Louis van Gaal, right, congratulates Chris Smalling after Manchester United's 2-1 win over Everton in the FA Cup semi-final. Tony O'Brien / Reuters
Louis van Gaal, right, congratulates Chris Smalling after Manchester United's 2-1 win over Everton in the FA Cup semi-final. Tony O'Brien / Reuters

Would winning the FA Cup represent success for Louis van Gaal? ‘It is not for me to judge: it is for the board of Manchester United’



Louis van Gaal hailed Manchester United's "unbelievable" spirit after they beat Everton 2-1 to reach the FA Cup final, before confessing his continued uncertainty about his chances of still being with the club next season.

Anthony Martial struck a dramatic stoppage-time winner at Wembley Stadium after Marouane Fellaini's 34th-minute opener was cancelled out by a Chris Smalling own-goal 15 minutes from time.

United had dominated the first half, with Everton then mounting a comeback during which Everton striker Romelu Lukaku had a 57th-minute penalty brilliantly saved by David de Gea.

See more:

• Greg Lea: Rooney a central figure even as Martial powers Manchester United to FA Cup final

• In pictures: Anthony Martial fires Manchester United into FA Cup final with late winner against Everton

• Sunday cover: Finally, something to smile about for Manchester United

The semi-final looked certain to head into extra time, but Martial then intervened to send United into their first FA Cup final in nine years as they remained on course for their first trophy since 2013.

United are currently fifth in the Premier League and there has been plenty of talk this season about manager Van Gaal being replaced in the summer.

And having praised his team for their efforts on Saturday, the Dutchman, asked how important winning the FA Cup could be for the team’s development heading into next season, said: “I am not looking beyond this competition and FA Cup, because we live in the present.

“For the future, I will discuss that with my board and others.”

Van Gaal, whose current contract runs until the summer of 2017, was then asked if he would consider winning the FA Cup but failing to qualify for the Uefa Champions League a success.

The 64-year-old Dutchman replied: “It is not for me to judge: it is for the board of Manchester United.”

Van Gaal had no doubt his side deserved to win the match.

And although he did not dispute the awarding of the penalty by referee Anthony Taylor following Timothy Fosu-Mensah’s challenge on Ross Barkley, he was critical of the official more generally as he gave his assessment of the contest.

“I think in the first half we were the better team,” Van Gaal said.

“We scored and created more chances, although we could have finished more.

“In the second half I think the referee changed the match.

“I have to say I think it was a penalty – I don’t argue. But I argue over 50-50 duels that were not in our favour. When you do that over 10 or 15 minutes in a row, you have a big influence in the game.

“After that we scored the own-goal and it was 1-1, and then you saw we were showing our spirit. It was unbelievable.

“We were out of the game, but then back in it, and then Anthony scores a fantastic goal.

“We are lucky we scored in the last minute but we deserved to win.”

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Tax authority targets shisha levy evasion

The Federal Tax Authority will track shisha imports with electronic markers to protect customers and ensure levies have been paid.

Khalid Ali Al Bustani, director of the tax authority, on Sunday said the move is to "prevent tax evasion and support the authority’s tax collection efforts".

The scheme’s first phase, which came into effect on 1st January, 2019, covers all types of imported and domestically produced and distributed cigarettes. As of May 1, importing any type of cigarettes without the digital marks will be prohibited.

He said the latest phase will see imported and locally produced shisha tobacco tracked by the final quarter of this year.

"The FTA also maintains ongoing communication with concerned companies, to help them adapt their systems to meet our requirements and coordinate between all parties involved," he said.

As with cigarettes, shisha was hit with a 100 per cent tax in October 2017, though manufacturers and cafes absorbed some of the costs to prevent prices doubling.

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The specs

Engine: 1.5-litre 4-cylinder petrol

Power: 154bhp

Torque: 250Nm

Transmission: 7-speed automatic with 8-speed sports option 

Price: From Dh79,600

On sale: Now

Company%20Profile
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Pupils in Abu Dhabi are learning the importance of being active, eating well and leading a healthy lifestyle now and throughout adulthood, thanks to a newly launched programme 'Healthy Lifestyle'.

As part of the Healthy Lifestyle programme, specially trained coaches from City Football Schools, along with Healthpoint physicians have visited schools throughout Abu Dhabi to give fun and interactive lessons on working out regularly, making the right food choices, getting enough sleep and staying hydrated, just like their favourite footballers.

Organised by Manchester City FC and Healthpoint, Manchester City FC’s regional healthcare partner and part of Mubadala’s healthcare network, the ‘Healthy Lifestyle’ programme will visit 15 schools, meeting around 1,000 youngsters over the next five months.

Designed to give pupils all the information they need to improve their diet and fitness habits at home, at school and as they grow up, coaches from City Football Schools will work alongside teachers to lead the youngsters through a series of fun, creative and educational classes as well as activities, including playing football and other games.

Dr Mai Ahmed Al Jaber, head of public health at Healthpoint, said: “The programme has different aspects - diet, exercise, sleep and mental well-being. By having a focus on each of those and delivering information in a way that children can absorb easily it can help to address childhood obesity."

The Ashes

Results
First Test, Brisbane: Australia won by 10 wickets
Second Test, Adelaide: Australia won by 120 runs
Third Test, Perth: Australia won by an innings and 41 runs
Fourth Test: Melbourne: Drawn
Fifth Test: Australia won by an innings and 123 runs

COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
 
Started: 2020
 
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
 
Based: Dubai, UAE
 
Sector: Entertainment 
 
Number of staff: 210 
 
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
Scores

Oman 109-3 in 18.4 overs (Aqib Ilyas 45 not out, Aamir Kaleem 27) beat UAE 108-9 in 20 overs (Usman 27, Mustafa 24, Fayyaz 3-16, Bilal 3-23)

UAE%20athletes%20heading%20to%20Paris%202024
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
MATCH INFO

Argentina 47 (Tries: Sanchez, Tuculet (2), Mallia (2), De La Fuente, Bertranou; Cons: Sanchez 5, Urdapilleta)

United States 17 (Tries: Scully (2), Lasike; Cons: MacGinty)

Wicked
Director: Jon M Chu
Stars: Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey
Rating: 4/5
Kanguva
Director: Siva
Stars: Suriya, Bobby Deol, Disha Patani, Yogi Babu, Redin Kingsley
Rating: 2/5
 
Hotel Data Cloud profile

Date started: June 2016
Founders: Gregor Amon and Kevin Czok
Based: Dubai
Sector: Travel Tech
Size: 10 employees
Funding: $350,000 (Dh1.3 million)
Investors: five angel investors (undisclosed except for Amar Shubar)

How to protect yourself when air quality drops

Install an air filter in your home.

Close your windows and turn on the AC.

Shower or bath after being outside.

Wear a face mask.

Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.

If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.


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