
“Feel very blessed to be working in the Dales on days like these.”
Rachel Shenton (Helen Herriot), Callum Woodhouse (Tristan Farnon), and Anna Madeley (Mrs Audrey Hall) are also expected to return for series seven.
Grassington that doubles as Darrowby (Image: CHANNEL5)
Plot details for the new season remain under wraps, but Mr Barnett hinted at “unforgettable adventures” still to come.
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Channel 5 and Masterpiece have renewed the series for both a seventh and eighth season, underlining the show’s continued popularity.
Series seven will once again comprise six episodes and a Christmas special.
Production crews also filmed scenes in Bradford city centre in March, transforming part of the city into 1940s London with vintage vehicles and period detail.
The sixth series wrapped up with a Christmas special, which included the emotional return of Helen (Rachel Shenton).
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The seventh season is expected to continue from where it left off.
Greg Barnett said viewers can look forward to new tales of rural Yorkshire life and more heartfelt moments from their favourite characters.
Though a premiere date for series seven has yet to be confirmed, the autumn schedules appear likely, given the consistent release pattern of previous seasons.
A road was closed while the firefighters tackled the fire
11:14, 03 May 2026Updated 11:21, 03 May 2026
Firefighters were called to a road in Cambridge after receiving reports of a car in flames on Saturday, May 2. Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service were called at 12.49pm to a car fire on Brooklands Avenue.
A crew from Cambridge arrived to find a car “well alight”. The fire had spread to a nearby bus stop.
The road was closed so the firefighters could tackle the fire safely and make the area safe. The crew used a hose reel and returned to their station by 2:11pm. The cause of the fire was confirmed to be accidental.
The world of vacuum cleaners, it seems, is a tribal one, particularly among Telegraph readers, where brand loyalty is key.
Whether it’s a battle-hardened Henry dragged from job to job, a durable, German-engineered machine or a high-tech Dyson, each choice reflects a different philosophy of cleaning and often says as much about your priorities as it does about your floors.
When we recently updated our guide to the best vacuums, the comments were full of varying opinions and recommendations. So, here’s the advice worth considering next time you’re in the market for a new one.
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The people’s champion: Henry
Unpretentious, nostalgic and found everywhere from tradesmen’s vans to family homes, Henry is by far the most highly-rated vacuum cleaner among our readers, and for good reason. Made by British brand Numatic, the vacuum is reliable, indestructible, and even fireproof, as one reader explains.
Henry is “the vacuum cleaner of choice” for David Jones, who regards the brand as the best for helping to manage maintenance on various facilities.
While at home, he prefers to use George: “It is basically a Henry with a wet extraction carpet cleaner bolted on. It can be used as a dry vacuum and works well.”
“I like Numatic stuff in general because its cleaners are powerful, robust and cheap. Parts are readily available, not that I seem to need them much,” he explains.
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Jones has tried other vacuums in his work, such as a Dyson stick vacuum, which he found “expensive, flimsy, not very powerful and with limited battery life”.
Three children and two people in the plane were killed as a result of this horrific crash
May 3 marks the 49th anniversary of one of the most catastrophic events in the history of the Cambridgeshire town of Huntingdon. The horrific event took place on May 3, 1977, when an RAF plane crashed into houses which resulted in five death.
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The accident happened on Norfolk Road in Huntingdon and led to the deaths of three children and two air pilots. At about 11am, the Canberra was on its way back to RAF Wyton near Huntingdon after a routine training flight.
About two miles from the end of the runway, it crashed by some houses in the estate of Oxmoor. It is believed that the plane crash was caused by the pilot losing control.
Sisters Kelly Middleton and Tracey Middleton, aged two and four respectively, and baby Adrian Thompson who was only three and a half months old, all died. The pilot, Flt Lt John Armitage, 27, and navigator Fly Lt Lawrence Davies, 26, were also killed in the crash.
The event is still felt by locals of Huntingdon today. In 2017, Huntingdon Town Council unveiled a memorial bench and five tree plaques to mark the 40th anniversary and to remember the lives lost. The memorial is located on Norfolk Road near the site of the crash.
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In 2023, the council, with representatives from RAF Wyton, held a ceremony at the memorial and installed an interpretation board to tell the story of the tragedy. Sunday, May 3, Huntingdon Town Council about posted the anniversary, marking 49 years to remember those “who lost their lives, and all those who were affected”.
Welsh Green Party leader Anthony Slaughter made the comments during a party campaign held in Cardiff this weekend
The leader of the Welsh Greens said Zack Polanski has “cleared things up” after backlash over a post he shared about the Golders Green police officers. Welsh Green Party leader Anthony Slaughter made the comments during a party campaign held in Cardiff this weekend.
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Mr Polanski, the Green Party leader, has since apologised for sharing the post which accused officers of violently kicking the stabbing suspect in the head after he had already been incapacitated. He has faced criticism from Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Met Police chief Mark Rowley as well as from within his own ranks.
Earlier this week Anthony Slaughter, leader of the Welsh Greens, said during an LBC debate that the post seemed “inappropriate”. But at the party’s campaign event at the Church of Saint John the Evangelist in Canton Mr Slaughter said: “I think he’s cleared things up and he’s apologised – he’s offered to meet the Met commissioner.
“I was on the spot (during the LBC debate) because I’d only just heard about it as I walked in, so that was my own personal feelings on it. I can’t speak for Zack but, as far as we’re concerned, it’s all been cleared up now. It’s a fast-moving, horrible situation, social media moves fast.
“Zack is the leader for the moment. The party was very strong already, don’t get me wrong, people going beforehand built the strong foundation. But he is so passionate, so committed, and really, he’s really stood by Wales over the years. So he’s always welcome here.”
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Speaking at the campaign event in Canton, Greens candidate Tessa Marshall used her speech to extend sympathy to Mr Polanski. She said: “I just wanted to say a huge thank you to you for everything you’ve done for this campaign and everything you’ve done for this party, like, it is seriously, so, so impressive.
“Everything that you’ve done and everything that you’re going through right now is absolutely… we see it. We are appalled by all the targeting, all of the… just hatred and nastiness that is coming your way. We see it and we feel it. I feel it, a part of it, I’m only getting a tiny, tiny portion of it and it is really, really hard.”
At the event Mr Polanski, who addressed candidates, members and supporters from the pulpit, said Green Party politicians will not be tempted by “fancy dinners or fancy drinks”. He insisted the Greens are not “professional politicians” and will not “get caught up with the establishment”.
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He spoke to an audience of candidates and supporters in the run-up to the Senedd election on Thursday where the Greens are aiming to win their first ever seats.
He continued: “We need people to know that when they elect a Green Senedd member they are not electing professional politicians like other parties. They’re electing people who have had jobs in their lives, who know what it’s like to struggle, who know what it’s like to be in their community.
“And that’s exactly the person who, when they go to the Senedd, will not suddenly get caught up with the establishment and enjoy the fancy dinners or fancy drinks.”
“I won’t talk about drinking in Parliament,” he added, appearing to reference remarks made by Green MP Hannah Spencer in an interview with Politics Joe where she criticised MPs for drinking between votes.
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Ms Spencer became the party’s most recent MP after winning the by-election in Gorton and Denton, south-east Manchester, in February. Mr Polanski said the by-election triumph demonstrated that “when it comes to Green Party versus billionaires, the Green Party can win every single time”.
He added: “The second reason why I mention Gorton and Denton is I remember being there a few days before the election, looking out at the crowd, and just thinking: ‘This is a crowd that wins things.’ I’m having that same feeling right now. Let’s go out there and let’s fight and campaign for every single vote, but also let’s recognise the momentum and the forward motion that Wales Green Party has right now.
“This moment didn’t just come about and, in fact, I’m often flattered by (people) saying, did this moment happen when you were elected leader? Certainly, there’s been a boost. But this moment has been happening for a long time. Wales Green Party has been building, people have been doing the hard yards, and this is the moment that everything pays off.”
Michael Carrick’s Manchester United raced into a two-goal lead at Old Trafford thanks to early goals from Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko.
A routine home win looked inevitable at the half-time interval but Liverpool made a strong start to the second-half, scoring twice through Dominik Szoboszlai and Cody Gakpo.
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The game was on the line at that point but United rescued back momentum and clinched a win that secures Champions League football through Mainoo’s 77th-minute goal.
Former England striker Sturridge was impressed by Mainoo’s performance against Liverpool and backed the 21-year-old to go to ‘the next level’.
Kobbie Mainoo scored the winner at Old Trafford (Picture: Getty)
‘For Kobbie, it was a difficult time [under former manager Ruben Amorim,’ Sturridge said on Sky Sports. ‘Mentally, hearing your manager say “you’re up against Bruno Fernandes.”
‘Now, for him to come back into the squad week in and week out, he’s building some momentum. I would love to see him go to the next level.
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‘I’d like to see him work on his explosiveness which he will get because he is only 21. And I want to see him bulk up.
‘Then, I think he will be strong and robust. He will be a guy in there who can run. I think he needs to work on his capacity to run.
Michael Carrick celebrates beating Liverpool (Picture: Getty)
‘I think Kobbie does have the capability to do that, but he doesn’t show it consistently. If he bulks himself up and gets explosive, we’re talking about a guy that can go to the next level.’
Discussing Mainoo’s revival since Amorim’s sacking, ex-Manchester United boss Roy Keane added: ‘It’s a great moment for him.
‘He’s had his challenges over the last few months. That’s the journey of any young player. He’s taken his opportunity. To score the winning goal for any local kid, it’s fantastic.
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‘The last six months will be quite good for him. For a young player at a big club, he comes on the scene and getting all the headlines, doing well and then getting involved with England.
‘The last few months, people have been talking about him going out on loan, but I always said that sometimes you have to sit and learn, watch the game and the team.
‘In football, there are good and bad experiences and I’ll think he’ll learn from this last few months than when he first got into the team.
‘He’s had to mature, he’s got his new deal, he’s had to learn his trade. He’s a young player, he’s still learning, he’s got years before he even peaks.’
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Mainoo, meanwhile, reflected on the ‘difficult’ spell he had at boyhood club Manchester United after sealing the win over Liverpool.
‘Happy to turn it [the season] around, it’s a credit to all our players and the manager as well,’ he said. ‘We still need to finish the season strong, this is not enough for us.
‘It was difficult of course, anytime you’re not playing football. I just tried to look forward as much as possible and to keep my head down.’
On Carrick’s role since taking over as interim manager, Mainoo added: ‘He’s played a huge part in it, all the confidence he gives all the players. You want to follow him and fight for him and die for him on the pitch.’
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While Manchester United have secured Champions League football and are third with three games remaining, Liverpool stay fourth, level on points with fifth-placed Aston Villa.
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