11 THURSDAY, APRIL 9, 2020 sports

Paraguay court releases Solskjaer wants United ready into house arrest for return to “normality” AFP | London

le Gunnar Solskjaer is looking at transfer tar- gets during the lockdown We want to be the O best at everything, and believes Manchester United are well-placed to exploit any and of course now knock-on effects of the corona- is a chance to spend virus suspension. more time, you With training and matches discuss players, halted in a bid to curb the spread discuss plans of COVID-19, the Norwegian has Retired Brazilian football great Ronaldinho arrives at a hotel in Asuncion used some of this unexpected OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER free time to pinpoint how best AFP | London ers can swap their grim police to improve the squad. cell block -- which has also Jadon Sancho, Jude Bell - Paraguayan judge on Tues- housed Paraguay’s former soc- ingham and Jack Grealish are Marcus Rashford and Paul Aday ordered the release cer federation chief and the among the names liked with Pogba are likely to have recov- of Brazilian football great ex-speaker of the lower house the club, with Solskjaer working ered from their injury lay-offs by Ronaldinho and his brother of parliament -- for a plush co- with United’s staff to fine-tune the time football resumes. into house arrest while they lonial-style hotel in downtown targets. “In a way, they have got an op- await trial on charges of us- Asuncion. “Football is going to get back portunity here to play a bigger ing false passports to enter the The brochure of the refur- to normality at one point, and part in this season than they had country. bished 107-room Palmaroga it’s very important we’re ready hoped,” said Solskjaer. Judge Gustavo Amarilla told Hotel, located in the capital’s when that happens,” the United “And they are big players for reporters that he had ordered historic center, describes it as manager told Sky Sports. us, some of the most important the “continuation of house ar- offering “a seamless blend of “We want to be the best at players.” rest in a hotel for Ronaldinho early 1900s Renaissance grace everything, and of course now United are currently fifth in and his brother.” and modern comfort as well is a chance to spend more time, the table, chas- The pair were jailed one as luxury.” you discuss players, discuss ing a top-four berth that would month ago to await trial, but “I have the assurance of the plans.” Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer kicks the ball during a training guarantee entry into next sea- their lawyers have posted bail hotel managers that they, at Asked whether United can ex- session son’s Champions League. of $1.6 million. their own expense, can observe ploit the transfer market when “We can kick on, I’m sure we Ronaldinho, considered one house arrest there,” Amarilla football returns, Solskjaer said: exploit, and I know that we at we want to.” can get a good start and climb of the greatest footballers of all told a news conference. “Who knows how the market Man United, we are one of the Solskjaer’s team last played up that table if we keep doing time, was a star of Brazil’s 2002 Paraguay’s appeals court last is going to react to this? Who biggest, and the biggest, finan- on March 12 against Austrian the right thing,” said Solskjaer. World Cup win and played for month rejected a request to knows which clubs need to sell cially well-off. side LASK in a Europa League “Even with the FA Cup and European giants Barcelona, release the pair, meaning the players? “I’m sure we are capable, last-16 first-leg game played be- Europa League, if that does go Paris Saint-Germain and AC two-time world player of the “There might be just a sit - when we get back to normality, hind closed doors, which they ahead, we’ve got good chances Milan, among others. year spent his 40th birthday uation there where you can that we can do the business that won 5-0. there.” The ruling means the broth- behind bars.

Mourinho admits he was in the PSG launch Mane would ‘understand’ if wrong over training session crowdfunding platform to fight Liverpool were denied title coronavirus Omnisport | London Reuters | Paris COVID-19. want to get the trophy, it’s what adio Mane would “under- It remains to be seen when, I would love. aris St Germain are Sstand” if the 2019-20 sea- or even if, the Premier League “But with this situation, Plaunching a crowd - son was scrapped due to the will return as the hiatus has whatever happens I will un- fundng platform to help coronavirus pandemic, even extended past the beginning of derstand. the local hospitals amid though Liverpool are just two May already. “It has been difficult for Liv- the coronavirus outbreak, wins away from claiming the However, Mane insists there erpool, but it has the French champions said title. are bigger concerns given over been more difficult yesterday. The Reds have been champi- 83,000 people have died after for many mil - “By opening a crowdfund- ons-in-waiting for some time, contracting coronavirus world- lions of people ing platform... Paris St Ger- having taken 79 points from 29 wide. around the main is keeping the solidar- games to open up a 25-point Asked if he felt like world. ity momentum toward the lead over Manchester City. a champion already, caregivers of the Paris and Yet the Premier League, like Mane told talk - Some people Ile de France (region) hos- Tottenham manager Jose Mourinho (L) looks on during a training session (file the vast majority of compe - SPORT: “I think not have lost family pitals, the volunteers and photo) titions across the world, has yet. I love my members and that is beneficiaries of the Secours been halted due to restrictions the more complicated AFP | London were not in line with govern- Populaire... and Action designed to limit the spread of situation. ment protocol and we must against Hunger,” the Ligue “But for myself, it’s my ottenham boss Jose Mour- only have contact with mem- 1 club said in a statement. dream and I want to win it Tinho has accepted he was bers of our own household,” “The club is calling on the this year. in the wrong for holding a one- said the Portuguese manager. whole PSG family to con- Sadio “If that’s not the case, I will on-one training session with “It is vital we all play our tribute.” I want to win the games Mane accept. It’s part of life. Hope- Tanguy Ndombele part and follow government PSG, who have already and I want to get the fully we will win it next year.” in a public park in London. advice in order to support our raised 200,000 euros trophy, it’s what I Some - such as Manches - Mourinho was pictured on heroes in the NHS and save ($217,240) by selling a would love. ter United’s Luke Shaw - have social media flaunting govern- lives.” ‘Tous Unis’ (All United) jer- “But with this suggested the Premier League ment rules by meeting up with London Mayor Sadiq Khan sey, added that they would situation, whatever should be voided if the season the midfielder Tuesday, even told the BBC the players and announce new solidarity happens I will job cannot resume. though they kept to social dis- Mourinho should be leading measures in the coming and However, UEFA president Al- tancing guidelines. by example. days. understand. It has been I love eksander Ceferin said earlier Fellow Spurs players Davin- “My concern is people, par- On Tuesday, sports dai- difficult for Liverpool, foot- this week he sees “no way” in son Sanchez and Ryan Ses - ticularly children, who might ly L’Equipe reported that but it has been more ball, I which Liverpool could be de- segnon were spotted running support Spurs or follow foot- a French League working difficult for many want to nied the title. side by side in a separate ses- ball may see these images, pick group had been discussing millions of people win on the The Reds have not won a top- sion, while filmed up a paper, watch the internet wage cuts for Ligue 1 and around the world pitch. flight championship since 1989- himself on Instagram running and think, well if it’s OK for players but added “I want to win 90, prior to the inception of the alongside a friend. them, why isn’t it OK for me?” that no final decision had SADIO MANE the games and I Premier League. “I accept that my actions he said. been made yet.