Matic Says Man Utd Must Win All Remaining Games to Seal Top-Four Spot

Nemanja Matic. (Reuters)
Nemanja Matic. (Reuters)
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Matic Says Man Utd Must Win All Remaining Games to Seal Top-Four Spot

Nemanja Matic. (Reuters)
Nemanja Matic. (Reuters)

Manchester United must approach every game until the end of the Premier League campaign like it is a final, midfielder Nemanja Matic said ahead of Saturday's meeting with fellow top-four contenders Tottenham Hotspur.

United are fifth in the league with 47 points from 28 games, while Tottenham are two places below them with 45 points but the London side have two games in hand in their quest to finish inside the Champions League qualification spots.

"For us, every game is a final until the end of the season," said Serbian Matic, who came on as a substitute and provided an assist in United's 3-0 win when the teams met earlier in the season, in an article on the club website.

"We have to win almost every game to secure the Champions League place so I'm sure we'll be mentally ready and physically, I'm sure we'll do everything to win (on Saturday)," Matic said.

Matic is aware of the challenge that lies ahead after Tottenham striker Harry Kane scored a double in their 5-0 victory over Everton on Monday, while United were humbled 4-1 by neighbors Manchester City a day earlier.

Kane said earlier this week he is relishing the clash at Old Trafford and that Tottenham sense an opportunity to inflict another heavy defeat on United.

"They played well as a team. I watched the last game and Kane is in a good moment," Matic said. "It'll be a hard game for us but I'm sure we'll have a response for that."



Porto Appoint Farioli as Head Coach

Soccer Football - Ligue 1 - Brest v Nice - Stade Francis-Le Ble, Brest, France - February 4, 2024 OGC Nice coach Francesco Farioli applauds fans after the match REUTERS/Stephane Mahe/File Photo
Soccer Football - Ligue 1 - Brest v Nice - Stade Francis-Le Ble, Brest, France - February 4, 2024 OGC Nice coach Francesco Farioli applauds fans after the match REUTERS/Stephane Mahe/File Photo
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Porto Appoint Farioli as Head Coach

Soccer Football - Ligue 1 - Brest v Nice - Stade Francis-Le Ble, Brest, France - February 4, 2024 OGC Nice coach Francesco Farioli applauds fans after the match REUTERS/Stephane Mahe/File Photo
Soccer Football - Ligue 1 - Brest v Nice - Stade Francis-Le Ble, Brest, France - February 4, 2024 OGC Nice coach Francesco Farioli applauds fans after the match REUTERS/Stephane Mahe/File Photo

Former Ajax Amsterdam and Nice manager Francesco Farioli has been appointed head coach of Porto on a two-year contract, the Portuguese side said on Sunday.

Farioli left Ajax in May after the Dutch side missed out on a record 37th Eredivisie crown following a late season collapse, which allowed PSV Eindhoven to snatch the title on the final day.

The Italian led Nice to a fifth-place finish in Ligue 1 in the 2023-24 season and has also coached Turkish sides Fatih Karagumruk and Alanyaspor.

He replaces Martin Anselmi, who departed Porto earlier this month after their group-stage exit from the Club World Cup.

Porto finished third in the Primeira Liga last season, nine points behind champions Sporting.