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      Sudan is engaged in murderous civil war and stadiums have become graveyards but football brings a touch of humanity

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      SUDAN is engaged in a murderous civil war and yet football carries on, bringing a touch of humanity amid terrible suffering.Football is a long way from perfection but time and plenty of wars have shown that it motivates people and brings moments of grace among the desolation.Sudan reaching the Africa Cup of Nations finals has provided a glimpse of relief for the war-hit countryCredit: Instagram @sfa1936Most people know of the Christmas Day 1914 kickabout in a brief truce between German troops and British squaddies.On a later occasion, our soldiers were provided with footballs to kick as they charged enemy lines.Women played their part in that war and many munitions factories formed football teams.Shortly afterwards, the FA stopped this with a ban that prevented official women’s football for 50 years, claiming it was undignified.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLMaybe, but the huge crowds they were drawing, 50,000 for one in Preston, caused official annoyance.Football is only “war” in the over-heated imagination of terrace drunks, psychopaths and plain idiots and only once, thank goodness, has it been a major cause.It happened after a 1969 World Cup qualifier between El Salvador and Honduras whose governments were already a long way from comradeship as neighbours in central America.The war lasted only four days but more than 2,000 people were killed and three El Salvador planes shot down.Most read in FootballWar as a backdrop is fairly common. In Sudan, it is life and death. About 150,000 people have been slaughtered and 14million displaced from homes. Football grounds around the capital, Khartoum, have become graveyards.James Kwesi Appiah managed Ghana twice and has now guided Sudan to a place in the Africa Cup of Nations finalsCredit: EPASo far Sudan have played home matches in five neighbouring African countries. Their head coach James Kwesi Appiah says: “Most of the time when we are in camp, a message will come that one of the players has lost a family member. It’s happened about five times.“Why can’t we all do something to let these guys achieve, so that at least the people back home will be happy?”Appiah, former Ghana captain and coach, has led Sudan to a place in the Africa Cup of Nations finals in Morocco in a year’s time and within hailing distance of the 2026 World Cup.It is an amazing achievement. And in the hell of Sudan, it is a mental haven of hope.When war gives way to fanaticism, results can be striking.In Afghanistan, the male-run Taliban outlawed women’s sport and the world in general has nodded acceptance.There have been no sanctions and so the country’s men — useless at football, useful at cricket — carry on, undisturbed by controversy or embarrassment.Neither war nor pestilence can keep a good team down.Why should they? Only men matter there.A few women have overcome this apartheid. The Afghan cricket team fled to Australia, whose cricket authority offered a sole protest on their behalf by refusing to play a men’s match against the rogue country.The International Cricket Council have remained silent and, far from any boycott, Afghan’s men’s team are flourishing.So is the Ukrainian Premier League, which defied the Russian invasion, and has just signed a new TV contract. The 16-team competition has only ever been halted by Covid.Shakhtar Donetsk and Dynamo Kyiv dominate the top places since the league was formed after the country’s split from Russia.READ MORE SUN STORIESIndeed, after the invasion Shakhtar left Donetsk for Kyiv where, along with Dynamo and Metalist 1925, they share the 70,500 capacity Olympic stadium.Proving neither war nor pestilence can keep a good team down. More

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      Ruben Amorim forced to get creative in Man Utd training due to lack of time with stars given walkthroughs

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      RUBEN AMORIM has adapted his coaching methods to get Manchester United players to learn his system quickly.The new boss has so far overseen a 1-1 draw with Ipswich and a 3-2 victory over Bodo/Glimt.Ruben Amorim has revealed he has had to tweak his coaching methodsCredit: GettyHe has been doing walkthroughs with his playersCredit: GettyBut he has little time on the training pitch to break down the games as the fixtures come thick and fast, with seven Premier League matches and two cup ties in December.The schedule is squeezing the ex-Sporting manager’s chance to work with his new players and he has resorted to a new approach to get his 3-4-3 style across.Amorim said: “I was a football player. Football players, videos more than 12 minutes? Forget. Because they lose the concentration.”So, we have to work on… imagine there’s an indoor stadium. We have that.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”Instead of video, we do it like walking and jogging. It’s a way to do it and showing some videos.”Then we have all the staff. For example, Carlos Fernandes (assistant) is with the strikers.”They will show individual moments, so we will try to cope with that.”Everybody has a job in the staff, and they are more important maybe than me.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS”So, that’s it. Trying to see the game, what is missing. “They are very good players, they need to believe and we will show individual stuff, team stuff and work. Ruben Amorim bizarrely SLAPS Man Utd stars in training as fans joke ‘I hope Luke Shaw doesn’t get injured'”If you cannot run, you can jog and make the same exercise.”Ahead of facing Everton on Sunday, Amorim said: “Win. I am hoping to win.”It’s going to be a different match with a lot of fighting, long balls, second balls. “They have a quality coach that understands the league, that understands the moment of the opponent.”We need to have the ball because we have a short time to recover.”We need to rotate the team, so I hope for a win and I hope to see different things in my team.”Improve like we did from Ipswich to now, with Everton without training. But I expect to see different things and better things.”Man Utd ratings vs Bodo/Glimt More

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      Ruud van Nistelrooy CONFIRMED as Leicester manager as Man Utd legend makes instant return to Premier League

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      RUUD VAN NISTELROOY has been confirmed as Leicester’s new manager.The Dutchman, 48, has made a quick return to management after working as Manchester United’s caretaker boss following Erik ten Hag’s dismissal.Ruud van Nistelrooy has been confirmed as Leicester’s new managerCredit: GettyHe will be in the stands as the Foxes take on Brentford tomorrow and his first in the dugout will be against West HamCredit: GettySteve Cooper was sacked by the Foxes after Saturday’s 2-1 defeat to ChelseaCredit: PAVan Nistelrooy succeeds Steve Cooper as Foxes manager, after the former Nottingham Forest boss received the axe following a 2-1 defeat to Chelsea.The Dutchman is set to be in the stands for their game against Brentford tomorrow, meaning his first match in charge will be against West Ham on Tuesday. On his Leicester arrival, Van Nistelrooy said: “I’m proud, I’m excited. Everybody that I speak to about Leicester City Football Club is enthusiastic. “They have great stories about the quality of the people working at the club, the supporters and, of course, the recent history of the club is impressive. READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”I’m excited to start and to get to know everyone and give everything I can for the football club.”Van Nistelrooy also revealed he spoke to ex-Foxes-turned-Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca about taking the job, who was his team-mate at Malaga. He revealed: “When the interest came, the first one I called was Enzo. He was so positive about it. He absolutely loved his time. “When you hear these things, it’s a club you want to be a part of. Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSVan Nistelrooy’s controversial appointmentBy Neil Custis, Football writerRUUD VAN NISTELROOY walking into the Leicester job must have managers further down the leagues tearing their hair out.This week at the Northwest Football Awards, for example, Dave Challinor of Stockport was named manager of the year ahead of Pep Guardiola.Now that may be because organisers felt he would probably turn up to get his gong, unlike Guardiola.Still, two promotions in 2½ years to lift the area’s poor relation from the National League to League One — where they sit fourth — is incredible.Yet that and a managerial background at Colwyn Bay, AFC Fylde and Hartlepool would sadly never put him on a Premier League club’s radar.Van Nistelrooy was on that radar at the Foxes in the summer after one season managing at PSV Eindhoven before they went for Steve Cooper.Now after a further four games as interim Manchester United boss and he is in at the King Power and Cooper is out.Big names excite fans and Van Nistelrooy has one, literally.But he also comes with a red flag or two…”Obviously, with the interest coming, I phoned him and I asked him more detailed questions about the Club, the structures, the people that work there, the squad, the stadium, the fans, the town, the surroundings… it was a fantastic conversation. “It’s always a pleasure to talk to him.”Leicester stars party in nightclub next to ‘Enzo I miss you’ sign hours after Chelsea loss on night before Cooper sackedChairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha added: “It is my pleasure to welcome Ruud to Leicester City. “He joins a Club with a rich history, passionate supporters, and a talented squad, and we are all excited to see the impact he can have as we embark on this new chapter together. “Ruud’s experience, knowledge, and winning mentality will undoubtedly bring great value to us, and we look forward to supporting him in achieving success for our fans and our club.”I have to say, when the interest came, the first one I called was Enzo. He was so positive about it. He absolutely loved his time.Van Nistelrooy on speaking to Maresca before taking the jobDuring his spell as Man Utd caretaker, Van Nistelrooy twice beat Cooper’s Leciester.They met in the Carabao Cup on October 30, with the Red Devils running out 5-2 winners.And he beat Leicester again 3-0 just 11 days later in the Premier League.Cooper won just two of his 12 Prem encounters at the Leicester helm, having succeeded Enzo Maresca in the summer, who guided the club to the Championship title last term.The players seemingly miss their old boss as they were spotted partying next to a sign that read “Enzo I miss u” during their Christmas party.Just hours after the loss to Chelsea, the squad jetted off to their festive Copenhagen bash signed off by Cooper, unaware he was about to be axed.According to The Telegraph, Cooper fell out with Jannik Vestergaard, Harry Winks and Hamza Choudhury during his ill-fated 157-day stint in charge at the King Power, with the former even being banished from training at one stageThe Foxes are 16th in the Prem table, a point above the relegation zone.Prior to joining Ten Hag’s Old Trafford coaching staff, the former Man Utd and Real Madrid striker managed PSV Eindhoven.He won 33 of his 51 games in charge, winning the KNVB Cup in 2023.Van Nistelrooy stepped down a week before the end of that season, citing a lack of support from above.READ MORE SUN STORIESFollowing Cooper’s sacking, Leicester were linked with Graham Potter and David Moyes.But club chiefs quickly settled upon Van Nistelrooy as their main target and have now got their man.Van Nistelrooy on joining Leicester “I’m proud, I’m excited. Everybody that I speak to about Leicester City Football Club is enthusiastic.”They have great stories about the quality of the people working at the club, the supporters and, of course, the recent history of the club is impressive. “I’m excited to start and to get to know everyone and give everything I can for the football club.“Everybody that I speak to about Leicester City Football Club is enthusiastic, has great stories about the quality of the people working at the Club, the supporters, also of course, the recent history of the Club is impressive. “I’m dead excited to start and to get to know everyone and give everything I can for the Football Club.“It’s also something I hear a lot about. I can’t wait to find that out, to be part of the Club, in a manager role, which is a big responsibility. I take it very seriously. “Also, getting to know everybody, the community and the supporters, I can only imagine what it means to them. I want to feel it.”I want to get started and get to know everybody and take time to invest in the relationship with all the other departments and community of the Football Club. That can make us a really strong movement to go forward and get results.“Of course, when you’re in football a long time, you know so many people and that’s why I said about the stories about the Club and its people and its supporters. That’s always positive. “It’s a stable club, you can see within the leadership structures that it’s all good and organised and with an idea. “Also, the squad, of course, is exciting with young emerging talents, also experienced players… a good mixture. I can’t wait to get on the pitch and start with them.”There are two players in every position of good quality. There’s young, emerging talents, with very experienced players and, obviously, the captain, Jamie Vardy, has the most experience and the character. He’s the face of the Football Club. As a former striker, I can’t wait to work together with him as well.“A lot of principles and structures that I see, on the ball and off the ball, are structures that I use a lot myself as the PSV manager and at United. “Not all of them, of course, but many of them. The way Leicester City played under [Enzo] Maresca, winning the Championship and going into the Premier League, I see also that line continuing in those structures and the idea of playing.”I have to say, when the interest came, the first one I called was Enzo. He was so positive about it. He absolutely loved his time. When you hear these things, it’s a club you want to be a part of. “Obviously, with the interest coming, I phoned him and I asked him more detailed questions about the Club, the structures, the people that work there, the squad, the stadium, the fans, the town, the surroundings… it was a fantastic conversation. It’s always a pleasure to talk to him.” More

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      I went from the Prem to prison ‘hell’ filled with shower stabbings and cockroaches but now I’m eyeing an FA Cup shock

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      NILE RANGER sat in prison with his gut churning after eating half-cooked chicken and watching cockroaches crawling through cracks in the walls of his cell.The ex-Newcastle striker, 33, was banged up at Pentonville in north London in 2017 after pleading guilty of committing online banking fraud.Nile Ranger spoke exclusively to SunSportCredit: Jon BondHe was a promising Premier League starCredit: GettyHe helped Newcastle win promotion from the Championship in 2010 and went on to play in the Premier LeagueCredit: AFPBut things spiralled out of control and saw Nile end up in prisonCredit: Jon BondHe had conspired to swindle more than £2,000 from a woman two years earlier.It completed a fall from grace for a highly-promising player who made 26 Premier League appearances for the Geordies before nose diving down the leagues.Ranger swapped training and playing alongside stars such as Michael Owen, Fabricio Coloccini and Andy Carroll for mixing with criminals who boasted about such things as tossing an unfortunate soul into a car boot after cutting their fingers off!But on Sunday he will be back on a football field with Southern Premier Kettering hoping to create some FA Cup magic as they host League Two Doncaster — having scored the winner in the previous round to topple League One Northampton.READ MORE FOOTBALLTo say Ranger is the ultimate model for any young professional NOT to follow is an understatement.He told SunSport: “It was bad in prison, full of wrong ’uns, and no place to be if you’ve got your head screwed on.“I had mine on compared to those people. I had just been silly, unruly and lacked discipline.“There was this guy who told me he had put someone in a car boot and chopped off their fingers.Most read in FA Cup“I heard people planning murders and armed robberies when they got out.“There were prisoners getting stabbed in the showers and drones flying in drugs and mobile phones. It was hell.”Bizarre moment man dressed as Elsa from Frozen sings Let It Go karaoke on pitch ahead of FA Cup first-round clashAlthough sentenced at Wood Green Crown Court to serve eight months inside one of Britain’s most notorious jails, Ranger was released after 10 weeks for good behaviour — although he had to wear an electronic tag to make sure he was not up to no good.Ranger said: “There were cockroaches coming through the gaps of the cell walls and door.“We had to block those with towels and if you killed a cockroach others would appear from eggs they laid. There were mice running about as well. It was disgusting.“The food was appalling. The chicken I’m certain wasn’t properly cooked.“I was locked up 23 hours a day — using the hour outside my cell to exercise and shower.“Some of the guards were arrogant — trying to make me feel small. They were jealous because I was a footballer. But I didn’t rise to it.”I focused on getting out and thought, ‘I’m only going to be here for two or three months and playing football again.’“I was at Southend and they were still paying my wages while in prison so that was always on my mind when the guards were belittling me.“I felt the sentence was unfair. People have done far-worse and only got suspended sentences.“I reckon the judge had already decided while having dinner with his wife the previous evening he was going to lock me up.”Kept messing upRanger concedes he screwed up and wasted his incredible talent. Had he applied himself he could have had a good Premier League career.But he kept messing up — despite countless chances.Just shortly after signing for Southampton from Crystal Palace as a kid, he was banged up for 11 weeks in a young offenders institute for being involved in an armed robbery.The Saints stuck by him then but lost patience after he stole his entire academy team’s kit and a box of chocolates from the kit lady.He explained: “I don’t know why I took the chocolates but we had been told we could have some of the kit. The season had finished and Southampton were getting us new ones.“I had friends at home in North London who loved football so I took everything, all the kit and boots. I was caught on camera and Southampton terminated my contract.”Ranger helped fire Kettering into the FA Cup second roundCredit: PAYet Ranger landed on his feet when Newcastle snapped him up and despite breaking into the first team and helping them win promotion from the Championship in 2010 and going on to play in the Premier League, he pressed the self-destruct button with a series of disciplinary problems.He also had such a gambling addiction that the club got him banned from every casino in Newcastle. He was constantly late for training or did not show at all.Kevin Keegan got so fed up with him when he started training with the first team, he told Ranger: “I’m going to pull out and sell your gold tooth if you’re late again because your wages will not be enough to cover the fine.”Chris Hughton, who had a summit meeting with Ranger and his mum, and Alan Pardew, who banished him to train with the academy team until he sorted out his time-keeping, both tried in vain to save his career before the latter decided to let him go.Swindon, Blackpool and Southend (twice) all took punts but to no avail — and after a spell with National League club Boreham Wood he crashed out of the game for 20 months before joining Kettering in September.When he was a promising 18-year-old at Newcastle he was earning almost £10,000-a-week — and admits he would be penniless today if it was not for his beloved mum Karen.He said: “When I was making the money I was, I didn’t appreciate it and was spunking it.“My mum sorted out some property investments. I should’ve done way more. Had she not done that, I’d have nothing now.“I’ve a bit of money to live on but cannot live a lavish lifestyle.”Mum has always looked out for me and out of everyone I’ve upset with my actions she’s the one I regret hurting the most — along with all my family.”Celebration promiseRanger believes he has matured since becoming a dad. He has a three-year-old son Aziel and while he has since split from the mother, insists he prioritises being a good dad.And while the striker knows seventh-tier Kettering is a world away from the level he reached, he still believes he can play in League One or Two.But right now he wants to help the Poppies win promotion this season and help youngsters not make the same mistakes he has as well as inspire criminals serving time to mend their ways.He said: “Prison is supposed to be a place where they rehabilitate you. I didn’t see any of that happening. In fact, jail can make people worse.“I accept I’m not a good football role model — but I am a role model, one who made lots of mistakes, but who can teach people what NOT to do.“I’ve already done a talk to some youngsters at an academy. I’ve been invited to schools and prisons. I’d like to use my experience to help others.“But right now my focus is on enjoying the last part of my career and hopefully creating another FA Cup shock.”READ MORE SUN STORIESAnd Ranger has promised to do one thing on live TV if he scores against Doncaster.He said: “I have a tattoo on my lower lip of a smiley emoji. I am going to run to a TV camera and show my happy lip!”He’s vowed to show off his tattoo if he scores this weekendCredit: Jon BondTV viewers will get a close up view of his ‘happy’ lip tattooCredit: Jon Bond More

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      Excruciating moment fan kicks his mate’s beer out of his hands on live TV at Europa League clash

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      DISASTER struck at FC Twente last night as a fan inadvertently booted a pint out of his pal’s hand.The Dutch side were taking on Union Saint-Gilloise in the Europa League.An FC Twente fan booted his pal’s pint by mistakeCredit: ZIGGO SPORTThe drink went flying out of the fan’s handCredit: ZIGGO SPORTThe Belgian visitors took a 1-0 lead in the 11th minute courtesy of Mohammed Gadafi Fusseini.In the second half, substitute Mathias Rasmussen botched a cross during a promising attack.As the ball sailed harmlessly over the bar, it caught the attention of a pair of fans stood clutching pints behind the goal.Before either of them had a chance to kick it, the bouncing ball knocked a pint out of the hand of an unsuspecting supporter, who had their back turned.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLWhen one of the excited pair then sought to take a touch, the other opted to try to boot the ball first time.He missed it, however, instead thumping his pal’s beer out of his hand.It went on to spill all over him, with not a single drop salvaged.The incident was picked up by Dutch telly, with pundits laughing at the amazing incident.Most read in Europa LeagueBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSThe fans also saw the funny side, with the guilty party beaming and laughing.To make matters worse for the fans, FC Twente went on to lose the game 1-0.Watch astonishing moment FC Twente fan carries 48 BEERS in one go in front of cheering stand against rivals Willem IIMany supporters of the Dutch side enjoy a matchday pint.In 2021, an FC Twente fan was seen carrying an incredible 64 pints in one go.An FC Twente fan previously carried 64 pints in one go More

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      Man Utd star Andre Onana tackled to floor by 19st 6lb giant Francis Ngannou moments after win over Bodo/Glimt

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      MMA legend Francis Ngannou wrestled Andre Onana to the floor after Manchester United’s win over Bodo/Glimt.The Red Devils won 3-2 in the Europa League as Ruben Amorim made his Old Trafford bow.Francis Ngannou and Andre Onana play fight on the Old Trafford pitchCredit: x/ andreyOnanaFrancis Ngannou grabs hold of Andre OnanaCredit: x/ andreyOnanaFrancis Ngannou throws Andre Onana to the groundCredit: x/ andreyOnanaNgannou said the keeper was man of the matchCredit: GettyBut he was not the only man at the stadium for the first time as former UFC heavyweight champion Ngannou was in the stands.He cheered on United goalkeeper Onana and after the game was spotted on the pitch talking to his fellow Cameroonian.But Ngannou switched the ring for the pitch as the pair then began hilariously play-fighting.It did not take the 19st 6lb man mountain long to grab Onana and tackle him to the floor.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThere was a handshake between the two afterwards – but Onana has demanded a rematch.He wrote: “I demand a rematch in a real ring! Let’s settle this once and for all!”Fans won’t want to see it though after fearing their No1 would get injured.One joked: “Breaking news Andre Onana is out for the next decade with a broken everything.”Most read in Europa LeagueFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSAnother added: “He is our only injury free player come on.”Ngannou spoke to TNT Sports post-match and said: “It was a good game, we had fun and there was a lot of action. ‘Watching Arsenal is like watching Netflix… you always have to wait for the next season’, says Man Utd legend”Yes, it was my first time here, it was a good experience and we have a victory.”Andre, he had a great game even though he takes a yellow card. He was the man of the game.”Ngannou watched the match from the stands and was sat alongside boxer Derek Chisora.He is not the only MMA star to mingle with Premier League players on the pitch after a European game this term as Conor McGregor showed off his football skills then jokingly fought Bukayo Saka.Man Utd ratings vs Bodo/Glimt More

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      Scott Parker says working-class spirit comes from helping Heinz delivery driver dad do 3am rounds while he was at school

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      SCOTT PARKER’S eyes still light up at the memory of lorry rides with dad at three in the morning.Sometimes there would be trips along the Kent coast as he accompanied his old man Michael on his rounds as a Heinz delivery driver — followed by maybe ice cream and the amusement arcades.Scott Parker has opened up on how helping his dad deliver heinz at 3am has helped his motivationCredit: PAParker, who memorably appeared in a television advertisement for McDonalds as a kid, would help out his dadCredit: News Group Newspapers LtdNow manager at Burnley, Parker smiles as he looks back and said: “As a kid every day I was on at my dad to take me out on the lorries.“Twice a week he’d take me out of school — probably not the right thing to do — but we’d get up at 3am and pick up the lorry.“Thursdays were the best because he’d have coast runs — Ramsgate, Margate — then he’d take me to the amusements after.“For a young kid, those days were fantastic. Great memories.”READ MORE IN FOOTBALLYet they also helped form the bit inside that now drives him on in his managerial career after a hat–trick of sackings — at Fulham, Bournemouth and Club Brugge.That treble, all within 19 nightmare months, might have suggested that being a boss was not for him — even if he did take the Cottagers and Cherries into the Premier League before each gave him his P45.In Belgium he lasted just 69 days and 12 games.He could have, as he knows, joined the bleeding hearts club, bleating about the unfairness of it all.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSYet his only public complaint throughout was to claim after a horrendous 9-0 loss at Anfield in Bournemouth’s fourth game back in the Prem that his squad were “unequipped” for the top flight.He was fired four days after that statement in August 2022 that came on the back of defeats of 3-0 to Arsenal and 4–0 at   Manchester City.Scott Parker talks about the challenges of being head coach at FulhamAsked why he has never talked about the sackings that might have cost him so much inside, he bluntly declared: “Well, in the last four months, nobody ever asked me.”Parker, 44, gives the impression that he would  rather throw himself off Margate’s Harbour Arm than show his true feelings.But for once he dropped the mask and admitted: “Standing on the touchline that day at Anfield, that was a lonely, lonely place.“I was disappointed it had to end way it did and of the three, Bournemouth still hurts the most. But we move on.“The pitfalls you fall into, the bumps we managers take along the road, you just deal with them.“Some have been knockouts for me but you dust yourself off, get back up and go again. There were times things were very tough. No denying that.“That’s why I took a year out after Brugge because at that point there had been a lot of jabs on the nose and I needed to mend, to get out of the fire.“I had to adjust and I realised a long time ago you can feel a bit sorry for yourself, mope around and be a victim. But there was no chance of that.“Not with my upbringing, not from where I come from  — the Lettsom Estate in Camberwell, inner London.“Dad a lorry driver, mum a special needs teacher and it was what it was.“No hard story, but my career was the be-all and end-all for my mum and dad because of where we were. Did I ever think I had  huge talent? Never.“Never even contemplated what life was like then, to the position I’m in now. But I’m always conscious of how different it could have been for me.“Those memories of going to Margate are great — but what I also realise now that it was that work inside my dad that became ingrained in me.“That’s what I stand for now. What I’ve always stood for. Working class values — and working as hard as you can. No one really sees that, that core inside me.“I understand what and how the people are at whatever club I am. Working-class people,  just like they are here at Burnley because I’m one of them.“It’s because I’m one of them that I’ll do everything in my power to take this club back up.”He is making a good fist of it too, the Clarets travel to Stoke today sitting in third.And the former West Ham and England midfielder stressed: “Heading off with my dad, they’re my fondest memories because of the fine margins of what it was and where it was.READ MORE SUN STORIES“Core values were instilled in me. They are as strong as ever. There’s been disappointments and triumphs, a roller coaster ride.“But sitting next to my dad in that lorry helped form who I am today and I’m proud of that.” More

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      Real Madrid ‘tell Liverpool they want to sign Trent Alexander-Arnold’ and free transfer could be agreed within weeks

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      REAL MADRID have made it clear that they want to sign Liverpool star Trent Alexander-Arnold, according to reports.The Spanish giants are set to swoop for the Reds full-back, whose Anfield deal expires next summer.Trent Alexander-Arnold is being chased by Real MadridCredit: AlamyWith Alexander-Arnold’s contract winding down, Real Madrid will be free to begin negotiating a pre-contract with the full-back.According to talkSPORT, however, the reigning LaLiga champions have informed Liverpool of their intention to sign their academy graduate, in a bid to be respectful.Carlo Ancelotti’s side view Alexander-Arnold as a long-term successor to Dani Carvajal at right-back.Carvajal, 32, remains at the Bernabeu club but suffered an ACL injury last month.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLLiverpool still hope to convince Alexander-Arnold to pen a new deal to stay at Anfield.But Real Madrid chiefs believe that they can lure the England star to Spain.One factor in their favour could be Alexander-Arnold’s friendship with Jude Bellingham.The pair have developed a close bond during various England camps.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSAlexander-Arnold has made 325 appearances for his boyhood club since debuting in 2016.He has played a major role in winning the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup and two League Cups.How Liverpool’s Jude Bellingham plan backfired with Trent Alexander-ArnoldThe full-back has remained a key man under new boss Arne Slot, but is currently sidelined by a hamstring injury suffered earlier this month against Aston Villa.Alexander-Arnold could return from his lay-off against Manchester City on Sunday.Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk are also set to be out of contract at the end of the season.Salah, 32, even admitted last weekend that he was “more out than in” at Anfield.The Egyptian claims to have not yet been made an offer by the Reds.Mo Salah and Virgil van Dijk is set to be out of contractCredit: Rex More