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    Man Utd’s squad value PLUMMETS by £407million as flop signings’ shocking new price-tags revealed after horror season

    MANCHESTER UNITED may well have put every member of their squad up for sale.But their woeful season means the club’s signings have dropped more than £400MILLION in market value.Manchester United’s entire squad is up for saleCredit: GettyBruno Fernandes is the most valuable member of the squad at £47m – tied with Kobbie Mainoo and Leny YoroCredit: GettyUnited’s painful defeat by Tottenham in the Europa League final put a dour, sour note on the end of a dreadful campaign.And as the two finalists battle to avoid finishing 17th in the Premier League on Sunday, the Red Devils will not play in Europe next term for the first time since 2014-15.Sir Jim Ratcliffe has already referenced the dire state of United’s financial situation – with the club’s share value plummeting by 60 per cent and reports they are on the brink of breaching PSR rules.Failing to qualify for the Champions League will cost the club another £100m.READ MORE ON MAN UTDNow it is understood the entire playing squad are available for transfers in the summer – including captain Bruno Fernandes.Fernandes said after defeat in Bilbao: “I’ve always said I will be here until the club says to me that it’s time to go.”In the day that the club thinks that I’m too much or it’s time to part ways, football is like this, you never know it. But I’ve always said it and I keep my word in the same way.”If the club thinks it’s time to part ways because they want to do some cashing in or whatever, it’s what it is, and football sometimes is like this.”Most read in FootballJoin SUN CLUB for the Man Utd Files every Thursday plusin-depth coverage and exclusives from Old TraffordBut United can forget about recouping much of the massive transfer fees they splashed out on the current squad – with a total drop off of £407m in value, according to Transfermarkt’s latest figures.Academy graduates Kobbie Mainoo (£47m), Marcus Rashford (£42m) and Alejandro Garnacho (£38m) were left out of the figures as they came through the youth system, while those out of contract in the summer were excluded, too.Maguire and Romero in post-match scrap as Man Utd and Tottenham stars’ battle continues after Europa League finalMainoo is the joint-most valuable member of the team alongside Fernandes and Leny Yoro.But the whopping disparity between the transfer fees United paid for this crop of players and their current market value makes for bleak reading.The biggest drop-offs are the £72m for Harry Maguire (£85m to £13m), £68m for Antony (£85m to £17m), £60m for Casemiro (£70m to £10m) and £47m for Jadon Sancho (£73m to £26m) – two of whom were shipped out on loan when deemed surplus to requirements.Mason Mount is down £36m (£60m to £24m) while Rasmus Hojlund has fallen £34m from £72m to £38m.Luke Shaw, Lisandro Martinez and Andre Onana are all worth £20m less than the amount the Red Devils paid for them.Even Amad Diallo, the only bright spark in the Europa League final, has lost value from when United paid £37m for him – he is now worth £34m.Read More on The SunIncredibly, just two first-team signings in the United team now have a market value higher than their transfer fee.They are Diogo Dalot, who is up £11m from £19m to £30m, and Noussair Mazraoui, up £10m from £17m to £27m.Harry Maguire arrived for £85m in 2019 but is now worth £13mCredit: Getty – ContributorAntony’s current value is £17m – down a whopping £68mCredit: GettyOnly Noussair Mazraoui and Diogo Dalot have gone up in valueCredit: PAMan Utd ratings: Diallo best player in Europa League final but Hojlund out of his depthAMAD DIALLO’S fizzing first-half display was little consolation for Manchester United in a dismal 1-0 Europa League final loss to Tottenham.Rasmus Hojlund’s plight up front continued in one of the worst European showpieces for many years – as both sides showed why they will finish in the Premier League lower reaches.Spurs clinched it from virtually their first opportunity – on 42 minutes.Brennan Johnson bundled in Pape Sarr’s inswinging cross, with United left-back Luke Shaw also getting a touch on the way.The Red Devils dictated possession more and more after the break, with Leny Yoro stretching to test Guglielmo Vicario from a free-kick.But United’s chances only arrived regularly in the final quarter of a patchy contest.The Red Devils belatedly piled on the pressure in the seven minutes of stoppage time, but Spurs just held on.Here’s how SunSport’s Dave Courtnadge rated United on a miserable night individually and collectively for Ruben Amorim’s men… More

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    Non-league team handed league title despite finishing THIRD… a whole month after season finished

    A NON-LEAGUE team has been named league champions a month after the end of the season — despite finishing THIRD.The Premier League and EFL might have the glamour, but nothing has been able to match the Combined Counties South Premier League for drama this campaign.AFC Whyteleafe have been named winners of the Combined Counties South Premier LeagueCredit: Shutterstock EditorialThe league ended on April 22, exactly a month ago, but nobody had a clue who would lift the trophy.Jersey Bulls and Redhill finished level at the top of the table on 96 points, with the Channel Islanders edging it on goal difference.But NEITHER of these sides that would enjoy a title celebration.That honour instead has gone to third-placed AFC Whyteleafe – after BOTH Jersey Bulls and Redhill were docked three points for fielding ineligible players.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLJersey were the first to be penalised after being found to have fielded a suspended player in a 4-0 victory over Tooting and Mitcham United in March.That meant Redhill were champions — for a matter of days.Now the Surrey side have also had three points taken away, after an appeal against a ruling that they fielded an ineligible player failed on Wednesday.As a result, Whyteleafe – who finished the season with 95 points – have been confirmed as league winners, securing promotion to the eighth-tier Isthmian League Division One South East.Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSJersey and Redhill now have to settle for a place in the play-offs and will face Fleet Town and Cobham, respectively.Whyteleafe boss Kelly Waters has spoken about the surprising turn of events.Every Premier League club’s most famous and also most surprising fanWhyteleafe’s promotion statementHere is the statement that was shared by Whyteleafe on social media followinf their promotion…It read: “AND, JUST LIKE THAT….”We say farewell to the Combined Counties South Premier League and (finally) farewell to the end of the 24/25 season.”We’ve thoroughly enjoyed ourselves this season, taking part in one of the most talked about and evenly contested battles for the title (at this level) in the country.”We’ve built friendships and relationships with clubs, staff, management, players and fans in this league that will last a long, long time. “We’d like to think that, we played our part in bringing some attention to this excellent league and the amazing clubs in it.”We accept the way we did things at times may of upset one or two. But, we got people talking and piqued people’s interest and hopefully, encouraged people to come to games to see what all the fuss was about!”We hope the issues that have tainted the end of the season will be remedied by the FA and League as, the teams in this league deserve so much better.”We wish the teams in the play offs the very best of luck, we know how hard this has been for everyone.”And to all the teams, we wish you all the best for the future and look forward to meeting you soon (hopefully at a higher level!).”Thanks for having us.”He admitted that he felt for Jersey and Redhill, having gone through it himself in the past.He told the BBC: “I feel great that we’ve been crowned champions and been promoted to Step Four, but at the same time it’s a very strange way to go about it.”I feel quite sorry for Jersey and Redhill in the situation that they’ve had, I’ve experienced it myself before when I was managing at Balham and it’s painful.”But they have to enforce the rules to make sure people don’t use them inappropriately and in the end we’ve been a beneficiary of that and we couldn’t be happier to be back in Step Four.”Surrey-based Whyteleafe is a phoenix club of Whyteleafe FC, which folded back in 2021.The current version was formed by Waters, who acts as the chairman and co-manager.The club did reach the final of the FA Vase this season but were beaten 2-1 by Whitstable Town.Whyteleafe lost to Whitstable Town in the FA Vase finalCredit: Shutterstock Editorial More

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    Luka Modric tipped to make ‘tremendous’ Championship transfer after Real Madrid exit

    LUKA MODRIC and Real Madrid have announced he will be leaving the club after the Club World Cup this summer.In an emotional statement, the 39-year-old confirmed “the time has come” for him to move on from the Spanish giants.Luka Modric has confirmed he is leaving Real Madrid after 13 yearsCredit: AFPThe midfielder won 28 trophies since joining in 2012Credit: PAIt has been confirmed he will leave after the Club World CupCredit: AFPHe became a co-owner of Swansea last monthCredit: RexEx-Madrid ace Fernando Morientes told him to seal a transfer there for next seasonCredit: GettyModric has been with the club since 2012 and has won an incredible 28 trophies, including six Champions League titles, four La Liga titles, two Copas del Rey and six Club World Cups.But the ex-Tottenham star has been urged to make a “tremendous” transfer from Champions League to Championship by joining Swansea, who Modric became a shock co-owner of last month.Former Madrid striker Fernando Morientes backed him to make the switch to Wales next season.Speaking to CasinoHawks, who offer the latest online casinos, Morientes said: “Luka Modric playing for Swansea would be tremendous.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”I’m sure there would be a lot of excitement among the fans. A player like Luka Modric, even if he’s at the end of his career, would be welcome I’m sure and he would be excited for the project.”Obviously, we shouldn’t expect him to be 100 per cent or at his best because he’s at a certain age, but even when he came on against Barcelona, the feeling of Madrid in midfield changed. “He probably doesn’t have the level of competitive rhythm that a game like that demands, but he’s so intelligent, he’s so good in midfield, he has so much quality that he could continue to give a few good seasons. “I think he could have a couple of good seasons in England, without a doubt and I’m convinced the excitement he would generate among the fans would be tremendous.”Most read in FootballBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKModric is said to have wanted the club to trigger a contract extension that would have seen him spend one more season at the Bernabeu, but the decision was made not to activate it.The Croatian will now have the chance to add a seventh Club World Cup accolade before he completely calls quits on his time with Los Blancos.Watch moment frustrated Luka Modric walks out of interview after reporter’s question following Croatia’s Euro 2024 drawThe refreshed competition being held in the USA will start on June 14 while the final will be on July 13.Modric and Co. qualified for the tournament by winning the Champions League in 2021/22 and 2023/24. In an Instagram statement on his exit, he said: “The moment has arrived. The moment I never wanted to come, but that’s football, and in life everything has a beginning and an end.”I arrived in 2012 with the hope of wearing the jersey of the best team in the world and the ambition to do great things, but I couldn’t have imagined what came next.”Playing for Real Madrid changed my life as a footballer and as a person. I’m proud to have been part of one of the most successful eras of the best club in history.”The club’s statement on the decision said: “Real Madrid C. F. and our captain Luka Modrić have agreed to bring an end to his unforgettable time as a player at our club following the Club World Cup, which the team is preparing to play starting 18 June in the United States.Luka Modric leaving statement in fullLuka Modric’s leaving Real Madrid statement in full on Instagram:Dear Madrid fans:The time has come. The moment I never wanted to come, but that’s football, and in life everything has a beginning and an end… On Saturday I will play my last match at the Santiago Bernabéu.Llegué en 2012 con la ilusión de vestir la camiseta del mejor equipo del mundo y con la ambición de hacer cosas grandes, pero no me podía imaginar lo que vino después.Playing for Real Madrid changed my life as a football player and as a person.I am proud to have been part of one of the most successful eras of the best club in history.I want to thank the club from the bottom of my heart, especially the president Florentino Perez, my teammates, coaches and all the people who have helped me during all this time.Throughout these years I’ve experienced incredible moments, comebacks that seemed impossible, finals, celebrations and magical nights at the Bernabéu… We won everything and I was very happy. Very very happy.But beyond the titles and victories, I carry in my heart the affection of all Madrid fans. I really don’t know how to explain the special connection I have with you and how supported, respected and loved I have felt and feel. I will never forget each ovation and all the gestures of affection you have shown me.Leaving with a full heart. Filled with pride, gratitude and unforgettable memories. And even though, after the Club World Cup, I’m no longer going to wear this shirt on the field, I’ll always be a Madrid fan.We’ll see each other again. Real Madrid will always be my home For a lifetime.Hala Madrid and Nothing ElseLuka Modric.”Real Madrid wishes to express its immense gratitude and appreciation for a player who has become a true legend both of our club and world football…”Modrić is one of only five players in football history who have won 6 European Cups, and is also the player with the highest number of trophies in Real Madrid’s 123-year history.”On an individual level, Modrić won the Ballon d’Or, was named FIFA The Best Men’s Player, and UEFA Men’s Player of the Year in 2018. “He has been included in the FIFA FIFPro World XI on six occasions, and was also named Champions League Best Midfielder twice.”Modrić has made 590 appearances for our club, scoring 43 goals. He has also won a Golden Ball and Silver Ball at the Club World Cup.”The club statement also confirmed the Santiago Bernabéu will pay tribute to Modric on their final home game of the season this Saturday.Read More on The SunReal president Florentino Perez said: “Modrić will forever remain in the hearts of all madridistas as a unique an exemplary footballer who has always embodied the values of Real Madrid. “His football has captured the imagination of madridismo and fans all over the world. His legacy will live on forever.”Real Madrid statement on Modric exit in fullFull Real Madrid statement on Luke Modric leaving after Club World Cup:Real Madrid C. F. and our captain Luka Modrić have agreed to bring an end to his unforgettable time as a player at our club following the Club World Cup, which the team is preparing to play starting 18 June in the United States.Real Madrid wishes to express its immense gratitude and appreciation for a player who has become a true legend both of our club and world football.Modrić arrived at Real Madrid back in 2012, and has gone on to be a key component of one of the most successful periods in our club’s history. Over the course of 13 seasons in our colours, he has won 28 titles: 6 European Cups, 6 Club World Cups, 5 European Super Cups, 4 LaLiga titles, 2 Copas del Rey and 5 Spanish Super Cups.Modrić is one of only five players in football history who have won 6 European Cups, and is also the player with the highest number of trophies in Real Madrid’s 123-year history.On an individual level, Modrić won the Ballon d’Or, was named FIFA The Best Men’s Player, and UEFA Men’s Player of the Year in 2018. He has been included in the FIFA FIFPro World XI on six occasions, and was also named Champions League Best Midfielder twice.Modrić has made 590 appearances for our club, scoring 43 goals. He has also won a Golden Ball and Silver Ball at the Club World Cup.With the Croatian National Team, he has played 186 times, making him his country’s record holder for international caps. He won the Golden Ball at the 2018 World Cup in Russia and the Bronze Ball at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez has said, “Luka Modrić will forever remain in the hearts of all madridistas as a unique an exemplary footballer who has always embodied the values of Real Madrid. His football has captured the imagination of madridismo and fans all over the world. His legacy will live on forever.”Real Madrid wishes Luka Modrić and his family all the best in this new chapter of his life.The Santiago Bernabéu will pay tribute to him this Saturday at our team’s final league game of the season. More

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    Man Utd’s end-of-season barbecue WILL go ahead despite catastrophic Europa League final defeat

    MANCHESTER UNITED plan to go ahead with their club barbecue – despite seeing their Europa League hopes go up in smoke.It emerged earlier this month the Red Devils would not have chance to embark on an open top bus parade had they lifted the trophy in Bilbao.Ruben Amorim and his squad checked out of Bilbao the day after defeatCredit: PAMan Utd winger Alejandro Garnacho’s future could be up in the air after he played just a cameo as a sub in the 1-0 defeat to SpursCredit: PAThat’s because they are heading off on a post season trip to the Far East straight after Sunday’s final game of the season against Aston Villa.A get-together at Carrington for players, staff and their families was pencilled in instead.And when they lost by a single goal to Tottenham at the San Mames, the assumption was that the top brass would pull the plug.However the plan is to press ahead with the event on Thursday evening – despite the sombre mood around the club. READ MORE IN FOOTBALLUnited will enter their Premier League finale against high-flying Villa at Old Trafford with a dismal 14th place the highest they can finish.In fact, Ruben Amorim’s men will finish FOURTH BOTTOM if they fail to win and Spurs leap up above them with a home victory over Brighton.Whatever happens, United then face an arduous 15-hour flight to Asia for money-making games in Kuala Lumpur and Hong Kong on May 28 and 30.Amorim admitted his squad are distraught after their Bilbao beating.Most read in Europa LeagueAmorim reflects on United’s final agony against TottenhamCredit: PABEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKBrennan Johnson bundled home on 42 minutes to end Spurs’ 17-year silverware drought after a contest full of nerves and devoid of composure.Amorim said: “We are obviously devastated with this loss. “We lost one game in this competition, we didn’t win it in the last game. “I think if you look at the whole game, we were the better team but if you don’t score goals you don’t win matches.” Join SUN CLUB for the Man Utd Files every Thursday plusin-depth coverage and exclusives from Old Trafford More

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    Man Utd missing out on European football could be blessing in disguise and help them avoid RELEGATION next season

    AS torrential rain lashed down on Bilbao in the early hours of this morning, the forecast for Old Trafford looked bleaker than ever.Manchester United’s bullet-ridden squad and their weather-beaten supporters made their retreat from the Basque country with a chilling prospect ahead.Man Utd suffered a 1-0 loss to Tottenham in the Europa League finalCredit: AlamyRuben Amorim admitted he will leave if club officials want him toCredit: PABecause, while almost half of the Premier League will compete in Europe next season – six of them in the Champions League – United’s players will be on their sofa watching Corrie.For only the second time in 35 years, Old Trafford will not host continental competition next term – a reduced workload which might just help United avoid relegation.If that sounds like an exaggeration, then it is not a major one.United are so bad that the three clubs promoted from the Championship must regard them as potential rivals in the top-flight drop zone next term.For a second consecutive summer, Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his crew will be backing a failing manager in the transfer market – hoping against hope that their decision to stick by Ruben Amorim does not backfire on them like last year’s gamble on Erik ten Hag.Whoever lost Wednesday night’s Europa League Final knew they would be heading into a pit of despair and after Tottenham’s ugly 1-0 victory, it is the Red Devils who face a hellish summer.This is a team which has managed to lose four times in one season to the worst Spurs side in half a century – failing to score in three of those meetings.It was clear from that shocking display in Bilbao, as well as their form throughout the club’s disastrous Premier League campaign, that United do not even have the foundations to build a successful team.Join SUN CLUB for the Man Utd Files every Thursday plusin-depth coverage and exclusives from Old TraffordTheir £72million centre-forward, Rasmus Hojlund, barely looks like a Championship-level player, their keeper Andre Onana is a liability, they are desperately lacking in creativity going forward and are frequently undone by basic defensive errors.And Amorim, despite the sky-high reputation he had forged at Sporting Lisbon, is not even getting the best out of the rag-tag squad he does have at his disposal.Ruben Amorim offers to quit Man Utd ‘without any conversation about compensation’ if board want him goneIt is just the second time in 35 years United have failed to qualify for a European competitionCredit: GettyAlejandro Garnacho expressed his discontent after the machCredit: GettyThe Portuguese is too dogmatic in his 3-4-3 system – and needs a major summer overhaul to build a squad which suits it.But, against Spurs, he also got his team selection badly wrong.Choosing Mason Mount over the pacey Alejandro Garnacho on the left of his front three was a glaring error – and the reaction of the Argentinian winger and his brother-agent Roberto to that decision lays bare the lack of collective spirit inside Amorim’s squad.United are most certainly not united.Garnacho described their season as ‘s**t’, while Amorim was accused by the player’s brother of ‘throwing him under the bus’.The manager’s selection of Bruno Fernandes in a deep midfield role saw the captain gifting possession frequently in dangerous areas – including in the build-up to Tottenham’s goal.Fernandes is United’s one obvious elite footballer but he did not show up in Bilbao. And Amorim didn’t help matters by selecting him as part of his central midfield two, rather than further forward.The Portuguese is wanted by Saudi Pro-League bosses and he admits United may have to sell him to raise funds.Ineos chief Ratcliffe has stated that United must pay a further £89m this summer in instalments on players brought before he arrived at the club.Man Utd ratings: Diallo best player in Europa League final but Hojlund out of his depthAMAD DIALLO’S fizzing first-half display was little consolation for Manchester United in a dismal 1-0 Europa League final loss to Tottenham.Rasmus Hojlund’s plight up front continued in one of the worst European showpieces for many years – as both sides showed why they will finish in the Premier League lower reaches.Spurs clinched it from virtually their first opportunity – on 42 minutes.Brennan Johnson bundled in Pape Sarr’s inswinging cross, with United left-back Luke Shaw also getting a touch on the way.The Red Devils dictated possession more and more after the break, with Leny Yoro stretching to test Guglielmo Vicario from a free-kick.But United’s chances only arrived regularly in the final quarter of a patchy contest.The Red Devils belatedly piled on the pressure in the seven minutes of stoppage time, but Spurs just held on.Here’s how SunSport’s Dave Courtnadge rated United on a miserable night individually and collectively for Ruben Amorim’s men…Now, without any income from European competition, the transfer budget will be thinner still.A deal is in place to sign Matheus Cunha from Wolves but the hot-headed Portuguese attacking midfielder will cost £62.5million and has missed six matches through suspension since January.Ipswich striker Liam Delap is now more likely to join Chelsea than United but a striker has to be a priority given that it is becoming genuinely cringeworthy to watch Hojlund play.It all means that United may have to cash in on homegrown players such as Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo – two of the club’s most promising stars – in order to strengthen while complying with PSR regulations.For a club rightly proud of its record of promoting from the youth system, that is a galling prospect – and Garnacho’s obvious displeasure at being benched for the final makes his exit look even more likely.Chief executive Omar Berrada said, when announcing the last round of job cuts, that United’s financial projections were based on being in the Europa League, not the Champions League, for the next four years.But now they have no European football at all, club staff – already sapped of morale – will fear even worse is to come.Next season, the rest of the ‘Big Six’ will probably all be lording it in the Champions League along with Newcastle, while Aston Villa, Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace are also primed for European competition.Yet the club which dominated the English game for two decades under Sir Alex Ferguson are slipping into obscurity and irrelevance.Much more of this and the unthinkable may soon be upon us – the day when supporters of other clubs start feeling sorry for Manchester United.Sir Jim Ratcliffe looked less than impressed after the match, with United now set to miss out on £100m worth of revenueCredit: Getty More

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    Moment Sir Alex Ferguson rips into Rio Ferdinand just moments after seeing Man Utd legend at Europa League final

    SIR Alex Ferguson ripped into Rio Ferdinand as soon as he saw him at the Europa League final.The Manchester United legends were in attendance in Bilbao to watch their former side lose 1-0 to Tottenham.Sir Alex Ferguson and Rio Ferdinand met before the Europa League finalCredit: X @footballontntFergie ridiculed Ferdinand’s jacket as Avram Glazer laughedFerguson then turned his attention to Paul ScholesFerdinand also shook hands with Sir Jim RatcliffeThere were plenty of niceties before kick-off as VIPs made their way through the stadium.Ferguson was joined by United owners Avram Glazer and Sir Jim Ratcliffe, as well as club CEO Omar Berrada.Ferdinand was at the San Mames Stadium on punditry duty for TNT Sports – so he and Paul Scholes said hello to their former boss.But before Ferdinand could get a word out Fergie shook his hand before ripping into him.READ MORE ON MAN UTDHe grabbed his sleeve while saying: “What kind of jacket is that?”That sparked laughter from Ferdinand who then shook Glazer’s hand before Ferguson turned his attention to Scholes.He quickly grilled him too, asking the former midfielder why he did not attend his fundraising dinner.Ferdinand was also involved in another awkward exchange in Bilbao as Brennan Johnson scored for Spurs.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSMan Utd ratings: Diallo best player in Europa League final but Hojlund out of his depthAMAD DIALLO’S fizzing first-half display was little consolation for Manchester United in a dismal 1-0 Europa League final loss to Tottenham.Rasmus Hojlund’s plight up front continued in one of the worst European showpieces for many years – as both sides showed why they will finish in the Premier League lower reaches.Spurs clinched it from virtually their first opportunity – on 42 minutes.Brennan Johnson bundled in Pape Sarr’s inswinging cross, with United left-back Luke Shaw also getting a touch on the way.The Red Devils dictated possession more and more after the break, with Leny Yoro stretching to test Guglielmo Vicario from a free-kick.But United’s chances only arrived regularly in the final quarter of a patchy contest.The Red Devils belatedly piled on the pressure in the seven minutes of stoppage time, but Spurs just held on.Here’s how SunSport’s Dave Courtnadge rated United on a miserable night individually and collectively for Ruben Amorim’s men…The TNT Sports camera cut straight to Ferdinand after the goal, with the pundit appearing distraught.The camera then panned to Gareth Bale standing just behind his colleague, who beamed from ear to ear at Spurs’ goal.Join SUN CLUB for the Man Utd Files every Thursday plusin-depth coverage and exclusives from Old Trafford More

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    Match of the Day legend Alan Hansen, 69, lands emotional role in Liverpool’s title triumph 11 months after health battle

    LIVERPOOL legend Alan Hansen will present the Premier League trophy to Virgil van Dijk this weekend, it has been revealed.Arne Slot’s Reds clinched the title following a 5-1 win over Tottenham at the end of April.Virgil van Dijk will be presented with the Premier League trophy at Anfield this weekendCredit: PAReds icon Alan Hansen, the last Liverpool captain to lift the English title in front of fans, will present the trophyCredit: AFPLiverpool have already seen their name engraved on the trophyCredit: GettyAnd they will now be officially presented with their record-equalling 20th English league title – second of the Premier League era – on Sunday.Liverpool last won the title in 2020 but were forced to celebrate in front of a reduced crowd due to the restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic.But this time around, they will have the chance to celebrate in front of a full house at the Kop.Hansen, 69, is the last Liverpool captain to lift the trophy in front of fans as Sir Kenny Dalglish’s side were crowned champions in 1990.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAs reported by The Telegraph, the iconic former defender and TV broadcaster will pass that baton on to present-day captain Van Dijk.This comes a year after he spent time in hospital recovering from a serious illness.Hansen, who won eight titles with the Reds and is a former pundit on Match of the Day, was present when Liverpool secured the title last month.He retired from media duties in 2014, but the vast number of well-wishes he received following his health battle shows his legacy is held in high esteem.Most read in FootballEarlier this year, he was awarded an MBE for services to football and broadcasting.Liverpool have failed to win a match since securing the title.Arne Slot shows his class as he leads Anfield in chant about Jurgen Klopp after sealing 20th title for LiverpoolA 3-1 loss to Chelsea was followed by a 1-1 draw at Arsenal and then a 3-2 defeat to Brighton on Monday, which came after Slot’s squad was seen partying in Ibiza.They have a chance to sign off their campaign with a flourish by beating FA Cup winners Crystal Palace at Anfield. More

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    AC Milan drop major hint over Kyle Walker’s future after Man City star’s loan transfer

    AC MILAN have dropped a massive hint over the future of Kyle Walker.The Manchester City star joined the Serie A giants on loan back in January.Kyle Walker featured in AC Milan’s kit reveal for the 2025/26 seasonCredit: PumaHe could be set to stay in Milan past the end of the seasonCredit: PumaWalker, 34, has been a regular fixture in the AC Milan side, having made 11 appearances in the Serie A.However, he has not been able to help the club reach a European qualifying place.AC Milan can finish at best 7th in the Serie A but will need to beat Monza and hope Bologna and Fiorentina lose.Walker could now be set for another season in Milan after the club revealed their kit for next season.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLThe 95-cap England international featured in the promotion as he was pictured wearing the shirt.He also played a role in the club’s video along with Christian Pulisic, Santiago Gimenez, Rafael Leao and Mike Maignan.Milan has the option to buy Walker off Man City for around £5 million.It is believed that they would like to take up the option to make his move permanent.Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSWalker’s contract at the Etihad Stadium expires in 2026 so he would have one more year left on his deal if he were to return to England.The former Tottenham Hotspur ace is believed to be loving his time in Milan.EXCL Kyle Walker pictured reuniting with wife Annie & four kids over a meal after flying to Italy to watch him play for AC MilanThe Serie A giants released their new shirt on social mediaCredit: PumaChristian Pulisic featured in the promotionCredit: PumaAs revealed by SunSport, Walker signed a big-money deal – said to be worth six figures – to be an underwear model for Hugo Boss.A source said: “He’s so excited about this, he can’t contain himself.“He’s been reluctant to do anything like this in the past because he doesn’t like the spotlight, but things are different now.“He’s loving his new lease of life with AC Milan and hopes his performances can help him reach 100 caps for England.“But he’s also thinking about the future and has half an eye on life beyond football.”Meanwhile, AC Milan fans were not happy with the club’s new shirt.Many hit out on social media over the design of the badge and how it had been simplified.One posted: “Boycott this kit, the logo doesn’t respect our colours.”A second commented: “See that Americanized badge on the home shirt. Shame.”A third wrote: “Give us back Milan.”Read More on The SunA fourth said: “Boycott.”Another added: “Wow more dross what a surprise.”Fans are not happy with the redesign of the club badgeCredit: puma More