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      ‘I’ll never speak to them again’ – Phil Jones opens up on emotional moment he quit Man Utd WhatsApp group after retiring

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      PHIL JONES says leaving the England and Manchester United WhatsApp groups were some of the most difficult moments of retirement.The 33-year-old left boyhood club Blackburn Rovers to sign for Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United and won the Premier League, FA Cup and Europa League.Phil Jones retired from professional football in AugustCredit: ReutersThe defender has recalled leaving the Man Utd WhatsApp groupCredit: GettyJones spent 12 years at Old Trafford and also won 27 caps for the Three Lions, but after a number of injury struggles he called time on his playing career last summer.Discussing the hardest parts of retirement, he revealed that departing the WhatsApp groups was one of the toughest.Jones said: “Believe it or not, it was quite emotional. I’d been on the WhatsApp for years and banter and you’re sending people pictures and all sorts.“I remember sitting in the bedroom going like, ‘Lads, it’s been a pleasure and blah blah blah. Some I’ve played with a lot, some I’ve only just met, but it’s been an absolute pleasure. I wish you all the best and I’ll be your biggest supporters.’ It was a tough moment actually.Read More in Football“Do you know what I gave it a minute and there was no response. I was like ‘gone, gone, gone, I’m gone!’ No-one cares. But that’s it. It’s football. “Things move so quickly and people come in. I played with people for six years. I will never see them again. I’ll never speak to them again.”Jones admitted he could not watch football for the first six months, saying: “I found myself getting really bitter towards the game and that’s not who I was, but I needed that time to reflect and come to terms with what happened and how it happened. “I look back now and I’m in a great place.”Most read in FootballJoin SUN CLUB for the Man Utd Files every Thursday plusin-depth coverage and exclusives from Old TraffordJones then embarked on a return to the game, doing a football directorship course and then completing his Uefa coaching A Licence while working with United’s U18 squad.He sat down with SunSport while doing his FA Pro licence badge at St George’s Park last week and said: “It was nice for the first few weeks, but then after that I was getting itchy feet and ready to embark on something, which is why I went down the director’s route just to give me a different sort of focus to football. Phil Jones reveals how Sir Alex Ferguson convinced him to sign for Man Utd “But my bread and butter is on the grass and it’s what I really enjoy doing. I know exactly what I want to do, where I want to be.“I’m ambitious as I was as a player. I wanted to play at the highest level, compete against the best players in the world.“I love being out on the grass, working with kids, watching players develop. Whether that’s at United, or that’s elsewhere, I love watching new players come through. “I’ve been lucky enough to help out with U18s at United, which has given me a different perspective on the game now.“I don’t watch a game any more, you’re analysing it a little bit differently. I love the game. I love everything about it. I love being involved in it.”It’s given me a purpose and I’m really ambitious and it’s something that I really want to go into.”Jones has seen the likes of Wayne Rooney and Steven Gerrard both endure difficulties in the dug-out but is still determined to do it rather than earn an easier living as a pundit.He added: “I just feel that I’ve got too much to offer with the managers I played under and the players I played with just to go, you know what, I’ll leave it there.I found myself getting really bitter towards the game and that’s not who I was“I want to be involved. I love being involved. The media work I’ve enjoyed. I’ve enjoyed it more than I actually thought I would but my bread and butter is certainly on the grass and coaching and going into that.“Listen, I’m not naive enough to think that I’m going to become a head coach or a manager in the next two or three years. “I understand that now I’m on the other side of the ladder where I’ve got to work myself up and build myself up. But I’m absolutely ready to do that and my family knows that.“When I visualise and try to manifest where I want to be in five years time, absolutely, I want to be the guy taking the team. “I want to be the guy making the decisions and having support and backing from the club and the owners and choosing that right moment to step in at that time.“I want to win games of football and I win at all costs. Whether that means I have to change personnel, whether that means I have to go down a different route to get results. It’s a results business game. Of course we all want to play expansive, attractive football but it doesn’t always work like that.”Jones, who had awful luck with injuries in his career, also backed Luke Shaw to bounce back from his “terrible” spell on the sidelines.Jones coached United’s Under-18 team for a seasonCredit: GettyHe said: “I feel so sorry for Mason (Mount) and Luke. The feeling for me was almost an embarrassed feeling.“You’re at Man United, the biggest club in the world and all you want to do is play football. “I love playing football, I just loved playing football like a little kid, and when you can’t do something, you have something taken away from you, it’s difficult to deal with.“You have the fans, you have social media. I can absolutely sympathise with them.“What I would say is they’ve got to come back to a state where they feel comfortable playing. READ MORE SUN STORIES”Medical staff these days will always try and promote you to come back sooner, but they’ve got to feel right in themselves, feel confident that they’re ready to come back and play and compete at a high level.“I absolutely sympathise with them. It’s a really, really terrible and tough place to be.”Man Utd ratings vs LeicesterMANCHESTER UNITED leapfrogged Tottenham into 13th in the Premier League by beating Leicester.Rasmus Hojlund was left to run in behind and shoot low into the bottom corner from an angle to open the scoring on 28 minutes.The Danish striker had not found the net since December 12 – a run of 21 matches.Alejandro Garnacho saw a goal chalked off for offside but there was no taking his snap-shot finish off him on 67 minutes.And skipper Bruno Fernandes rounded off the comfortable 3-0 win in style in the closing stages.Here’s how SunSport’s Graham Hill rated the Man Utd stars. More

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      Man City’s Erling Haaland splashes out on rare £4m Bugatti with 277mph top speed, space-age features & iconic doors

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      SUPER-RICH soccer ace Erling Haaland has ordered an incredible Bugatti dream car for £4 million.The Manchester City striker – who recently penned a record nine-and-a-half-year £200 million contract – is buying a space age Bugatti Tourbillon.The Bugatti Tourbillon has a price tag of $4 million and a 1,800 horsepower engineCredit: GettyErling Braut Haaland of the Norwegian national football team during a training session in MarbellaCredit: RexIts 1,800 horsepower petrol and electric hybrid V16 engine catapults the sleek supercar to 62mph in an astonishing two seconds and rockets on to 124mph in five seconds.And the monster motor – which features iconic “butterfly” doors – has a top speed of 277mph.Norwegian superstar Haaland, 24, has joined forces with billionaire car collector pal Ole Ertvaag to snap up one of just 250 Tourbillons being made by the legendary Italian firm.The ultra exclusive model has a list price of around £3.2 million but Haaland and his co-buyer will fork out a fortune in tax owing to Norway’s strict low emissions laws.Read more SportThey are also expected to pay huge sums on customising the car – which will be crafted and styled to their exact specifications.Tycoon Ertvaag – a season ticket holder at City rivals Manchester United – has a fleet of supercars and insists on registering them all in his native Norway.More than 90 per cent of all new cars sold in the uber-green Scandinavian nation are now all-electric thanks to heavy charges levied on petrol vehicles.The pair are now planning to register their Tourbillon in Norway before April 1 when laws change to push import taxes of petrol-driven hybrid vehicles even higher.Most read in FootballA Norwegian source told The Sun: “The taxes will push the cost of the car to £4 million provided it’s registered in time.“But the cost is not a deal breaker for people as rich as Erling Haaland and he will love the chance of being able to drive his Bugatti on trips back home.How Man Utd could clinch a win in Fulham FA Cup clash – Expert’s best bets | Weekend Wager“It’s a truly amazing car both in terms of looks and performance – and the only question remaining is whether it will be delivered in sky blue Man City colours.”Powerhouse Haaland – who has bagged 29 goals for City this season – and fellow investor Ertvaag, 62, bought a £2.62 million Mercedes AMG together last year.The pair are both from the Rogaland region of Norway and share a passion for fast cars and football and already have joint property investments, along with Erling’s ex-city star dad Alfie.Erlings’ new Bugatti is set to become the star car collection, which already includes a Rolls-Royce Cullinan. A Mercedes AMG, a Ferrari Monza SP2, a Range Rover Sport and an Audi RS6 Avant Quattro.Erling Haaland pictured playing for Manchester City during a Premier LeagueCredit: Getty More

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      ‘He will be the glue’ – Tuchel made controversial Jordan Henderson decision SIX WEEKS ago but admits ‘it wasn’t my idea’

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      THOMAS TUCHEL has confessed it wasn’t his idea to controversially recall Jordan Henderson but did admit: “He will be the glue.”The former Liverpool midfielder, 34, now plays at Ajax following his stint in Saudi Arabia and had been overlooked by interim boss Lee Carsley and Gareth Southgate for the Euro 2024 run to the final.Thomas Tuchel has revealed calling up Jordan Henderson wasn’t initially his ideaCredit: GettyBut Tuchel is thrilled to have Henderson on board to be the ‘glue’ in England’s groupCredit: GettyIn fact, the 81-cap ace hasn’t played for England since November 2023.But Tuchel, who named his controversial squad last week, has insisted Henderson will be the “glue” which holds the squad together.Tuchel told ITV Sport: “He embodies everything. He’s a serial winner, his personality, character.”He is the glue in every team where he played and he will be the glue that makes things special.READ MORE SPORT STORIES”When I talk to players, I talk to staff, I talk to people in the federation, his name came up permanently.”Tuchel admitted it wasn’t his idea to bring Henderson back into the England fold.But the ex-Chelsea chief claimed “it made so much sense”.Tuchel continued: “It was not my idea initially from day one but it made so much sense to then call him up because his name was in the discussions all the time.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS”I called him up, and I have to say after this phone call for 15-20 minutes six weeks ago, I was pretty convinced that I need this guy in camp.”Henderson will turn 36 during next year’s World Cup in the USA.Thomas Tuchel shares hug with Dan Burn and Lewis-Skelly as England stars arrive at St George’s Park for double-headerYet Tuchel’s comments suggest the 2019-20 Premier League champion will be part of the England fold for the massive tournament.However, fans were less than happy with Henderson’s inclusion in the group.The ex-Sunderland star made the cut ahead of in-form Morgan Gibbs-White, as well as Adam Wharton and Conor Gallagher.Gibbs-White has since been called up, following injury to Cole Palmer. More

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      Arsenal ‘considering shock swoop for Everton flop Moise Kean’ to solve striker woes but face fight with three Prem foes

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      ARSENAL are keeping tabs on Everton flop Moise Kean in their battle to finally add some firepower up front.The Gunners have been unable to sign a centre-forward in the last few transfer windows, leaving manager Mikel Arteta with a lack of options to spearhead his attack.Arsenal have been linked with Fiorentina star Moise KeanCredit: GettyEverton flop Kean is also wanted by three other Prem sidesCredit: RexArteta has used Gabriel Jesus up front – and the likes of midfielders Kai Havertz and Mikel Merino as false nines.Many Arsenal fans have blamed missing out on the Premier League title on the lack of a natural striker.According to Tuttomercatoweb, however, the Gunners are finally looking to splash the cash for a No9 in this summer transfer window.And Arsenal have been linked with Kean, 25, who is thriving this season with Fiorentina as he has already registered 20 goals and three assists in 34 appearances across all competitions.Read More on ArsenalThat is a far cry from the £44million-rated forward’s Goodison Park days, in which he scored just four goals in 39 matches following his move from Juventus in 2019.The Italy international was loaned out to Paris Saint-Germain and former club Juve where he made a permanent return in 2023.Kean regained his former goalscoring prowess with Fiorentina following his move to the Artemio Franchi in the summer.Although last month he collapsed on the pitch against Verona – but he has now recovered.Most read in FootballJoin SUN CLUB for the Arsenal Files every Friday plusin-depth coverage and exclusives from The EmiratesArsenal are facing competition from Premier League rivals Tottenham, West Ham and Newcastle.Toon see him as a potential replacement for Alexander Isak if he decides to leaveMoise Kean shows off his super skill with training at PSGIsak has taken the Premier League by storm since his arrival at St James’ Park in 2022 and has even been linked with a move to the Emirates this summer.The Gunners have also been linked with other European strikers, shich as RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko, Juventus sharpshooter Dusan Vlahovic and Napoli’s Victor Osimhen – who is currently on loan at Galatasaray.Arsenal ratings vs ChelseaARSENAL collected three points at the Emirates with a comfortable display as they fight to keep their fading title hopes alive. More

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      Chelsea flop Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, 26, already planning for career after football despite signing six-year contract

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      KIERNAN DEWSBURY-HALL is already planning for life after retirement despite penning a six-year deal with Chelsea in the summer.The midfielder has had a disappointing start to life in West London, making just one Premier League start since his £30m move from Leicester in July.Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall is preparing for life after retirementCredit: GettyDewsbury-Hall will likely be forced to look for a new club in the summer, with boss Enzo Maresca clearly favouring other Blues over the 26-year-old.But it appears that the Foxes academy graduate is looking well beyond next season and is already planning for life after retirement.According to Fabrizio Romano, Dewsbury-Hall has begun studying for a PFA Sporting Directorship course.That course, which takes two years to complete, costs nearly £12,000 and helps train up the next batch of football directors.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLDewsbury-Hall could join a long list of pros that have turned their attention to director-level roles.Former Arsenal midfielder Edu Gaspar returned to the Gunners as Sporting Director some 15 years after leaving north London as a player.While ex-Chelsea and Barcelona star Deco is the current Sporting Director at Barca.Dewsbury-Hall will still be able to keep a focus on returning to form alongside his studies, as the course only requires four face-to-face sessions per year and one two-hour virtual session every fortnight. Most read in FootballJoin SUN CLUB for the Chelsea Files every Tuesday plusin-depth coverage and exclusives from Stamford BridgeDespite a lack of minutes in the league, Dewsbury-Hall has started seven of Chelsea’s eight Europa Conference League games this season – scoring three times and registering one assist in the process.And he still has a long list of suitors who could snatch him away from Stamford Bridge at the end of the season.’This is a joke’ – Danny Drinkwater reveals moment he was told he had ONE HOUR to leave ChelseaWest Ham and former club Leicester were both linked with a move for the star in January, while Brighton were known to be admirers last summer.However, Dewsbury-Hall remains tied down to his current terms in SW6 until 2030.Chelsea ratings vs ArsenalCHELSEA missed the chance to pull clear in the race for Champions League football as they suffered a 1-0 defeat at Arsenal.Mikel Merino scored the only goal of the game as the Blues produced a limp performance at the Emirates.They were without several key men including Cole Palmer.And they struggled to create chances against Arsenal with a threadbare subs bench to boot.But who was Chelsea’s best player in North London?And which players will want to forget about their performance as soon as possible?See SunSport’s Andy Dillon’s verdict on the Chelsea players here More

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      ‘If you lose your speed, you’re dead’ – Why Arsenal flogged Thierry Henry and broke up Invincibles

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      ARSENAL remain the only team to go an entire Premier League season undefeated when they won the title in 2003-04.But within a few years of that historic triumph, the Invincibles squad was broken up.Arsenal’s Invincibles won the Premier League in 2003-04Credit: GettyThierry Henry is the club’s top goalscorer and arguably greatest playerCredit: GettyHe left for Barcelona in a £16m transfer in 2007Credit: GettyAnd that included flogging superstar forward Thierry Henry.Talisman Henry – Arsenal captain at the time – left North London for Barcelona aged 29 in the summer of 2007.The Gunners received just £16million for their record goalscorer. But in a bombshell exclusive interview with SunSport, in which he slams the board for “failing” Mikel Arteta, former Arsenal managing director Keith Edelman revealed why they were prepared to sell Henry.READ MORE ON ARSENALEdelman said: “The reason Thierry moved on was because he was losing his speed. “His game was basically all about speed. “And if you lose your speed, then you’re dead. “So, we got money for him despite the fact that he was on the downward trap. Most read in FootballJoin SUN CLUB for the Arsenal Files every Friday plusin-depth coverage and exclusives from The Emirates”It’s like Kevin De Bruyne. Would you have been better to sell him for more money at the end of last year? “Or keep him and risk that he’d keep going this season?”I trained with Thierry Henry and he ruined my Arsenal career and it took me two years to go back over to the first team Henry – who scored 228 times for Arsenal – had three seasons at the Nou Camp, winning two LaLiga titles, the Copa del Rey, Champions League, Super Cup and Club World Cup.As for the team he left, Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal went nine years without a major trophy between their FA Cup triumphs in 2005 and 2014. Part of the reason for the lack of success was because many of the 2004 Invincibles departed the club – including heroes Patrick Vieira and Robert Pires – to make way for cheaper, younger players with potential. The transfer strategy, though, was down to the financial mire Arsenal found themselves in.Edelman explained: “Building a team goes in waves. “If you’ve got endless amounts of money, as Manchester City had, you could keep a team going longer.”I’d argue there’s probably only 20 world-class players in the whole Premier League, which is a very small number. “Therefore, replacing world-class players is very difficult.”And therefore, if you win things, you have a lot of world-class players because that’s how you win things. But when they get older, it’s very difficult to replace them.”You’ve got to look at how many world-class players you’ve got in your team, and they won’t be world-class forever, they get older and tend to dip. “This is what I mean about looking at things strategically. “You’ve got to ask the right questions. You’ve got to be probing. I don’t think a lot of people do that.”Arsenal were, in the Invincible years, were really lucky because, they had Thierry Henry, Patrick Vieira, Robert Pires, Sol Campbell and Gilberto Silva, there’s five world-class players.”READ MORE SUN STORIESRead our full interview with EdelmanEdelman has landed a new role away from football. He has taken up a position with the country’s leading keynote speakers’ agency, Champions Speakers, to deliver speeches in the business worldHenry had three seasons with Barcelona, winning the Champions LeagueCredit: ReutersRobert Pires, Gilberto and Patrick Vieira were all deemed ‘world-class’ playersCredit: GettyFormer Arsenal managing director Keith Edelman, right, lifted the lid on the Arsene Wenger eraCredit: PA:Press Association More

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      Neymar enjoys family time with pregnant girlfriend Bruna Biancardi after he was accused of attending party with escorts

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      NEYMAR has been seen enjoying some family time with pregnant girlfriend Bruna Biancardi after he was accused of partying with escorts. The Brazil superstar, 33, reportedly attended a party with at least 20 escorts and is accused of being unfaithful to his partner.Neymar has put on a united front with partner Bruna Biancardi after being accused of partying with escortsCredit: Instagram @neymarjrHe is accused of sleeping with Any Awuada and one other woman at a partyCredit: Instagram @anyawuadaNeymar previously apologised to Biancardi for an affair he had in 2023Credit: Instagram @neymarjrAccording to Leo Dias, Biancardi confronted the ex-Barcelona star after being sent videos of him surrounded by other women.The report claims Neymar left the party by helicopter but did not return home.One of the escorts, Any Awuada, told Brazilian TV programme Fofocalizando that she slept with Neymar at the party.The pair were also allegedly joined by another woman.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLNeymar, who now plays for Santos, denies the claims he attended the party and said he gave the helicopter to a friend to borrow.The attacker has taken to Instagram to share a number of pictures of him with his kids and Biancardi.He has three children: firstborn Davi Lucca from a previous relationship, Mavie, his child with Biancardi, and Helena, with Amanda Kimberlly, and is expecting a fourth with Biancardi.Neymar has previously apologised to Biancardi for a previous affair he had during her first pregnancy, saying he “made a mistake”.Most read in FootballThe superstar returned to Santos in January after an injury-hit spell with Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal.He has registered six goal contributions in seven games for the club, who unretired Pele’s No10 jersey for his return.Neymar breaks down in tears and reveals ‘each day I am away is a day of suffering’ after injury hell More

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      Man Utd and Man City caught in age fraud scandal over six academy stars with fears some could be ADULTS

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      MANCHESTER UNITED and Manchester City have allegedly been caught up in an age fraud scandal over six academy stars.The Telegraph reports there are fears that some of the foreign-born youngsters may actually have been adults.Man Utd and Man City have been caught up in an age fraud scandalCredit: RexThe outlet claims to have seen evidence, including photos, potentially implicating the six as having played in older age groups back in their homelands.None of the players have been named.Neither United or City are suggested to have known they were not the age they were said to be.But both clubs are aware of the evidence that has emerged.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThree of the six players have gone on to play for England youth teams.Parents of other children at United and City’s academy previously raised concerns with staff about the six players in question.United and City, as well as the Premier League and Home Office, declined to comment on whether they have taken, or will take, any action.But City insist they have not strayed from all the required and relevant legal and regulatory obligations.Most read in FootballJoin SUN CLUB for the Man Utd Files every Thursday plusin-depth coverage and exclusives from Old TraffordThey added that it’s not uncommon for star youth players to compete in older age groups.A statement from Manchester United added: “We are committed to operating all aspects of our academy within the rules and regulations laid down by our governing bodies, including the recruitment and registration of players.Inside Man City’s £300MILLION new stadium upgrade with futuristic Etihad project to rival Anfield“We take our responsibilities for player wellbeing and safeguarding very seriously.“Indeed, we take pride in the reputation we have developed for considering the participants in our programmes as first and foremost children, rather than players.“Our recruitment process is focused firmly on future potential rather than current performance or physical development.” More