Soccer

MICHAIL ANTONIO has made an emotional return to West Ham – just months after his horror car crash. The 34-year-old winger cheated death in December following a terrifying Ferrari wreck.Michail Antonio was presented on the field before West Ham’s clash with NewcastleCredit: AFPThe winger was given a hero’s welcome by the home crowdCredit: Sky SportsAntonio has been out of action since December following a horror car accidentCredit: ReutersThe Hammers star spent almost an hour trapped in his Ferrari before being airlifted to hospitalCredit: Steve BellAntonio was airlifted to hospital after his £260,000 Italian supercar spun off the road near Theydon Bois in Epping.He suffered a broken leg and numerous other injuries after being trapped in the car for over an hour. But after a remarkable recovery, the winger was back in the stands at the London Stadium for Monday’s clash with Newcastle. Antonio – the club’s all-time Premier League goalscorer – was given a hero’s welcome by the Hammers faithful in East London. READ MORE ON FOOTBALLThe forward was presented to the crowd moments before kick-off, with thunderous applause from all four corners of the ground. An announcer over the PA said: “Exactly 3 months ago we were all willing him on to recover as he lay in a hospital bed.”Since then he has shown the strength, resilience, and character that typifies the man.”And tonight he is reunited with his West Ham family.Most read in FootballCheltenham Festival betting offers and free bets”Please show your love and support for our all-time Premier League record goal scorer, our number 9.”Antonio has recently been in light training in Dubai, despite initial fears he might never play again.West Ham manager Graham Potter gives update on Michail Antonio after horror injury But there is no concrete date yet decided for his return to action. Hammers boss Graham Potter has not ruled out the Jamaican playing again this season. Potter said last month: “He’s recovering.“He’s been in Dubai and it’s been good for him to get that work in.”I wouldn’t want to put any time on [his return to playing] because it’s not fair on him.”We just take it day-by-day and see.”A grateful Antonio thanked emergency services for saving his life after he was discharged from hospital on New Year’s Eve.I honestly could not have got through this without you.Michail AntonioInstagramHe wrote on Instagram: “Every year around this time, I’m asked what I’m grateful for, and every year I’ve struggled to find the right words.”But this year, I know exactly what I’m grateful for: being alive.”I’ve spent so many years taking life for granted. I made plans for the next day, the next year, always assuming tomorrow was guaranteed.”What I’ve been through recently has opened my eyes. Life is fragile, and every single moment matters.”I’m so grateful to God for giving me the strength to keep going and for allowing me to still be here.”To the emergency services, the NHS, the Air Ambulance, everyone at the Royal London and Cromwell hospitals and everyone from top to bottom at West Ham United FC.READ MORE SUN STORIES”The medical team, the board, all of the staff, my teammates and the amazing West Ham fans.”I honestly could not have got through this without you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”Antonio needed surgery on a broken leg after being cut out of his carCredit: InstagramHe returned to light training last month – well ahead of scheduleCredit: Getty More

SIR JIM RATCLIFFE has defended his controversial cost-cutting at Old Trafford – and claims the club was on track to run out of money THIS YEAR. The United co-owner broke his silence following recent fan protests at Old Trafford. Sir Jim Ratcliffe watched Man Utd’s draw with Arsenal on Sunday from the Old Trafford standsCredit: PAThe Ineos chief has presided over unpopular cost-cutting at the clubCredit: GettyThousands of United fans protested ahead of the 1-1 draw with the GunnersCredit: GettyRatcliffe, 72, told the BBC: “Manchester United would have run out of cash by the end of 2025.”Where do you want to spend the money?”Do you want to spend it on operating the club or do you want to spend it on the squad?”Because if you spend it on the squad, you get better results.READ MORE ON MAN UTD”At the end of the day, what is Manchester United here for if not to win trophies?”What we want to do is invest in the best players in the world, if we can. “Rather than spend it on, I’m afraid, free lunches.”Ratcliffe completed a minority takeover in 2023 and has since gained control over sporting operations at United, which in turn led to some severe downsizing.Most read in FootballCheltenham Festival betting offers and free betsHe has pursued unpopular cost-cutting over the past year. Last week, SunSport revealed how United are staring at a £100million black hole after a horror season. Amorim ‘pleased’ with Man Utd performance despite missed chances against Arsenal Last summer saw 250 staff members made redundant, with another 200 estimated to follow.Ratcliffe has slashed costs across the club, including ditching the annual Christmas party and removing Sir Alex Ferguson from his paid role as an ambassador. He continued: “The losses are because the club’s just been spending money needlessly.”We’ve got a body language consultant. There’s all sorts of stuff we’re spending money on that we don’t need to be.”On the field, the Red Devils are languishing in the lower reaches of the Premier League.And they may be forced into selling their star assets in the summer to counter PSR rules. The players were not immune from Ratcliffe’s criticism in the scathing interview.He added: “Some [players] are not good enough and some probably are overpaid.Man Utd ratings vs Arsenal as De Ligt shows exactly why Man Utd signed him but Zirkzee is as frustrating as everIT was a performance that would have pleased Ruben Amorim but a 1-1 draw with Arsenal does little to paper over the cracks at Manchester United.On a day when the Old Trafford crowd protested the owners, the players stood up to show their remains life in a club that fans say is experiencing a “slow death”.There was a lack of clear-cut chances in the opening 45 minutes as both sides goalscoring troubles continued.A moment of magic was needed and Fernandes stepped up as he so often does.Arsenal’s wall was full of man mountains, but Fernandes found the power, dip and accuracy to beat David Raya with his free-kick – even if the wall was marched 11.2 yards back instead of the regulated ten.Mikel Arteta’s side came out swinging in the second-half with their makeshift No9 up top, and it took a brilliant effort from Declan Rice to level the scores.United were able to frustrate them and remain a threat on the counter but eventually had to settle for a point in a much-improved performance.Here is how SunSport’s Martin Blackburn rated the United performances.”But for us to mould the squad that we are fully responsible for, and accountable for, will take time.”We’ve got this period of transformation where we move from the past to the future.”There are some great players in the squad as we know, the captain is a fabulous footballer. We definitely need Bruno [Fernandes], he’s a fantastic footballer.”Prior to Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Arsenal, thousands of United fans took to the streets outside Old Trafford to protest.Organised by the 1958 fan group, spokesperson Steve Crompton claimed the club is “dying” and “facing financial Armageddon”.Crompton said: “The club is slowly dying before our eyes, on and off the pitch, and the blame lies squarely at the current ownership model.READ MORE SUN STORIES”The club is facing financial Armageddon. Debt is the road to ruin.”Sir Matt Busby would be turning in his grave at the current plight of one of the world’s greatest football institutions which is being brought to its knees and in many ways becoming a laughing stock.” More