Kylian Mbappe used to wear Manchester United shirts emblazoned with Cristiano Ronaldo’s name, his mother has revealed.
Fayza Lamari has been speaking of her son’s love of football since a very early age and described the range of football tops he wore as a child. Milan, Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, and Rennes were other clubs that Mbappe had shirts of while younger.
Mbappe, who joined Paris-based club AS Bondy aged six, was hugely passionate about football from a very early age with Lamari explaining how his shirt choices and general fandom were inspired by top strikers during his childhood in the 2000s.
Lamari was speaking ahead of the French superstar facing Milan for PSG in the Champions League group stage on Wednesday. She revealed how the striker had a Rossoneri shirt as a child, which he would wear to training and to bed – such was his attachment.
Lamari said of her son’s Milan shirt, in quotes carried by Football Italia: “He wore it for training and even to bed. But like so many others: Real Madrid, France, PSG, Manchester United for CR7. He loved top strikers, but he could also wear the shirt of (Swiss striker, Alexander) Frei of Rennes.”
Lamari continued, affirming Mbappe’s previous support of the Milanese giants: “He is the son of sportsmen, but he was immersed in cheering for Milan right from the start. When he came home, he would only talk about Milan. If Milan lost, he could throw the remote control at the TV and say a few bad words in Italian.”
Antonio Riccardi, who was one of Mbappe’s earliest coaches and friends, confirmed the striker’s early passion for the Italian side: “Kylian told me that Milan were part of his plans, but at the end of his career. He was joking, unfortunately. No one or almost no one can afford him now.”
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Mbappe had a night to forget when PSG lost at Newcastle in matchday two in the Champions League (
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‘Hesitation and confusion’ – Erik ten Hag is set to repeat his Manchester United tactical ploy vs Man City
Man United defeated Man City at Old Trafford last season and Erik ten Hag’s tactics were decisive on that afternoon.
Manchester City thought they had done enough to win the Manchester derby when taking the lead at Old Trafford in January.
Jack Grealish’s goal on the hour mark felt like the deciding moment, but Bruno Fernandes equalised in the 78th minute and pandemonium ensued moments later when Marcus Rashford made it 2-1 at the Stretford End.
The result was a landmark victory for Erik ten Hag and it was the team’s seventh consecutive win in all competitions. The win moved United up to third in the Premier League table and some even suggested a title charge was possible.
Ten Hag’s first year was a success and that win over City was one of the most memorable results of the campaign, with supporters leaving Old Trafford on that afternoon dreaming of a grandstand finish in the league.
The win also provided some revenge after the humiliating 6-3 defeat at the Etihad earlier in the season and Ten Hag received huge praise for his tactical approach, particularly his decision to play Bruno Fernandes on the right.
“The idea with Bruno on the right wing and especially in defending, we defended as usual but in possession, he had a role to come in between the lines to bring an extra player there,” Ten Hag said after the game.
“It was his role to bring the opponent problems and create hesitation and confusion and I thought he played that brilliantly. The rest of the team adapted well to the situation and we had really good breaks by finding the free man.
Fernandes provided defensive cover and was excellent in attacking scenarios during that game and Ten Hag has sometimes asked him to play in that role throughout his tenure, despite him being a natural creative midfielder.
The 29-year-old’s preference to play as a No.10 is certainly no secret, but he’s previously said that he’ll play wherever his manager needs him and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him start on the right wing again this weekend.
Antony has been poor since his return to action and questions must be asked of Ten Hag if he starts against City on Sunday. He doesn’t deserve to keep his starting role and Fernandes seems the best option to play in that position.
Fernandes playing on the right has already worked against City, while Fauncdo Pellistri, who is the only other fit option on that side, is not ready to start for the first-team in games of such magnitude as the Manchester derby.
Ten Hag was asked about Fernandes playing on the right in his penultimate pre-match press conference and said: “As a squad, in periods of the season, you have to deal with certain situations like injuries, at full-back and right wing in the last couple of games.
“We have to find solutions. Burno is a very good right winger as well, he has his freedom there, playing not typical but coming inside more, the 10 role and always you want to use a player like this, he’s a player that creates so many chances.”
It’s advisable to play your best players in their strongest positions, but if United want to get a result in the derby, just like they did in January, they will have a better chance of achieving that with Fernandes on the right wing.
Ten Hag is a creature of habit and he also played Fernandes in that role in the FA Cup final.
City were superior in every aspect that day and it’s hoped this weekend’s game is closer.
