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      Which Tottenham midfielder is the best option for Dream Team managers this season?

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      TOTTENHAM’S victory over Aston Villa on Sunday was their ninth win in their last eleven games in all competitions.Much was made of the slip-ups against Brighton and Crystal Palace but there’s no denying the broader picture is an increasingly optimistic one for Ange Postecoglou’s side.Decisions, decisions…Credit: Dream TeamFurthermore, Spurs are currently the top scorers in the Premier League, a fact that Dream Team managers should not take lightly.At the time of writing, the North Londoners are the only club with three representatives inside the top 15 midfielders in terms of overall points.Brennan Johnson (£3.8m) and James Maddison (£4.6m) are ranked sixth and seventh in their position respectively with Dejan Kulusevski (£3.1m) nestled in 13th.Some Dream Team bosses will be more than happy to select a couple of Spurs midfielders but many will see that as overkill and so it begs the question: which of the three is the best option?If goals are the priority then Johnson is the main manCredit: AlamyJohnson has earned the most points (95) so far but Maddison is just two behind him at this stage.The Wales international has been the most prominent goal threat; his close-range finish against Villa was his seventh of the season in all competitions.Only Bryan Mbeumo (£4.6m) has scored more goals among midfield assets – Brentford’s talisman has eight to his name.Maddison’s picture-perfect free-kick against Unai Emery’s mob was just his third goal of the campaign but he’s hot on Johnson’s heels because he’s a bonus point magnet.Most read in Dream TeamSpurs’ No10 has earned 21 bonus points already – only Savinho (£4.1m) boasts a higher tally (22) – while Johnson is yet to muster a single one!Maddison has also registered five assists to Johnson’s two.Plenty of quality but Maddison’s minutes are a concernCredit: ReutersHowever, gaffers who own the ex-Leicester playmaker will be concerned about minutes going forward.Maddison was hooked at half time against West Ham in Gameweek 8, replaced after an hour against Crystal Palace in Gameweek 9, and given just eight minutes against Villa at the weekend.From a Dream Team perspective, his owners have largely escaped punishment as the 27-year-old has pocketed enough points from his limited minutes to satisfy but whether he’s able to maintain such a rate remains to be seen.Maddison will probably start against Galatasaray in the Europa League on Thursday night but Postecoglou is leaning towards a more conservative midfield balance in league fixtures.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 NOWMaddison is also the most expensive Spurs midfielder by a relatively wide margin.In contrast, Kulusevski is currently available for just £3.1m and has to be considered one of the best value-for-money selections in Dream Team this season.The Sweden international is 20 points behind Maddison (and 22 shy of Johnson) but many Spurs fans will tell you he’s been the best of the lot.Previously a right winger, the ex-Juventus man has been reinvented as a No10 where his creative powers have come to the fore.Kulusevski has provided six assists – only Bukayo Saka (£6.7m) has more among midfielders – and he’s created twice as many big chances as Maddison.In fact, Kulusevski’s quality in central areas has contributed to Maddison’s declining minutes.Kulusevski has rediscovered his best form this seasonCredit: GettyIn conclusion, Johnson is the best option for gaffers who simply want the biggest goal threat but Kulusevski is the smart, value-for-money option.The latter is also the most in-form of the trio having taken more points from the last three games.READ MORE SUN STORIESAnd Maddison, for all his quality, has to be considered a potential trap door given his high price and dwindling playing time.18th-placed Ipswich are set to visit the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday so it’s a good time for gaffers to make sure they’re backing the right Spurs assets.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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      Why Chelsea’s rotation policy is a significant problem for Dream Team gaffers

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      CHELSEA are sitting pretty in fourth after ten Premier League games.Only Tottenham and Manchester City have scored more league goals than the Blues in what has generally been viewed as an encouraging start to Enzo Maresca’s reign at Stamford Bridge.Solid startCredit: Dream TeamIt’s only natural that Dream Team managers would be drawn to one of the league’s strongest teams but Chelsea’s bloated squad has caused an unusual problem for gaffers.Much has been made of the excessive strength and depth of the player list caused by Todd Boehly’s recruitment strategy.As a result, Maresca has consolidated a core group of regulars for the Premier League while making extensive use of rotation for the Conference League and the Carabao Cup.This is not totally unique to Chelsea but the extent to which the line-up changes from league fixtures to European outings is noticeably more pronounced when compared to the Champions League clubs.This is partly because the Conference League is not as prestigious (or competitive) as the Champions League and so the ex-Leicester manager feels comfortable resting his top stars.Jackson tends to make way for Nkunku in the Conference LeagueCredit: GettyThe problem is that Dream Team bosses don’t want the likes of Cole Palmer (£6.3m), Nicolas Jackson (£4.4m) and Noni Madueke (£3.1m) to be rotated.More appearances equal more opportunities to score points and so it’s painful for gaffers to see their Chelsea assets miss out against favourable Conference League opposition.Palmer wasn’t even included in the squad for the league phase of the continental competition, with Maresca keen to manage his talisman’s workload.Most read in FootballThe 22-year-old, who features in 61.8% of teams, averages 10.7 points-per-game this season compared to Mohamed Salah’s (£7.3m) average of 9.6.However, while Palmer rests in midweek, Liverpool’s main man has banked 26 points from three European outings to date, hence why the latter is ahead in the rankings despite his inferior average.Palmer boasts an incredible points-per-game average but misses out on midweek fixturesCredit: GettySimilarly, Jackson has scored six goals and provided three assists in just ten league outings but he hasn’t played a single minute outside the top flight – Christopher Nkunku (£4.2m) has led the line in the additional competitions.The Senegal international averages an impressive 7.9 points-per-game, a rate only bettered by four forwards, but his overall tally of 79 points put him just 11th among assets in his position.The fact he sits out on Thursday nights is a huge blow to his viability.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 NOWLast season, Dream Team managers were able to target the Conference League match-ups because many of Aston Villa’s regulars in the competition were also starters in the league.That simply isn’t the case with Chelsea this time around and so gaffers would almost be better off treating the West Londoners as a non-European team.Maresca might see things differently if his side qualify for the knockout stage, which they are well on course to do as current league leaders, but that’s a while away yet.READ MORE SUN STORIESPalmer is the second-most popular player in Dream TeamCredit: GettySuch is Palmer’s quality, his comparatively relaxed schedule hasn’t been an issue so far as he’s racked up 107 points from ten outings via seven goals and five assists – Bukayo Saka (£6.7m) is the only midfielder above him in the rankings.But his backers must be somewhat frustrated he won’t be unleashed upon the likes of FC Noah, Heidenheim, Astana and Shamrock Rovers between now and Christmas.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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      Man City’s title bid is being derailed by the loss of Pep Guardiola’s secret weapon he feared it was a ‘mistake’ to sell

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      MANCHESTER City’s title bid is being derailed by the absence of a key player from last season.And we’re not talking about injured midfield lynchpin and Ballon d’Or winner Rodri.Julian Alvarez was a key figure in Manchester City winning their fourth title in a rowCredit: GettyBecause although the Spain midfielder was undeniably crucial to the triumphs of his club and country, Julian Alvarez was front and centre (and sometimes wide) in Pep Guardiola’s side in 2023/4.And selling Alvarez to Atletico Madrid for a massive profit in the summer is no longer looking like quite as good a deal for City.It was not only the Argentinian World Cup winner’s 11 goals and nine assists in 36 PL appearances that was important to City.Nor was Alvarez just a useful replacement for Erling Haaland and Kevin de Bruyne when they were injured.READ MORE FOOTBALLThe versatile star also gave Guardiola the freedom to rotate his attacking options during or between games, keeping them out of the “red” zone and giving them the chance to perform at their peak more often.But Alvarez wanted to be the main man, playing regularly in a No 10 or No 9 role. That was not going to happen any time soon, so when Atletico offered him the chance to swap Manchester, where he had never really settled, for Madrid, he wanted the move.And City regarded as good business a fee of up to £81.5m for a wantaway player who cost an initial £14m in 2022.Yet Guardiola knew at the time that the sale of Alvarez could come back to bite his team, admitting “if we have many, many injuries it will be a problem”.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSGuardiola added: “Maybe it is a mistake, I don’t know, but I don’t like leaving players without playing for a long time. Pep Guardiola admits Man City were ‘hungover’ for FA Cup final defeat against Man Utd following Premier League title bash “When everyone is involved with a chance to play, the performance of the teams is always better.”Unfortunately for City, they have a lot of players without a chance to play at the moment.On the flipside, title rivals Arsenal are also feeling the effects of losing key players.And the Gunners are more dependent on their starting 11 than City and so less equipped to cope with injuries.Last season, four of Mikel Arteta’s squad played more than 3,000 minutes in the Premier League – William Saliba, Declan Rice, Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Magalhaes.Not a single City player did the same, with Rodri’s 2,937 league minutes putting him top of their workload charts but also behind Ben White (2,995) and only just ahead of Bukayo Saka (2,933).Phil Foden, second in the City rankings with 2,865, would have been eighth in the Arsenal list.The Gunners are undoubtedly suffering from the loss of injured captain Odegaard, whose skillset would be difficult for anyone to replace.But a slight drop-off in form from 2023/4 ever-present Saliba and partner Gabriel is also being felt, because of injuries and a lack of match sharpness among the defensive cover.Last weekend both Arsenal and City learned once more what can happen even to them if their best players are not fit and/or firing.Josko Gvardiol gave City hope at Bournemouth but the champions slipped to a 2-1 defeatCredit: AlamyFor most of the defeat against Bournemouth, Guardiola’s men looked pretty toothless, with Haaland struggling to make an impact and a lack of options on the bench to replace him.Andoni Iraola’s men were good value for their win.And Arsenal gave one of their flattest performances of the last two and a bit seasons at St James’ Park, as hosts Newcastle deservedly completed back-to-back home victories over the Gunners.At one point on Saturday, all three favourites for the title were losing.But although Liverpool came back to beat Brighton and return to the top of the league, no one at Anfield will be complacent.So far the Reds are coping well with the absence of the injured Diogo Jota, such is the array of attacking options that Arne Slot has.Yet how would they perform if player of the season so far Ryan Gravenberch or Alexis Mac Allister were to be unavailable for an extended period, despite the good form of Curtis Jones?And what if captain Virgil Van Dijk was out? When the Dutchman, like Rodri, suffered a serious knee injury that kept him out for much of the 2020/1 season, Liverpool’s title defence collapsed.While Van Dijk and fellow centre back Joel Matip spent months on the sidelines, then Kop boss Jurgen Klopp desperately tried to plug the gap by moving central midfielders Jordan Henderson and/or Fabinho into the back four.The entire balance of the team was thrown off and the Reds only just scraped into the top four.READ MORE SUN STORIESCity’s overall strength in depth and potential spending power in the January transfer window mean they should still be well capable of maintaining a title challenge. But in a battle that could come down to a handful of points, the sale of Alvarez, as much as Rodri’s injury, may prove crucial. More

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      Hull star Oscar Zambrano BANNED after breaching anti-doping rules as club release statement

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      HULL CITY star Oscar Zambrano has been banned from football for breaching anti-doping rules.The Ecuadorian midfielder, 20, is currently on loan at the MKM Stadium from LDU Quito.Oscar Zambrano was hit with an immediate ban for breaching anti-doping rulesCredit: GettyHowever, he was slapped with an immediate suspension on Tuesday – although the player plans to appeal the decision.Hull confirmed the shock news in a statement. The club said: “Hull City can confirm that, with immediate effect, CONMEBOL, the South American Football Confederation, has suspended Oscar Zambrano for breaching the anti-doping rules set out in Articles 6 and 7 of the CONMEBOL Anti-Doping Regulations.”Zambrano and his defence will use their right to appeal this decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”The Club is not in a position to provide further information at this time.”The bombshell announcement means Zambrano will be unavailable for Tim Walter’s Tigers when they take on Oxford United tonight. Zambrano was aware of the threat of a ban as he was investigated by the Ecuadorian FA for an issue that arose following a drugs test in March during his time at LDU Quito. Addressing the risk earlier in the season, the Ecuador Under-20 international said: “It is an issue that they are resolving and as I say, I believe that, thank God, it is on the right track, and at the end of the day, I am aware that it was not something that was intentional.Most read in Football”I know that a lot of people misunderstand it out there, but that’s normal and people can make whatever comments they want, to think what they can, they have every right but inside of me, I know how things were and what really happened. I’m calm, I’m training hard and hoping that I’ll be given the opportunity (to impress).”Hull owner Acun Ilicali previously vowed to stand by the youngster – after signing him knowing the possibility of a ban loomed. Football teams that controversially changed their badgeIlicali said: “He has an issue, but about this issue, we believe in him.”He told us his story and his problem is that he’s in danger of getting banned maybe but we think he is innocent. “He just explained everything to us and that’s the reason we will be able to get him with this budget. “If anything comes of course, there will not be any damage (to the club) and we will take this risk, so for us, it is okay.”Zambrano came through the academy at Colorados Jaipadida – the same youth team as Chelsea’s Moises Caicedo.But it was at LDU Quito where he made his name, progressing into the first team with the Ecuadorian giants. The youngster had a trial with Ajax and was also wanted by Sao Paulo as well as Colorado Rapids.READ MORE SUN STORIESHowever, he joined Hull on a season-long loan in August for the 2024-25 Championship season.Zambrano grabbed his first goal and assist for the club in the 4-1 win over Cardiff on September 28.Zambrano has 14 caps for Ecuador’s Under-20sCredit: GettyWho are these famous footballers? More

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      Scottish fan is ONLY away supporter to turn up to cheer on Atalanta against Napoli

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      JUST one Atalanta fan made it into the away section for their game against Napoli… and he was Scottish.Atalanta went to Antonio Conte’s Serie A leaders Napoli on Sunday without any support.Scottish fan Steven was the only Atalanta fan in the away end for their game against NapoliCredit: XThe home side banned anyone with a Lombardy postcode – where Atalanta is located – from entering the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium.This measure was taken for security reasons.But that did not stop Scottish supporter Steven from making the trek to Naples for the game.He could be seen all alone in the Atalanta section with a huge club flag.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLSteven also shared pictures of him inside the ground surrounded from all other corners of the arena by Napoli fans.But the area for the away fans was completely deserted as the Scot took photos with the stewards.Alongside the pictures, he added the caption on X: “Napoli stewards were amazing with me. Grazie.”Easiest shift they’ve ever had. What a game that was.”Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSIt turned out to be a memorable match for Atalanta as they claimed a stunning 3-0 win.Ademola Lookman scored twice in the opening 31 minutes, before Mateo Retegui added a third in stoppage time.Moment Napoli boss Antonio Conte hugs for Billy Gilmour after Scotland star’s standout performance The result moves Europa League champions Atalanta up to third and just three points adrift of Napoli in the Serie A table. More

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      New dad Ryan Giggs, 50, beams as he pushes baby girl in pram alongside girlfriend Zara Charles, 36

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      NEW dad Ryan Giggs has been spotted beaming as he pushed his baby girl in her pram alongside his girlfriend Zara Charles.Giggs, 50, and Zara, 36, made their first appearance with baby Cora near Old Trafford yesterday.Manchester United legend Ryan Giggs, 50, was seen beamingCredit: BackGridGiggs pushing his new baby girl in a pram alongside his girlfriend Zara CharlesCredit: BackGridLingerie model Zara kept it casual in a beige polo neck jumperCredit: BackGridFormer Manchester United winger Giggs smiled as he pushed Cora’s buggy.Lingerie model Zara kept it casual in a beige polo neck jumper, black skinny jeans, trainers and a black leather jacket.A spokesperson said: “Ryan and his partner Zara are delighted to announce the birth of their daughter, Cora Giggs who was born on Friday 1 November.”They extend their warmest gratitude to all the amazing staff especially the midwives at Wythenshawe hospital.”Read More SportGiggs is already dad to Sheffield United footballer son Zach, 17, plus daughter Libby, 19, from his marriage to Stacey Cooke.Zara — his partner since 2021 — also has a daughter from a previous marriage.The couple live in a £2.1million, seven-bedroom mansion which Giggs bought last year.In November Giggs celebrated his 50th birthday with a trip to Dubai with Zara.Most read in FootballShe surprised him by having red rose petals scattered across their hotel bed.Zara posted: “Yesterday was my best friend’s Big Birthday. Happy 50th, Ryan.”So grateful we got to spend it in one of our happy places. I will love you forever.”On Saturday Giggs was spotted putting his boots back on to help struggling Salford City.The Welsh legend, 50, was spotted back on the pitch for the warm-up in their League Two game against Fleetwood on Tuesday and then went into the dugout.Giggs is a part-owner of the club and there have been suggestions he could get more involved in the playing side.Whether he is going to make the move more permanent and significant remains to be seen.He was in the set-up for the 2-2 draw at Fleetwood, where Francis Okoronkwo netted a dramatic 98th-minute equaliser for City.And Giggs was snapped in the dugout again alongside boss Karl Robinson during Saturday’s 2-1 FA Cup win over Shrewsbury.Matthew Lund scored twice for the hosts as Salford extended their unbeaten run to five games across all competitions.The club had made a slow start to the new League Two season.But after a mini-revival, they now sit just two points off the playoff spots in 12th place.Giggs has not held a regular managerial position since leaving the Welsh national team in 2022.Giggs is co-owner of the League Two club along with his ex-United team-mates Gary and Phil Neville, Nicky Butt and Paul Scholes.READ MORE SUN STORIESHe joined the Red Devils as a 14-year-old and went on to win 13 Premier League titles, four FA Cups, three League Cups and two Champions Leagues.Over the course of almost 1000 games for Man Utd, he scored 168 goals.The couple were deep in conversationCredit: BackGridThe couple live in a £2.1million, seven-bedroom mansionCredit: BackGridThe couple at a Salford City game in AugustCredit: GettyGiggs and Zara at a restaurant opening in AprilCredit: BackGridZara works as a lingerie modelCredit: FacebookOn Saturday Giggs was spotted putting his boots back on to help Salford CityCredit: Getty More

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      Ruben Amorim’s Man Utd move sees his wife become rivals with her best friend, business partner and fellow Wag

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      THEY were the dream partnership at Sporting.Hugo Viana, as sporting director, sold on the likes of Bruno Fernandes, Pedro Porro, Joao Palhinha and Manuel Ugarte for huge profits.Hugo Viana is getting ready to take the reins at Man Utd from Sporting LisbonSporting Liston sporting director Hugo Viana is joining Utd’s rivals Man CityAmorim and Viana’s wives run an interior design business togetherWhile in came Viktor Gyokeres, Morten Hjulmand, Pedro Goncalves and Francisco Trincao – who could fetch huge fees thanks to their development under the club’s boss, Ruben Amorim.Working as well as they did attracted the Premier League’s big hitters.Viana will join Man City, where he will replace the departing Txiki Begiristain at the Etihad next season.Intriguingly, Amorim now comes in as Man Utd boss and will rival his old pal at club level.Read more football newsBut, it’s not just those two that’ll feel a divide in Manchester.Incredibly, the pair’s wives are best friends and run a business together.Amorim’s relationship with Viana began when they played together.Former team-matesThe two were team-mates at Braga during the 2012-13 season.Most read in FootballAmorim and former Newcastle midfielder Viana also share ties to lower-league side Belenenses FC.Amorim confirmed by Man Utd but it’s a huge gamble and delay to start is bizarreIt’s where the incoming Red Devils manager cut his teeth as a player, while Viana took his first steps as a director at the Lisbon club in 2017.It was Viana who contributed towards Amorim’s rise at Sporting.Back in 2020, he was already two years into his role at Sporting when he hired Amorim as head coach.Viana was impressed by his pal’s single season at Braga – leading the club to a third placed finish in the league, as well as a domestic cup win.“I think one of the best things that Viana did was to bring the people that he trusts like Amorim,” Viana’s former team-mate Helder Barbosa told The Guardian.“He’s a young coach and the people start talking a lot about the money they spend but right now everybody talks that he was not a cheap coach but probably he’s the best coach in Portugal right now and he’s young, so they are closer than ever before.”Amorim and Viana were former team-mates at Braga togetherIt was Viana who was instrumental in Sporting hiring Ruben Amorim as bossread more sport featuresSuccessViana and Amorim formed a unique partnership at Sporting, where they helped the club win two league titles in four seasons.That success came through savvy recruitment.Amorim groomed players like Bruno Fernandes, Pedro Porro, Joao Palhinha and Manuel Ugarte.Those stars would earn big-money moves abroad – boosting the club’s coffers.Fernandes signed for Man Utd for a staggering £68million, while Pedro Porro cost Spurs £40million, Joao Palhinha fetched £20million, and Manuel Ugarte joined PSG for north of £50m, a similar fee to the one he joined the Red Devils for this summer.Big money for a club like Sporting, who spent it wisely thanks to Viana.The likes of Viktor Gyokeres, Morten Hjulmand, Pedro Goncalves and Francisco Trincao all came in, and under the guidance of Amorim their values have now risen to well beyond what was paid for them.That is especially relevant in the case of Swedish goalscoring machine Gyokeres, who was signed for around £17million – but looks likely to move on for £70million plus.Viana, wearing sunglasses, joined Amorim on the bench for a pre-season friendly in 2021Amorim was lofted in the air by the players after winning Sporting a league title in the same yearWivesIt’s not just Amorim and Viana who have a successful working relationship.Amorim is married to Maria João Diogo and the pair have a son.Maria has built her own business in interior design with a degree in telecommunications engineering.The couple got married in 2013 in front of 160 guests at a beautiful ceremony at the Palácio de S. Marcos church in Coimbra.Present for the nuptials were Viana and his missus, Raquel Gomes, who got hitched some ten years earlier.Maria and Raquel are also best friends, who run an interior design business together called Dois Tons.They aim to “create spaces with a unique identity” through their use of “color palette, textures and which are an extension of their history”.Their Instagram page shows off some of their creations, and has around 7,000 followers.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.Maria João Diogo, left, and Raquel Gomes are best friends and business partnersMaria and Raquel run interior design company Dois Tons togetherMaria and Raquel’s work features on the company’s Instagram pageAmorim and Viana leave Sporting with their heads held high and for pastures new.READ MORE SUN STORIESOne will be red, one will be blue. But how will their wives get on once they become noisy neightbours…?Let the rivalry begin. More

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      Premier League club chairman admits texting refs’ chief Howard Webb DURING game before controversial decisions

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      IPSWICH TOWN’S chairman has admitted he texted referees chief Howard Webb DURING his side’s controversial draw with Leicester.The Tractor Boys were 1-0 up at home on Saturday when star man Conor Chaplin was shoved in the box by Foxes ace Abdul Fatawu.Ipswich chairman Mark Ashton texted Howard Webb during the 1-1 draw with LeicesterCredit: PAAshton was desperate to talk to Webb about recent VAR decisions against his sideCredit: GettyDespite it appearing to be a clear penalty, the incident was bizarrely waved away by the referee and VAR.Things then got even worse for Ipswich when Kalvin Phillips received a second yellow card and trudged off for an early bath.And Ipswich’s worst fears were realised when Jordan Ayew nabbed a 94th-minute equaliser for Leicester to split the points.It’s not the first time Kieran McKenna’s side feel they have been hard done by since their return to the top flight.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLIn their 2-0 defeat to Everton, Ipswich were given a penalty for a foul on Jack Clarke before the ref’s decision was reversed by VAR.And in the following week’s 4-3 defeat at Brentford, the promoted side saw VAR overturn a decision to award a free-kick while instead handing the Bees a decisive penalty.Ipswich chairman Mark Ashton has now revealed he messaged ref chief Webb DURING his side’s game against Leicester, begging for talks on VAR clarity before his side were denied a penalty.Ashton told BBC Radio Suffolk: “I thought Saturday was a real injustice. Those who know me know I care passionately about this club and will give my last breath defending it.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS“And I made that very clear to Howard Webb. I actually messaged him when we were 1-0 up because I had a sense of the way this was going to go.“I said, ‘Can we speak directly after the game?’ We spoke and some of that conversation needs to remain private because I’ll end up being on a charge.Ipswich Town Football Club announce plans to redevelop 53-year-old stand in ‘exciting project’ with hotel and aquatics centre Ipswich feel they were denied a clear penalty against LeicesterCredit: RexThey also saw Kalvin Phillips sent offCredit: Rex“I’ve seen on international broadcasters today, former refs giving their opinion it’s not a penalty. You cannot be serious. Come on, don’t just back your former colleagues. It’s a stonewall penalty.“All I look for is consistency and right now I’m confused. The culmination of that conversation with Howard is that we will meet this week at Portman Road to discuss it because we need answers.“I can’t understand some of the decisions and I struggle to understand why we weren’t awarded a penalty.” More