Philippa Kaur

RUBEN AMORIM apologised to Manchester United supporters at the end of their disastrous record-breaking season.But some of the players watching the show didn’t seem too happy at the gaffer digging them out in front of thousands.His players watched on stony-faced as he addressed the crowdCredit: GettyRuben Amorim apologised to Manchester United fans for the nightmare seasonCredit: ReutersThe Red Devils capped off the nightmare campaign with a 2-0 win at home against Aston Villa.That was just their 11th win of the season – and it came after a fan protest against the owners outside Old Trafford. Amad Diallo and Christian Eriksen got the goals – after Morgan Rogers’ finish was controversially disallowed by a premature referee’s whistle. Then after full-time, Amorim took the microphone on the pitch to address the crowd. READ MORE ON MAN UTDIn the fitting pouring rain and in front of his stony-faced players, the Portuguese boss said: “First of all, I want to apologise.”It was really disappointing with the team.”Secondly, I want to say thank you. “We are very grateful for your support during the season.”Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSAs the microphone cut in and out, Amorim continued: “I know it was really hard to support us in many games.”But now we have to make a choice or we stay stuck in the past.”Because this season is in the past, it’s over.Ruben Amorim breaks silence over futures of Bruno Fernandes and Alejandro Garnacho”We fight each other or we stick together and move forward.”That prompted huge roars from the 74,000-seater stadium.Amorim added: “Six months ago, in my first three games in charge, with two victories and one draw, I said to you a storm is coming.”Today, after this disaster season, I want to tell you the good days are coming.”And that sparked another massive cheer. Amorim finished: “If there is one club in the world that have proven in the past that can overcome any situation, any disaster, it’s our club, it’s Manchester United Football Club.”Now I want to say sorry also to my players.”Sometimes I was not fair but I try always to be honest with you guys.”Thank you very much and see you next season.”Amad Diallo was once again the star of the showCredit: PAThe speech was met with resounding applause from all four sides of Old Trafford.But while some players clapped his efforts, many stood non-plussed with their arms behind their backs.Amorim arrived in Manchester to replace Erik ten Hag in November but struggled to turn around their horror form. United finished 15th in the table on just 42 points – their lowest place and tally in Premier League history. Amorim labelled his crop of flops the “worst United team ever” – and their performances on the pitch have justified the claim. The fallen giant’s one chance to salvage something from the season came in the Europa League.But United failed to turn up as they lost 1-0 in Wednesday’s Bilbao final to Tottenham.Amorim hinted afterwards he may be ready to leave without compensation if the board no longer wants him – having already threatened to quit should he fail to turn things around. However, he then backtracked and insisted he is planning to stay put next season. Read More on The SunInstead, the entire playing squad is up for sale this summer.And Amorim has reportedly told Alejandro Garnacho to find a new club when the transfer window reopens. Amorim watched on as United took on VillaCredit: AFPHe applauded the supporters on a lap of honour after the speechCredit: AlamyFans protested against the ownership beforeCredit: Reuters More

THIS TIME there was no hollow, empty atmosphere. Just the sound of sheer, unbridled joy.This time Anfield was full to capacity – 62,000 partying and singing their songs of praise when five years earlier the Covid lockdown meant that not one of them could be there to celebrate with their heroes. Liverpool are the Premier League championsCredit: GettySkipper Virgil van Dijk lifted the trophyCredit: ReutersArne Slot got his hands on trophy as the party continuedCredit: PATrent Alexander-Arnold was cheered by Liverpool fansCredit: GettyEgyptian King Mo Salah matched a Premier League recordCredit: PAIcon Alan Hansen presented Van Dijk with the trophy and joined in with the celebrationsCredit: ReutersReds won the title on 84 pointsCredit: GettyVirgil van Dijk lifted the trophy, Mo Salah then proudly raised it above his head and even Trent Alexander-Arnold got huge cheers before his departure.Players lined up in front of the Kop and belted out You’ll Never Walk Alone together in emotional scenes.Salah told Sky Sports: “It’s incredible. We didn’t have a chance to do it in front of the Kop last time.“Last time it was in the pandemic, which wasn’t a great feeling but still a Premier League.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL“To win the second one with the fans at Anfield, first the Spurs game and now today – you can see how much it means.”Last time we didn’t have a chance. It’s an incredible feeling in front of the crowd.”Van Dijk added: “The moment we were confirmed champions against Spurs, it felt like four months ago.“It was very emotional, a very special day for my mum, wife and kids. It’s incredible and nobody can take this one away from us.”Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSLiverpool’s South American quartet Alisson, Alexis Mac Allister, Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz posed with the trophy togetherCredit: GettyIt is the club’s 20th league titleCredit: ReutersThey sung You’ll Never Walk Alone with fansCredit: GettyAlexander-Arnold tapped the Liverpool badge after his last appearanceCredit: GettyAlexander-Arnold was seen in tears as his family joined him on the pitchCredit: PAArne Slot paid tribute to Alexander-Arnold, saying: “He’s leaving such a great club and he knows, he feels it. It’s not only a club he leaves, he’s been here for 20 years and knows everyone.“It’s normal after a few years to miss it, let alone after 20. Let alone if it’s Liverpool.“He’s shown today, the fans showed a great reaction to him, but the quality he had today is why it’s such a pity he’s going to leave.”An emotional Alexander-Arnold burst into tears as his family came onto the pitch to say goodbye to the club with him.Earlier as Liverpool were held 1-1 by Palace, fans had even laughed when Ismaila Sarr stuck the visitors into the lead after nine minutes.And Ryan Gravenberch being red carded for a last-man challenge on Daichi Kamada with a quarter of the game to go, few of them gave a hoot.Although they did very much love the Salah deflected equaliser that gave him yet another record – his 84th minute strike put him level with Alan Shearer and Andy Cole.They made their mark with 47 goal contributions in a 42-game Prem season. Anfield’s Egyptian king, and now the holder of both the Prem Player of the year and Football Writers’ Association equivalent, got there in 38.Last time Liverpool won the title the campaign ended up being played out to the sound of silence.When their 19th success was confirmed on the night of June 25, 2020 then-boss Jurgen Klopp and his players were allowed to enjoy it only in front of family, a handful of friends and staff.The seats around them in the main stands as former skipper Jordan Henderson lifted the Prem trophy were adorned with the flags of fans denied the privilege but desperate to somehow make their presence felt.Yet those emblems could not cover up the coronavirus–enforced eerie vacuum of that half-lit occasion.Players celebrated in front of the KopLiverpool players partied in the dressing roomKlopp and his champs tried to make the best of it, that night, after Chelsea had beaten Manchester City 2-1 to ensure Liverpool glory with a Prem record–seven games to spare.But they were smiling and waving to almost nobody. Never had such good times seemed so downbeat especially amidst the fears and worries that were gripping the nation.Nothing could disguise how surreal and strange that moment was, as Klopp, Henderson and the team bellowed in triumph, their shouts echoing around a deserted Anfield.This time, as Alan Hansen, the last captain to lift the title trophy in front of fans after 1990 First Division glory, waited to present the Prem version to Van Dijk, you could hardly hear yourself speak.Ironically Palace were the visitors having suffered a 4-0 defeat 24 hours before those sadly muted celebrations after City’s defeat. But, this time, Oliver Glasner’s players arrived chuffed to bits with themselves too as new FA Cup holders having also reached another historic milestone by racking up the club’s highest total of points in the Prem era.Very much a coming force, they were intent on spoiling the party.Within a defence that has been on the beach since clinching the title against Tottenham a month ago, Sarr finished clinically and the travelling support threw their inflatable FA Cup replicas up in the air.Nobody in red cared that much.So happy were they that even the second half emergence of Alexander-Arnold as a replacement for Conor Bradley was met mainly with applause.Jurgen Klopp stood proud in the standsMo Salah was presented with the Golden Boot by legend Ian RushCredit: GettyYet he was booed roundly after replacing him in the 2-2 draw with Arsenal, seen as a deserter because he’s going to Real Madrid.  Nothing, not even defeat could take away from the vibe and skipper Van Dijk set the tone in his programme note.He wrote: “Having been denied this in 2020, we all have a duty to make the most of this opportunity, and to make it the most happy and joyful experience possible“We have to enjoy these moments because these are the things we work for every single day.”The Dutchman, honoured by the giant mural of his face that now decorates a terrace-end nearby, added: “The idea of being at Anfield and lifting that trophy in front of all our supporters?“That’s something different. It’s something special.”And boy did everyone do their duty, the faithful having been filling the streets around Anfield for hours before kick – off.Unlike five years ago a multitude more of them – maybe up to the same 750,000 who turned out for Liverpool’s open – top bus parade after the 2019 Champions League triumph – will be there tomorrow to laud the Prem champions. But last time, of course, there was no city – wide street party and no parade. Of those denied that glory ride Van Dijk, Andy Robertson, Joe Gomez, Alexander-Arnold, in his farewell game before leaving for Real Madrid, Harvey Elliott, Curtis Jones and Caoimhin Kelleher remain around to take part in all the fun this time.Along, of course, Salah, top scorer in the 2019-20 season, top scorer this season too with 29 now, ahead of his team mates like in every one since he arrived from Roma in 2017 for £36.5M.And watching on, ready to party for real this time too as well as looking about ten years younger, was Klopp himself who at the end of last season left to be replaced by Arne Slot but whose heart remains at Anfield. Read More on The SunThere were fears his decision to walk alone might signal crisis.Last night, amidst all the festivities, that sounded like quite a laugh too.Mo Salah scored the goal for LiverpoolCredit: ReutersIt was Salah’s 47th goal contribution this seasonCredit: Getty More

MANCHESTER UNITED’S season of mayhem and madness ended in a crazy flurry of red cards and red mist – as Aston Villa missed out on the Champions League in hugely controversial fashion.First Villa keeper Emi Martinez got his marching orders for a jaw-dropping body check on Rasmus Hojlund after racing from his area.Morgan Rogers had a goal controversially ruled out by the refereeCredit: ReutersVilla’s protests were in vain as the whistle had already goneCredit: ReutersAmad Diallo opened the scoring with a header moments laterCredit: PAAnd then just when Villa thought they had snatched a goal to put them in touching distance of a Champions League slot, Morgan Rogers saw his would-be winner dramatically KO’d.Rogers pounced to spin and shoot into an unguarded net from an angle, after Altay Bayindir appeared to let the ball slip from his grasp as he went to smother Harry Maguire’s wayward header.But referee Thomas Bramall had blown for a foul – kicking the ball from his hands – before the Villa striker turned to finish the chance.And even though replays suggested it could easily have been an incorrect call, the fact he had whistled before Rogers’ shot meant VAR Stuart Attwell could not get involved.READ MORE ON MAN UTDEven then a point may have been enough for Villa, who had sneaked into fifth place courtesy of Everton going ahead at Newcastle.But 15 minutes from the end, Bruno Fernandes floated a cross to the far post that cried out to be finished – and Amad Diallo’s header made sure it was.To be fair, it was a lead United had merited in a game they had dominated long, long before they had a man advantage.Casemiro, Diogo Dalot, Fernandes and Amad had all gone close to putting them ahead… and that was before we even got to half-time.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSBy the time we did, Villa were down to ten, thanks to that crazy Martinez moment, caused by Matty Cash’s woefully short backpass.As Hojlund hared on to the loose ball, the Villa keeper darted from his goal and smashed into his red-shirted opponent.FIRE SALE at Old Trafford! EVERY Man Utd Star Up for Grabs — Even Mainoo & Garnacho!Referee Bramall was pointing the way to the dressing room almost before he arrived on the scene. Amazingly, Martinez stood with arms outstretched, protesting his innocence.Clearly, with the plea that Hojlund was heading away from goal… and he certainly was by the time the South American had finished with him.Of course, it wouldn’t have been United if they still hadn’t made heavy weather of it even then, as if intent on finishing their chaotic campaign with another cock-up.But then, five minutes from time, Ian Maatsen clipped Amad’s heels on the right edge of the box and Christian Eriksen – in his final game for United – buried the penalty.Villa chief Unai Emery applauded sarcastically at what he felt was another shocking call against his side.But he would be better served focusing on the shocking one his keeper made.Emi Martinez was sent off just before half-time for clattering Rasmus HojlundCredit: GettyIt could be the goalkeeper’s final appearance for Aston VillaCredit: GettyHojlund had a goal chalked out for offsideCredit: GettyAmad marked his goal with a muted celebrationCredit: ReutersChristian Eriksen fired home his penalty in the late stages of his final United gameCredit: PABayindir lost control of the ball before having his pocket pickedCredit: PAUnai Emery made his feelings clear as the referee left the fieldCredit: AFPRuben Amorim addressed the crowd with a speechCredit: AFP More