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    ‘Most entertaining part of the game’ – Pep Guardiola in iconic reaction to controversial Man Utd fans’ chant

    MANCHESTER CITY boss Pep Guardiola waved to United fans as he received pelters from the Stretford End.The City manager, 54, had just watched his side labour to a 0-0 bore draw with Man Utd at Old Trafford.Pep Guardiola waved at the Stretford EndThroughout the match, United fans chanted in reference to the 130 charges City face for alleged breaches of the Premier League’s financial rules.As Guardiola made his way to the tunnel following the conclusion of the match, fans booed and sang: “Cheating b*******, you know what you are.”Not being able to help himself, the Spaniard stopped before reaching the tunnel.Guardiola turned towards the Stretford End, waving in their direction with both hands.READ MORE MAN CITY NEWSThe three-time Champions League-winning manager’s response was met by sarcastic cheers from the United faithful.Standing just in front of Guardiola, City star Bernardo Silva couldn’t help but smirk, while a fan on social media admitted: “That was the most entertaining part of the game!”The 0-0 draw saw City miss the chance to leapfrog Chelsea into fourth place in the Premier League.United, meanwhile, clambered back above Tottenham into 13th, after the North Londoners had beaten Southampton 3-1 earlier in the day.Most read in FootballBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKGuardiola, 54, couldn’t help but react to United fans’ chantsCredit: AlamyAfter yesterday’s match, Guardiola slammed United fans for chants about Phil Foden’s mum.Sections of Old Trafford sang: “Phil Foden, your mum is a s**g.”‘They should be ashamed’ – Pep Guardiola slams Man Utd fans for sick chants aimed at City ace Phil Foden’s mumGuardiola said: “It was a lack of class.“We are so exposed in football — managers, owners and football players especially.”It is understood that senior figures within City were “shocked and disgusted” by the chants.Guardiola added: “I don’t understand the mind of the people involving the mum of Phil.’ASHAMED’“It’s a lack of integrity, class, and they should be ashamed.”Foden, 24, has this season been unable to replicate the form that saw him earn the PFA Player of the Year award last term.On the England star’s struggles, Guardiola said: “This season we dropped incredibly. Not just Phil Foden but all of them.“Last season, his impact was incredible.Read More on The Sun”With him and chances it’s normally bang, bang. Just not at the moment.”But the team is not playing at the level we had. And we were not at our level in this game.”Guardiola defended struggling star Phil FodenCredit: AP More

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    DAZN hosts Diletta Leotta and Eleonora Incardona stun in bold outfits as footie fans say ‘I don’t care about the game’

    DILETTA LEOTTA and Eleonora Incardona were both on hosting duties as Roma hosted Juventus last night.Both popular presenters cover Serie A for DAZN.Diletta Leotta was on hosting duties for DAZN last nightCredit: RexThe popular presenter wore a white shirt with smart black trousersCredit: RexEleonora Incardona was also working on last night’s gameCredit: RexIncardona has built a huge Instagram followingCredit: RexLeotta and Incardona have each gathered huge followings on social media.The former, 33, has 9.2 million Instagram followers.While Incardona, 34, has reached 1.2 million followers on the platform.For last night’s match, Leotta wore a smart white shirt with black trousers.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSIncardona, meanwhile, went for a leather burgundy trousers and coat combo – along with a black top.Fans were thrilled with the pair both working at the match, with one cheekily writing on social media: “I don’t care about the game.”A second commented: “Wonderful as always.”And another added: “Fantastic Eleonora.”Most read in FootballLeotta posed in her smart outfit before heading to the matchIncardona has become a fans’ favourite in recent weeksCredit: RexIncardona is dating Torino and Italy midfielder Samuele Ricci.While Leotta is married to former Liverpool star Loris Karius.Eleonora Incardona at the San Siro stadiumThe happy couple welcomed their first child together in 2023.Roma and Juventus drew 1-1 last night.Manuel Locatelli’s brilliant effort saw Juve take the lead on 40 minutes.But shortly after half-time, Eldor Shomurodov levelled for the hosts.Leotta has become a huge star by working on Italian footballCredit: RexIncardona can regularly be seen at various grounds in ItalyCredit: Instagram / @eleonoraincardona More

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    How Martin Odegaard’s Real Madrid career began with Cristiano Ronaldo ‘PR exercise’ under unenthusiastic Carlo Ancelotti

    IT remains one of the most iconic substitutions in Real Madrid’s long and illustrious history.With 58 minutes on the clock on the final day of the 2014-15 LaLiga season and with Real leading Getafe 5-3 at the Bernabeu, Cristiano Ronaldo’s No 7 lit up the fourth official’s board.Cristiano Ronaldo gave way for Martin Odegaard’s Real Madrid debutCredit: GettyCarlo Ancelotti’s former assistant Paul Clement spoke exclusively to SunSportCredit: GettyReplacing the Portuguese legend, who had scored a first-half hat-trick, was No 41 Martin Odegaard, the youngest Los Blancos player to make a competitive appearance at 16 years and 157 days.It is a record that still stands a decade later.With manager Carlo Ancelotti serving a suspension up in the stands, it was trusted assistant Paul Clement who orchestrated the substitution from the dugout.English coach Clement, 53, told SunSport: “I’ve got a really nice picture at home.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS“I’m in the background but you can see Cristiano welcoming Martin on to the pitch and he gets a good welcome from the crowd.“Carlo didn’t come down to the dressing room at half-time. We spoke on the phone. “He said, ‘Let’s do the substitution’. I didn’t tell Martin but I did tell Cristiano.“Cristiano asked, ‘Who’s going to come on for me?’ I told him and he said, ‘OK’. I told Martin to go and enjoy it. Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS”Play simple. The last thing he needed was to be bombarded with information. What a moment for a young man to make his debut.“The youngest player in the history of the club, at the Bernabeu, 80,000 fans, coming on for arguably one of the greatest players ever. A special debut, for sure.”Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta will be missing four defensive starters for a mammoth Champions League quarter final Nearly a decade on and Odegaard, now 26, is preparing to lead Arsenal out in a Champions League quarter-final against Ancelotti’s Real Madrid tomorrow.Memories will come flooding back. The Norwegian has said his headline-making £3.5million switch from Stromsgodset to Madrid in 2015 was the making of him — turning down the likes of Bayern Munich, Arsenal and Liverpool in the process.But he is the first to admit he struggled and there were those who believed it would break him.In his 2016 autobiography Quiet Leadership, Ancelotti described the move as a “PR exercise”.He wrote: “[Odegaard] could go on to be the best player in the world after I’m gone, but I’m not interested in the signing. He is being recruited for the future, for other managers after my time.”On top of that, Odegaard — who already had three senior caps for Norway — was walking into one of the most intimidating dressing rooms in world football with Ronaldo, Sergio Ramos and Karim Benzema.Clement remembers the media frenzy that followed.Paul Clement with Carlo Ancelotti in 2014Credit: GettyHe explained: “Madrid is not an easy club to say ‘no’ to. You’re never sure when it’s going to come around again.“There are many players a lot of people will not even remember or know the names of because Madrid was too big for them and they didn’t make the grade. But Martin dealt with it very well.“I’m sure it was quite daunting. You never know what’s going on internally with somebody. He was quiet, humble but good to coach.“In training, he could hold his own with his technical quality. He was a sensation, wasn’t he? He had the dedication, too.“I would work alongside him. He was constantly practising his weaker foot, passing over different ranges, finishing . . .”Odegaard’s arrival not only ruffled Ancelotti’s feathers but also those of Zinedine Zidane, who was coaching Madrid’s Castilla reserve team and was forced to pick the young rookie despite him spending most of the week training with the first team. Cristiano asked, ‘Who’s going to come on for me?’ I told him and he said, ‘OK’. I told Martin to go and enjoy it. Paul ClementClement, who left Madrid in May 2015 following Ancelotti’s sacking, said: “We tried to find a balance but it was not an ideal situation. It was probably a bit weird for Martin.”By December 2020, Odegaard was 22 and had played just 489 minutes for Madrid in almost six years, having been on loan at Dutch sides Heerenveen and Vitesse, plus LaLiga outfit Real Sociedad, before a six-month stint at Arsenal from January 2021 that led to a permanent £30m switch that summer — two months after Ancelotti’s Madrid return.So, the question remains: was joining Madrid so young the right decision?Clement said: “I’d be interested to speak to him now, as a grown man, about how he was feeling inside. “I don’t think there was any doubt about the talent. It was just his physical maturity, understanding of the game.“When I look back, the best move for him would have been at a club like Ajax. He would have played regularly, really developed.“But the loan moves he took at that time in his career, he needed. He had to take a couple of steps back to go forward. He’s shown great resilience in doing that.Read More on The Sun“You look at what he is now — he’s an elite player at a great club. It worked out well for him.“I was thinking the other day whether Martin could play in Real Madrid’s current team? Yeah, for sure.”Martin Odegaard is now the Arsenal captainCredit: GettyAncelotti is now in his second spell in charge of Real MadridCredit: Getty More

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    Arsenal working on sensational £200m triple transfer for Viktor Gyokeres, Nico Williams and Martin Zubimendi

    ARSENAL are working on a dream scenario of signing Viktor Gyokeres AND Nico Williams in a blockbuster £200million summer spree.The Gunners’ No 1 priority is bringing in a top-level central midfielder and they are confident of landing Real Sociedad star Martin Zubimendi for around £50m.Arsenal are hoping to pull off a stunning summer move for Sporting Lisbon striker Viktor GyokeresCredit: EPAThey are also dreaming of splashing out on Athletic Bilbao winger Nico WilliamsCredit: GettyReal Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi is Arsenal’s top targetCredit: GettyNow new sporting director Andrea Berta is doing the sums to see if they can also afford an elite centre-forward AND a game-changing winger.Berta knows he will have to generate significant income by selling players in order to raise the cash to prise Gyokeres from Sporting and Williams from Athletic Bilbao.But Gunners chiefs are determined to do all they can to give boss Mikel Arteta the superstar signings he needs to win the Premier League title.With Jorginho and Thomas Partey both set to leave the Emirates on free transfers this summer, it will be essential to buy Zubimendi or another top defensive midfielder.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLArsenal also need to bring in a second-choice keeper when on-loan Neto returns to Bournemouth.A prolific striker is seen as a key target, with a new winger more of a luxury.But Emirates chiefs would love both.Their chances depend in part on whether Sporting and Athletic Bilbao hold out for release clauses for Gyokeres and Williams, believed to be £83.6m and £49m respectively.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSIf negotiations prove difficult, Arsenal could choose to pursue cheaper strikers, such as RB Leipzig ace Benjamin Sesko or Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike, in order to free up  money for Williams.Alternatively, the club could go all in on proven Prem scorer Alexander Isak, valued by Newcastle at more than £100m.Arsenal fans find video of new sporting director Andrea Berta SLAPPING Man City doctorAndrea Berta wants to make a huge statement in his first transfer windowCredit: GettyIf Arsenal agreed to pay that sort of fee, they would pass on wideman Williams, whose wage demands may be an issue.But former Atletico Madrid chief Berta is thought to be a big fan of Gyokeres and was reported to have met Williams’ agent Felix Tainta just days after officially taking up his new role.Arsenal do have to keep an eye on Profit and Sustainability Rules.They made losses of £52.1m in 2022-23 and £17.7m in 2023-24 — despite  their highest-ever revenue (£616.6m) last season thanks to a Champions League return.The departures of Jorginho, Partey and Kieran Tierney will free up money in the wage budget.Yet Arsenal will also need to find generous buyers for the likes of Oleksandr Zinchenko and Leandro Trossard.Gabriel Jesus and Takehiro Tomiyasu would have been off but long-term injuries scuppered those plans. More

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    ‘They should be ashamed’ – Pep Guardiola slams Man Utd fans for sick chants aimed at City ace Phil Foden’s mum

    PEP GUARDIOLA slammed Manchester United fans for “shameful” chants about Phil Foden’s mum.Sections of the home support chanted “Phil Foden, your mum is a s**g” during the Old Trafford stalemate.Pep Guardiola said Man Utd fans who sang about Phil Foden’s mum had a lack of ‘class’Credit: Not known, clear with picture deskChants were aimed at Foden as he walked off the pitch at Old TraffordCredit: RexCity boss Guardiola said: “It was a lack of class.“We are so exposed in football — managers, owners and football players especially.”Senior City figures were understood to have been shocked and disgusted by the chants, both in the number of those taking part and the frequency they hurled their abuse about Foden’s mother, Claire.Guardiola said: “I don’t understand the mind of the people involving the mum of Phil.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL“It’s a lack of integrity, class, and they should be ashamed.”The Spaniard also admitted he has been stunned by City’s shocking fall from grace.They remain fifth in the table, a point behind Chelsea, and are still in a desperate fight to qualify for the Champions League.Guardiola is struggling to work out how it has all gone so badly wrong and so quickly for the four-in-a-row Prem winners.Most read in FootballFoden is only one of those whose form has collapsed, having started the campaign as double Player of the Year.Guardiola admitted: “This season we dropped incredibly. Not just Phil Foden but all of them.’Gary Neville’s having a proper meltdown’ – Fans fear for Man Utd icon after he apologises for his derby co-commentary“Last season, his impact was incredible. With him and chances it’s normally bang, bang. Just not at the moment. “But the team is not playing at the level we had. And we were not at our level in this game.”Meanwhile, United boss Ruben Amorim batted away complaints by ex-Red Devils star Gary Neville that players hugging and shaking hands after the final whistle “tells you both teams feel happy with a 0-0”.Amorim now needs to win his last seven games to beat United’s lowest Prem points tally of 58, set in 2021-22.He said: “I understand Gary Neville is critical about everything.“I understand we are doing the worst season in history.“I’m not naive or crazy, I can see the moment we are in. We have to show urgency to do better because we don’t have much time at a club like this. We are in a rush.”Read More on The SunMore than 1,000 United fans staged a sit-in protest for over 30 minutes aimed at owners, the Glazers, and ticket-price hikes.Around 500 also protested after being told they must move seats to accommodate a new high-paying tunnel club next season. More

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    Man City set to hand Nico O’Reilly new deal to head off Chelsea bid for Cole Palmer-style transfer heist

    NICO O’REILLY looks set for a double-your-money new deal that slams the door on any lingering Chelsea hopes of landing him.The Blues were knocked back in a bid to sign the Manchester City kid in January. — but had not given up on being successful with a fresh summer move.Manchester City are set to tie Nico O’Reilly down to a major new dealCredit: RexChelsea are targeting O’Reilly and Man City want to avoid a Cole Palmer-style heistCredit: RexYet the West Londoners will finally admit defeat when the 20-year-old rookie agrees a £25,000-a-week contract.O’Reilly made his first Premier League start in the 2-0 midweek win against Leicester. Boss Pep Guardiola rates the midfielder highly…  and is also wary of losing another home-grown star to Chelsea after Cole Palmer’s career took off when he joined them.Talks have been going on for the past few weeks over an extension that will tie him to the Etihad for the next five years.Read More on FootballAnd O’Reilly’s new terms will also see him getting incremental rises each season, with bonuses on top of that.The vesatile midfielder, who has been touted as Rodri’s heir, started out at Man City’s academy in 2011 at the age of six.The England Under-20 international went on to amass a total of 29 goals and 20 assists in 85 appearances across City’s youth ranks.And the attacking midfielder has hit the ground running with the seniors as he already counts three goals and two assists in 12 appearances.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSBut City have learned from Palmer’s exit back in 2023 as they know O’Reilly can hit similar heights.Palmer is considered as one of the best players in the Premier League and an England superstar.Pep Guardiola talks about Kevin De Bruyne’s decision to leave Man City after 10 years The versatile forward counts a total of 39 goals and 23 assists in 80 appearances since his move to Chelsea. More

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    Erik ten Hag spotted at huge Serie A clash following Man Utd axe as fans say ‘he could actually do bits there’

    ERIK TEN HAG has been spotted in attendance at a huge Serie A clash months after his Manchester United sacking.Ten Hag, 55, was pictured walking into the ground and in the stands of the blockbuster clash between Roma and Juventus on Sunday evening.Erik ten Hag was seen in the stands of the Roma vs Juventus Serie A gameTen Hag was sacked by Man Utd in OctoberCredit: PAThe Dutchman was sacked by Man Utd at the end of October.He has since been seen in attendance at former club Ajax.But he has now been pictured at the Stadio Olimpico.In a video captured before the clash as Ten Hag arrived at the stadium, his security detail were cautious of cameras recording him.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLRoma are without a manager at the end of the season, with interim Claudio Ranieri set to step down from his role as the club’s boss at the end of the campaign.According to Italian reporter Francesco Lucca, Ten Hag’s entourage deny he has had any talks with Roma over the managerial position.Instead, it is reported Ten Hag was invited by the club owners, the Friedkin family – who also own Everton – to watch the game.But that didn’t stop fans getting excited at the thought of Ten Hag returning to management.Most read in FootballOne wrote: “He could actually do bits at Roma.”And after Man Utd’s bore draw with Man City, another fan even posted: “Manchester United miss him”Ten Hag is understood to have checked into a hotel in the morning which is typically reserved for new signings.BEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKOther names linked to the Roma job include Massimiliano Allegri, Stefano Pioli and Gian Piero Gasperini.Juventus themselves have only recently appointed a new manager.Ten Hag reveals problem with current players in first interview since Man Utd sackingThiago Motta was sacked by the Turin outfit in March before Igor Tudor was appointed as his replacement.After his sacking from the Red Devils, Ten Hag said in an open letter to fans: “Dear fans, let me start by thanking you. Thank you for always being there for the club. “Whether it was at a game far away or a tough match at Old Trafford, your support has been unshakeable.”The atmosphere at Old Trafford has always been electrifying, thanks to you. I felt it many times. “Also in away games, it gave the team and me an incredible feeling to hear the United chants taking over the opponents’ stadiums, whether the game was in England. “Europe or during the summer tours. I always enjoyed meeting Manchester United fans throughout the world. “Walking the streets and being able to chat with fans in England, Europe, Asia, Australia, the USA – you inspired me and radiated a strong sense of unity. “That’s what makes United supporters so special. I want to thank you for giving me this feeling and for your support. “I also want to thank the staff in every department of the club for their unwavering support in good times and bad. We won two trophies – achievements that I will cherish for the rest of my life. “Of course, my dream was to bring more trophies to the cabinet. Unfortunately, that dream has come to an end.”I wish all Manchester United fans nothing but success, trophies and glory. Your support and the warmth I received from everyone at the club helped me feel at home. Read More on The Sun”Thank you for this chapter in my life. Erik.”He gave a major update on his future in February, saying he would consider a new job in July.THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY..The Sun is your go to destination for the best football, boxing and MMA news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video.Like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TheSunFootball and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSunFootball. More

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    ‘Gary Neville’s having a proper meltdown’ – Fans fear for Man Utd icon after he apologises for his derby co-commentary

    FANS were left fearing for Manchester United icon Gary Neville after he APOLOGISED for his commentary during Sunday’s drab derby.Neville’s former side United and rivals Man City played out a dull 0-0 draw at Old Trafford, sending supporters of both sides to sleep.Gary Neville apologised for his commentary during Man Utd’s 0-0 draw with Man CityThe derby failed to ignite as fans were served up a dismal affairCredit: GettyThe encounter lacked the kind of excitement usually found in one of the league’s biggest matches.And even Neville sounded like he was dropping off with some unenthusiastic remarks from the commentary box.However, the Sky Sports pundit left fans stunned as he said sorry for his dreary commentary.Neville explained that his mood merely mirrored the lack of enthusiasm on the pitch.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAnd he even labelled the modern-day style of “micro-managing” players a “disease in the game.”Neville first said: “I don’t think there was one player who walked off that pitch disappointed about drawing 0-0, from either side. They all walked off sort of thinking, ‘We’re okay here, got away without making a mistake’. It was that type of game.“It was a real disappointment. I apologise for my co-commentary actually, I think I let it get to me. I was boring on there as well. That was drab as well.”On United’s lack of progress under boss Ruben Amorim, and their tactical “disease”, Neville continued: “I get what he (Amorim) is saying about it being that stage of the season, United and City are in a difficult moment. Most read in FootballBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS“But this robotic nature of [players] not leaving positions and being micro-managed within an inch of their lives, of not having any freedom to take a risk and try to win a football match, is becoming an illness in the game. It’s a disease in the game.“You think of Pep Guardiola over the years and that’s what his teams do. ‘They should be ashamed’ – Pep Guardiola slams Man Utd fans for sick chants aimed at City ace Phil Foden’s mum”We’re seeing poor imitations of that across the board now. “United’s goalkeeper rolling his foot over the ball and waiting for things to happen – that’s not it. That’s not what this club is, it’s not what we do here.“Liverpool don’t do that. You’ve got to be a top team with tempo in your play, rhythm in your play, get the ball moving, shift it quickly.”From a United perspective, I get why he (Amorim) has gone deep, back into a structure, he called it a low block. “But that’s what we’ve seen from Jose Mourinho, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Erik ten Hag. They’ve all come in with the intention of playing high-press, high-energy football, but always go back to playing in a low block in big games.”Fans were quick to react to Neville’s spectacular rant.One said: “Neville’s having a proper meltdown.”Another declared: “It’s a huge number of Prem games, it’s dull.”Read More on The SunOne noted: “He’s spot on, modern football is boring, it’s all robotic tactics.”Another added: “I agree, the league has been getting steadily worse.” More