CARDS maxed to the limit, a fortune spent on stuff that seemed a bright idea but will just lie around cluttering up the place.Unwanted tat you’re stuck with as no one else wants it either. Ruben Amorim is giving Man Utd an identity but must rebuildCredit: GettyChristian Eriksen and Co slumped 2-0 at Wolves on Boxing DayCredit: AlamySir Jim Ratcliffe’s football committee at Man Utd looks like a bigger joke than anything that came out of a Christmas crackerCredit: PAWondering whatever possessed you to think it was good value in the first place.The story of the festive season for households across the nation. The story of the past ten seasons for Manchester United.One which means even though they seem to have found a suitable successor to Sir Alex Ferguson at last, he is having to do the job with both hands tied behind his back.So much for all those boasts of how cock-ups were a thing of the past now Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s much-vaunted football committee was running the show.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLSeriously, Sir Jim? That already looks a bigger joke than anything which tumbled out of a cracker.This is a regime which arrived 12 months  ago with chest-beating promises that United would be title contenders in three years.But right now is more likely to be remembered for their role in one of  the most unforgivable chapters in the history of England’s biggest club.Reckon that is overplaying the  seriousness of the situation at Old Trafford? Well, scratch beneath the surface a little and see what you think.Most read in FootballUnited keeper Andre Onana let in a goal direct from a corner at WolvesCredit: GettyFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSThe biggest and most obvious clanger of all was fudging Erik ten Hag’s future last summer. And then managing to trump themselves by compounding it even further.First co-owner Sir Jim, right-hand man Dave Brailsford and the rest of the brains trust decided Erik wasn’t so bad after all — having spent months wildly thrashing around in vain for a better option. ‘Who do you think you are’: Sir Alex Ferguson reduced Cristiano Ronaldo to tears after ‘ripping in’ to Man Utd iconNot many truly believed it with any serious conviction — maybe not even the committee themselves — but the FA Cup final win in May gave them a platform to argue so.For all it was great to beat Manchester City, there’s a case to suggest it was the worst thing that could’ve happened. Crystal clear waters became muddied.Defeat at Wembley would certainly have seen off the manager. Instead Sir Jim’s boys not only stuck with Ten Hag, but then let him spend more than £170million on new recruits.Until late October, when reality could be ignored no longer and they swung the axe. At last a unanimous verdict . . . no disputing this decision.Most fans agreed the next one was spot on, too. In Ruben Amorim, United, after 11 error-riddled years, finally had the manager they craved.One whose personality, character, presence and belief is as big as the sporting institution paying his wages. Results alone wouldn’t scream as much, for sure. They are no better than Ten Hag’s early days at Old Trafford.But already Amorim is giving United an identity again. Already there is a system in mind. His predecessor couldn’t manage either in over two years.The problem, though, is the manager needs the tools to do the job . . . and there aren’t many — of the right kind at least — to work with.There is an urgent demand for new faces. But that demands departures which, in turn, demands finding buyers. And there is no queue for Old Trafford cast-offs.Of the players Amorim inherited, you could say with any certainty only Kobbie Mainoo, Amad Diallo and, probably, Bruno Fernandes are out  of bounds.This is a rebuild of knock-it-down, start-from-scratch proportions… demanding ultimate stick-with-it patience.Plus possibly £42m summer signing Leny Yoro — if only for the reason his injury-delayed start means he hasn’t played enough to pass judgment.Yet so many of the rest simply aren’t up to it —  Amorim has swiftly  realised it, too. He knew United had problems, but probably not what a mess they were in.One logic-defying win at City won’t pull the wool over his eyes. Not with red-faced losses to Bournemouth, Nottingham Forest and Wolves in the mix, too.Amorim knew full well this was a mission with no quick fix . . . but not, you sense, the reality that it will take years longer than he first believed.This is a rebuild of knock-it-down, start-from-scratch proportions. A job demanding ultimate stick-with-it patience.Which, ironically, has been the mantra of the post-Fergie era. That plea urging the owners to keep faith in the manager.So far none have had more than two full seasons.READ MORE SUN STORIESNo surprise, then, that patience is the watchword once again. Yet now with a huge sense  of irony.For this time the call isn’t begging United’s owners to be patient, but for the manager to have enough in those who brought him in.Amad Diallo and Kobbie Mainoo are the two players whose Old Trafford future should be most secureCredit: Getty More

LIVERPOOL, Manchester City and Arsenal all face playing European games on neutral territory this month.
Uefa have confirmed that matches that cannot be played in their scheduled locations because of Covid-related protocols must be moved to neutral venues.

Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool face their tie at RB Leipzig being moved, while Pep Guardiola’s Man City can expect the same vs Borussia Monchengladbach Credit: Kevin Quigley-The Daily Mail

Manager Mikel Arteta faces Arsenal playing Benfica in a third country for both legs of their Europa League last 16 clash this monthCredit: Getty Images – Getty

That means that Arsenal and Benfica must agree on a third country to host both legs of their Europa League last 16 clash – unless the Government lifts its “red list” of countries by next Monday.
But the newly-approved regulations covering the knock-out phases of their two competitions, which begin later this month also impact on City and Liverpool.
Jurgen Klopp’s Anfield outfit are due to travel to Leipzig for their last 16 first leg clash on February 16, with City due to play at Borussia Monchengladbach eight days later.

But while German clubs can travel to the UK as long as they remain in elite Covid-secure bubbles, there is no reciprocal arrangement.

German concern at the mutant strains of the virus in the UK means travel from England is effectively banned except for specific cases and the Government said: “Currently there is no special arrangement for professional athletes.”
That adds another layer of uncertainty to the remainder of the European programme, with one short-term option being Uefa intervening to switch the home venues of the first leg matches involving Liverpool and City to England.
But it seems certain that Arsenal will play both legs against Benfica on neutral ground – with the preferred option of staging the games in Germany now OFF the agenda.
While travel corridors do exist within Europe, the new border restrictions for the 33 “red list” nations – which include Portugal – have no exemptions for elite sports.

It means Benfica’s travelling party would have to begin their 10-day hotel quarantine in the UK by Sunday.
That is infeasible, while Arsenal would also have to go into Government-approved accommodation for 10 days from February 25 after the away leg of the tie.
But while Uefa state that “as a rule, matches are played at the UEFA approved venue of the home club” there is dispensation for change where “restrictions imposed by the national/local authorities could result in the match not taking place as scheduled”.
The deadline for confirming whether Arsenal can host the tie, or  is 11pm next Monday.

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Uefa ruled that Arsenal are under obligation to “propose a suitable alternative venue which may be in a neutral country” within Uefa where the match can “take place without any restrictions for both clubs”. 
If Arsenal cannot do that – the Gunners are responsible for covering all the costs of the rescheduled game – they would “be held responsible” and forfeit the game 3-0.
But with similar border restrictions facing the Gunners after the away leg, Uefa also make the same demands on Benfica for the second part of the tie.
Uefa would prefer the chosen venue to be a “Uefa-approved” stadium being used in this season’s competition.
Euro chiefs can overrule the clubs’ choice of stadium and could, if necessary, order the tie to be played as a one-off game in a neutral venue of their choosing.
3-0 FORFEITS
Uefa chiefs have also reiterated Covid protocols for clubs in the two competitions that are struck by an outbreak of the virus.
If clubs have 13 or more players available, the match must be played as scheduled – unless all goalkeepers on the club’s books are ruled out.
If a club has fewer than 13 available, or no keepers, Uefa will allow a postponement if the match can then be rescheduled before specific cut-off dates for each round, with March 5 the first Europa League deadline and April 2 the final date for the last 16 ties of both competitions.
But with the March international break lasting the final 10 days of the month, there is little wriggle room to fit in games that cannot be played, leaving the clubs deemed responsible facing 3-0 forfeits. 

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PREMIER LEAGUE fans are often quick to point the finger at officials when things don’t go right for their clubs. But a new survey has revealed what they’d do to change the landscape of the league’s refereeing if it was up to them.
Premier League fans have had their say on what they would change about the league’s refereeingCredit: Getty
VAR has been a hot topic this season with a number of high profile errorsCredit: Reuters
Supporters were quizzed in a new poll by BetVictor over what they would like to see changed about officiating in the Premier League.
There has already been a number of high profile mistakes by VAR this season, not least Luis Diaz’s disallowed goal vs Tottenham.
And it would appear that fans have come to the end of their tether with the technology and are ready to get rid of it.
Over half (54.4 per cent) of fans said they would get rid of VAR if they had the option to do so.
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But it’s not just the tech that fans are sick of, but those in charge of it too.
Over two thirds of fans (68.6 per cent) think the PGMOL should broaden their horizons and widen their refereeing pool by considering the inclusion of more foreign officials.
There is currently just one referee in the Premier League who doesn’t herald from England.
Aussie Jarred Gillett joined the division in 2021 after successful spells officiating in the Australian A-League and the English Football League.
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Australian Jarred Gillett is the only non-English referee in the Premier LeagueCredit: Reuters
But fans seem to think that one external hire isn’t enough and would like to see the league cherry-pick the footballing world’s best refs.
Despite a pretty damning assessment of the current Premier League officiating, there is one new rule than supporters are keen on.
Fans appear to like the increased added time that has come into action this term and are happy for it to stick around.
With even more late drama and an increase in last grasp goals an overwhelming 65 per cent of Premier League fans want the new added time rules to continue going forward.
Tottenham completed the latest winning comeback in Premier League history earlier this season thanks to a whopping 16 minutes of added timeCredit: Getty More

WITH plenty of fixtures having already been postponed and more to come, Dream Team gaffers may be uncertain of what fixtures are to be fulfilled before the international break.Here we layout the September fixtures for each Premier League club and suggest some players who could provide healthy short-term returns.
Man City are one of only three teams set to play twice before the international breakCredit: getty
Arsenal: Brentford (a)
Manchester City: Borussia Dortmund (h), Wolves (a)
Tottenham Sporting CP, Leicester (h)
Brighton: None
Manchester United: Sheriff Tiraspol (a)
Chelsea: Red Bull Salzburg (h)
Liverpool: Ajax (h)
Brentford: Arsenal (h)
Leeds: None
Fulham: Nottingham Forest (a)
Newcastle: Bournemouth (h)
Southampton: Aston Villa (a)
Bournemouth: Newcastle (a)
Wolves: Man City (h)
Crystal Palace: None
Everton: West Ham (h)
Aston Villa: Southampton (h)
West Ham: Silkeborg (a), Everton (a)
Nottingham Forest: Fulham (h)
Leicester: Spurs (a)
It goes without saying that you should transfer out any assets with zero fixtures remaining this month.
That includes Pascal Gross (£3m), who is Dream Team’s outright best midfielder at the time of writing with 41 points.
Wilfried Zaha (£5.3m) and Jack Harrison (£3.5m) are other notable players who have started the campaign well but will now be inactive for three weeks.
Gross has an unexpectedly long breakCredit: getty
Conversely, it’s probably worth backing players with two fixtures before the Nations League fixtures get underway.
Man City, Spurs and West Ham are the three teams set to pull double duty as it stands.
Dream Team managers hardly need to be persuaded to recruit Etihad residents – Erling Haaland (£8.1m) has 100 points to his name already while Kevin De Bruyne (£7.5m), Joao Cancelo (£7.2m), Ruben Dias (£5.4m) and Phil Foden (£5.5m) are also all among the top five performers in their respective positions.
Similarly, Harry Kane (£7.4m) is a popular, productive asset.
The England captain has scored five goals in seven appearances this term and has 37 points to show for his efforts.
Dream Team gaffers seeking short-term gains would be wise to consider 1.4%-owned Richarlison (£3.9m), who plundered 27 points in Game Week 5.
Additionally, Eric Dier (£4.3m) and Emerson Royal (£3.5m) are both top ten defenders currently – if Spurs could squeeze out a pair of clean sheets before the international break they may well leap into the top three.
Foden could produce healthy returns in the coming daysCredit: getty
West Ham currently find themselves languishing in the relegation zones and the fact both their remaining September fixtures are away days may perturb some gaffers but Silkeborg and Everton is a relatively favourable double header – the latter are without a win in the league this season.
Jarrod Bowen (£4.3m), Michail Antonio (£4.1m), Pablo Fornals (£3.1m) or Gianluca Scamacca (£2.9m) may be worth a whirl.
Whatever you decide, make sure you double check the latest updates in regards to fixtures as further postponements are possible.

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MANCHESTER CITY are close to announcing a new six-year deal for Phil Foden with the England international set for a bumper pay rise.SunSport exclusively revealed on July 9 how the Citizens will treble his wages to £200,000-a-week.
Phil Foden has agreed a new six-year deal with Manchester CityCredit: Getty
It is understood that the Premier League champions have already agreed the new deal, with only an announcement needed.
Foden — a lifelong City fan — currently earns £65k-per-week and has established himself as a Three Lions regular over the past two seasons.
The 22-year-old continued to impress for Man City last season as he picked up his fourth top-flight title.
In 45 appearances for the Citizens in the 2021-22 campaign, he chipped in with 14 goals and 11 assists.

His consistent performances also earned him a second PFA Young Player of the Year award.
The England international is expected to play a more important role in Pep Guardiola’s squad next season following the departures of Raheem Sterling and Gabriel Jesus.
After seven years at the Etihad Stadium, Sterling left Man City last month to join Chelsea in a deal worth £47.5m.
Meanwhile, Jesus made a £45million move to Arsenal.
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Both players were key to Guardiola’s attack, but the Spaniard will have no issue with Foden stepping in to fill the voids.
So far this summer, City have also lost Oleksandr Zinchenko, who joined Arsenal in a deal worth £32m, along with numerous young stars including CJ Egan-Riley, Romeo Lavia and Gavin Banuzu.
But, the club have introduced four new players in Erling Haaland, Kalvin Phillips, Julian Alvarez and Stefan Ortega. More