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After Sunday's embarrassing setback, Manchester United got back to winning ways on Wednesday, with Paul Pogba making a compelling argument for inclusion in this weekend’s FA Cup semi-final against Tottenham at Wembley.
The under-fire Frenchman had been hauled off early in the 1-0 home defeat to West Brom last time out but at Bournemouth he got back to basics to help United to a 2-0 victory.
After Jose Mourinho had warned that semi-final spots were up for grabs, Pogba delivered a composed and accomplished performance with none of the “flicks and tricks” about which his manager had complained on Sunday.
 
Mourinho made seven changes in total, leaving out the likes of Alexis Sanchez, Romelu Lukaku and Nemanja Matic, but retained the £89.5 million signing in a first XI which also featured rare starts for Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial.
It wasn’t exactly a run-out with the reserves but it did appear to be a mark of the manager’s desire to see Pogba turn in an improved showing before giving him the nod for Saturday’s showpiece at Wembley.
To begin with, United looked slow and disjointed, doing little to promote the notion that Mourinho was looking for a more emboldened approach to the game, but, as the first half wore on, their higher pressing game began to have an effect and space in Bournemouth territory became easier to come by for the likes of Rashford and Martial.
 
They took the lead through an unlikely source, although to be fair to Chris Smalling he has now netted in three straight away Premier League matches.
Having scored in the pair of 3-2 comeback victories against Crystal Palace and Manchester City, the former England centre-back finished off a wonderful move involving Pogba, Ander Herrera and Jesse Lingard by slotting home from six yards out.
 
Herrera and Pogba generally had control of the game for the most part, with the Spaniard covering plenty of ground in the midfield third and allowing Pogba to have more of a say in the Bournemouth half on the left of the central three. Of all those playing for their places in this United squad, the midfield pair were easily the most sparkling.
 
Pogba played a huge role in United’s clinching second goal just as Bournemouth were gearing up for a tilt at an equaliser, bursting through the left channel on the break before teeing up substitute Lukaku for a lofted left-foot finish beyond Asmir Begovic.
Just as Herrera had been to allow for Lukaku to enter the fray, Pogba was then replaced by Mourinho for the closing stages with his point having been made.
All the signs suggest that he has played his way into the side to face Spurs at the weekend in what is now the key fixture in what remains of United’s season.
 
Cristiano Ronaldo did it again. Just when it looked like Real Madrid might slip to a second straight loss at the Santiago Bernabeu, the 33-year-old stuck out his heel to divert a long-range Luka Modric effort past Kepa Arrizabalaga and earn a 1-1 draw against Athletic Club.
With that, the Portuguese continued his remarkable recent run in front of goal. He has now netted in each of his last 12 matches in all competitions, with 22 strikes for Los Blancos in that time, and 25 in his last 15.
Ronaldo was rested for the 2-1 win over Malaga on Sunday, having hit the penalty last Wednesday which saw Real prevail against Juventus after they had thrown away a three-goal lead from the first leg.
 
The 3-1 defeat to Juve meant Madrid had failed to win 11 of their games at the Bernabeu prior to this one and that became 12 as Athletic followed on from Valencia, Levante, Betis, Villarreal, Tottenham, Barcelona, Numancia, Fuenlabrada, Leganes, Atletico and the Italians in frustrating Los Blancos at their famous home this term.
A cute chip from Inaki Williams gave the Basques an early lead and, after that, it was a case of holding on, although the visitors also hit the crossbar in the second half in a glorious double chance that went begging.
 
This was Madrid's final fixture before next Wednesday's Champions League semi-final first leg against Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena and if this was a warm up for that, it was not a very convincing one.
There is no weekend fixture for Real because Zinedine Zidane's side had been due to face Sevilla but the Andalusians are in action against Barcelona in the final of the Copa del Rey on Saturday.
Zidane picked an interesting line-up, with Marco Asensio and Lucas Vazquez on the wings, Modric and Toni Kroos in central midfield. At this level, however, that pairing is too vulnerable defensively and Casemiro was badly missed.
 
Although Real had most of the play and Kepa made some super saves, Athletic easily exploited the holes in the middle and Casemiro – who showed what he can do by stealing possession to start and then finish the move for his side's second goal at Malaga on Sunday – will surely start in Germany.
 
To have any chance of beating the Blaugrana and also advancing against Bayern, Ronaldo's goals will, of course, be vital. But so too will the figure of Casemiro, whose importance was very much highlighted in his absence on Wednesday.
 
I'm not happy with the result, but I'm happy with how we played," Zidane said afterwards. "We have had many games like that in La Liga at home this season."
They have. Despite their hopes of claiming a third straight Champions League crown, Madrid's campaign in the league has been desperately disappointing and rivals Barca could potentially be champions if they win the teams' Clasico clash at Camp Nou on May 6.
 
Arsenal will bid €40m for Benzema

Arsenal are prepared to offer €40 million for Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema, claims Diario Gol.
The 30-year-old Frenchman has endured a difficult season in Madrid, and the report states that Sergio Ramos has told club president Florentino Perez to sell the forward.
However, Perez is holding out for €80m in exchange for the striker, which could put the brakes on any potential deal.
 
Man Utd preparing massive Ter Stegen offer

Jose Mourinho is prepared to meet Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre Ter Stegen's €180 million release clause, reports Don Balon.
The Manchester United boss fears that David de Gea is bound for Real Madrid this summer, and is determined to replace the Spaniard with a goalkeeper of similar quality.
And the German international has been lined up for a move, though his price would be extremely hefty.
 
Vieira could replace Wenger

Former Arsenal midfielder Patrick Vieira could replace his former manager Arsene Wenger, according to the Daily Mail.
The current Gunners boss could be set to step down at the end of the current campaign, with frustration over the club's lack of progress growing.
And Vieira, who has impressed as head coach of MLS side New York City FC, has emerged as a serious candidate to replace Wenger.
 
Man Utd, Chelsea and Spurs in for Kurzawa

Manchester United, Chelsea and Tottenham are all interested in Paris Saint-Germain left-back Layvin Kurzawa, according to RMC.
The 25-year-old France international has seen his place with PSG come into question this season, with Yuri Berchiche often preferred by the Ligue 1 side.
And the Premier League trio are hoping to swoop for Kurzawa, whose contract at Parc des Princes runs until 2020.
 
Wolves interested in Wilshere

Newly promoted Wolves are prepared to move for Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere, claims the Mirror.
The Championship side are hoping to seal an ambitious move for the 26-year-old as they begin life in the Premier League next season.
Wilshere's contract runs out at the end of this season, and Everton, Liverpool and Manchester City, as well as teams from Italy are monitoring his situation.
 
Juventus target Ramsey and Rabiot

Juventus have PSG midfielder Adrien Rabiot and Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey on their summer shopping list, according to Tuttosport.
The Serie A champions are still hopeful of sealing a move for soon-to-be free agent Emre Can, but have begun looking at alternatives should a deal fall through.
If the Liverpool man doesn't end up in Turin, then the Old Lady could look to Paris or London for his replacement.
 
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