Soccer

Subterms

    More stories

    • 188 Shares38 Views

      in Soccer

      Arsenal boss Arteta’s cheeky tactic to cause last-minute confusion for opposition managers revealed by Zinchenko

      by

      MIKEL ARTETA likes to bamboozle the opposition with his use of injured players, according to Oleksandr Zinchenko.The Arsenal boss often thinks outside the box and he has come up with plenty of unique methods to make his side title challengers.Oleksandr Zinchenko revealed a devious Mikel Arteta tacticCredit: GettyArteta has hired pickpockets in the past to raise his players’ awareness, and he likes to keep opposition managers on their toes too.And there is one area where he is most secretive and at times deceptive – player injuries.Fans often joke Arteta always claims a player is unfit when he is ready to play, and Zinchenko has revealed the opposite is also true.Zinchenko told The Athletic: “[He] likes to play games with the opposition. READ MORE ON ARSENAL”I’ve seen him tell injured players to come on the team bus and walk into the dressing room with their wash bag, to put the other manager off the scent.”Arteta started Bukayo Saka against Liverpool after saying he was “very uncertain” to play.He then explained: “I don’t want to make it easy for anyone.“The opponent has to make sure they do their homework – like I have to. Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS”When I know, I am not going to lie to you, I am not going to say, ‘He’s not fit’ and then I play him – I would never do that – but, if I am certain or I don’t want to tell you, I will keep you guessing.”Zinchenko, 27, has previously disclosed dressing room secrets including the time Arteta hired an undercover professional freestyler to destroy him in training.The freestyler posed as a waiter and caught Zinchenko completely off guard with his tricks, which left him in fits of laughter.Earlier this year the Gunners boss even hired a team of pickpockets to raid his squad during dinner.Unknown to the squad, the sleight-of-hand artists were tasked with going around the tables at the event.They then pinched valuable items including phones and wallets from the Arsenal stars.Mikel Arteta admits Arsenal suffered with tiredness against Shakhtar Donetsk At the end of the meal, Arteta stood up in front of the group to ask them to empty their pockets.Several players were left shocked to find they were missing their belongings.Arteta used the event to teach his squad the importance of being ready, alert and prepared at all times. More

    • 225 Shares35 Views

      in Soccer

      Emma Hayes hopes for growth in Phallon Tullis-Joyce’s game after ‘good’ Man United start leads to USA call-up

      by

      EMMA HAYES reckons there is room for even more improvement in Phallon Tullis-Joyce’s game following her Manchester United shifts This shot stopper, 28, has shone for the WSL side keeping five clean sheets in seven games, earning her a first call-up to the USA women’s squad.Phallon Tullis-Joyce’s form for Man United has led to her first senior United States call-upCredit: GettyHayes’ USA side will play England at Wembley and before facing the Netherlands in their final two friendly games this yearCredit: GettyThe New York-born goalkeeper has established herself as United’s number one following Mary Earps’ departure for Paris Saint-Germain in June.Along with Utah Royals forward Ally Sentnor, 20, she is one of two uncapped players named in Hayes’s squad. Her call-up came a year and nine days on from her making her Red Devils debut during the team’s 7-0 Women’s League Cup group game defeat of Everton. Hayes told reporters: “Her shot-stopping and her ability to cover the frame is second to none. Read More Football Stories”In terms of building-up with the team and connecting with the team, there is room for improvement. “I want to see what she looks like with the demands we place on her, all the other things you can’t see or hear through a television screen, the orchestration and organisation with other players. “It’s not an easy team to come into. There is a lot of unbelievable experience in here. “But I want to see those things and where she’s at in her development with that.”Most read in FootballLast term Tullis-Joyce made just four starts for United in their League Cup group stage games conceding three goals in two of those matches.  Before joining the club she became the first choice keeper at National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) side OL Reign in 2022. Her nine clean sheets in 26 games led to her finishing joint top for the most shutouts that year, with her team winning the NWSL Shield. And the goalkeeper, whose team will play Everton tomorrow, has featured in all eight of Man United’s games across in the WSL and League Cup since the start of this season. Hayes added: “She’s had a good start to her career at Manchester United.”I know the demands that will be placed on her in the WSL. It’s a good experience for her. “I want to try and build out the goalkeeping pool a little bit so this is a really good moment considering she plays in England and she’s very familiar with the style of play there.”Along with Arsenal full-back Emily Fox Tullis-Joyce is one of two WSL players included Hayes’ 30-strong group. They will take on England and the Netherlands in their final two friendly games this year. The team, who won gold medals at the Paris Olympics women’s football tournament this year, will face the Lionesses at Wembley on November 30That match, in which Hayes will oversee her side for the first time against Sarina Wiegman’s England, will be followed by a December 3 clash with the Netherlands. However the United States will be without three of their star forwards for their final international camp this year. Trinity Rodman, Sophia Smith and Mallory will be absent with the trio said to be carrying niggles. Hayes said: “It’s been a pretty tough couple of years in terms of going from back-to-back World Cups to Olympics for those players and the volume of games in particular coming back from the Olympics. “I think it’s fair to say all three of them have been carrying niggles.The USA will be without Washington Spirit forward Trinity Rodman for their finalCredit: Getty“It’s also fair to say that they had to play through the last part in discomfort. READ MORE SUN STORIES“The reality is I’m vested in player welfare and I think this decision is the right one. “They need to get the right interventions for their niggles and the decision was taken that their welfare comes first.” More

    • 238 Shares35 Views

      in Soccer

      Mats Hummels’ ex-wife opens up on struggles before he moved on with Victoria’s Secret model 11 years his junior

      by

      MATS HUMMELS’ ex-wife has opened up about her struggles with mental health, revealing she felt “powerless” during bouts of depression.TV presenter and influencer Cathy Fischer, 36, met Borussia Dortmund defender Hummels, 35, at the age of 19 and they married in 2015.Mats Hummels’ ex-wife Cathy Fischer, right, has opened up about her mental health strugglesCredit: Bongarts – GettyThe couple were married for seven years and have a son togetherCredit: Getty Images – GettyCathy has revealed she sometimes felt ‘numb’ during their relationshipCredit: InstagramHummels recently went public with Victoria’s Secret Model Nicola CavanisCredit: GettyTheir son was born three years later, but they separated in 2022 and the divorce was finalised by the end of the year.At the Ballon d’Or ceremony in Paris last month, former Germany international Hummels – who now plays for Roma – went public with Victoria’s Secret Model Nicola Cavanis, 25.It is understood the pair have been dating since last year.Now Cathy has revealed the challenges she went through in her relationship with Hummels and how she struggled to love him during those times.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLSpeaking at BILD’s Women’s Mental Health Summit in Berlin, she said: “Who knows what it looks like inside me?”A mental illness has no face, it hides behind the most beautiful curtain.”Before she went on to add: “I had conversations with my ex-husband at the time, of course, and I often said: ‘I’m sorry that I’m acting so strangely at the moment, but I’m just not feeling well. I can’t show you love right now’. You feel numb.”It does something to you when you realise you are powerless against these emotions.”Most read in FootballCathy used to pose for Playboy and was named Germany’s Wag of the Year in 2013.She says she has now “learned to deal with [her] nature” without using treatment or medication to combat her mental health issues.Watch Dortmund star Karim Adeyemi’s insane skill before PSG clash leave Mats Hummels on floor in shock Cathy says mental illness ‘hides behind the most beautiful curtain’Credit: instagramNicola is understood to have been dating Hummels since last yearCredit: INSTAGRAM @NICOLAMeanwhile, Hummels’ new partner Nicola shot to fame in her homeland after starring in a Nivea advert in 2021.She has since represented brands like Victoria’s Secret, Puma, MCM, New Yorker and Tchibo.Nicola, who is an Augsburg fan, also has a huge following on social media, boasting 1.9 million on Instagram and 500,000 on TikTok.Nicola became famous after appearing in a Nivea advert three years agoCredit: INSTAGRAM @NICOLA More

    • 225 Shares35 Views

      in Soccer

      Real Madrid star Federico Valverde reveals he had decided to join Arsenal before being handed Gunners transfer snub

      by

      REAL MADRID star Federico Valverde revealed he decided to join Arsenal before being turned down by the club.The midfielder has been a key part of Carlo Ancelotti’s side for the past few years, but he could have been playing in the Premier League.Federico Valverde trained with Arsenal ten years agoCredit: RexHe trained with Arsenal ten years ago and felt at home at London Colney.Valverde, 26, was welcomed by the likes of Emi Martinez and Alexis Sanchez and he claims he saw a future at the club – only to be rejected by the Gunners.He told Marca: “I was 16. I said: ‘That’s it. This is my club. I’m going to grow here.”In Uruguay, the Premier League was watched a lot. I imagined a future there. READ MORE ON ARSENAL”I enjoyed it and I trained with spectacular players. “I don’t know if he’ll remember me, but Dibu [Emi Martinez] was one of the ones who helped me the most in everything, along with [Hector] Bellerín, Alexis [Sanches] and [Santi] Cazorla. I didn’t know English and they had to explain all the work to me.”Valverde was playing for Uruguayn side Penarol at the time and he went on to join Real Madrid two years later.He has 275 appearances for the Spanish giants, scoring 24 times, while winning plenty of silverware.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSValverde has three LaLiga titles to his name as well as two Champions League victories.He was also subject to a £51million bid from Liverpool last summer, which was rejected.’He bottled it,’ squeals Neville as Carragher gives updated title prediction More

    • 263 Shares23 Views

      in Soccer

      San Marino get first EVER away win and secure Nations League promotion with as many wins since September as West Ham

      by

      SAN MARINO won their first ever away game AND clinched Nations League promotion on a historic night in Liechtenstein.The international minnows, who are the world’s bottom ranked team, came from behind to win 3-1 for their second victory of the campaign.San Marino’s bench sprinted onto the pitch at full-timeCredit: TwitterPlayers were understandably emotional after making historyCredit: Not known, clear with picture deskSan Marino manager Roberto Cevoli celebrated a second win in chargeCredit: TwitterThe players went over to their travelling fans and celebrated with themCredit: TwitterSan Marino have lost 199 of their 211 matches – and their only three victories have all come against Liechtenstein.The first of those came back in 2004, before they picked up their opening win of League D Group 1 with a 1-0 triumph back in September.But it was Monday night’s win on the road which ensured promotion to League C of the Nations League as they finish on seven points from four games, one ahead of Gibraltar.Aron Sele gave the hosts the lead before goals from Lorenzo Lazzari, Nicola Nanni and Alessandro Golinucci turned things around for San Marino.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLIt is the first time they have scored three goals in a game and the first time they have hit the back of the net more than once in a competitive fixture.And two wins since the start of September is as many as West Ham have managed in the same time frame.There were jubilant scenes at full-time as those on the bench sprinted onto the pitch to celebrate.The players then jumped up and down in front of the travelling San Marino fans in a heartwarming moment.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSThey will now play their next Nations League campaign in the third tierCredit: TwitterItalian manager Roberto Cevoli, who has led San Marino to two wins from 10 games, said: “Finishing that first half 1-0 down was an insult to football.”But the boys were brilliant and deserved what they’ve managed to achieve.” Former top flight stadium left abandoned and overgrown just two years after club last played a game thereWhile Marco Tura, president of the San Marino Football Federation, added: “These boys made history tonight.”As people, as athletes, as men, they have shown what they are worth.”I cried with the boys.”San Marino will now spend the next Nations League campaign in the third division and could be drawn in a group alongside the likes of Slovakia and Bulgaria. More

    • 200 Shares25 Views

      in Soccer

      Thomas Tuchel’s first England XI predicted as German expected to ditch the youngsters for Southgate stars

      by

      THOMAS TUCHEL has one job —  win the World Cup.It is wishful thinking to believe the incoming England manager will be particularly bothered about blooding more young players.Thomas Tuchel is set to embark on the biggest challenge of his managerial careerCredit: GETTY IMAGESThe fact Tuchel’s contract is for 18 months merely underlines that it is all about the present and not the future.Officially, he starts work on January 1 and, while he has exchanged texts with Lee Carsley, the pair will meet for the first time in the new year.They will reflect on Carsley’s six games as interim manager.With the draw for the World Cup qualifiers on December 13, they will be able to plan for 2025.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLWhile Sunday’s 5-0 win over Ireland showcased some of England’s rising stars, expect many of them to either take a back seat or return to the Under-21s with Carsley.Tuchel is certain to call on experience as he builds towards the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones will definitely have a part to play under the German.Left-footed left-back Lewis Hall, a rare species in England, also has a chance in the next squad, along with Morgan Rogers and Noni Madueke.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSBut Morgan Gibbs-White, Tino Livramento and Taylor Harwood-Bellis will all have to be patient. Angel Gomes, currently at French club Lille, is out of contract at the end of the season and if he wants to remain on the Tuchel radar, might have to return to the Premier League.What will be a feature of the Tuchel regime is the German’s preference of sticking with tried-and-tested internationals who all played a part in the Gareth Southgate era.Thomas Tuchel ‘was NOT England’s first choice and Pep Guardiola could still get the job’Harry Maguire, axed from Carsley’s second squad, will surely return.Providing he can sort out his varying ailments, left-back Luke Shaw will be parachuted into Tuchel’s starting XI, as long as he does not injure himself again on landing.If he has a few injury issues in  central defence, it would hardly be a surprise if Tuchel turned to Eric Dier, who he signed from Tottenham in January while still  the manager of Bayern Munich.Dier, 30, who often kept Matthijs de Ligt out of the team at Bayern, would be oven-ready to be thrown into a Three Lions squad.The same applies to midfielder Mason Mount, providing he finally overcomes his issues with form and injuries at Manchester United.Under Tuchel, when he was Chelsea manager, Mount delivered the assist for Kai Havertz’s Champions League winner in the 2021 final against Manchester City.Taylor Harwood-Bellis may have to be patient for more England opportunitiesCredit: AlamyMason Mount played a huge role in Tuchel winning the Champions League with ChelseaCredit: GettyEqually, if he can sort himself out under new United manager Ruben Amorim, Marcus Rashford could still have a chance of returning to the England fold.Rashford’s relationship with the international team has been uneasy — and he used to frustrate Southgate with his withdrawals due to injury before playing in the next United game — but a record of 17 goals in 60 caps will not go unnoticed by Tuchel. And he is only 27.Clearly, Tuchel’s biggest challenge will be to get the right balance in midfield.We will not see a repeat of Carsley’s decision to try and fit Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden, Bukayo Saka, Anthony Gordon and Cole Palmer into the same starting line-up like he did in the 2-1 home loss to Greece.’YOU’VE GOT A LOT OF GOOD PLAYERS’Interestingly, Carsley admitted that other national coaches believe this embarrassment of riches in a specific area is actually an issue for England.He said: “A lot of the international coaches at that Uefa thing I went to, at the debrief of Euro 2024, said, ‘You’ve got a lot of good players’ as if that’s a negative thing.“If they’re all in form at exactly the same time, then it’s a challenge but players do come in and out of form.”Tuchel knows he will have to take a firm grip of the team.The fact Jack Grealish and Bellingham took to social media to praise Carsley — while delivering clear digs at Southgate — illustrates that modern players can be hard to please and also have short memories.CAPTAINCY DILEMMAHigh on Tuchel’s to-do list will be the captaincy.The fact Tuchel signed Harry Kane from Spurs shows you exactly what he thinks of the country’s record goalscorer and the pair have a close bond.Whether Kane is a good captain is up for debate and Tuchel’s view on this will be fascinating.Many believe Bellingham should be England’s next leader but Declan Rice — who does seem to be more of a team player — might be better.Regardless, whether it is Kane, Bellingham or Rice who lifts the  trophy after the World Cup final, no one will care.READ MORE SUN STORIESBut whether Tuchel is able to get the team that far remains to be seen.What is beyond doubt is that the German is about to embark on the biggest challenge of his career.Tuchel knows Harry Kane well from their season together at Bayern MunichCredit: APJude Bellingham and Declan Rice could both be candidates for the captaincyCredit: Getty More

    • 300 Shares28 Views

      in Soccer

      I’ve covered Man Utd for 25 years and feel sorry for Amorim, if he gets a tune out of this lot he’s football’s Beethoven

      by

      IT was wonderful to see the adulation and warmth towards Ruben Amorim as he bid farewell in his final home game as Sporting Lisbon manager.And yet despite that stunning 4-1 win over Manchester City, I couldn’t help feeling sorry for him.New Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim has a lot of work to doAmorim did an amazing job with Sporting LisbonAmorim took over at Man Utd after leaving SportingAmorim replaced Erik ten Hag who couldn’t improve Man UtdAmorim is facing a major challenge with his new Man Utd teamAt Sporting he has achieved incredible success with two Portuguese Primeira Liga crowns — the first of which ended a 19-year title drought.Understandably he is adored by the fans, even when they knew he was leaving and there is a clear bond between him and the players. He looked a man genuinely content and happy with his life in Lisbon.“Don’t do it Ruben, stay where you are” . . . but it was too late.Amorim had already opted to throw himself into the managerial meat grinder known as the modern-day Manchester United.Read More on Man UtdHe only has to look at the disgraceful treatment of his immediate predecessor to know what he is going into.There was something very unsavoury about the way Amorim was being welcomed to United with all those club social media postings.It was as if he had arrived as a great liberator to take the club into the light after a dark time.Erik ten Hag was a good man. One of the best I have met in my 25 years covering the Red Devils.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSHe did everything he could to drag that club back up, winning two trophies and getting to another final along the way in his two full seasons.Yet it was clear the new broom being swept through Old Trafford by part-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe was going to take the Dutchman along with it.Ruben Amorim arrives in Manchester ahead of starting role as Man United managerEven after that so-called show of faith in him over the summer, after everyone else they tried to get to do the job ran a mile.He was always staring at the exit door at a time when 250 staff have brutally been made redundant, against a back drop of cuts that is gradually ripping away a bit more of the soul of this great club.No matter how good he is the squad is poor, for which Ten Hag has to take a major part of the responsibility. Although he never wanted Joshua Zirkzee, an Ineos signing, and we can see why. If Amorim can get a tune out of this lot, then he will be the Ludwig van Beethoven of football.All the while he will have to cope with everything that comes with being United boss.A club that stopped being able to match expectations the moment Sir Alex Ferguson left in 2013.Amorim is the sixth permanent boss since then. They all arrive with a smile and believe they can be “the one”.They all leave with their reputations in the dustbin and their lives changed.Ten Hag is still coming to terms with what happened. I’m not sure if David Moyes ever will.Even baby-faced assassin Ole Gunnar Solskjaer looked his age by the end.Sometimes, if you find contentment in your life — and a job you love with people around you who love you — that’s when you have really reached the pinnacle.Amorim had that. And in two years’ time my bet is he wishes he never turned his back on it.Littler’s a star I CAN relate toIT’S often difficult to relate to the incredible feats of sportsmen and women.That is what fascinates us the most: How on earth do they do that?Then you learn of the sacrifices they make for years and years for that one moment in time.How they even struggle to let themselves go after all the hard work when they retire. Then you hear about Luke Littler.He has just become darts’ youngest millionaire at 17 and whose mid-match routine was revealed by Martin Lukeman, whom he thumped 16-3 in the Grand Slam of Darts final.“He had a curry, a Boost [chocolate bar], a meal deal and them little sweets, half pink and half white . . . Squashies. Then he walks up there and just smashes me like that.” Marvellous.Jimmy is living the dry lifeTHE MODERN snooker player is a world away from those icons we used to enjoy watching in the 80s and early 90s.Gym, water, diet, sleep. The best, Ronnie O’Sullivan, is a great example of this with his running.Which reminded me of how Jimmy White used to enjoy his downtime.At his height White once went to the Gresham Hotel in Dublin for a weekend and returned six weeks later.He had 24 bottles of Dom Perignon champagne sent to his room daily and was reportedly joined by “nightclub girls, UB40 and Phil Lynott from Thin Lizzy” for what was described as “the mother of all benders”.When Alex Higgins rocked up to join in, it’s fair to say things went up a notch.Yet in the weekend just gone, the now clean-living “Whirlwind”, aged 62, beat an opponent 42 years his junior in the qualifiers for the UK Champs — over four decades after reaching the semis on his debut.Sober, fit and healthy White is still competing. He may never have been a world champion, but he remains a champion of the sport.Europe crown not for Nick-ingHATS off, or rather caps and visors, to Rory McIlroy.His brilliant finish to claim the DP World Tour Championship meant he blitzed the field in the Race to Dubai for a sixth time.That equalled Seve Ballesteros’ achievement and leaves him two behind Colin Montgomerie’s record.McIlroy has his sights set on becoming the best European golfer of all time, although some already consider him to be.His four Majors to Ballesteros’ five and Nick Faldo’s six suggest that’s not the case. But for me, the moment that sets Faldo apart came in the 1995 Ryder Cup.It was all down to his match as the Sunday singles came to a close and he stood one down with three to play against Curtis Strange.READ MORE SUN STORIESLevel going down 18, his presence of mind to chip out the rough and leave himself the perfect wedge to get up and down to claim par and win as Strange melted is the greatest moment in Ryder Cup history.Watch it and marvel at the man’s powers to block out all the noise and pressure to get the job done.Ruben Amorim leaves Sporting on a highBy Charlie WyettRUBEN AMORIM would have preferred to leave Lisbon in a blaze of glory after winning a third Primeira Liga title.Yet football does not work like that. And in what was surely his final game before taking charge of Manchester United, Amorim prepared to say his goodbyes at a half-empty Estadio Jose Alvalade in a League Cup quarter-final against Nacional.Sporting won 3-1 thanks to  second-half goals by captain  Morten Hjulmand and Viktor Gyokeres, who scored two.Luis Esteves pulled back for Madeira-based Nacional.The stadium  will be a good deal more lively on Tuesday when Manchester City are here for  a Champions League match — although Amorim should by then have his feet firmly under his desk at Old Trafford.Liverpool and Aston Villa were both interested in Europe’s most sought-after coach. Even City could have been a possible destination post-Pep Guardiola.Yet the United job is one Amorim, 39,  could not turn  down — even if not everyone saw it that way at Sporting last night.There is clearly a huge split in the Portuguese club’s fan base over their coach leaving at this stage of the season with many believing he should have seen the job through.Yet Amorim, along with the three-man coaching team who are expected to follow him, leaves a club in a much better state than when he arrived here in 2020.Inside the stadium, there was applause — albeit muted — when his name was read out before the game along with the line-ups.And there did not appear to be any jeers when Amorim shuffled out from the tunnel awkwardly towards the dugout.So, while his departure is hard to take for some, none of the fans will forget his legacy.This is a club which is back as the dominant force in Portugal. Even this term, Sporting have won their first nine league games, scoring 30 goals and conceding just two.They are also eighth in the Champions League table, which is one hell of an effort.In contrast, Lisbon was not exactly hit by League Cup fever last night.Amorim made lots of changes, which saw Sporting’s star man Gyokeres, the former Coventry striker, start on the bench.There was, however, a first appearance in six weeks for former Tottenham winger Marcus Edwards. He is certainly one player who has been transformed by Amorim since arriving at the club from Vitoria in 2022 and will be sorry to see the coach leave.While he changed his team, Amorim stuck with his tried and trusted formation of a back three.It will certainly be something Manchester United’s fans will have to get used to over the  coming months.But looking at the Premier League table, none of them will be complaining about the change. More

    • 263 Shares31 Views

      in Soccer

      Ruben Amorim promotes 6ft 5in wonderkid, 16, to Man Utd training as first pictures emerge of new boss getting to work

      by

      RUBEN AMORIM has promoted a 6ft 5in wonderkid into Manchester United’s first-team training.The new Red Devils manager coached his first training session at the club since replacing Erik ten Hag.Ruben Amorim has taken his first session as Manchester United managerCredit: MANCHESTER UNITEDHe called upon the academy to bolster the numbers due to the international breakCredit: MANCHESTER UNITEDAmorim was keen to get involved with some of the ball drillsCredit: MANCHESTER UNITEDTowering youngster Godwill Kukonki was given a chance to impressCredit: GettyAmorim, 39, is preparing his team for his first game in charge which will come on Sunday away at Ipswich Town.However, he only had ten first-team players available to him due to international obligations.Kobbie Mainoo is continuing to build up his fitness, while Amad Diallo also took part, having missed Ivory Coast’s defeat to Zambia on Friday.Defenders Luke Shaw and Leny Yoro also took part in the session as they look to step up their fitness levels.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLThis meant that the boss called upon the academy to flesh out the session.Godwill Kukonki, 16, was one player who was given an opportunity by the Portuguese coach.The defender is highly rated at the club, having impressed with the under-18s this season.It is believed that he has the “technical and physical qualities” needed to star in senior football.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSKukonki has been compared to Manchester City star Josko Gvardiol due to his ability with his left foot.Other first-team stars who were involved were Casemiro, Mason Mount and Marcus Rashford.Ruben Amorim gives first Man Utd interview and reveals number one priority to revive fallen giantsCasemiro took part in the sessionCredit: GettyMason Mount was one of the ten first-team players available to AmorimCredit: GettyMarcus Rashford also took park after his trip to the USCredit: GettyRashford made the most of the international break with a trip to New York to watch some NBA action.Tyrell Malacia was also on the grass as he continued to build his fitness.The defender has not featured for the club since the final game of the 2022/23 season.Manchester United have confirmed that Amorim will get his first chance to see the full squad later this week.This will be when they all return from international duty.However, there will be doubts over Victor Lindelof as he picked up injuries for Sweden.Tyrell Malacia was pictured in the training sessionCredit: GettyThree Sporting stars Amorim could swoop for after joining Man UtdRUBEN AMORIM has ruled out poaching any of his Sporting Lisbon players in the January transfer window.But the Portuguese side’s chiefs expect Amorim will come calling in the summer – with his cheque book wide open.Here’s are three Sporting starts United could swoop for… but they won’t come cheap:VIKTOR GYOKERESAge: 26Position: StrikerCost: £84millionSwede has shone since joining Sporting last summer from Coventry — catching the eye of all Europe’s top clubs.Hit 43 goals in 50 games last season and boasts 18 strikes already this term.GONCALO INACIOAge: 23Position: DefenderCost: £50millionBall-playing centre-back was handed his debut by Amorim and has since become a key figure in Sporting’s recent title successes.Can also slot in at left-back if required and has 12 caps for Portugal.MORTEN HJULMANDAge: 25Position: MidfieldCost: £40millionDane is one of the top holding midfielders in Portugal — and made skipper by Amorim.He could be the man to replace Casemiro. More