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      Three ways Arsenal could line up with Marcus Rashford as wantaway Man Utd ace is tipped for sensational transfer

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      ARSENAL could be able to line up in three unique ways if they sign Marcus Rashford from Manchester United.The England forward has revealed he is ready for a “new challenge” after falling down the pecking order under Ruben Amorim.Arsenal could fit Marcus Rashford into three different systems if he joins them from Man UtdCredit: PAUnited’s new boss insists he wants to keep Rashford at Old Trafford.But the versatile winger is on an eye-watering £325,000-a-week package.And with Sir Jim Ratcliffe making no secret of his desire to cut back on spending, Rashford could be heading off sooner rather than later.There are sure to be plenty of suitors available depending on United’s asking price.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLParis Saint-Germain are among foreign teams who have long-term interest in Rashford.But should he stay in the Premier League, Arsenal could end up being his ideal home.Mikel Arteta has transformed the Gunners from has-beens into title contenders.Their resilient style of play relies on moments of magic from superstars like Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka – something Rashford has in spades.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSAnd should the 27-year-old make the move to north London, Arsenal could be able to fit him into three systems.The Gunners tend to play a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Kai Havertz leading the line while being supported by Odegaard and Saka.Gary Neville hits out at ‘Moping’ Rashford and Garnacho and has heated argument with Micah Richards live on Sky Sports Arteta currently has a number of options to fill the final attacking spot on the left, including Leandro Trossard, Gabriel Martinelli and Chelsea loanee Raheem Sterling.But the position would likely open up immediately for Rashford should he join Arsenal.The 2022/23 campaign saw him slam home 30 goals from that position.And should he rediscover that form at the Emirates, it would surely be a game-changer for the recently goal-shy Gunners.A variation of that system could also see Rashford slot in as a striker.Arteta sometimes prefers a technical dribbler like Martinelli or Trossard out wide.And Rashford’s speed could make him a preferable option to the rangier Havertz through the middle.Arsenal are also no strangers to an all-out attack when they are in desperate search of a goal.READ MORE SUN STORIESA 4-2-4 formation has occasionally been used when chasing a game.And that could see Rashford take up a position as the left-central forward, giving him support to the left as well as two options on the right.Why Rashford joining Arsenal is perfect fitBy Martin LiptonMARCUS RASHFORD is at a crossroads.But now the England star has to make the biggest choice he has ever faced – does he care about cash, or about his career?Rashford’s shock admission that he is “ready for a new challenge” after some two decades under the Manchester United umbrella has altered the dynamic around his future.That Rashford might not fit the blueprint of Ruben Amorim – who has now responded to Rashford’s comments – was not exactly a surprise.The Portuguese coach prefers a 3-4-3 formation but appears to have settled on Rasmus Hojlund as his starting central striker and wants two “narrow” inside forwards, with the width coming from the wing-backs.Rashford has always wanted to play through the middle but is often at his best exploiting spaces out wide – and that skillset does not necessarily suit the way Amorim wants to play.Even so, going public with his evident dissatisfaction at being bombed entirely from the squad for the Manchester derby was a major move, even if he vowed there would be “no hard feelings” if he does leave his boyhood club.In truth, Rashford has been leaving United almost from the moment he signed that new £325,000 per week contract in 2023.Something was broken in his connection to the club. His form dropped, his threat dissipated, his issues with the hierarchy deepened.When Erik ten Hag dropped him for hosting a birthday party after a derby defeat, and he later pulled a sickie to miss the FA Cup game with Newport, it felt even then that the writing was on the wall.The facts suggest the love affair has ended. After scoring 30 in all competitions to earn that new deal, he has scored just 15 in the 18 months since it was signed.Amorim’s arrival seems merely to have accelerated what was increasingly inevitable.Now, though, it is up to Rashford to determine what his future will bring.If it is only about the money, then his options might be somewhat limited.It is hard to see a Prem rival coughing up the same £16.9m annual salary – although Rashford’s comments have probably knocked £20m-plus off any transfer fee, even next month.But Real Madrid have their fill of big-money strikers and Barcelona’s budget remains restricted by La Liga financial controls.In Europe, then, that probably leaves PSG – but a move to a one-club league.Or, in the wider world, he could follow the likes of Ivan Toney, Cristiano Ronaldo, Roberto Firmino and Co and head to the Saudi desert.Lucrative, yep. Certainly a different environment – and that may be exactly what Rashford both wants and needs. But the football? Not in a million years.What Rashford needs, above all, is to be able to play for trophies and showcase his talents.There is no better stage than the Premier League – which has far more global eyeballs on it than any other domestic competition.And in that Premier League there is one club crying out for a goalscoring No 9, especially if he can also play down the left channel to balance out the side and widen its threat.Rashford has always been more Longsight than London.Yet Arsenal, and Mikel Arteta, might be the perfect fit.The Gunners’ lack of a proper scorer is one of the major factors many fans feel has hurt their title challenge this year.Gabriel Jesus has never been a natural finisher, while Kai Havertz is still a converted midfielder.And while the link-up between Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka makes their right flank deadly, faith in Gabriel Martinelli on the left is waning.There have not been too many who succeeded at Arsenal after leaving United – although Danny Welbeck was not a flop.Rashford has all the attributes to change that history, if he can reproduce what everybody knows is inside him.And by breaking free, giving himself the chance to start all over, Rashford can make a point to Amorim that will resonate for a very long time. 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      Football stadium set to look unrecognisable with enormous BEACH after 100 tonnes of sand is dumped in

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      A FOOTBALL team are trucking in 100 TONNES of sand to create a huge beach at their stadium.Auckland FC are trying to lure fans into their home games on December 21, January 1 and January 18 with the promise of cocktails, an inflatable slide and even a sandcastle competition.A football stadium in New Zealand is set to undergo a remarkable transformationCredit: GettyA project to move 100 tonnes of sand into a stadium will create New Zealand’s biggest inland beachCredit: LinkedIn/Auckland FCThe A-League expansion club say the inland beach will be New Zealand’s biggest.A statement said: “Those sticking around for summer can still hit the beach thanks to Auckland FC. “The club are trucking in more than 100 tonnes of sand to bring the best of the beach to the heart of the action for their upcoming home games on 21st December, 1st and 18th January.”The much-loved family fun zone is set to be transformed into a massive beach that’s decked out with all your summer’s day essentials.”READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe statement revealed the beach project would include live music, sandcastle competitions, a beachside cocktail bar and an inflatable slide.There will also be deck chairs and picnic areas as part of the transformation.And fans will even be able to take part in a fancy dress competition.The sand will be transported using six trucks to the centre of the 25,000-seat Go Media Stadium – previously known as Mount Smart Stadium – in Penrose, New Zealand.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSAuckland FC were established in March 2024, and along with fellow expansionists Canberra, joined the Australian Professional Leagues from 2024/25.The club’s first professional game was held on 19 October in front of a sell-out crowd.American businessman and owner of AFC Bournemouth Bill Foley is the owner of the club.New Luton Town Stadium given planning permission More

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      Captaincy options for Gameweek 16: Alexander Isak to edge out familiar favourites?

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      THE captaincy conversation has been far more interesting this season.In 2023/24, Dream Team managers who kept the armband on Erling Haaland (£8.4m) every week without fail were justified in doing so but those who have employed the same strategy this campaign have probably fallen behind gaffers who prefer to target specific fixtures.Haaland captainers have been punished in recent weeksCredit: GettyAhead of Gameweek 15, we put our reputation on the line by hailing Bukayo Saka (£6.9m) a better captaincy option than Mohamed Salah (£7.6m) on account of him being more likely to play in the Carabao Cup.And so it proved to be as Arsenal’s No7 came off the bench in midweek to register an assist while Liverpool’s main man was rested for his side’s trip to Southampton.Saka notched 13 points to Salah’s six when all was said and done, a decent swing for Dream Team bosses who opted to double the former’s points.We also recommended Alexander Isak (£5.4m) as a strong captaincy option outside of the familiar favourites with a view to targeting his home fixture against Leicester.The Sweden international repaid our faith with a 17-point haul against the Foxes via a goal and an assist – he only added two points against Brentford in midweek but the damage was done.Isak’s form is impossible to ignoreCredit: ReutersLooking ahead to Gameweek 16, it’s essentially a mirror repeat with Saka, Salah and Isak the leading captaincy candidates in our mind.The Gunners are due to face Crystal Palace and Ipswich while Arne Slot’s side will take on Tottenham and Leicester.All 20 teams will fulfil a Premier League double header this coming Gameweek and so Saka and Salah should start both fixtures.Most read in FootballAs for Newcastle, they travel to Portman Road on Saturday before hosting Aston Villa on Boxing Day.Given that Isak has scored six goals and provided three assists in his last eight league outings, he has to be considered an extremely tempting captain.Elsewhere, Bruno Fernandes’ (£6.3m) backers will be hopeful of healthy returns with Manchester United set to take on Bournemouth and Wolves – the latter have the worst defensive record in the top flight this season.Forgetting someone?Credit: GettyBut hang on, how could we forget Cole Palmer (£6.3m)?Chelsea’s talisman has a rare double Gameweek in the form of Everton and Fulham.The Blues are the Premier League’s form side at present and Palmer boasts the highest points-per-game average (10.9) among all players in 2024/25.That’s a rather compelling case.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 NOWSaka v Salah v Isak v Palmer is a head-scratcher this Gameweek and gaffers who still have their Max Captain Booster must be tempted to guarantee a points-laden Christmas.Remember to select your captain (and vice captain) before Saturday’s 11am deadline.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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      Everton takeover COMPLETED as crisis club release statement with new owners set to bring ‘immediate financial stability’

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      EVERTON’S takeover has officially been completed as the club finally part ways with Farhad Moshiri after a turbulent eight years.The Friedkin Group (TFG) finalised it’s majority takeover in a deal which is believed to be worth in excess of £400m.The Friedkin Group (TFG) has completed its takeover of Everton, ending the Premier League club’s long search for new ownershipThe takeover ends the eight year turbulent tenure of Farhad MoshiriThe Texas-based group is led by billionaire chairman Dan FriedkinRoundhouse Capital Holdings Limited, which is an entity within The Friedkin Group, have bought Moshiri’s 94.1 per cent stake in the club.The group reached an agreement with Moshiri on 23 September and were awaiting regulatory approval, with the Premier League having the final say on the deal, which has now been granted.Formal confirmation that the deal could go ahead came on Wednesday from the Premier League’s independent oversight panel.As part of the takeover agreement, TFG will significantly reduce the debt burden at the previously cash-strapped club.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSThe owners have committed to paying off the £200m owed to American insurance firm ACAP via a series of instalments, and refinancing a further £150m owed to another lender, Rights and Media Funding, on long-term, low interest rates. TFG’s own loans to the club, which have since risen by the tens of millions in recent months, will now be treated as a mix of equity and long-term senior debt, secured against the new stadium.The Texas-based group is led by chairman Dan Friedkin and also owns Italian Serie A club Roma.Friedkin has a net worth of £6.1bn, according to Forbes.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSFriedkin has been proposed as the chairman of Everton’s board, with Marc Watts serving as executive chairman. Friedkin said in an open letter: “I take immense pride in welcoming one of England’s most historic football clubs to our global family, the Friedkin Group. Arsenal player ratings vs Everton”Everton represents a proud legacy, and we are honoured to become custodians of this great institution.”Whilst we are new to the club, we fully understand the vital role Everton plays in local culture, history, and the lives of Evertonians here and around the world.”We are deeply committed to honouring this legacy while contributing positively to the community, economy, and people of this remarkable city.”Watts will be responsible for the management of the club.He said: “Today marks a momentous and proud occasion for The Friedkin Group as we become custodians of this iconic football club.”We are committed to leading Everton into an exciting new era both on and off the pitch. “Providing immediate financial stability to the Club has been a key priority, and we are delighted to have achieved this. “While restoring Everton to its rightful place in the Premier League table will take time, today is the first step in that journey.”British-Iranian businessman Farhad Moshiri has sold his 94.1 per cent stakeThe Friedkin Group’s proposed £800million takeover of the Toffees fell apart in July over concerns about the club’s debt to 777, an investment firm based in Miami.The debt was said to come from a series of loans taken out by the club from the firm last season and was worth £200m.TFG will be looking to clean up the club’s balance sheet and reduce debt of about £600m.The incoming new owners will also be overseeing the grand opening of the Merseysiders’ new 52,888-seater stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock which will be ready for the start of the 2025-26 season.Everton’s new Bramley-Moore Dock stadium will open at the start of the 2025-2026 seasonCredit: GettyRepresentatives are in the UK and will be at Sunday’s Premier League match with Chelsea at Goodison Park.The focus will be on maintaining the club’s position in the Prem and the Blues are 16th, three points above the relegation zone.It ends the Premier League club’s long search for new ownership.The Toffees become the 10th club in the Premier League under majority American ownership.British-Iranian businessman Moshiri first bought a 49.9 per cent stake in Everton for £87.5m in 2016, before increasing his holding to 94.1 per cent in 2022.While no sums have been disclosed, Moshiri will walk away having made a significant loss. Everton fans have held numerous banners up protesting the old ownershipIn all, Moshiri invested around £750m in his dream but ended with little or no financial return as the blue side of Merseyside spiralled downwards.Moshiri said: “I truly believe that the transaction with The Friedkin Group is the best outcome for the club and its future success.”I now hand over to new owners confident in the outlook for the club and that our incredible fans will see the success on the pitch that they so thoroughly deserve.”Ana Dunkel, TFG’s chief financial officer and Colin Chong, the club’s interim CEO, will also serve on the board. Additional appointments will be made in the coming weeks.Houston-based TFG made money through its subsidiary Gulf States Toyota before branching into other spheres including film and entertainment.The group posted revenues of over £10bn for the last financial year.Fans inside Goodison frequently protested against Farhad Moshiri’s ownershipWhat happened under Farhad Moshiri’s reign?Everton were regarded as a model of stability during the 11-year reign of David Moyes from 2002-13.However, Moshiri replaced this bliss with a rapid-fire revolving door approach during which he made seven full-time appointments.The first six lasting an average of only 309 days each between their first and final games before current gaffer Sean Dyche.Many supporters protested about his ownership, with Moshiri mostly absent from matches at Goodison Park since October 2021.He and the club were hit hard by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine with Everton suspending commercial sponsorships with USM Holdings, which was part-owned by Alisher Usmanov.The billionaire had his assets frozen by the European Union and Moshiri resigned from his role as chairman in the company when Usmanov was sanctioned.Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s 85th minute winner kept Everton in the Prem in May 2022Moshiri had been looking for a buyer and agreed to sell his stake to 777 Partners in September 2023.But eight months later it missed a deadline to complete the takeover.Last season, Everton were deducted points twice – amounting to a total of eight after an appeals process – for breaching Premier League profit and sustainability rules.The club have been flirting with relegation since the 2021-2022 season.Moshiri made his most controversial move that season by appointing former Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez, who departed within seven months.Frank Lampard came in January 2022 and helped Everton to preserve their top-flight status on a dramatic final day of the season with a 3-2 win over Crystal Palace.READ MORE SUN STORIESBut Lampard was sacked in January 2023 and replaced by Dyche, who also battled hard to keep them in the Prem.The Toffees again had to secure survival on tense a final day in May 2023, with a 1-0 win over Bournemouth getting them over the line.Toffees fans reacted furiously to the club’s point deductions last season More

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      Footballer in his 30s killed on night out in horror ‘attack’ as devastated club pays tribute & suspends all games

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      HEARTBREAKING tributes have poured in for a footballer in his 30s who died following an alleged assault on a night out.James Hitchcock, who played as a goalkeeper for club Barton Town FC, passed away “peacefully” in hospital after suffering “serious head injuries”.James Hitchcock was described as a popular member of the teamCredit: Barton Town FCJames (right) died following an alleged assault on a night outCredit: Barton Town FCHe died after suffering serious head injuriesCredit: X @BartonTownOBThe married dad-of-one died from injuries sustained following an incident at York railway station at around 8.45pm on Sunday.According to British Transport Police, 22-year-old Mckenzie Dicicco has been arrested and charged with murder and affray.Dicicco is due to appear at York Magistrates’ Court.Tributes poured in for Hitchcock after Barton Town made the sobering announcement of his death on social media earlier.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAll the club’s weekend games have been postponed in tribute to Hitchcock.A statement from Hitchock’s club read: “Barton Town FC are devastated to announce that following a serious head injury, our First Team goalkeeper James Hitchcock has passed away peacefully in hospital.“Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers go out to his wife, April, their young son, Freddie, his parents, family and friends.“All the club’s games scheduled for this weekend will be postponed as a mark of respect.”Most read in FootballClub chairman Mark Gregory said the club was “devastated”, adding Mr Hitchcock was a “popular but quiet” member of the first team.He said: “The news of James’s death has been hard to take in. It’s horrible. James was a popular member of the club. “We are all devastated. We are a very close-knit club.”Barton Town’s senior men were due to play Silsden in the Northern Counties East Football League this weekend.Hitchcock joined Barton Town in May after being signed by manager Anthony Bowsley from Bridlington Town.His former side led the tributes with a club statement.It read: “It is with disbelief that the club has been made aware of the death of our much loved ex goalkeeper James Hitchcock in tragic circumstances.“The word ‘devastated’ does not explain how we as a club feel at this time.“‘Hitch’ will always be on our minds and in our hearts and our deepest condolences and thoughts and prayers go to April and Freddie and all the family.“Hitch will be remembered before our home game on Boxing Day. RIP Keeps.”Barton Town’s NCEL rivals Pickering Town noted: “The club wish to send our deepest condolences to the family of goalkeeper James Hitchcock, who passed away yesterday after tragic circumstances.“James was a very good opponent of ours over many years for many clubs and will be sadly missed by many players and supporters.”Skelmersdale United noted: “We would like to offer our deepest and heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of James Hitchcock. RIP.”READ MORE SUN STORIESHull City Ladies added: “On behalf of everyone at Hull City Ladies Football Club, we are deeply sorry to hear about James Hitchcock.“Our thoughts are with Barton Town and James’ family and friends.”Tributes have poured in for the dad-of-oneCredit: @SeasidersReview More

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      Glamorous footballer Alisha Lehmann stuns in bikini and Santa hat in Maldives as Douglas Luiz is left back at home

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      ALISHA LEHMANN has been enjoying her winter break with a mid-season trip to the Maldives.The Swiss star, 25, quit the WSL for Juventus over the summer.Alisha Lehmann has been getting into the festive spirit in the MaldivesCredit: X @lishalehmannLehmann is dating Brazilian star Douglas LuizCredit: instagram @alishalehmann7She now plies her trade for Juventus in ItalyCredit: GettyLehmann and boyfriend Douglas Luiz both left Aston Villa for the Old Lady.While Luiz will be in Juve action this weekend, Serie A Femminile has taken a winter break.This has enabled Lehmann to jet off on holiday.Enjoying her time away, the forward posted a snap of herself in a bikini in front of the ocean.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLBeaming for the picture, Lehmann also wore a Santa hat.She captioned her post: “Loading season…”Fans loved the snap, which quickly received 29,000 likes on X.Lehmann has made 14 appearances since switching to Juve.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSPrior to the winter break, she had notched two goals for her new club.Luiz, meanwhile, has played eight times in Serie A.Alisha Lehmann in space gearHe returned from the bench against Manchester City last week after missing 10 games with a muscular injury.The midfielder, 26, is set to be in action again this Sunday as Juventus travel to Monza.Scroll down to see more of Alisha’s glam lifeAlisha Lehmann played for Aston VillaCredit: RexLehmann was one of the WSL’s top starsCredit: instagram/alishalehmann7She has amassed a loyal following onlineCredit: instagram/alishalehmann7Lehmann has 16 million Instagram supportersCredit: Instagram @alishalehmann7Alisha posed for her 2024 calendarCredit: Instagram @alishalehmann7She regularly posts saucy snapsCredit: Instagram / @alishalehmann7Lehmann is not shy when it comes to the cameraCredit: instagram/alishalehmann7She has scored 10 goals in 60 games for VillaCredit: Instagram @alishalehmann7Lehmann is set to start against Blackburn tonightCredit: instagram/alishalehmann7Fans will be cheering her onCredit: instagram/alishalehmann7Alisha has joined the Prime teamCredit: Instagram / @alishalehmann7Lehmann looks delighted to be partnering KSI and Logan PaulCredit: Instagram / @alishalehmann7Lehmann is the most-followed female footballer in the world.Credit: instagramLehmann was asked if she could send Drake one of her football shirtsCredit: instagram/alishalehmann7She received a surprising request from rapper DrakeCredit: instagramAn A-list celebrity had offered her £90,000 for a night of passionCredit: Instagram @alishalehmann7The footballer is sponsored by PrimeCredit: Instagram / @alishalehmann7She is also a Switzerland internationalCredit: Getty More

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      Sir Alex Ferguson reunites with Man Utd cult hero, 38, on Portugal holiday just days after star retired from football

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      SIR Alex Ferguson got together with Manchester United cult hero Nani while on holiday in Portugal.The meet-up happened 10 days after the 38-year-old announced his retirement from professional football shortly after the death of his dad.Nani and Sir Alex Ferguson reunited in Portugal before ChristmasThe Manchester United legends enjoyed breakfast in Nani’s sunny homelandEx-United winger Nani shared pictures of Ferguson joining him over breakfast on Wednesday.Both were dressed smart for the occasion as they enjoyed a food spread of toast, cake and coffee in the sunshine. Nani wrote: “Delicious breakfast – this time in Portugal – with the great and special company of Sir Alex Ferguson. “Amazing time, great memories. See you again soon, Boss 😁.”READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSUnited re-posted the former Portugal international’s X post and wrote: “Things you love to see.”And fans loved to see the Prem legends reunite after all these years.One wrote: “Nani and Fergie are looking sharp!”, while a second said: “Time flies, we miss you both 💖.”Another noticed: “Ferguson looks so healthy and happy, brilliant to see.”Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSNani announced his formal retirement from football on December 8.The wideman’s announcement was a surprise given he was playing in his homeland in the top flight for Estrella Amadora.Sir Alex Ferguson saved my Man Utd career with 10-word comment after I started going out every night, says Rio Ferdinand Although the club are in a relegation battle, Nani had appeared 10 times this season and was considered a first team regular.Part of Nani’s decision to retire, he revealed in his post, was down to the recent passing of his father.That tragedy forced him to contemplate his future – vowing to spend more with his family.He said: “I want to make the most of my time with my children, my wife, my mother, my siblings, cousins, uncles and aunts.Nani won four Prem titles and the 2008 Champions League with Ferguson”They also need me, and I need to be with them which is very important.”Nani joined the Red Devils in 2007, just two years after making his senior debut for Sporting Lisbon.He spent eight years at United, where he won four Premier League titles, the 2008 Champions League and two League Cups under the tutelage of Ferguson.Nani turned out 230 times, scoring 40 goals.Ferguson and Nani once lived NEXT DOOR to each other in Wilmslow, Manchester. In fact, Nani used to drive Ferguson to and from the team meeting points for games.He previously revealed that Ferguson gave him the silent treatment in an uncomfortable car journey after he took a penalty off Ryan Giggs and missed.Nani told United team-mate Rio Ferdinand’s Vibe with Five YouTube channel: “Giggs was there with the ball, I pulled Giggs aside, took the ball and I missed the penalty. My goodness.”It finished 2-2 and it was supposed to finish 3-2 for us with that penalty. We came inside the dressing room and straight away, first of all he kills Giggsy saying ‘Giggsy, with your experience, what the hell are you doing?'”Giggsy was like ‘he wanted to take the penalty, I let him take it’. And then he finished with Giggsy, turns to me. ‘Nani! You’re never going to take a penalty again!'”And then we went home. We arrived in Macclesfield and the gaffer lives next to me. “He was asking ‘anyone live in Wilmslow?’ I was looking round like ‘I don’t want to take him!’ The Portuguese star buried a late winner against Man City in the 2011 Community ShieldNani scored in the penalty shootout against Chelsea in the 2008 Champions League final”Someone said ‘Nani you live in Wilmslow, yeah? Can you take the boss?'”So I took him in my car and for at least two minutes we were just looking straight, we don’t talk. “And then I said ‘boss, sorry for the penalty’. He was like ‘no son, it’s okay. You should take it a little bit stronger, in the corner’. And when he said that… ahhh.”Nani also helped his country win the Euros in 2016 alongside fellow United alumni Cristiano Ronaldo.The ex-Portugal international will continue to remain associated with football after his retirement.He will work on projects such as the Nani Football Academy in Fernao Ferro. The former Prem star also owns a minority stake in the Portuguese lower-division club Sintrense SAD.READ MORE SUN STORIESIn 2015, he returned to Portugal on loan with Sporting.Then spells at Fenerbahce, Valencia, Lazio, Sporting again, Orlando City, Venezia, Melbourne Victory, Adana Demirspor followed.Inside Man Utd chaos with Dan Ashworth axed just five months into jobBy Neil CustisThe blame game has another victim as things go from bad to worse at Old Trafford.Manchester United’s first sporting director, Dan Ashworth, arrived in the summer and is gone before Christmas.SunSport exclusively revealed in November that there was trouble at mill.That the new senior management team were already blaming each other for the mess the club were in.Chief executive Omar Berrada and Ashworth were trying to wash their hands of it all, claiming they had arrived too late after serving their gardening leave.New part owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe said making decisions was all down to them.Meanwhile, Jason Wilcox thought it was all a mess under previous boss Erik ten Hag but was part of the team that encouraged him to stay after every other candidate ran for cover.Defeat Nottingham Forest in December, after their second-half capitulation at Arsenal a few days previously, proved too much.READ MORE ON MAN UTD’S CHAOS  More

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      Under-fire Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou says being a football manager is a harder job than prime minister

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      ANGE POSTECOGLOU claims being a Premier League manager is a harder job than being prime minister – because in football, you have an election on your role every weekend.Spurs boss Postecoglou watched with dismay as Russell Martin and Gary O’Neil lost their respective jobs at Southampton and Wolves at the weekend.Ange Postecoglou has suggested being a Premier League manager is tougher than being Prime MinisterCredit: AFPHe will once again be facing the music when Spurs play Man Utd tonightCredit: GettyThe Aussie has felt some pressure himself for his side’s wildly inconsistent campaign, upping the ante on tonight’s Carabao Cup quarter-final against Manchester United.Tottenham fans are back to calling for chairman Daniel Levy to go, as they did throughout Sunday’s 5-0 thrashing of Saints which did for Martin.It all adds up to Postecoglou feeling like most managers who want to build something are hamstrung from the get-go, making it a tougher role than any other.The 59-year-old said: “This job is the hardest job now in any walk of life. You can say politics but this is harder than any job.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL“The tenure and longevity of this role now means that you go into it and very few are going to come out of it without any scars.”Asked if he felt it was tougher than the PM’s task of running the country, the ex-Celtic chief replied: “Oh yeah, how many times does he have an election?“I have one every weekend, mate. We have an election every weekend and either get voted in or out.”Postecoglou’s side thrashing Southampton 5-0 – with all the goals coming in the first half – sparked the end for Martin, who was axed a little over an hour after the final whistle.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSThe Spurs chief added: “You don’t even get sacked in the morning now, you’ve got to change the song!“It’s crazy. I don’t get it. This notion that clubs want to bring managers in and build stuff doesn’t exist.What’s the ‘Unify League’ and which Prem teams would play in new version of European Super League?”We all understand every one of us in our positions at the moment is that the moment there is a bit of a wobble there will be coming from all areas.“Gary and Russell are both outstanding young managers who have long careers ahead of them. “Unfortunately I think for them at the beginning of their careers that’s what a manager’s career is going to look like.“You’ll find that from now on managers are going to have about 20 clubs on their CV, even the successful ones because the ability for clubs to just stick with one person just doesn’t seem like it’s feasible anymore.”Tottenham fans sang anti-Levy chants relentlessly in that Saints clash, with a protest planned for Sunday’s hosting of Liverpool in the Premier League.Postecoglou is never going to tell supporters how they can or cannot feel.But he has urged them to create a similarly hostile atmosphere for United tonight as his Spurs experienced in the Europa League this term.The ex-Celtic boss added: “I have spoken about the atmosphere at Ibrox and Galatasaray and how I’d like that to be our atmosphere because it would certainly help us overcome a tough opponent in a really big game.”Spurs are waiting to see if Destiny Udogie will overcome soreness for the game.But they have been boosted by the return to training of 17-year-old wonderkid Mikey Moore, who has been out since October with a virus.Meanwhile, Postecoglou was giving nothing away as to whether Spurs would be interested in a January move for wantaway United star Marcus Rashford.READ MORE SUN STORIESHe said: “If I looked at everyone we were linked to, I would have no time to do anything else to be honest.“That’s a ‘not on my radar’ (response). You can ask me about Marcus but you can ask me about every single Premier League footballer and I’ll say the same thing.”How does the Unify League work?A NEW version of the European Super League has been proposed – now branded as the Unify League. Here’s all you need to know about how it works…Who plays in it?The proposed competition would see 96 teams from across Europe taking part each year.All positions will be earned by performances in domestic competitions the previous campaign – just as it currently is with the Champions League, Europa League and Conference League.What’s the format?There would be FOUR leagues: Star League, Gold League, Blue League and Union League.The top two divisions, Star and Gold, would each have 16 teams in them, split into two groups of eight.The groups of eight would play each other home and away, a total of 14 matches per club each season.The bottom two divisions, Blue and Union, would have 32 teams each, split into four groups of eight.They would also play each other home and away.In the Star and Gold leagues, the top four of each group would play a two-legged quarter-final.In the Blue and Union, it would be the top two teams from each group making up the quarter-finals.The winners of those matches would then progress to a “final four” week of one off matches to provide the champions of the four different leagues. Those games would be played on a neutral ground.How many English teams will take part?The Premier League would have three guaranteed entrants in the Star League.Two English teams would go into the Gold League.Up to five further slots for Prem teams would be spread across the remaining pair. More