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    ‘I’m surprised’: Ex-Prem ref responds as VAR helps Arsenal again with controversial Saka and Timber calls at West Ham

    ARSENAL’s victory over West Ham was comprehensive, but it wasn’t without controversy following some questionable VAR calls.The Gunners won 5-2 after an entertaining Premier League encounter against the Hammers on Saturday at the London Stadium.Arsenal picked up a controversial victory over West HamCredit: GettyFormer Premier League referee and SunSport columnist Mark Halsey addressed all the controversyCredit: RexThe London rivals played out a seven-goal thriller in the first half that saw the visitors lead 4-0 by the 36th minute with goals by Gabriel Magalhaes, Leandro Trossard, Martin Odegaard and Kai Havertz.However, West Ham got back in the game with two goals within two minutes thanks to Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Emerson Palmieri.But Arsenal knocked the wind out of the East Londoners’ sales in the fifth minute of stoppage time with a controversial penalty that Gabriel earned and Bukayo Saka scored.Former Premier League referee and SunSport columnist Mark Halsey addressed all the controversy on Whistleblower.Read More on ArsenalHalsey started by analysing Arsenal’s final goal that ended West Ham’s hopes of a dramatic comeback.Saka whipped in a corner-kick from the right and Gabriel got the header that sent the ball way over the crossbar.But then referee Anthony Taylor deemed Lukasz Fabianski caught the centre-back in the face in his attempt to punch the ball away.Taylor booked Fabianski in front of a shocked crowd and Saka scored from the penalty spot.Most read in FootballHalsey told SunSport’s Will Pugh: “I think when the cross comes over and the ball comes over like that, you’re going to have contact between players at every occasion. You’re going to have contact. And it’s subjective. “We have seen penalties given in those sort of situations where a keeper has come out. But there’s been a lot more contact than we saw at the weekend.Jorginho tells Arsenal star Bukayo Saka to become England’s fifth-ever Ballon d’Or winner and end 23-year wait “Anthony Taylor’s given it. He’s taken some time to think about it. And he’s given it. And VAR are not going to overrule that, because obviously we’ve heard Howard Webb say that we want to stick with the on-field decision on those situations, on a subjective decision.”So, listen, yeah, I mean, had he not given that as a penalty, that would have stayed not given. It does seem that it did take four or five seconds to give the decision whether he was influenced by Gabriel on the floor, holding his head, his face and players sort of surrounding him. “So, as I said, had it not been given, it would have stayed not given. It would have stayed with the on-field decision.”Arsenal players weren’t really claiming for anything. It all went quiet in the ground. And then all of a sudden, there’s a penalty check for God knows what. And then Arsenal scored.”Halsey, though, was categorically against the way the referee and VAR handled Arsenal’s opener that saw Saka’s corner-kick from the right finding Gabriel who beat Fabianski with a clinical header.Jurrien Timber appeared to have fouled Lucas Paqueta, who covered the near post and could have easily headed the cross away.’I’m surprised’However, Timber seemed to have pushed him from behind and that didn’t allow Paqueta to clear the ball.Halsey added: “Well, again, we’re talking about inconsistency, aren’t we? Regarding decisions when a goal is scored. Was it a foul? Was it not a foul?”So, yeah, listen, for me, I think it’s a clear free-kick. And I’m surprised that VAR didn’t recommend a review.”Halsey also addressed Arsenal’s first penalty that saw Paqueta fouling Saka inside the West Ham area on 34 minutes.It seemed like there was very little contact and the England international didn’t go down immediately.Nevertheless, the decision stood and the North Londoners’ captain Odegaard converted from the spot to make it 3-0.Halsey said: “When he sticks his leg out like that, you run the risk. And I just want to see players, when they are challenged like that, just go down straight away.”Don’t need to take one or two more steps, then go down. Listen, had that not been given, it would have stayed.”Possibly not given. Because as I say, there was just slight, slight contact. But once the referee has given it…READ MORE SUN STORIES”Listen, I think he’s just guessed as in the way he’s gone in and Paqueta’s gone over. And he’s been safe and given a free-kick. “But we can all see that it’s not a free-kick and he has clearly won the ball. But in real time, it possibly looked like it’s a free-kick.” More

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    FA Cup third round draw in full as Arsenal host holders Man Utd and Man City get another dream draw

    FA CUP holders Manchester United face Arsenal as the Premier League’s big boys discovered their fate in the FA Cup third-round draw.Fans tuned in for Monday night’s action anticipating some juicy ties.The draw for the FA Cup third round has been madeCredit: PAMark Hughes and Dion Dublin did the honours at Old TraffordAnd they got exactly that, with holders Manchester United going to Arsenal and Aston Villa hosting West Ham in two all-Premier League clashes.Elsewhere, Manchester City take on Salford City in a local derby.Chelsea will play host to League Two’s bottom club Morecambe, while Accrington Stanley visit Liverpool at Anfield.Tottenham will take on Tamworth, the lowest-ranked team in the competition, away from home.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLWhile last season’s beaten semi-finalists Coventry City welcome Sheffield Wednesday.All matches will take place over the weekend of January 11, 2025.The 32 winners of the third round will land £115,000, with losers taking home £25,000.And all matches will be completed on the day, with replays SCRAPPED in favour of extra-time and penalties in the case of a stalemate.Most read in FA CupFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSMonday’s draw was hosted by Kelly Somers on BBC Two.And the honours were carried at United’s Old Trafford stadium by former Red Devils Dion Dublin and Mark Hughes.’TOTAL NONSENSE!’ Ex-Prem ref reacts as VAR helps Arsenal AGAIN with Saka & Timber calls at West HamThe clear tie of the round is United’s trip to the Emirates to play Arsenal.The two sides are the most successful in the tournament’s history, with Arsenal having won 14 times and Manchester United 13.Former United striker Dublin said: “I think that might be a TV game, what do you think?”They’re the kind of games we need in the FA Cup.”Those all-Premier League ties and Man City’s easy draw quickly saw Pep Guardiola’s side installed as the favourites to win this season’s FA Cup.Other interesting ties include Russell Martin’s Southampton welcoming his former side Swansea to St Mary’s.There’s a London derby between Millwall and Dagenham & Redbridge.While Wayne Rooney’s Plymouth Argyle head to the capital to face Brentford.READ MORE SUN STORIESNewcastle were handed a home tie against League Two strugglers Bromley.While another interesting battle sees Bristol travel to Norwich. More

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    Ruben Amorim tells Man Utd fans to STOP singing his name as new boss admits ‘I don’t like my chant’

    RUBEN AMORIM has called for Manchester United fans to stop chanting his name.The new Old Trafford boss has had a flying start with a draw away at Ipswich followed by two wins scoring four goals each time.Man Utd fans have immediately fallen in love with their new bossCredit: RexJoshua Zirkzee celebrates after scoring in Man Utd’s 4-0 thumping of Everton on SaturdayCredit: RexThe fans have been chanting ‘Ruben Amorim’ to the tune of KC and The Sunshine Band’s song ‘Give It Up’ since that first game and most vocally during their 4-0 victory over Everton on Sunday.But Amorim said: “I don’t like my chant. I don’t like it. I feel a little bit…not embarrassed, but because I’m the coach, they have to chant for the players and for the club. So it’s not a good thing for me.”I understand and really appreciate the connection with the supporters but I want them to support the team and the players because they are on the pitch and I’m outside the pitch.“But I am really honoured by that, I feel a connection with the supporters but we know we need results to maintain that.”READ MORE ON FOOTBALLThe club is trying to use Amorim’s immediate connection with everyone at United to lift morale among staff behind the scenes.That is at an all-time low after 250 redundancies were made.In some instances, staff who had worked 25 years or more were let go under new part-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s cost-cutting plans.Now Amorim has addressed some 600 members of staff in a meeting at Old Trafford this afternoon in a bid to gee them up.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSHe said: “We had a meeting with all the staff, we are trying to connect everybody, the sports departments, this facility, the people far from Carrington.“We are trying to build a connection to be a bit closer, Carrington and the stadium, that was the reason.Is Amad Diallo the key to transforming Ruben Amorim’s attack at Manchester United?“The pedigree, the size of the club, this is something we have to use.“It’s a key point for us is connection with everybody to put this club in the place that it needs to be.”They are certainly in a better place now than they were under Erik ten Hag this season.Man Utd ratings vs Everton as Zirkzee answers his critics in style… but one midfielder strugglesRUBEN AMORIM celebrated his first Premier League game at Old Trafford with a stunning 4-0 victory over Everton.Marcus Rashford and Joshua Zirkzee shook off questions over their recent form with two each at a thrilled Old Trafford – as the Red Devils won a Prem game by four goals or more since the opening day of the 2021-22 season.Here’s how SunSport’s Ken Lawrence rated the Red Devils…ANDRE ONANA – 6Called into action early and showed growing his growing composure as No 1.NOUSSAIR MAZROUI – 6Has rapidly become one of the United faithful’s favourites doing himself no harm again.MATTHIJS DE LIGT – 6Stretched at first by bustling Beto but beginning to look like he’s settling down in a back three.LISANDRO MARTINEZ – 6Once again looking like the master and commander of the United rearguard.AMAD DIALLO – 8Went from wasteful to the plundering terror of centre backs Branthwaite and Tarkowski.KOBBIE MAINOO – 6Quiet, calm, controlled, no panic, no loss of possession, no problem for the midfielder.CASEMIRO – 5Looked like his lack of pace might be a problem again in central midfield but ground it out.DIOGO DALOT – 6Enjoying life in his new left-side forward role and didn’t really put a foot wrong.JOSHUA ZIRKZEE – 8Transformed himself from headless chicken to tripling his whole United tally with two clinical strikes.MARCUS RASHFORD – 9Ruben Amorim has gone out of his way to big up the front man and he’s responding in style.BRUNO FERNANDES – 6Wasteful for a while but got his head down to have a real influence by the end.SUBSLUKE SHAW (Mazraoui 56) – 5Comfortably easing himself back.HARRY MAGUIRE (de Ligt 56) – 5Looked happy to be out there.ALEJANDRO GARNACHO (Fernandes 66) – 5Got bustling off the bench.MANUEL UGARTE (Casemiro 66) – 5Will be wanting more minutes than this.MASON MOUNT (Mainoo 80) – 5Sharp and up for it.Since the Dutchman’s sacking they are unbeaten in seven games but face their sternest test so far with an away trip to second-placed Arsenal on Wednesday night.Amorim said: “It’s the best team that we’ve faced by far.”Arsenal are in a different point with their team. They are in a different moment.“It’s important to be brave.“When I say brave it’s not pressing all the time higher it’s not the same, we have to understand the moments of the game, we have to have the ball, that is a key point.“We want to dominate some moments of the game.”Amorim says he will name Leny Yoro in the matchday squad for the first time since he was injured in United’s pre-season tour of the US.The £52million centre-back from Lille injured his metatarsal against Arsenal in Los Angeles and has only recently returned to training.But Amorim believes the United fans are in for a treat when they see the 19-year-old centre-back play.He said: “I feel he is in a good moment now, his fitness is better, so I think he is going to be in the squad.“I think he’s a special talent. He is really fast, a modern defender and that is good when you want to press high and you leave a lot of strikers one against one. I think he can manage that.READ MORE SUN STORIES“I think he is very good with the ball. I am really excited to see Leny Yoro playing.”There were fears that Bruno Fernandes may be injured for the trip to The Emirates after being pictured with ice on his ankle after coming off against Everton but Amorim says the captain will be fit.Lenny Yoro could make his first competitive Man Utd appearance in Wednesday’s clash with ArsenalCredit: Getty More

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    Great Premier League players do NOT make great managers – Van Nistelrooy’s Leicester job feels like a shot in the dark

    NAME me a great Premier League footballer who has become a successful Premier League manager?You can’t, because there aren’t any.Leicester have appointed Premier League legend Ruud van Nistelrooy as their new managerVan Nistelrooy joins a list of Prem greats who crossed over to the dugout, like Roy KeaneAlan Shearer also had a short and hapless stint in charge of NewcastlePlenty of the competition’s legendary players have had a stab in the dugout – Roy Keane, Patrick Vieira, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, Vincent Kompany, Gianfranco Zola and Tony Adams, as well as Alan Shearer as Newcastle interim chief.None lasted too long in English top-flight management and all of them failed.So the appointment of Ruud van Nistelrooy as Leicester’s new boss feels like a shot in the dark.And a throwback to an era in which big-name former players were expected to walk into a dressing room, metaphorically thrust their medals onto the table and command instant respect from their new squad.Read More on FootballIt is a theory which has been debunked by that illustrious list mentioned above.Meanwhile, Wayne Rooney’s managerial career is threatening to disappear without trace at Plymouth Argyle – who have conceded ten goals in their last two matches – before he even gets a crack at a Premier League job.And Lampard will be receiving a warm welcome at Millwall on Saturday in his new job as boss of Championship strugglers Coventry.Aged 48, Van Nistelrooy has had just one full season in management at PSV Eindhoven.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSIt was a decent campaign, in which PSV finished as Eredivisie runners-up and won the Dutch Cup, while Van Nistelrooy also enjoyed a successful couple of weeks as Manchester United’s caretaker – which mostly consisted of beating Leicester.Still, it’s clear that Van Nistelrooy wouldn’t be getting a Premier League job right now if he hadn’t been a great player – a Premier League champion, Golden Boot winner and PFA Player of the Year at United.Man Utd divide fans with new ‘school playground’ free kick routine days after Ruben Amorim announcementAnd while the 37-year-old Jamie Vardy knows exactly who Van Nistelrooy is – having broken the Dutchman’s record for scoring in consecutive Premier League matches during the Foxes’ miracle title campaign – plenty of younger players won’t know much about a career which peaked more than two decades ago.Like most clubs, Leicester have tended to ignore a manager’s playing calibre – Brendan Rodgers and Steve Cooper are career coaches, Enzo Maresca a graduate of Pep Guardiola’s backroom set-up.So this is left-field. Van Nistelrooy, who takes charge of the Foxes for the first time against West Ham on Tuesday, would be a significant trend-bucker if he succeeds at the King Power.Leicester is a tough job in many ways.Long-serving director of football Jon Rudkin is very close to the owner Aiyawatt ‘Top’ Srivaddhanaprabha, while senior players, including Vardy, hold an unusual amount of sway.A boozy players’ Christmas do in Copenhagen on the weekend of Cooper’s sacking also suggested discipline might be an issue.Leicester should aim highAnd the club were considered fortunate to avoid a points deduction under Premier League Profit and Sustainability Rules, only because they were in the Championship at the time they were charged.Then there is the question of expectation levels. At most newly-promoted clubs the sole aim is survival. And at most clubs outside of the ‘Big Six’, ambitions are limited.Yet at Leicester, ‘unrealistic expectations’ are entirely reasonable.Along with Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea, the Foxes are one of only four clubs to have won both the Premier League and FA Cup in the last decade.So how can anyone say it is unrealistic for Leicester to aim high when they have won the title more recently than Manchester United and won anything more recently than Arsenal, Tottenham or Newcastle?Van Nistelrooy proved as Old Trafford caretaker that he looks and sounds the part – bearded, roll-necked and quotable, he has the PR credentials to go with his playing honours.But he faces one hell of a difficult task. And he might also be carrying the hopes of any great Premier League player looking for a short cut into elite management.David Moyes vindicated?REMIND me again of the reason for the ‘David Moyes Out’ campaign at West Ham, after the Scotsman masterminded the most consistently successful four-year run in the club’s history.Under Julen Lopetegui, the Hammers are 14th, as opposed to three top-half finishes and three consecutive European quarter-finals, including a first trophy in four decades under Moyes.In black-and-white terms, what Moyes achieved at the London Stadium pretty much reached the glass ceiling for any club outside of the elite.There were complaints about playing style, yet there is precious little evidence of anything sexier under Lopetegui.Indeed, there doesn’t seem to be any coherent playing style whatsoever.VAR ‘triumph’ANOTHER triumph for VAR at Brighton on Friday, when Stockley Park spent three minutes deciding that Southampton ‘scorer’ Cameron Archer was onside.Only to then spend a further minute or so deciding that his team-mate Adam Armstrong – who definitely was offside – was interfering with play, making the first decision irrelevant.The ludicrous amount of time taken to rule out that potential winner meant the match lasted 103 minutes.It’s almost as if they don’t actually care about match-going punters.Manchester fallen?A THIRD of the way through the season, there is no Manchester club in the Premier League’s top four.By the time the derby comes around on Sunday week, City v United could be a genuine mid-table clash.Is it possible that Manchester could be without Champions League football next season for the first time since 1995-96, back in the days when England had only one representative at the top table?Title race ‘wrapped up’COLE PALMER, whose deadpan media interviews are almost as entertaining as his sublime footballing skills, was dismissive when asked whether Chelsea were in the title race after a 3-0 win over Aston Villa left them joint-second with Arsenal.And he was right. There is no title race. Liverpool have it wrapped up.You might normally fancy the leaders’ trip to St James’ Park to represent a potential minefield – but on Saturday Eddie Howe was congratulating his team on a performance in which the shot count read Crystal Palace 16 Newcastle 1.PA system takeAM I just getting old and irritable – as opposed to middle-aged and irritable – or are PA systems at football grounds getting louder and louder and PA announcers getting more and more irritating?Point of refREFEREES have become very tough on sign language.The waving of imaginary cards is punished with real cards, along with the performance of a TV screen gesture to appeal for a VAR review.So why not clamp down on the most annoying and widespread hand signal of all – the wagging of a finger at a ref by a player who has just committed a clear foul?I’d go for a mandatory six-match suspension or even a sine die ban.Dream replay deniedTHE SCRAPPING of FA Cup replays was hugely controversial and on Sunday, seventh-tier Harborough Town showed us why.A dramatic late equaliser away at League One Reading should have earned the part-timers a 3-3 draw, a rematch at home and a place in last night’s third-round draw.Instead, they suffered the distinctly less romantic outcome of exiting after conceding twice in the opening minutes of extra-time.READ MORE SUN STORIESAshes hopesTHE AUSSIES were stuffed at home in their First Test against India while England – with a potentially explosive group of fast bowlers – won well in New Zealand.Might next year’s Ashes Down Under be an actual contest rather than the usual massacre? More

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    Outrage as criminal who was jailed for trying to rob ex-Arsenal star Mesut Ozil says ‘you win some, you lose some’

    THE criminal who attempted to rob former Arsenal stars Mesut Ozil and Sead Kolasinac has brazenly opened up about the altercation.In July 2019, the Arsenal duo were targeted by two men on a moped in Childs Hill, London.One of the men who attempted to rob Mesut Ozil has discussed exactly what happenedCredit: PA:Press AssociationSead Kolasinac jumped out of the car to stop the robbers and defend Mesut OzilCredit: Met PoliceAshley Smith has shamelessly told all about how he tried to rob Mesut OzilAshley Smith, left, and Jordan Northover admitted to trying to rob Mesut OzilCredit: PA:Press AssociationThey attempted to steal a watch before going for Ozil’s car, but Kolasinac heroically jumped out of the vehicle to fight them off.Ashley Smith and his accomplice, Jordan Northover, were both jailed four months later, with the former receiving a 10-year sentence.He was released earlier this year and disclosed the story from his perspective in a tell-all interview.Smith, nicknamed ‘Ashman’, told the BlueTick podcast: “I was on the run. I was wanted on recall. I had an argument with my mum and I cut my tag off.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”My co-de (co-defendant) rang me and was like, ‘I’m on the run too, let’s roll.’ So I’m like, ‘come meet me.'”We jumped on the bike, went out, done whatever we was doing and made about… Dumb change, innit, it was young Ps.”I’m saying park up, he’s saying no, stay out for another half hour.”We’re driving and I see my man Ozil and Kolasinac in the G Wagon. Pulled up, yeah my co-de tried to get it, it went left. We missed out on the belly that day.Most read in Football”But you win some, you lose some, you know.”I don’t even want to think about the figures to be honest with you. £150k minimum, easy.”Mesut Ozil shows off incredible body transformation in new video as ex-Arsenal star takes fans inside insane workoutsAsked if it would’ve been the biggest move he’d ever done, ‘Ashman’ shamelessly responded: “Yeah. I’ve had a few big ones, I’ve had a few little ones. It’s the luck of the draw, you don’t know what you’re going to get.”He went on to say: “It weren’t even a knife. It was a knitting needle. But where we’d seen it, we weren’t even thinking. It was the belly. We got too hungry. It wasn’t like we planned it.”In response to a question about what the knitting needle was for, he said: “That’s to get something. To get keys, to hook the keys innit.””When I pulled up next to him, the guy was a lump,” he added. “My co-de, he’s a savage. But on that day, my man was on, Sead was on.”Both “furious”, the perpetrators fled the scene but were later found.Smith was initially handed a 15-year prison sentence for attempted robbery, but his guilty plea reduced it to 10 years.After an appeal, he got it reduced again to a six-do-three – meaning a six-year custodial sentence followed by a three-year extended license period.However, he was then charged with a different burglary while in possession of firearms, taking his total sentence back up to nine years.Smith went on to serve four years and 10 months in prison. He was released in May this year.”This is the longest I’ve been out,” he said.Arsenal fans were left furious after seeing how brazen ‘Ashman’ was during the interview on social media.One person commented: “Sead Kolasinac looked at you and laughed. This guy just a full on mug.”Another wrote: “Made to look a fool by footballers 😂.”A third said: “Kolasinac didn’t even flinch, this guy should be embarrassed to even show his face!”READ MORE SUN STORIESWhile a fourth added: “Is he not embarrassed to show his face?”Ozil left Arsenal as a free agent in 2021. Meanwhile, Kolasinac now plays for Atalanta in Serie A.Sead Kolasinac, left, and Mesut Ozil in action for Arsenal in 2019Credit: Reuters More

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    World Cup could be moved forward months to avoid Ramadan clash with Premier League calendar decimated

    THE Saudi World Cup is set to kick off in January 2034 – ten months earlier than expected.And that would mean the Christmas Prem fixture list being severely curtailed again – just like when the Qatar tournament started in November 2022.The Saudi Arabia World Cup could start months early in January 2034Credit: www.dezeen.comThe Gulf State wants to avoid a clash with RamadanCredit: www.dezeen.comRepresentatives of the 211 Fifa member associations will confirm the 2030 and 2034 hosts at next week’s congress.That will see the 2030 event staged mainly in Spain, Portugal and Morocco, although with the opening three games played in Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay.Saudi Arabia is the only candidate for the 2034 event with the joint decision for both tournaments expected to go through “by acclamation”.Officially, the Saudi event is still due to be held in the summer.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLBut with temperatures in the Gulf state potentially reaching 45C in June, that is infeasible on health and wellbeing grounds for players and travelling fans.But while the first winter World Cup, in Qatar in 2022, was held in November and December, scheduling issues mean a January start to the 2034 event is now thought to be more likely.The Saudi dates coincide with the anticipated scheduling of the Ramadan religious period, when Muslims must fast during the day.Unless there is an agreement by the Saudi authorities to allow non-observance of the main religious festival – thought to be unlikely – a kick-off at the very beginning of January is being discussed.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSThat may end up with Boxing Day fixtures marking the end of a congested first half of the domestic campaign, with all the initial phase matches of the three European club competitions also having to be fitted into a reduced window.The 2026 edition of the new expanded tournament – with 48 teams and 104 games – has a 38-day match “footprint”.Saudi Arabia release new pictures of 92,000-capacity ‘germinating seed’ King Salman Stadium ahead of 2034 World CupWhile that could be reduced slightly, 35 days is seen as the minimum possible time-frame.And it would mean a likely seven week break in the Prem season.Full list of Saudi Arabia’s amazing stadiumsRiyadhKing Salman International Stadium – 92,760King Fahad Sports City Stadium – 70,200Prince Mohammed bin Salman Stadium – 46,979New Murabba Stadium – 46,010Roshn Stadium – 46,000Prince Faisal bin Fahad Sports City Stadium – 46,865South Riyadh Stadium – 47,060King Saud University Stadium – 46,319JeddahKing Abdullah Sports City Stadium – 58,432Qiddiya Coast Stadium – 46,096Jeddah Central Development Stadium – 45,794King Abdullah Economic City Stadium – 45,700Al KhobarAramco Stadium – 46,096AbhaKing Khalid University Stadium – 45,428NeomNeom Stadium – 46,010 More

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    Man Utd ‘have weeks to trigger Amad Diallo contract extension’ or risk losing star who’s excelled under Amorim on a free

    MANCHESTER UNITED have just weeks to tie Amad Diallo down to a new deal or risk losing the star for free next summer. Amad, 22, ran the show with a starring performance from right wing-back for the Red Devils as they beat Everton 4-0 at Old Trafford on Sunday.A new contract for Amad Diallo is said to ‘firmly’ on the agenda at Man UtdCredit: GettyHe has played in all three games under new boss Ruben Amorim, including starts against Everton and Ipswich while coming off the bench against Bodo/Glimt midweek.After years on the periphery at United including loan deals, the Ivorian has finally marked himself as a firm favourite in the squad after scoring three goals and adding five assists this season.And following his electric start under Amorim, the Portuguese boss reportedly wants to make giving him a new contract a priority.Amad’s contract expires next summer, meaning that from January he will have the option to speak to clubs overseas about signing a pre-contract deal.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLUnited – who originally signed Amad from Atalanta in 2021 – do have the option to trigger a one-year extension on his contract to stave off that threat but are yet to trigger it.SunSport previously reported how United chiefs did not want to trigger the one-year option as they wanted to offer him a new five-year deal.According to The Telegraph, Amad’s new deal is now “firmly” on the agenda in the next few weeks.Amorim, 39, has spoken highly of Amad in his opening games, and praised new Leicester boss Ruud van Nistelrooy for his work with him during his interim spell in charge of Man Utd.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSSpeaking after the Everton clash, Amorim said of Amad: “He was really good again.”He’s in a great moment, but that moment starts with the group. So, I just take advantage of Ruud’s [van Nistelrooy] work with Amad.Man Utd fans launch foul-mouthed protest at Sir Jim Ratcliffe and call him a ‘c—‘ over ticket price decision”Amad was really good defensively and really good attacking and he has to continue to play like that. “You could feel at the end of the game that he was really, really tired, so we also have to manage that as he increases the physical ability.”Man Utd travel to Arsenal on Wednesday for their next game.Amorim is yet to taste a league defeat this season following his 100 per cent record with former club Sporting Lisbon, and will doubtless be hoping that can continue.But recent history is stacked against United, having beaten the Gunners just once in the last five meetings.Meanwhile, the last win at the Emirates came in the FA Cup in 2019, though this run stretches back to 2017 in the Premier League.READ MORE SUN STORIESUnited will also find out who they will face in the FA Cup third round tonight.The draw gets underway at 7pm, and you will be able to follow it will SunSport’s Live Blog.Man Utd ratings vs Everton as Zirkzee answers his critics in style… but one midfielder strugglesRUBEN AMORIM celebrated his first Premier League game at Old Trafford with a stunning 4-0 victory over Everton.Marcus Rashford and Joshua Zirkzee shook off questions over their recent form with two each at a thrilled Old Trafford – as the Red Devils won a Prem game by four goals or more since the opening day of the 2021-22 season.Here’s how SunSport’s Ken Lawrence rated the Red Devils…ANDRE ONANA – 6Called into action early and showed growing his growing composure as No 1.NOUSSAIR MAZROUI – 6Has rapidly become one of the United faithful’s favourites doing himself no harm again.MATTHIJS DE LIGT – 6Stretched at first by bustling Beto but beginning to look like he’s settling down in a back three.LISANDRO MARTINEZ – 6Once again looking like the master and commander of the United rearguard.AMAD DIALLO – 8Went from wasteful to the plundering terror of centre backs Branthwaite and Tarkowski.KOBBIE MAINOO – 6Quiet, calm, controlled, no panic, no loss of possession, no problem for the midfielder.CASEMIRO – 5Looked like his lack of pace might be a problem again in central midfield but ground it out.DIOGO DALOT – 6Enjoying life in his new left-side forward role and didn’t really put a foot wrong.JOSHUA ZIRKZEE – 8Transformed himself from headless chicken to tripling his whole United tally with two clinical strikes.MARCUS RASHFORD – 9Ruben Amorim has gone out of his way to big up the front man and he’s responding in style.BRUNO FERNANDES – 6Wasteful for a while but got his head down to have a real influence by the end.SUBSLUKE SHAW (Mazraoui 56) – 5Comfortably easing himself back.HARRY MAGUIRE (de Ligt 56) – 5Looked happy to be out there.ALEJANDRO GARNACHO (Fernandes 66) – 5Got bustling off the bench.MANUEL UGARTE (Casemiro 66) – 5Will be wanting more minutes than this.MASON MOUNT (Mainoo 80) – 5Sharp and up for it. More

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    Seven Dream Team stats that highlight Liverpool’s dominance this season

    ARNE SLOT could not have wished for a better start to life as Liverpool head coach.With Christmas fast approaching, the Reds have a nine-point cushion at the top of the Premier League table; they’re also the only team to have won all their Champions League fixtures this season.Dream Team managers should back Liverpool to the hiltCredit: Dream TeamNaturally, this emphatic start to the campaign has translated to Dream Team success.Here are seven stats that underline Liverpool’s domination so far.1. Mohamed Salah, Double CenturionThe Egyptian superstar has taken on a new lease of life under Slot and is arguably playing his best football since his debut season at Anfield.After a 13-point haul against Man City on Sunday, Salah has become the first player to reach the 200-point mark in 2024/25.The 32-year-old has scored 13 goals and registered 11 assists across the first 12 and a half Gameweeks of the campaign.He also ranks in the top three for shots on target and big chances created.Salah’s double century of points is put into perspective by the fact just two other players, Erling Haaland (£8.6m) and Bukayo Saka (£6.6m), have passed 150.Most read in Dream TeamDream Team’s leading manCredit: AFP2. First The Worst, Second The Best?It’s easy to forget that Caoimhin Kelleher (£2.8m) is only Liverpool’s second-choice goalkeeper.The Irishman has deputised for the injured Alisson (£5.1m) with aplomb of late, evidenced best by his penalty saves against Southampton and Real Madrid in Gameweek 12.In fact, Kelleher is currently the most in-form asset in his position.He’s up to fifth in the keeper rankings, a remarkable achievement given he’s played just 11 of 20 available games.With the Brazilian No1 reportedly close to a return, Kelleher’s run of returns may be at an end but his backers couldn’t have hoped for a better outcome in recent weeks.Kelleher has excelled in recent weeksCredit: PA3. Christmas BonusThe reinvention of Ryan Gravenberch (£3.8m) has been a defining feature of Slot’s reign to date.Previously a bit-part player without a speciality, the Netherlands international has bossed the middle of the park third this term.As a consequence of his magnificent all-round performances, the former Bayern Munich midfielder has amassed 29 bonus points, three more than his closest rival in the metric, James Maddison (£4.7m).Gravenberch has made more interceptions than any other player this season.Midfield maestroCredit: EPA4. Go DutchVirgil van Dijk (£5.5m) has been a man mountain at centre-back and that’s reflected in the fact he’s contributed to 11 clean sheets – no other player has reached double figures.Add in two goals plus an assist and the imperious Dutchman has 120 points in total, putting him top of the defensive rankings.Score PredictorPlay Score Predictor with Dream Team this season!FREE to play£250 weekly prizePredict scores of five selected Premier League fixtures and earn points for accuracyMost points wins weekly cash prizePLAY NOW5. You Shall Not PassVan Dijk’s supremacy only tells part of the story about Liverpool’s back line.Trent Alexander-Arnold (£5.7m) is joint-second among players in his position on 110 points while Ibrahima Konate (£4.8m) is joint-fifth with 100.The latter will slip down the rankings while sidelined with injury but the point is that there are ample points to be had backing the defenders.Joe Gomez (£3.1m) banked seven points from his meeting with Haaland and surely has to be considered a hugely tempting bargain option for upcoming Gameweeks while Konate recovers.Clean sheet collectorCredit: Reuters6. The 100 ClubSix Liverpool players have accumulated 100+ points at this stage, meaning they have more representatives in the exclusive 100 Club than any other team.The aforementioned Salah, Van Dijk, Alexander-Arnold and Konate are joined by Luis Diaz (£4.2m) and Cody Gakpo (£4.5m).For comparison, only one Man City player (Haaland) is into triple figures.Liverpool have at least one player among the top five performers in every position.Luis Diaz has raced to nine goals this seasonCredit: Getty7. Goals From EverywhereSo many of the headlines focus on Salah, understandably so, but it would be a mistake to view him as the be-all-and-end-all of Liverpool’s attack.Diaz has scored nine goals in all competitions at an average of one every 129 minutes while Gakpo has bagged eight at a rate of one every 123.6 minutes.In fact, Haaland, Salah and Brennan Johnson (£3.9m) are the only players who have scored more goals than the Colombia winger this season.READ MORE SUN STORIESIt’s telling that Liverpool haven’t missed Diogo Jota (£4.5m), who started the season in fine form before his injury.Dream Team bosses can expect more points to flow in Gameweek 14 when Liverpool face Everton and Girona.BetMGM sign up offerBetMGM: Get £40 in free bets — HERE**New cust only. 7 days to opt in by placing a £10 qualifying bet at 1/1 (2.0) odds or greater to receive 4x Free Bets: 1 x £10 horse racing, 1 x £10 Bet Builder, 1 x £10 Acca and 1 x £10 football. 7 day expiry. Exclusions apply. 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