Philippa Kaur

MANCHESTER UNITED are enduring their worst domestic campaign in the modern history of the club.But while their squad of strugglers are languishing in 16th in the Premier League, there’s a squad’s worth of stars shining elsewhere.Manchester United are enduring their worst domestic campaign of modern timesCredit: EPAIn recent seasons it’s felt like the key to success for Man Utd players has been leaving Man Utd, with so many stars who have exited Old Trafford going on to impress elsewhere.Aaron Wan-Bissaka showed what a United farewell can do for you on Sunday when he played a huge role in both goals against his former club as West Ham leapfrogged the Red Devils with a 2-0 victory.And he’s not the only one who has been excelling elsewhere.In fact, you could make an entire starting XI of players who have swapped Man Utd for greener pastures.READ MORE ON MAN UTDCrystal Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson left Man Utd in search of first team minutes in 2023, now he’s the Eagle’s first choice goalkeeper and about to play in an FA Cup final.Meanwhile United have been riddled with issues in between the sticks as Andre Onana continues to struggle since his £47m arrival from Inter Milan.At full-back, the misfit XI could boast West Ham’s Player of the Season Wan Bissaka and January exit Tyrell Malacia.Malacia joined PSV on loan in the winter window and has jumped from a 16th place United team to a side in a title race, with Eindhoven just one point behind league leaders Ajax in the Eredivisie. Most read in FootballAaron Wan-Bissaka has impressed with West Ham since leaving Man UtdCredit: AFPAmorim and Ratcliffe’s reputations have been minced by a rotten, stinking Man UtdSunSport’s Dave Kidd has his say on the dire situation at Manchester United…THEY brought in the second-richest man in Great Britain and the hottest young coach in Europe.And yet, as the fans mourned the 20th anniversary of the Glazer family’s takeover yesterday, Manchester United are worse than ever.This ruthlessly brilliant businessman, this local-boy-made-good, was going to lead the Red Devils back to the place he once held in the Forbes Rich List.Now Ratcliffe’s ruthlessness is regarded as hateful penny-pinching, that business acumen has not translated into football — and United are two places above the relegation zone.This rotten, stinking football club minces the reputations of the best of men.As Amorim seems to have realised, according to his extraordinary round of media interviews in the wake of Sunday’s 2-0 home defeat by West Ham…Read the article in full HEREJoin SUN CLUB for the Man Utd Files every Thursday plusin-depth coverage and exclusives from Old TraffordVillarreal centre-back duo Eric Bailly and Willy Kambwala would make up the rest of the back line, with the pair on the brink of earning Champions League football with the La Liga club this season.The heart of the midfield would be occupied by the un-affectionately nicknamed ‘McFred’ – a pair who were mocked during their time at Old Trafford.Harry Maguire gets over Man Utd woes with trip to watch former club in Championship play-off clashNow Brazilian Fred is flying high in the Turkish league at Fenerbahce under the management of Jose Mourinho, where with five league goals this season, he has scored more than United front man Rasmus Hojlund.As for McTominay – he has been a revelation at Napoli under Antonio Conte.Napoli are leading Serie A with two games remaining and McTominay has racked up 11 league goals and four assists at the heart of their midfield.Wingers Antony and Anthony Elanga would offer width in the makeshift XI given their success away from the Theatre of Dreams this season.Elanga has been one of Nottingham Forest’s most important players as they’ve made a push for Champions League football – and he even netted against Man Utd last month.While £82m ‘flop’ Antony is looking a lot closer to matching his price tag with Real Betis in Spain.Since being loaned out in January, a move that many Betis fans are hoping is made permanent, Antony had weighed in with crucial goals as Manuel Pellegrini’s side battle for a place in the Champions League places.Fans even took to the streets begging that the move was made permanent after he helped them reach the Conference Legue final last week.Scott McTominay has been a revelation for NapoliCredit: GettyAntony has excelled at Real BetisCredit: GettyA front two could be made up of two of United’s very own academy products.Marcus Rashford has been a man transformed at Aston Villa – before his hamstring injury – and has made the decision to loan him out look baffling.Rashford has racked up ten goal contributions in 17 appearances for the Villans, doing so in a Champions League quarter-final and huge clashes with Manchester City and Chelsea.Partnering Rashford would be Mason Greenwood, who has reignited his career in France with Marseille.Only Ousmane Dembele has scored more goals than Greenwood in Ligue 1 this season, with the one-time England international finding the back of the net 19 times.While his goals haven’t been in vain either, helping Marseille secure a return to the Champions League next season.Mason Greenwood is Ligue 1’s second top scorer this seasonCredit: AFPMarcus Rashford looked more like his usual self at Aston VillaCredit: RexIt appears that Manchester United have become a vast footballer recycling centre which buys good players and makes them bad, before selling bad players who become good again.Even Ruben Amorim seems to be confused as to why things aren’t clicking for his side, claiming that it’s not the players’ fault.Seemingly threatening to quit if he can’t turn it around, Amorim said: “I don’t want to talk about the players. I’m talking about myself and the culture in the club and the culture in the team. I have that feeling.“We need to change that and we need to be really strong in the summer and to be brave.Read More on The Sun”Because we cannot have a season like this next year. If the feeling is still here, we should give the space to different persons.”So it’s a big problem that we have here at the club. It’s a decisive moment in the history of the club. We need to address that.”Ruben Amorim has threatened to quit if things don’t improveCredit: Getty More

CRYSTAL PALACE’s Joel Ward is leaving the club after 13 years.The 35-year-old defender has played over 360 times for the Eagles since joining from Portsmouth in 2012. Joel Ward is leaving Crystal Palace after more than a decade with the clubCredit: AlamyThe defender has racked up over 350 appearances since 2012Credit: GettyWard helped Palace gain promotion in his first season at Selhurst Park.The versatile defender has been a member of the squad in the Premier League ever since.Ward was named club captain in 2023/24 and has racked up a record number of Prem appearances for the club. He has repaid the club with 13 seasons of service after signing for just £400,000. READ MORE ON FOOTBALLPalace chairman Steve Parish said: “From the very day he joined Crystal Palace, Joel has been an incredible ambassador for this Football Club.”[He is] open, friendly and professional, but also competitive, driven and uncompromising in the standards he sets.”Simply put, over the course of 13 years’ service, Joel has been an example for all Palace players who have gone before him – in his values, in his presence, and in his dedication to representing this club with pride.“This is a great time to celebrate Joel’s achievements and reflect on many great memories here with a truly treasured player and friend.Most read in FootballBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK”Good luck, Joel, with your next adventure – and thank you.”Ward penned a one-year extension with Palace last year.Diehard Crystal Palace fan with arm in sling goes viral after using his HEAD to clap FA Cup heroes at WembleyBut he’s struggled with a calf injury for much of the campaign and is yet to confirm if he will continue playing. Ward told the club’s website: “For me, it’s been a huge privilege to wear this shirt, to represent this club.”It’s been an incredible journey with so many fond memories, so many incredible moments – moments that will live on in my mind for the rest of my life.”Obviously, I came from somewhere else. But I’ve been a part of this club and a part of the furniture for so long that I’d like to think I’m part of the family.”This isn’t ‘goodbye’ – it’s merely see you later.” More

LIVERPOOL target Jeremie Frimpong has revealed he could have signed for the Reds as a youngster – but it wasn’t on his bus route. The Leverkusen star is a target for Arne Slot’s side as they look to replace the departing Trent Alexander-Arnold. Jeremie Frimpong rose through the ranks at Manchester City’s academyCredit: GettyThe Dutchman had initially agreed to join Liverpool – but it wasn’t accessible via busCredit: Shutterstock EditorialFrimpong, 24, has enjoyed a stunning rise in the Bundesliga with Bayer since joining from Celtic in 2020.The Dutchman began his career on the books at Manchester City aged just 9 – but actually opted to join Liverpool first. Frimpong told Rising Ballers: “I actually chose Liverpool first.”I was going to sign for them, but back then, driving wasn’t a thing.READ MORE ON FOOTBALL”My family wasn’t driving and it was far.”Man City was local, so it made more sense. It was 15 minutes on the bus.”Frimpong spent almost a decade moving through the City ranks, but never played a game under Pep Guardiola. He continued: “When I was at the Man City academy, all the players were good. Most read in FootballBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK”You’re not the only one that’s got talent. You’ve got to fight for your position.Frimpong joined Celtic and won the domestic Scottish treble during his first season north of the border. Man City drop Jack Grealish transfer hint as they launch stunning new kit for Club World CupHe added: “It couldn’t have been better.”My memories from Celtic are always winning. Celtic was amazing, they were so good to me.”All of them were amazing to me, they made me feel comfortable, like I’m playing with confidence. “Especially the manager, Neil Lennon, he had so much belief in me.”Sky Germany report that Liverpool are “seriously pursuing” Frimpong.Frimpong’s agent Jeffrey Lemmert added fuel to the fire around a potential move to Anfield on Tuesday. The agent took to his Instagram story to post a picture of a British motorway, captioned with just two words: “We working”, alongside an egg timer emoji. More