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      Man Utd star Diogo Dalot launches LinkedIn profile to reveal second career investing in new sport

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      DIOGO DALOT has launched a LinkedIn profile and revealed his business interests include investing in a popular new sport.The Portuguese full-back, 25, has been one of very few Manchester United players to impress so far this season.Diogo Dalot has impressed for Manchester United this seasonCredit: GettyHe has now revealed a second career in businessCredit: LinkedIn/Diogo DalotThe Red Devils will begin a new era on Sunday when they face Ipswich in their first game under new manager Ruben Amorim.And while Dalot will be keen to impress Erik ten Hag’s replacement, he also has interests off the pitch.His LinkedIn page will be solely dedicated to his “personal insights” and “business endeavours”.Among those ventures includes a financial stake in padel tennis – a Mexican sport that is becoming increasingly popular across Europe and which Dalot says he “loves”.READ MORE ON MAN UTDThe Portugal international released a lengthy statement on the social media site.It read: “Bom dia all and welcome to my LinkedIn profile. Follow my account to see an up close and personal perspective on my life beyond the football pitch.”On my page you will see the work I am putting in off the pitch – keep a close eye. Looking forward to connecting with you to help bring our ideas to life.”LinkedIn provides a space dedicated to my personal insights, extending beyond my love for football and being on the pitch.”Through LinkedIn I can now more readily connect with the interests and causes I am most passionate about and launch my own business endeavours that grow and give back to those communities.”My LinkedIn page will exist as a kind of diary entry, helping to tell the stories around my work on and off the pitch, whilst also establishing a platform where I can voice my opinions and insights on all things business.”I am so happy to be creating such a space where I can discuss the matters closest to my heart and continue to grow alongside my football career.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSMexican sport padel is becoming popular across EuropeCredit: Alamy”Whether it is discussing my ongoing investment in padel – a sport I love – or joining wider debates around travel in football: both the impact on the environment and the impact on the athlete, you can look at my LinkedIn profile for an honest and reasoned perspective. Stay tuned 🤝📂.”Dalot has played 18 games for Man Utd this season, contributing two assists.Diogo Dalot goes wild after Man Utd win over LiverpoolHe has started all 11 of the Red Devils’ Premier League matches, but could now be called upon in a different role.New manager Amorim, 39, is expected to employ the 3-4-3 formation he played consistently at Sporting Lisbon.This is likely to mean Dalot is utilised as a wing-back and will be crucial in providing the team’s width. More

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      English football competition rebranded and given new name midway through season

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      THE EFL Trophy has been rebranded and given a name change yet again.It was known as the Bristol Street Motors Trophy for just over a year, with the company taking over as the rights holders for the start of the 2023-24 season.The EFL Trophy has undergone a rebranding and has a new nameCredit: RexNow the competition will be known as the Vertu Trophy – with Vertu a parent company of Bristol Street Motors.It is the latest sponsorship deal for the company, who are already the front of shirt sponsors for Yorkshire County Cricket.Vertu also have a deal with basketball team Newcastle Eagles, with their ground named Vertu Motors Arena.Their sponsorship of the EFL Trophy was part of a deal which saw Vertu become the official car dealer of the EFL.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe rebranding will come into immediate effect, starting with Friday’s Round of 32 draw.Chief Executive Officer at Vertu, Robert Forrester said: “Our partnership with the EFL has been a huge success over the past twelve months, allowing us to engage with community groups across the country and including one of the most dramatic finals in competition history at Wembley Stadium back in April.“As our business evolves to operate under one brand, we look forward to continuing to work alongside the EFL to drive the Vertu Trophy forwards, and are interested to see what fixtures emerge from Friday’s draw for the Round of 32.”The EFL Trophy has had 11 different sponsors since 1984 with the competition formerly known as the Papa John’s Trophy and the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSEFL Chief Commercial Officer, Ben Wright said of the change: “Vertu have contributed significantly to the ongoing success of the competition and have made a lasting impact in communities by supporting accessible football with ticket initiatives.“Trophy attendances contributed strongly to the EFL’s status as the highest attended league body in Europe last season, and with every Vertu Trophy match live on Sky Sports this season, the exposure for the competition will continue on an upward trajectory.”Roy Keane reduces Ian Wright and Gary Neville to tears with crude comments about Premier League icon More

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      Arsenal legend’s son training with Wrexham as Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney bid for promotion to Championship

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      THE son of an Arsenal legend is training with League One side Wrexham as they eye a third successive promotion.The Welsh club have enjoyed a sensational few years since being taken over by celebrities Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have helped Wrexham to successive promotionsCredit: GettyA young attacker with an ex-Arsenal defender for a father has been training with WrexhamCredit: GettyThey returned to The Football League in 2023 after winning the fifth tier.And last season they claimed the second automatic place behind Stockport to clinch back-to-back promotions.Now they are flying high in League One, sitting in third place and just two points adrift of the automatic promotion spots.According to The Mail, a young right-sided attacker is training with Wrexham’s squad – Yassine Toure.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe 18-year-old, who has played for Celtic and Leicester’s academy sides, is yet to feature for the first-team but is hopeful of securing a contract at Wrexham.Along with his talent, he also boasts the pedigree of being the son of ex-Arsenal defender Kolo Toure.Toure Sr, 43, was a part of the Gunners’ Invincibles side from the 2003/04 Premier League campaign.He also won two FA Cups and reached the Champions League final under Arsene Wenger.Most read in EFLCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSKolo Toure, centre, was a part of Arsenal’s Invincibles side from the 2003/04 campaignCredit: GettyThe centre-back went on to join Manchester City in 2009 – where he won a second Premier League title and is now a coach.Toure Sr, who also played for Liverpool, earned 120 caps for Ivory Coast, but his son is still waiting on a first senior call-up.Every Premier League stadium ranked by the number of pubs nearby with one boasting over 130 local boozersYassine was in the Celtic academy but made the switch to Leicester with dad Kolo and manager Brendan Rodgers.When Kolo left Leicester for Wigan, the Ivory Coast youth international stayed put at the King Power Stadium after signing a two-year scholarship contract.Now he has departed the Premier League side and could finally get his chance in Wrexham’s senior team. More

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      Why Arsenal fans may have to wait years to see Ethan Nwaneri regularly as Mikel Arteta hatches Bukayo Saka-style plan

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      IT IS the bulk, not the brains, that still has Mikel Arteta hesitant when it comes to Ethan Nwaneri.Arsenal academy product Nwaneri, 17, is in the Premier League’s history books as the competition’s youngest ever player – coming on as a 15-year-old sub at Brentford in September 2022.Ethan Nwaneri has been sensational for Arsenal in the Carabao Cup this season – here he celebrates one of his two goals in the win over BoltonCredit: GettyThe 17-year-old (right) also scored a cracker against PrestonCredit: PANwaneri with boss Mikel Arteta during training – but the Spaniard does not fully trust him to be a regular yet in the Premier LeagueCredit: GettyAnd this season has provided glimpses of the young midfielder’s seemingly limitless potential.Three Carabao Cup goals in his first two Arsenal starts have been followed by notable substitute appearances away at Tottenham, Newcastle and Inter Milan.For Arsenal fans, the next logical step is for Nwaneri to get a Prem start. The Emirates faithful are desperate for another teenage sensation to idolise and adore.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLIt is why social media erupted when Arteta claimed: “The boy is ready” after the 5-1 Carabao Cup third round win over Bolton – with two goals from Nwaneri on his first start.There is no doubt that he possesses the technical ability to make an impact in this Arsenal first team, but these days, it is Prem-proven physicality that really wins over Arteta.The Gunners boss is obsessed with height and power and since the start of his tenure in December 2019, Arteta has transformed this squad from tiny toddlers to towering titans.It is understood that under Arteta, certain players have three or more sessions a week of heavy lifting in the gym to get them to the required standard.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSAnd gazing over his starting XI now is like staring at a city of skyscrapers. William Saliba, Gabriel, Declan Rice, Kai Havertz and Thomas Partey are all six foot-plus and strapping.This big-man obsession has influenced recruitment too. Riccardo Calafiori and Mikel Merino [both 6ft 2in] were signed this summer with exactly that in mind.Arsenal wages 2024-25 revealedArteta wants Nwaneri to bulk up like Bukayo SakaCredit: GettyNwaneri may have the maturity of a seasoned pro, but with the body of a kid standing at 5ft 9in, there appears to be a long way to go before Arteta takes the plunge from the off.And with giants like Rice, Partey and Merino to choose from in midfield, Arteta is unlikely to stray from what he knows gets results in the Prem.The good news is that Arteta has proven to be patient when waiting for players to beef up with varying methods – and it certainly pays off.The best example is Bukayo Saka – a spindly baby-face when he made his debut in November 2018 under Unai Emery as a 17-year-old, and had barely changed by the time Arteta took over.In order to protect him from being bullied by physically-superior opposition, Arteta kept Saka at left-back until he was ready bulk-wise to take on a demanding right-wing role.Saka’s mindset and dedication off the pitch has also been vital, having a home gym installed at his home, putting in extra rehab hours to stay fit and admitting to relying on his mother’s nutritious Nigerian home cooking.While Saka’s talent shone through in those early years, Arteta still demanded more from him physically. The big change came in the summer of 2023 where Saka’s body shape went from boy to man. It took four years, but Saka is now at the expected level.Ben White was another. A skinny, fresh-cheeked talent when he joined from Brighton for £50m in July 2021 as a 23-year-old, criticised on his Gunners Prem debut in a 2-0 defeat at Brentford for being too soft.Fast forward three years and White sent Arsenal fans crazy this summer when pictures emerged from pre-season of the right-back bench pressing 40kg dumbbells.Arteta’s other means of bulking is through the loan market, sending a 19-year-old Saliba out to Nice and Marseille between 2020 and 2022 to get to grips with men’s football.Now, the French centre-back is one of the best and most intimidating defenders in the division, able to match the likes of Erling Haaland for pace and power.It does not always work. Arteta signed Fabio Vieira for around £30m from Porto in June 2022, and instantly put him on a programme to make him more muscular.For whatever reason, the 24-year-old playmaker never really appeared to adapt to the Prem and was sent back to Porto on loan this summer in a bid to resurrect his career.READ MORE SUN STORIESNwaneri is unlikely to have a major growth spurt any time soon to suddenly become a starter – his physical development will take time and Arteta will continue to protect him.But, as 5ft 10in Saka has shown, it will be worth the wait. More

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      Ipswich superfan Ed Sheeran stepped in to secure major Tractor Boys summer transfer, reveals club chief

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      ED SHEERAN stepped in to help Ipswich secure a major transfer during the summer, it has been revealed.Ipswich chairman and CEO Mark Ashton has lifted the lid on how the club’s most famous fan also played a key part in their recruitment team over the summer.Ipswich CEO Mark Ashton revealed Ed Sheeran played a key role in finalising a major transferCredit: ReutersThe Tractor Boys earned promotion to the Premier League for this season for the first time since 2002 under Kieran McKenna, but knew they needed reinforcements if they hoped to avoid relegation.Sheeran was already a major investor in the club, but received a call to help finalise a huge transfer.Speaking at a Soccerex event broadcast by Sky Sports, Ashton said: “A local man, global superstar, sponsor of the football club, now a shareholder and now officially part of our recruitment team.”In the summer we were trying to persuade one particular player to join the football club and realised very quickly that he was an Ed Sheeran fan.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”Ed jumped on a Zoom call with him at the training ground, hopefully that was a key part of getting the player across the line.”We’ve gone from the third tier of English football to the Premier League, but we haven’t forgotten our roots and Ed’s a key part of that, the work that we do in our local communities is central to us.”Without outright saying who the player was, Ashton was asked how the star was doing for them.He replied: “Certainly scoring a few goals!”Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSThe player is former Manchester City striker Liam Delap, who is the club’s top goalscorer this season with six in all competitions including the winner against Tottenham.The 21-year-old signed for the club for £20million on July 13. Watch Ed Sheeran down beer with Ipswich fans and FaceTimes players as he celebrates promotion to Premier LeagueDelap and Sammie Szmodics both netted in their recent 2-1 win against Tottenham.Sheeran was present at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium when for the game, which saw Ipswich score twice before half-time.Szmodics and Sheeran were seen posing for a photo together after the game.Ipswich’s next game sees them host Manchester United in Ruben Amorim’s first game in England.McKenna’s side sit one point above the relegation zone with one win, five draws and five defeats from 11 games.Liam Delap scored the winner in a 2-1 victory over TottenhamCredit: AlamySheeran celebrated Ipswich’s first win of the season by getting a photo with SzmodicsCredit: Instagram / @samszmodics_ More

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      Cult hero BBC host rules himself out of replacing Gary Lineker on Match of the Day with eight-word statement

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      CULT hero BBC host Manish Bhasin has ruled himself out of replacing Gary Lineker on Match of the Day.Lineker, 63, will be stepping down from his role as host at the end of the season.Manish Bhasin has ruled himself out of the running for Match of the DayCredit: Getty Images – GettyGary Lineker will leave the show at the end of the seasonCredit: PAThe former England striker has been in the hot seat for over 25 years.And following the 2026 World Cup, Lineker will also be leaving the BBC for good.Many names are said to be in the running to replace him for next season.Match of the Day 2 host Mark Chapman is the favourite.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAlex Scott, Gabby Logan and Kelly Somers have also been tipped for the role.While fans have said they would love to see Alan Shearer promoted from the couch to the main chair.However, one BBC favourite will not be taking over.Bhasin, 48, first popped up on screens in 2004, after becoming the youngest host of Football Focus aged just 27.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSHe later became the BBC’s main cricket presenter and now works for Premier League Productions.But after being tipped by a fan to replace Lineker on Match of the Day, humble Bhasin ruled himself out with an eight-word statement.Gabby Logan backed to replace Gary Lineker on Match Of The Day by Lorraine Kelly saying she’d be ‘fantastic and amazing’Who could replace Gary Lineker as MOTD host?GARY LINEKER dropped the shock news that he is QUITTING Match of the Day.The popular presenter, 63, took over hosting duties on the flagship BBC programme from Des Lynam in 1999.But after more than 25 years in the studio hotseat, he has called time on his MOTD gig.But as part of a huge shake-up, the BBC is considering rotating the presenters on a weekly basis.So with Lineker vacating the chair, new names will step into his giant boots. But who could they be?MARK CHAPMANChapman, 51, is the obvious early favourite to follow on from Lineker as MOTD presenter.He already has the gig as MOTD2 host on a Sunday night plus landed the presenting job for the new BBC Champions League highlights show.ALEX SCOTTScott gets the nod from the Beeb bosses when Lineker is away.The former right-back, 40, is used to presenting the Saturday night show as well as live match coverage – plus ticks the box as a former England international.GABBY LOGANLike Scott, Logan, 51, is one of the understudies to step in when Lineker is not available.She has done most gigs since joining the BBC in 2007, including Olympics, Sports Personality of the Year and Final Score.MICAH RICHARDSLineker’s top pick to replace him is exuberant former Man City defender Richards.The departing host told his close pal, 36, on their Stick to Football podcast: “I’d love to see you take over Micah, I think you’d be brilliant in the chair.”JASON MOHAMMADMohammad could earn the “promotion” from Final Score to Match of the Day.The 51-year-old Welshman – who took over from Logan in 2013 – is one of the BBC’s top earners already and is more senior than fellow Final Score and BBC Sport broadcaster Kelly Somers, who could in theory become the main live host for the afternoon slot.JEFF STELLINGHe couldn’t, could he? While Lineker has been the face of Saturday night TV for football fans for years, the face of the afternoons was Stelling in his role as Sky Sports’ Soccer Saturday presenter.He would bring plenty of on-screen charisma, wit and legendary TV expertise – but at nearly 70 and currently with talkSPORT, the Hartlepool fan would not be a cheap or long-term appointment.The fan initially said: “Your time has finally come @_manishbhasin.@Bhasin replied: “I wish! Thanks for the kind comments though.”He received plenty of support from other fans who backed him for the role.One said: “The perfect successor to Lineker.”Another declared: “He would be a great choice.”One noted: “Good a chance as any tbf.”Another added: “The ideal candidate.” More

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      ‘North vs South match could be huge positive for English game’ as Premier League considers holding matches in the US

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      A NORTH vs South match could be a huge positive for English football, says a football investment expert.It was an idea mooted by Todd Boehly two years ago, not long after he took control of Chelsea.The Big Six already compete in the Summer Series friendlies in the USBoehly stated at the time that he wanted the Premier League to “take a little bit of a lesson from American sports” and questioned why there was not an All-Star game.A YouGov poll found most fans opposed the idea of such a match, though younger fans supported it, but investment specialist Adam Sommerfeld believes it could benefit the Premier League.He suggests US investment, which already has a stronghold in the Prem, could enhance the English game and improve its entertainment product.Sommerfeld told SunSport: “Some of the things they would bring to the game could be necessary changes or enhancements to the game.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”A North vs South game, an All-Star game, why is it so bad? It’s just more entertainment, it’s something different. “We are in this attention economy, it’s a better and improved entertainment product so I don’t see it as a bad thing at all.”Those discussions are taking place (to have a Prem match in the US). We’ve seen from the NFL, NBA, MLB coming to London, these are big showcases, they are great events and they help promote that game.”I don’t think it’s the worst thing. I think it’s quite exciting, I think the fans would travel. We’ve seen from games in Europe that fans like the away day.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS”I don’t think that’s the worst thing at all.”LaLiga president Javier Tebas said there are plans to hold a league match in the US as early as the 2025-26 season, to build LaLiga’s brand in the American market.Every Premier League club’s most famous and also most surprising fanCrossing the pond for pre-season friendlies has already become a regular fixture for several English clubs, even League One side Wrexham thanks to the popularity of documentary ‘Welcome to Wrexham’.TV executives are keen for a Prem game to be played in the US and the idea has received support from Liverpool chairman Tom Werner and London mayor Sadiq Khan.Werner told the Financial Times: “I’m determined one day to have a Premier League game be played in New York City.”I even have the sort of crazy idea that there would be a day where we play one game in Tokyo, one game a few hours later in Los Angeles, one game a few hours later in Rio, one game a few hours later in Riyadh and make it sort of a day where football, where the Premier League, is celebrated.” More

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      Forgotten Man Utd wonderkid handed debut by Sir Alex Ferguson now a POSTMAN after getting ‘fed up’ with football

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      FORMER Manchester United wonderkid Marnick Vermijl has ditched professional football to become a postman.Vermijl, now 32, was part of an impressive Red Devils academy generation.Marnick Vermijl made two first-team appearances for Man UtdCredit: GettyThe defender, now 32, was handed his debut by Sir Alex FergusonCredit: GettyThe defender featured for United academy sides alongside the likes of Paul Pogba, Jesse Lingard, Ravel Morrison and Michael Keane – having impressed Ole Gunnar Solskjaer while turning out for Standard Liege’s youth team.He even earned a first team debut under Sir Alex Ferguson, featuring in a starting XI also including Wayne Rooney as the Red Devils beat Newcastle 2-1 in a September 2012 League Cup tie.Full-back Vermijl did not feature again under Ferguson, and went on to spend the 2013-14 season on loan at Eredivisie side NEC Nijmegen.He made one more outing for Man Utd, in the disastrous 4-0 League Cup defeat by MK Dons under Louis van Gaal, before departing Old Trafford permanently in 2015.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLSpells at Sheffield Wednesday, Preston and Scunthorpe United followed in the EFL.Vermijl then left England in 2019, moving to Dutch side MVV Maastricht.A year later, after not having his contract renewed by MVV amid the coronavirus pandemic, Vermijl decided to drop down to the Belgian third-tier to play for Thes – with family at the heart of his decision.The transfer saw him link up with brother Laurens.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSWhile his newfound semi-pro status allowed him to become a postman, which Vermijl enjoyed.As quoted by Belgian outlet Nieuwsblad, he explained: “I was fed up with professional football.’It felt like the beginning of the end for Harry Kane’ says Man Utd legend as he admits fears for England captain “You are too dependent on the trainer you have. Finding pleasure was also a big factor for me.”Father to a daughter and a son, Vermijl also loves being able to spend plenty of time with his kids.He added: “As a postman I have to get up at four o’clock, but now I am home around noon and can pick up the children from school every day.”That is a luxury.”Vermijl played for MVV Maastricht prior to the pandemicCredit: Getty More