Philippa Kaur

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    in Soccer

    Tottenham suffer injury blow with Richarlison set to miss significant time after hurting himself assisting Solanke goal

    TOTTENHAM star Richarlison is set to be sidelined for a “significant amount of time” after suffering a hamstring injury against Aston Villa.The versatile forward appears to have been hurt after producing the assist for Spurs star Dominic Solanke’s second goal on 79 minutes during Sunday’s 4-1 victory over Villa at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.Tottenham star Richarlison is set to be sidelined for a ‘significant amount of time’Credit: RexTottenham star Richarlison got injured again after providing an assistRicharlison suffered a ‘significant’ injury, stated Tottenham boss Ange PostecoglouCredit: RexTottenham boss Postecoglou doesn’t know when Richarlison will returnCredit: RexThe Brazil international passed the ball to Solanke from the left flank and the North Londoners’ striker smashed it behind Emiliano Martinez’s net to make it 3-1 and seal three important points.But it was evident that Richarlison was in pain after that assist as he hobbled off just three minutes later when he was replaced by James Maddison.The 27-year-old looked distraught as he was embraced by both Maddison and Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou.Postecoglou confirmed that the Brazilian has sustained a “significant hamstring injury” shortly after returning from another recent issue.Read More on FootballAnd the Aussie head coach admitted the ex-Everton star will be back in the sidelines for the foreseeable future without issuing a timeline.Postecoglou said: “He was very disappointed. I think I said in the lead up, we tried to take a different approach, he worked awfully hard on his rehab but also his general fitness.“He’d really trimmed down in terms of his conditioning. He was doing everything right, we eased him back into playing, we didn’t want to overload him and unfortunately he broke down again.“He’s disappointed but ultimately, we’ve just got to keep getting him back in there and work with him to get him back up because he’s an important player. Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS”You saw last week the impact he had coming off the bench and setting up the goal for him.“Disappointing for him, disappointing for us because we haven’t really had him at our disposal this year. Richarlison breaks down in tears as he reveals he wanted to quit football and would always Google ‘rubbish about death'”But we’ll just keep working with Richy and try to get him back.”I’m reticent to put [a time on] it but he’ll be out for a significant amount of time. It’s a significant hamstring injury.”Richarlison spoke of his frustration at sustaining yet another injury in a heartfelt post on social media.The ex-Watford star posted on Instagram: “It’s a difficult moment, again. “I was very happy working hard and playing, but now I am injured again.“It’s difficult to say what I’m feeling in this moment, just pray for me… I hope God will protect me”. More

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    in Motorsport

    ‘We have some news to share’, teases F1 chief as he reveals major shake-up to calendar with Europe LOSING huge races

    SOME much-loved European Grands Prix face the prospect of hosting races on a rotational basis sooner rather than later.F1 chief executive Stefano Domenicali teased that he “had some news to share” as a few European circuits prepare to learn their fate.Stefano Domenicali has confirmed that plans are in place to make a controversial change to the F1 race calendarA host of European tracks will lose their year-by-year right to hold racesA selection of Europe’s finest tracks might be forced to hold races on a bi-annual basis, starting in 2026.Domenicali has revealed that some events will have to forego their year-by-year pattern with another event.With a record-breaking 24 rounds already crammed onto the F1 calendar, the scope for adding new venues is now arguably smaller than ever.The former Lamborghini CEO said: “We have some news to share very, very soon with regard to the possibility in the mid-term to have some rotational European Grand Prix and some other new options coming later.READ MORE ON F1″This is something that, of course, we will clarify in the due course. It is true that we have a large demand of new possible venues that want to come in.”We believe that the balance we have in terms of numbers [of races] is the right one, so 24 is the balanced number that we feel is right.”I do believe that all the propositions that are coming on our table are giving us the possibility to make even better choices for our future.”Many of the European circuits are some of the most popular on the calendar, with the Belgian, Italian and British Grands Prix high on the list of the most exciting races each season.Most read in MotorsportFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSF1 now spans across four different continents, with the FIA keen to further grow the sport’s presence in the United States with three races – in Miami, Austin and Las Vegas – currently held there.There are also talks about a further race in South America and a return to South Africa for the first time since 1993.Formula 1 chaos as Brazilian GP qualifying POSTPONED due to heavy rain with drenched fans left waiting for hoursRwanda have also pleaded for the chance to host a Grand Prix.Representatives of the Rwanda Development Board travelled to Monaco earlier this year to meet with the FIA.In fact, seven-time world champ Lewis Hamilton stressed that F1 can not continue to “ignore Africa”.Monaco is also up for renewal after 2025 but a rotational option for the famed principality race is thought to be unlikely.Zandvoort in the Netherlands has long been linked with a rotational deal with Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium.Zandvoort could also swap yearly with Barcelona – while Monza and Imola in Italy might share hosting duties for the Italian Grand Prix.Madrid joins the calendar in 2026 with a city street circuit, while races at Silverstone, Budapest and Austria have long-term deals into the 2030s.And fans are largely less than happy with the proposals.Taking to X one wrote: “It’s the start. Classic staple F1 tracks will be replaced by soulless street circuits that have the biggest wallets.”READ MORE SUN STORIESA second added: “Rotate the street tracks, these cars are not made for narrow street circuits!”A third said: “That actually makes a championship harder. There’s removed predictability of development.” More

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    in Soccer

    ‘What did you expect? They’re not supposed to be here’, say Noah in hilarious statement after 8-0 drubbing vs Chelsea

    FC NOAH asked the world “what did you expect?” after they were destroyed 8-0 by Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.Transfermarkt puts the value of the entire Noah squad at £6.5million – compared to Chelsea’s £1.4 BILLION-rated assembly of stars.Chelsea ran riot against Noah in the Europa Conference LeagueNoah’s keeper Ognjen Cancarevic conceded eight goals on ThursdayBut Noah have since released a brief statement on XNo wonder Chelsea are favourites to win the competition – their squad is worth just £83m less than the other 35 teams COMBINED.Meanwhile hapless Noah were named after the biblical ark, which came to rest on Mount Ararat, a national symbol of Armenia.And the floodgates soon opened as the Chelsea lions came roaring first through Tosin Adarabioyo and Marc Guiu inside 13 minutes.Goals from Axel Disasi, misfit Mykhailo Mudryk and a double from Joao Felix, who is yet to start in the Prem, made it 6-0 by half-time.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSTop striker Christopher Nkunku, who can’t get a blip of Prem action either, scored his ninth and tenth goals of the season, through a rebound and a harsh penalty to cap off a historic night.But Armenia’s fourth best team were hilariously realistic in their post-match response.Noah posted on X: “What did you all really expect to happen against one of the best teams in the world.”That’s not supposed to be in the Conference League, and has a squad value 124 times bigger than ours?”Most read in FootballFormer Champions League regular Joao Felix bagged twoFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSNeither team belongs in this competition with twice Champions League winners Chelsea slumming it after a couple of crazy seasons following a takeover in 2022.Minnows Noah have only been in existence for seven years and had to scrap all the way through three qualifying rounds and a play off just for a chance to play under the lights in West London.Chelsea’s Dominant Victory over Noah: Player Ratings BreakdownTop five squad values in Conference LeagueChelsea (England): £1.4billionFiorentina (Italy): £268millionReal Betis (Spain): £170millionCopenhagen (Denmark): £85millionGent (Belgium): £80millionThursday night’s 8-0 victory broke the previous Conference League record win.The old record for the highest victory was Norwegian side Nordsjaelland’s 7-1 triumph over Bulgarian outfit Ludogerets in October 2023.After three games Chelsea have scored 16 goals, twice the total of the next-best team Legia Warszawa.Europe’s third-tier competition is the only title missing from Chelsea’s trophy list and it already seems a matter of time before they put that right.Chelsea have now scored 16 goals in the competitionBlues supporters may as well book their flights and hotels in the Polish city of Wroclaw for next May because it seems inconceivable that Enzo Maresca’s B team will not make it to the final.But it’s not an entirely foregone conclusion – Tottenham failed to win it in 2021 and Aston Villa were sunk by Olympiacos in last season’s semi-final.Meanwhile Cole Palmer isn’t even in the League Phase squad.He was spotted standing in a tracksuit pitch-side with Prem regular Levi Colwill, as the pair took pictures and signed autographs for fans.READ MORE SUN STORIESChelsea supporters saw Palmer’s presence as a boost ahead of Sunday’s crunch clash against Arsenal.The 22-year-old was considered a doubt, after picking up a knock during the Blues’ 1-1 draw with Manchester United last weekend.Levi Colwill and Cole Palmer watched on as Chelsea thrashed NoahChelsea ratings vs NoahSUNSPORT’S Dan King rates Chelsea’s young guns after their flood of goals against Noah.FILIP JORGENSEN – 7Kept out shot before floodgates opened at other end. Made other sharp saves, including late brave one. Looks a solid No 2.AXEL DISASI – 7Out of position for early Noah chance but in right place to head in third. Good link-up with George on the right.TOSIN ADARABIOYO – 7Recovered from shaky start defensively to open scoring and his own Chelsea account. Steadier after the break.BENOIT BADIASHILE – 6Like Tosin, not entirely convincing as Noah created a few first-half openings, although made one good block. Also better in 2nd half.RENATO VEIGA – 5Couple of early mistakes, one of which could have been costly, set tone. Not as impressive as in previous ECL games.ENZO FERNANDEZ – 8On his own in midfield in the first half yet was able to provide three assists, two from corners, and look very comfortable.TYRIQUE GEORGE – 8Teenage winger made most of first senior start, beating opponents at will and sending in dangerous crosses. Worked back, too.CHRISTOPHER NKUNKU – 7Looked less hungry to tuck in to goal buffet. But went up front for 2nd half and scored twice after missing two good chances.JOAO FELIX – 8At it from the start, missed an early chance but then scored twice in a swaggering first half. Disappointed not to complete hat-trick.MYKHAILO MUDRYK – 7Much quieter than George until he cut inside and smashed home with confidence that had seemed lacking. Decent workrate.MARC GUIU – 7The 18-year-old striker worked hard as ever and got his reward, bagging his first Chelsea goal and stealing ball ahead of Felix’s first.SUBSKIERNAN DEWSBURY-HALL (for Guiu, HT) – 6Some neat touches and won penalty for eighth Blues goal.CESARE CASADEI (for Fernandez, HT) – 6Found life as easy as Enzo, yet unable to make the same creative impact.CARNEY CHUKWUEMEKA (for George, 68) – 5Took a while to get going and missed decent chance to make it nine.SAMUEL RAK-SAKYI (for Nkunku, 80) – 6Teenager mostly composed on first-team debut but shot over bar with goal gaping. More

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    in Soccer

    Christian Ziege shares heartbreaking statement after wife dies as Premier League icon, 52, says ‘the world has stopped’

    FORMER Liverpool star Christian Ziege is mourning the death of his wife, Pia.Pia passed away on Monday after a long battle with a serious illness.Christian Ziege’s wife, Pia, has passed awayCredit: Instagram @ziege.christian17Ziege announced his wife’s death on social media with a heartbreaking statementCredit: Instagram @ziege.christian17Ziege previously played for LiverpoolCredit: PA:Press AssociationEx-Premier League star Ziege announced the devastating news on social media this morning.He wrote: “And there are always traces of your life, thoughts, pictures, moments.”They will remind us of you, make us happy and sad and never let us forget you.”Our world has stood still since November 4th. After a long and serious illness, Pia has closed her eyes forever.Read More in Football”We would like to thank everyone who has walked this long and difficult path with us, as well as for the great sympathy and compassion. Pia, you will live on forever in our hearts.”Ziege and his wife had been married since 1997.They share two children – Alessandro and Maria. The former Germany international is also a father figure to Pia’s daughter, Katharina.Most read in FootballZiege retired from professional football in 2005 having played for the likes of Bayern Munich, AC Milan, Middlesbrough, Liverpool, Tottenham and Borussia Monchengladbach.He was also capped 72 times by the German national team.After retiring, the 52-year-old went on to pursue a career in management.He most recently took charge of FC Pinzgau but left in September 2022.Ziege’s career statsClubs:Bayern Munich: 227 games, 46 goals, 41 assistsAC Milan: 47 games, 10 goals, 14 assistsMiddlesbrough: 33 games, 7 goals, 1 assistLiverpool: 32 games, 2 goals, 6 assistsTottenham: 55 games, 10 goals, 14 assistsBorussia Monchengladbach: 14 games, 1 assistTrophies:1x European Championship (Germany)2x Bundesliga (Bayern Munich)1x Serie A (AC Milan)2x Europa League (Liverpool, Bayern Munich)2x FA Cup (Liverpool)1x League Cup (Liverpool) More

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    Fifth place in Premier League set to get Champions League football as England lead way in Uefa coefficient table

    ENGLAND remain in pole position for an extra Champions League place next term – despite the Prem’s worst European week of the season.Liverpool were the only Champions League side to taste victory, with Manchester City, Arsenal and Aston Villa all slipping to defeats.Liverpool’s dominance in the Champions League has helped England to the top of the national rankingsCredit: AlamyChelsea are also dominating the Conference LeagueCredit: GettySpurs then lost for the first time in their Europa League campaign at Galatasaray, although Manchester United and Chelsea recorded home victories.But since the start of the new league phase in September, the Prem sides have won 18 matches – more than any other nation – and lost the fewest, those four defeats this week.Italy and Germany, both with eight teams in Europe at the start of the season, have won 16 and 15 respectively, with 13 Spanish victories and 11 for French sides.The Bundesliga and La Liga sides have lost 11 matches, with Leipzig pointless from four Champions League fixtures and all four Spanish sides in the senior competition having lost at least one game.Read More in FootballIt leaves England top of the pile at the half-way stage of the initial phase, with a current coefficient score of 9.428, when the points gained by the Prem’s teams are divided by the seven competitors.Portugal, who only have two teams in Uefa’s biggest competition, are next with a score of 9.2, followed by last season’s top two, Italy – on 8.75 – and Germany, with 8.375.France, on 8.071, are fifth, ahead of Spain – 7.857 – and the Czech Republic.Uefa’s revamp means the two nations with the highest score at the end of the season will earn an extra berth in the Champions League next term.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSEngland currently top the UEFA nations tableAll teams earn two points for a win and one for a draw but their club and national tally is also boosted by bonus points accrued through the three competitions.Each of the 36 clubs in the Champions League starts with six bonus points, with the possibility of earning up to six more if they finish top of the eight-game table, although there are no pre-competition bonuses for either the Europa or Conference Leagues.SunSport’s Charlie Wyett runs the rule over England’s squad after two players are given first call-upThe top eight sides in all three competitions at the end of the first stage – the Conference League, with just six matches, ends before Christmas but there are two match rounds in each of the others in January – automatically make the last 16 knockout stage.Teams ranked ninth to 24th are then drawn in a knock-out round to join them.Currently, all seven Prem sides are on course to qualify for the knock-out stage, with Liverpool top of the Champions League standings, Villa eighth, City 10th and the Gunners in 12th.In the Europa League, Spurs slipped from second to seventh with United now up to 15th, while Chelsea are romping away at the top of the Conference standings.While things are almost certain to change, if all clubs finished in their current positions, England would extend their lead by picking up a 4.036 in bonus coefficients, taking the Prem tally to 13.464.That would give England an advantage of fractionally under two full points – the equivalent of eight team wins – over Italy, swap places with Portugal, ahead of France, Germany and Spain.Ruben Amorim leaves Sporting on a highBy Charlie WyettRUBEN AMORIM would have preferred to leave Lisbon in a blaze of glory after winning a third Primeira Liga title.Yet football does not work like that. And in what was surely his final game before taking charge of Manchester United, Amorim prepared to say his goodbyes at a half-empty Estadio Jose Alvalade in a League Cup quarter-final against Nacional.Sporting won 3-1 thanks to  second-half goals by captain  Morten Hjulmand and Viktor Gyokeres, who scored two.Luis Esteves pulled back for Madeira-based Nacional.The stadium  will be a good deal more lively on Tuesday when Manchester City are here for  a Champions League match — although Amorim should by then have his feet firmly under his desk at Old Trafford.Liverpool and Aston Villa were both interested in Europe’s most sought-after coach. Even City could have been a possible destination post-Pep Guardiola.Yet the United job is one Amorim, 39,  could not turn  down — even if not everyone saw it that way at Sporting last night.There is clearly a huge split in the Portuguese club’s fan base over their coach leaving at this stage of the season with many believing he should have seen the job through.Yet Amorim, along with the three-man coaching team who are expected to follow him, leaves a club in a much better state than when he arrived here in 2020.Inside the stadium, there was applause — albeit muted — when his name was read out before the game along with the line-ups.And there did not appear to be any jeers when Amorim shuffled out from the tunnel awkwardly towards the dugout.So, while his departure is hard to take for some, none of the fans will forget his legacy.This is a club which is back as the dominant force in Portugal. Even this term, Sporting have won their first nine league games, scoring 30 goals and conceding just two.They are also eighth in the Champions League table, which is one hell of an effort.In contrast, Lisbon was not exactly hit by League Cup fever last night.Amorim made lots of changes, which saw Sporting’s star man Gyokeres, the former Coventry striker, start on the bench.There was, however, a first appearance in six weeks for former Tottenham winger Marcus Edwards. He is certainly one player who has been transformed by Amorim since arriving at the club from Vitoria in 2022 and will be sorry to see the coach leave.While he changed his team, Amorim stuck with his tried and trusted formation of a back three.It will certainly be something Manchester United’s fans will have to get used to over the  coming months.But looking at the Premier League table, none of them will be complaining about the change. More

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    in Soccer

    Captaincy options for Gameweek 11: Dominic Solanke leads alternatives to familiar favourites

    IT’S Friday which means it’s time for Dream Team managers to pick a captain for the Gameweek ahead.Gameweek 11 consists of a full round of Premier League fixtures set to take place over Saturday and Sunday – nice and simple.Haaland captainers were punished in Gameweek 10Credit: GettyErling Haaland (£8.9m) is currently the most selected captain, as always, but gaffers who backed him in Gameweek 10 were largely punished.Manchester City’s No9 mustered just six points against Bournemouth and Sporting CP while Mohamed Salah (£7.3m) banked 22 at the expense of Brighton and Bayer Leverkusen.Liverpool are due to host Aston Villa this weekend which isn’t a favourable match-up on paper given the Villains’ upturn under Unai Emery but the Egyptian superstar has to be considered a strong captaincy choice once again.Villa are without a win in their last four games and shipped four goals to Tottenham last Sunday whereas Arne Slot’s side extended their unbeaten streak to 12 with an emphatic 4-0 victory over the Bundesliga champions in midweek.Salah has nine goals and nine assists to his name from 16 outings this season and recently usurped Haaland at the top of the overall rankings.InevitableCredit: GettyWriting off the Norwegian poacher is fraught with danger but a trip to Brighton (undefeated at home this season) is no easy task for Pep Guardiola’s men coming off the back of three consecutive losses.At the risk of oversimplifying things, Liverpool are flying right now and Salah remains the main man.Elsewhere, many Dream Team bosses will be tempted to select Dominic Solanke (£4m) as skipper ahead of this weekend’s action.Most read in FootballTottenham’s first-choice striker racked up 29 points in Gameweek 10.The England international ended his mini drought with a brace against Villa and then scored against Galatasaray on Thursday night after coming off the bench in the second half.Back among the goalsCredit: ReutersChasing lost points is a futile endeavour but Solanke looks well placed to cash in again this coming Gameweek.Spurs are the league’s top scorers at present and on Sunday they welcome Ipswich to North London – the Tractor Boys have the second-worst defensive record this season.It should be one-way traffic in favour of the hosts and Solanke may be the chief beneficiary having rediscovered his scoring boots.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 NOWBruno Fernandes (£5.9m) is another player in the captaincy conversation.The Portuguese midfielder has amassed 54 points across the last three Gameweeks in a spree containing three goals and two assists.In Gameweek 9, he banked 18 points against Leicester in the Carabao Cup and the Foxes are due to visit Old Trafford again this weekend.You have until 1:30pm on Saturday to confirm your captain for Gameweek 11 – choose wisely!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. Stake not returned. 18+. T&Cs apply.Commercial content notice: Taking one of the bookmaker offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. 18+. T&Cs apply. gambleaware.org More

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    in Motorsport

    Lewis Hamilton ‘already knows when he will retire’ as incoming Ferrari star ‘has very clear plan ahead of him’

    LEWIS HAMILTON has reportedly already planned his Formula One retirement. The seven-time world champion will join up with Ferrari from next season on a multi-year £100million contract. Lewis Hamilton is switching to Ferrari from Mercedes next seasonCredit: GettyThe 39-year-old has yet to reveal when he plans to step away from F1Credit: SplashHamilton announced his shock switch to the Italian giants in February. The 39-year-old has been with Mercedes since 2013 after a move from McLaren.Hamilton said earlier this year: “I have had an amazing 11 years with this team and I’m so proud of what we have achieved together.”The Brit driver will race for Ferrari in 2025 and 2026, but his long-term future remains uncertain. READ MORE ON F1Author Matt Whyman, who has written a book on the history of Mercedes, spoke with Hamilton ahead of his Ferrari switch.And he claims the Stevenage native has a “very clear plan” on when he will step away from racing. Whyman told The Mirror: “I asked him directly what was going on and he just said, ‘It is every kid’s dream who gets involved in motor racing to race a Ferrari, and that is it – I did not want to get to the end of my career and look back and go, what if?’”He says he knows when the end of his career will be, he has got this very clear plan ahead of him.Most read in MotorsportBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS”He said it is really meaningful to him, the fact that he has won all these races with Mercedes and he has been on this journey.”The one thing he had not done and he just thought, ‘I do not want to walk away and go, I wish I had done that’.”Mercedes made ‘clear mistake’ that ‘ruined’ Lewis Hamilton’s chances in Singapore GP and left him ‘so angry’Hamilton has racked up 105 wins in F1 since making his debut way back in 2007. He admitted earlier this season he “will know” when it’s finally time to step out of the car.Asked if he had a timeframe for retirement by Esquire, he said: “I definitely do.”There are days I’m like, shoot, I don’t know how much longer I can go.”I’ve just got to strategise and sequence things.Inside track on Hamilton’s lifeLEWIS HAMILTON has driven his way into pole position as Formula One’s most prolific winner.”I’m very much about sequencing, like looking at brands that I collaborate with, companies that I’m essentially starting, how I manage my time between all those, and how I’m able to dedicate myself to this job still.”Is there a time when I’m not all in and I’m just not in love with it anymore?READ MORE SUN STORIES”That’s the moment that hopefully never happens, in the sense that I’ve fallen out of love with it.”But I will know when I need to stop.” More

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    Paul Scholes in shock Amorim U-turn and claims Man Utd rivals are ‘JEALOUS’ days after saying ‘feels like Ten Hag again’

    PAUL SCHOLES has performed a U-turn on new Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim by insisting he is now “really excited” about the Portuguese coach’s arrival.Last week, the legendary Red Devils midfielder claimed the hype around Amorim “feels a bit like Erik ten Hag”.Paul Scholes has made a U-turn on his assessment of Ruben AmorimCredit: TNT SportAmorim will officially take charge of Manchester United on MondayCredit: GettyWhen discussing the Sporting Lisbon boss’ tactical ideas – namely a three-man defence and possession-based style – Scholes also cut a concerned figure as he admitted it is “something United don’t really do”.But ahead of his former club’s 2-0 win over PAOK in the Europa League on Thursday night, Scholes transformed his comments into overwhelming positivity.It came just two days after Amorim’s Sporting thrashed Manchester City 4-1 in the Champions League.Speaking on TNT Sports, Scholes said: “I am really excited about it. We have been in for managers and players who we haven’t really had any competition to try to sign.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”Especially some of the players where there are not the likes of Barcelona, Man City and Liverpool – the big clubs being after them.”I think with Ruben Amorim, everyone is looking and they are a little bit jealous, because I think some of them really, really wanted him.”I know he has been spoken about with City once Pep goes, so he has been thought of in that high regard.”That is something we haven’t really had before. We had [Louis] van Gaal, who getting a big job at that stage of his career was a surprise.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS”For [Jose] Mourinho, it was probably his last big job and it was a bit surprising for the Chelsea rivalry.”This is the first one where you think, ‘yes, this is a real coup’. We have got in there ahead of three, four, five top clubs around Europe and it is exciting. I can’t wait for him to come.”Man Utd legend Paul Scholes names his top 5 toughest Champions League opponents of all time Amorim was heavily linked with the Liverpool job earlier this year before Arne Slot was appointed as Jurgen Klopp’s replacement.He flew to London for talks with West Ham, while there were also reports he was being lined up as Pep Guardiola’s replacement at Man City.But Man Utd is where he has ended up – a position he will officially begin on Monday.His first match in charge comes after the international break on November 24 when they travel to Ipswich.Interim boss Ruud van Nistelrooy will take the reigns for a fourth and final time on Sunday when Man Utd host Leicester.Ruben Amorim is ‘Mourinho 2.0’ who turned Sporting from ‘walking dead’ into Portuguese champs… he can revive Man UtdWHEN Ruben Amorim took charge of Sporting Lisbon in March 2020, one club official compared their situation to the “walking dead”, writes Jordan Davies.Optimism and hope was at an all-time low.But the Amorim-effect was almost instantaneous, guiding the Portuguese sleeping giants to their first league title for 19 years in 2020/21, losing just once and only conceding 20 goals.Since then, Sporting have lifted another league title in 2023/24 – as well as two League Cups – and currently sit top with nine wins from nine this term.He may be young, but Amorim already has an eye for rebuilding and revitalising fallen super powers with his infectious charisma and intense tactical philosophy that hardly ever wavers. The “walking dead” at Manchester United must be praying for a similar sort of revival.And they may just get it from one of the most talented young coaches on the continent – a man accustomed to breathing new life back into crumbling institutions such as Old Trafford.Amorim has spent the last decade dreaming of one day gracing England’s Premier League, such was his admiration for an ex-United boss in Jose Mourinho growing up.Often nicknamed ‘Mourinho 2.0’, Amorim spent a week with his coaching idol in an internship capacity at United’s Carrington training base in 2018, going on to cite him as his “reference point”.United should not be expecting a mini-Mourinho, as Amorim said himself: “Mourinho is one of a kind. There won’t be another Mourinho. Mourinho is unique.”And yet, you cannot help but compare the two.For all the mismanagement in the Old Trafford hot seats over the years, this would be a real get – finally a slap in the face United’s Prem rivals have no answer for. More