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      Mikel Arteta tipped to channel Sir Alex Ferguson by Treble winner if he wants to claw back nine-point gap in title race

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      WHEN the odds were stacked against them, Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United usually found a way.Only two teams in Prem history have come back from eight points off the top after 11 games and won the title: Blackburn in 1994/95 and United in 2002/03 AND 2008/09.Arsenal have slipped nine points adrift in the Premier League title race alreadyCredit: ReutersFormer Man Utd star Wes Brown is tipping to Gunners to pull off a spectacular comebackCredit: Willie VassThis season, Arsenal find themselves NINE points adrift at the same stage, needing to do what no Prem side has ever done to lift their first league trophy since the 2004 Invincibles.Wes Brown was a part of both those United squads that produced miraculous comebacks – a rare period in Sir Alex’s tenure where he was the chaser instead of the pack leader.In 2003, United finished five points clear of Arsenal. In 2009, they finished four points clear of Liverpool. Ultimately, their mad dash to the finish line was enough to win by a nose.So, what does it take to pull it off? Brown told SunSport: “First of all, the manager is very important. He’s the one that keeps everybody steady and calm.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL“He gives you the belief. Sir Alex wouldn’t necessarily shout. He would look at your aura and try to get the best out of you that way.“And then, it is up to the players to just keep going.“We had some good characters and we all trusted the players around us who would lead by example. We had been there, done it.“People see you win the league and think you were brilliant – not all the time, but somehow we won. It might be the collective, getting stuck in, an individual piece of brilliance.Most read in FootballWes Brown won two Premier League titles with Man Utd from eight points behind the league leaders after 11 gamesCredit: GettySir Alex Ferguson was the mastermind behind the comeback campaignsCredit: AP:Associated PressFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS“You might be having a tough game, but someone will get you a goal.“We’d always have someone that was on fire, normally a striker. He would get a chance and he’d score and lift everybody and slowly the belief comes back.”Mikel Arteta fumes over penalty decisions as Arsenal lose to Inter Milan In 2002/03 for United, it was Ruud van Nistelrooy. He scored 25 Prem goals that term, finding the net in each of their last eight to eventually leapfrog Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal.And in 2008/09, it was Cristiano Ronaldo, with 10 league goals in the New Year to make it 18 in total to narrowly see off rivals Liverpool.Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal lack that sort of season-defining goal-getter, seemingly resting their hopes on Kai Havertz – with four Prem goals so far – to have a similar sort of impact.Brown added: “Naturally, you always say to yourself: ‘If we can get a good run we can catch them’, especially before Christmas. After that, it is a bit different.“You get into January, eight or nine points away, you’d be thinking the team you’re after are not going to lose.“I still think it is possible [for Arsenal]. It is early. You’ve just got to believe in yourself. You cannot give up. You find something in you that doesn’t allow that to happen.“But it does take a lot and it’s mostly a team sort of thing to deal with, even if you need talented individuals.”Kai Havertz is leading the line for Arsenal this seasonIn the aftermath of Arsenal’s 1-1 draw away at Chelsea last time out – making it four Prem games without a win – Gunners legend Paul Merson suggested if they can be within six points of Liverpool by Christmas, the title race is on.Brown said: “100 per cent. If all of a sudden it is six, Liverpool draw, you’re right back in it.“When we were battling with Arsenal and they were in the lead, if they messed up once, all of a sudden the gap is smaller. You’re putting pressure on them to see how they react.“If anything, as the chaser, you have the adrenaline.”Arsenal’s upcoming fixtures may well encourage a burst of form, starting on Saturday at home to Nottingham Forest before clashes against West Ham, Fulham, Everton, Crystal Palace, Ipswich, Brentford and an unknown entity in Man United under Ruben Amorim.But as Brown knows all too well, it is the big games that define a title run-in. It is put to him that Arteta’s Arsenal still have to go to Anfield in May.READ MORE SUN STORIESSpeaking on behalf of Betzillo, Brown laughed: “When you said ‘Anfield’, your voice changed. Why? A group of winners would say: ‘Let’s do it, let’s get them there’. That’s the difference.“That’s what you need, that sort of feeling”.A look at Arsenal’s next five fixturesHow Edu made Arsenal great againBy Jack RosserEDU GASPAR has been on a mission to ‘Make Arsenal Great Again’ ever since returning to the club he played for 2019.After a few wobbles early on – signing Nicolas Pepe will never reflect well – the Brazilian has, alongside Mikel Arteta, been crucial in the club’s transformation.Arteta was brought in as the new manager within months of Edu’s return to North London and the former midfielder stuck by the boss when the pressure was on two years into the job.Instead of making the knee-jerk decision to change manager again, the former Brazil international, joined forces with Arteta to institute a huge change of culture at The Emirates.Overpaid toxic influences such as Mesut Ozil and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang were purged from the dressing room and Arsenal set about adding strong characters.Edu finally got the club competing in the transfer market again, with Martin Odegaard an outstanding capture for the club. In landing Declan Rice ahead of Manchester City last year Arsenal showed they couple compete for and sign some of Europe’s biggest talents once more.Arsenal have become one of the most attractive clubs in the Premier League and one of the most efficient in the market.While there have been big deals for the likes of Rice and Calafiori, there have been smart ones too – picking out value where others have lost hope.Kai Havertz appeared as a surprising signing after a dreadful season at Chelsea. But after Edu gave the German space and support to rebuild his confidence he has developed into a fine asset for Arteta.Edu does not only have a tight relationship with Arteta – who many fans will be glad signed a new deal before the sporting director’s departure – but the players too, always ready and waiting to check in, keep them going.London Colney and The Emirates will feel a very different place for all of them without Edu. More

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      Ruben Amorim had star shipped off to Bulgaria on loan after he rubbed him up the wrong way – Man Utd flops must beware

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      IF Manchester United players cross Ruben Amorim, they risk the same fate as Gaius Makouta.Who’s Gaius Makouta? Exactly…Ex-Braga comms chief Goncalo Ferreira says Ruben Amorim can be brutalAmorim dropped Gaius Makouta after the midfielder complained about training with the B teamTo be fair to the Congolese midfielder, he has gone on to have a decent enough career with Boavista and now Alanyaspor in Turkey.But only after Amorim gave him a short, sharp shock.Makouta paid the penalty for rubbing Amorim up the wrong way when the new Manchester United boss started work as manager of Braga’s B team in September 2019.Goncalo Ferreira was the communications chief at Braga who witnessed Amorim’s incredible rise.READ MORE ON MAN UTDBut when Ferreira turned up to watch the new B team boss’ first game, he expressed concern to club president Antonio Salvador.Ferreira said: “Makouta was one of the best players, but when I arrived at the stadium and saw the team warming up, Makouta wasn’t on the pitch.“I said, ‘What happened?’, and the president said, ‘Let’s see’. Braga won 5-0.“It turned out in the first training sessions, Makouta wasn’t satisfied as he wanted to be in the first team.Most read in FootballGoncalo Ferreira has exclusively recounted a tale about the fallen Gaius MakoutaFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS“So he wasn’t the best at training — he had quality but wasn’t giving  everything.“I realised that players who aren’t 100 per cent with the team, in solidarity, won’t play for Ruben. He doesn’t care about their status.Ruben Amorim takes charge of first Man Utd training session“Makouta ended up going out on loan to a club in Bulgaria.”Amorim won seven of his first eight games in charge of the Braga B team.Which was enough to convince Salvador to part company with first-team head coach Ricardo Sa Pinto and install Amorim instead.The first top-flight match of his managerial career was at Belenenses, where he had been a player and a team that was battling near the bottom of the table — like United’s opponents on Sunday, Ipswich.Amorim immediately put his stamp on Braga by making six changes and switching to three at the back.United are reportedly prepared to let Brazilian winger Antony leave on loan during the January transfer windowAmorim began working with United stars this weekFerreira said: “It took courage to put some of the players that he dropped on the bench.“There was a big, immediate difference in the team’s energy. We felt like they wanted to kill the opposition.“Braga won 7-1. That kind of result is not normal in the Portuguese league.“He won’t put the players on the bench, he will put them in the stands. You will see from the first game the guys he feels aren’t humble or with the team.”Ruben Amorim is ‘Mourinho 2.0’ who turned Sporting from ‘walking dead’ into Portuguese champs… he can revive Man UtdWHEN Ruben Amorim took charge of Sporting Lisbon in March 2020, one club official compared their situation to the “walking dead”, writes Jordan Davies.Optimism and hope was at an all-time low.But the Amorim-effect was almost instantaneous, guiding the Portuguese sleeping giants to their first league title for 19 years in 2020/21, losing just once and only conceding 20 goals.Since then, Sporting have lifted another league title in 2023/24 – as well as two League Cups – and currently sit top with nine wins from nine this term.He may be young, but Amorim already has an eye for rebuilding and revitalising fallen super powers with his infectious charisma and intense tactical philosophy that hardly ever wavers. The “walking dead” at Manchester United must be praying for a similar sort of revival.And they may just get it from one of the most talented young coaches on the continent – a man accustomed to breathing new life back into crumbling institutions such as Old Trafford.Amorim has spent the last decade dreaming of one day gracing England’s Premier League, such was his admiration for an ex-United boss in Jose Mourinho growing up.Often nicknamed ‘Mourinho 2.0’, Amorim spent a week with his coaching idol in an internship capacity at United’s Carrington training base in 2018, going on to cite him as his “reference point”.United should not be expecting a mini-Mourinho, as Amorim said himself: “Mourinho is one of a kind. There won’t be another Mourinho. Mourinho is unique.”And yet, you cannot help but compare the two.For all the mismanagement in the Old Trafford hot seats over the years, this would be a real get – finally a slap in the face United’s Prem rivals have no answer for.Ferreira believes Amorim’s selection for the Ipswich game will show whether he has found any Gaius Makouta’s in the United ranks.He won’t put them on the bench, he will put them in the stands. You will see from the first game the guys he feels aren’t humble or with the team.Ferreira “I’ve read some things about the training sessions at United and how many players weren’t giving their best. Maybe they didn’t like the former coach.“Ruben was a player, so he can feel who is with the team and who is not.”Those who find favour with Amorim can expect success.After the rout of Belenenses, Braga beat Porto in the league and then the League Cup final.The next big scalp was Sporting Lisbon before Braga won a league game at Benfica for the first time since 1954.Amorim had been in charge of Braga for just 13 games when Sporting agreed to trigger his £8.4million release clause to make him their new boss.Ferreira, now boss of agency Global Take Over, said: “I was very sad, like every Braga director, player, staff member and fan.READ MORE SUN STORIES“It was the best six months of Braga in terms of energy and growth. There is a before and after Ruben in Braga.”And, you suspect, a before and after Amorim in the career of Gaius Makouta.’I was expecting this’ – What Ruben Amorim said about Man Utd job linksRUBEN AMORIM has responded to being linked with a move to Manchester United.The Sporting Lisbon coach, 39, is reportedly closing in on a deal worth £8million to become Erik ten Hag’s successor.Just hours after Ten Hag’s dismissed on Monday morning, it emerged Man Utd chiefs were in talks with Amorim as they zero in on the Sporting boss.But the ex-Braga coach remained tight-lipped on negotiations when quizzed by the media.He said: “I was already expecting this question [about Man Utd].“Obviously I’m not going to talk about the future, because otherwise I’ll always have to comment.”I’m very proud to be Sporting coach, that’s all.” More

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      Ruben Amorim backing Man Utd transfer move for Angel Gomes with England ace available to return to boyhood club for FREE

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      ANGEL GOMES remains a major target for Manchester United under new boss Ruben Amorim.Red Devils’ transfer gurus Dan Ashworth and Jason Wilcox believe the four-cap England star can be a crucial part of new boss Amorim’s masterplan for success.Angel Gomes could head back to Old Trafford after four years at LilleCredit: PANew Man Utd boss Ruben Amorim has long had Gomes on his radarCredit: GettyThe Portuguese coach is right behind the possible move because he is a long-time admirer of the 24-year-old midfielder.Gomes departed from United for Lille on a free transfer in 2020 and his five-year contract expires next summer.The French club are resigned to losing £25million-rated Gomes, with Tottenham also having the London-born ace on their radar.Gomes can speak to clubs in January about signing a pre-contract agreement.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSBut United believe the star, who grew up in Salford, can be lured back to Manchester as a probable long-term replacement for Casemiro.Gomes said on the chances of a sensational return to Old Trafford last month: “There’ll always be that sentimental soft spot, so of course it’d be difficult to say no.”He joined United aged six and broke into the under-18 side aged only 14.He became the club’s youngest player since Duncan Edwards in 1953 to make his top flight debut aged 16 years and 263 days, given the last two minutes of a 2 -0 win over Crystal Palace in May 2017.Most read in FootballThree Sporting stars Amorim could swoop for after joining Man UtdRUBEN AMORIM has ruled out poaching any of his Sporting Lisbon players in the January transfer window.But the Portuguese side’s chiefs expect Amorim will come calling in the summer – with his cheque book wide open.Here’s are three Sporting starts United could swoop for… but they won’t come cheap:VIKTOR GYOKERESAge: 26Position: StrikerCost: £84millionSwede has shone since joining Sporting last summer from Coventry — catching the eye of all Europe’s top clubs.Hit 43 goals in 50 games last season and boasts 18 strikes already this term.GONCALO INACIOAge: 23Position: DefenderCost: £50millionBall-playing centre-back was handed his debut by Amorim and has since become a key figure in Sporting’s recent title successes.Can also slot in at left-back if required and has 12 caps for Portugal.MORTEN HJULMANDAge: 25Position: MidfieldCost: £40millionDane is one of the top holding midfielders in Portugal — and made skipper by Amorim.He could be the man to replace Casemiro.FOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSArsenal have also been tipped to pursue the four-cap star.And Gunners’ legend Lee Dixon reckons he’d “fit superbly” into Mikel Arteta’s plans.Ruben Amorim takes charge of first Man Utd training sessionDixon told plejmo.com: “He’s a very good link-up player and we’ve seen that he can play alongside Declan Rice.”He’s got a lot of potential and although there will be plenty of clubs looking at him, I could see him at Arsenal next season.” More

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      Former England star forced to seek legal advice after furious Jose Mourinho row went public

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      DANNY ROSE has revealed he sought legal advice after his infamous bust-up with Jose Mourinho went public without his knowledge.Rose said he was not made aware that their row was being filmed until it was included in Tottenham’s Amazon Prime documentary.Danny Rose has revealed he sought legal advice after his infamous bust-up with Jose Mourinho was part of Amazon Prime’s documentaryThe defender said he did not know that Mourinho had allowed cameras to be installed for the All or Nothing series in 2020.Rose sought legal advice when he found out a recording existed six months later.In the scene, Rose arrived in the then Spurs manager’s office to ask Mourinho what “his problem is”.The Amazon clip showed the pair butt heads about Rose’s game time, before the Special One accused the former full-back of not showing up against Liverpool.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSAnd in an appearance on former team-mate Kyle Walker’s BBC podcast, Rose explained that he was not informed until much later that their dispute was filmed.Rose said: “So when Poch was there. There were no cameras in his office. He didn’t allow that.”So when I’ve gone to knock on the door. I’m assuming there’s still no cameras in the office, but they’ve put one in now and I didn’t know that.”This chat is in December. I’d gone on loan to Newcastle in January. I didn’t then get notified by one of the lads until May. Most read in FootballFormer Spurs gaffer Mourinho did not include Rose in his plans back in 2020-2021FOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS”Got this and they’re putting it in. So yeah, I wasn’t happy. I had to get legal advice.”Rose, who won 29 England caps between 2016-19, never played for Tottenham again and subsequently loaned to Newcastle in January 2021.Jose Mourinho explodes at referee in vintage rant as he accuses him of ‘drinking Turkish tea’ during matchRose added: “I only worked under him for eight or 10 weeks. It wasn’t like there was a huge falling out or anything like that.“I didn’t really have a relationship with him. It was just a normal player-manager relationship. ‘Hello. Good morning. How are you?'”Well, obviously he came in and he had this approach of wanting to build with three centre backs and then having the right back as the outlet.”And my game was more, you know, not more offensive but I enjoyed being offensive.”His system was that the left sided player at the back four would be a centre back who’s not going to be adventurous and go forward.”Already my days were numbered, you know, at the club when he wanted to adopt that approach.”Rose could be heard accusing Mourinho of effectively playing favourites. Rose thought he was being pushed out the door by MourinhoThe documentary showed Rose saying: “You’re right and I respect what you say. But other people have been s**t in training, s**t in games but play every game and are in the squad every game. “It’s not fair. The defence has kept two clean sheets, they play every game. It’s not fair.”The final straw for the 30-year-old came when he was axed again for the 0-0 draw at Watford on January 18.READ MORE SUN STORIESRose turned up at the club’s Enfield training HQ the following morning to have it out with his gaffer.He left at the end of the 2020-21 season after 14 years at the club and joined Watford, for whom he made nine appearances before agreeing to retire in 2022.Who are these famous footballers? More

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      Moment Pep Guardiola launches furious F-word rant at ‘unacceptable’ Phil Foden captured in Man City documentary

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      PEP GUARDIOLA lambasted Phil Foden for his “unacceptable” mistake in a furious X-rated rant last season.Guardiola’s heated dressing down after City’s 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace last December was captured as part of Manchester City’s new behind-the-scenes documentary.Pep Guardiola launched an X-rated rant at his players after last season’s 2-2 draw with Crystal PalaceCredit: Man CityGuardiola labelled Phil Foden’s penalty error as ‘unacceptable’Credit: Man CityThe Premier League’s dominant force have today released a feature film following their record-breaking four-in-a-row Prem title success last term.The movie, aptly named ‘Together: 4-In-A-Row’, gives fans a glimpse into what it took for the Cityzens to win their fourth consecutive Premier League title.But with that comes the challenges they faced too, including blowing a 2-0 lead at home to Crystal Palace in December and the aftermath of that draw.City had led by two goals but saw their comfort blanked ripped from underneath them as Jean-Philippe Mateta bagged a late goal and then won a penalty in stoppage time – which was converted my Michael Olise to share the points.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe late collapse left Guardiola fuming, particularly with Phil Foden, who was the man that had brought down Mateta in the dying embers of the game to give away the spot-kick.Acting in frustration, Guardiola lashed out at Foden’s mistimed tackle and blasted it as “unacceptable.”He said: “Phil, in the f*****g 18-yard box, you don’t touch the opponent. It’s unacceptable, Phil Foden, unacceptable!”Going on to blast the team as a whole by adding: “You are to apologise. You are teenagers. Most read in FootballFoden fouled Jean-Philippe Mateta in the box to give away an injury time penaltyCredit: GettyFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS”I say something when we drop points against Tottenham and Liverpool? I say something? Tell me. I blame you? I say something?”Here [pointing at his head], use it. Here, you have to use it! F*****g hell. F*****g hell.”Erling Haaland does pull ups on cliff edge and runs with wolves as Man City ace stars in insane Beats by Dre advert Perhaps it’s those standards that helped Foden kick on to become the PFA Player of the Year last term and the team to claw back a seven-point deficit from title rivals Arsenal later in the season.However, Guardiola admitted in the documentary that he doesn’t like getting angry with his players and would rather stay calm in the dressing room.”I’m not really proud sometimes.”, He said. “Most of the times, right after the game when I am angry, for my emotions, to it to the players.”I’m a human being and make mistakes and I don’t like that. I don’t like it.”In that moment from 2-0 down, an unnecessary penalty, sometimes I cannot control myself either.”Guardiola has become well known for his impassioned antics on the sidelines and in the dressing room.But the Spaniard is widely considered as the best manager in the world with his unusual techniques all part of his genius.And it looks like City players will have to put up with that harsh criticism and direct approach from the former Barcelona boss for a little longer too.READ MORE SUN STORIESThat’s because SunSport understands that Guardiola is on the verge of agreeing a new one-year contract extension with Man City.It’s expected he will put pen to paper on a new one-year deal with the option of a further 12 months.Foden went on to win PFA Player of the YearCredit: GettyGuardiola is in line to sign a new contract with Man CityCredit: ReutersWhat will happen to Man City?MAN CITY are favourites to win the Premier League title yet again – but there is one elephant in the room that threatens to put the skids under the Etihad giants.Sunsport’s MARTIN LIPTON discusses what the next few months could hold with Head of Sport SHAUN CUSTIS….Custis: So the big question – will there be a resolution this season?Lipton: Yes…. probably! We know the case will start to be dealt with in October or November.It will take at least a month to go through the evidence. So I suspect around March, April time, we will get a result. But that’s where it starts to get tricky.Custis: Why is that?Lipton: If the result is in City’s favour, that’s the end of the matter. They will be cleared. They will have no punishment to face.But if City are found guilty, these will be the heaviest penalties ever imposed by the Premier League.I suspect if they are found guilty, they will be expelled from the league or given a massive points deduction and a huge fine so that they’re not in the Premier League next season.Check out the full discussion on Man City’s future. More

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      Greek media deliver early verdict on Anthony Martial as he achieves feat he didn’t manage at Man Utd for three years

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      ANTHONY MARTIAL divided opinion like few others in his nine years at Manchester United.Now he’s transforming the opinions of Greek journalists in just weeks with new club AEK Athens.Anthony Martial is changing the minds of the Greek mediaMartial joined AEK Athens in September after an erratic Man Utd stintThe French striker, 28, has also pulled off an encouraging feat that he last managed for United in 2021.Yet Martial was seen by many as epitomising the Old Trafford under-achievement since Alex Ferguson’s glorious reign ended in 2013.He became the world’s costliest teenager when he joined United from Monaco for £36million – two years after Fergie retired.But injuries and stuttering form plagued his Red Devils’ career.READ MORE TOP STORIESAEK took the plunge in September, handing Martial a contract until 2027 on their largest ever wages of £2.9million a year.And it’s remarkable the way his fortunes have swayed since then – according to the Greek media.The verdict on Martial’s debut against city rivals PAOK in October typified initial negativity.He played just 14 minutes as a sub, touching the ball just four times.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSYet that was enough for one journo to label his appearance “colourless, odourless, and tasteless”.However, the media also accepted it was too early to assess Martial properly – and called for patience on the “out of form” attacker.Martial given hero’s welcome by AEK fans with flares as Arsenal icon says ‘can’t remember last time he was real player’Now he’s played five games in all, providing one goal and an assist.More importantly, perhaps, he’s stayed on for 90 minutes in two successive matches, which he failed to do for United in the past three years.Now analysts are highlighting his improvement – and in particular his potential.A Gazzetta journalist wrote Martial has “presented us with some first samples of his undeniable footballing quality” – although he has yet to “put his foot on the gas”.Sport 24 went further by claiming the 30-cap star has made “a big difference in the creation part.” Martial’s attitude has also been praised – with his “body language” and “statements” showing he is “completely satisfied” with his AEK move.Now it’s down to Martial to ram home his short-term progress with the long-term consistency he lacked at Old Trafford. More

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      Jack Grealish slammed Gareth Southgate and annoyed Pep Guardiola – now he must do his talking on the pitch for Man City

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      JACK GREALISH vowed to “prove some people wrong” as he returned to training early following his Euro 2024 snub — but we are still waiting.No doubt the main one was Gareth Southgate – the man who axed him from the squad – and he took aim at the former Three Lions  boss again this week.Jack Grealish is back with England but needs to step up for Man CityCredit: GettyGrealish helped usher in Lee Carsley’s interim reign with the Three Lions by rounding off a 2-0 win away to Ireland in SeptemberCredit: GettyThe Man City ace will hope his recall under Carsley continues with England’s incoming permanent boss Thomas TuchelCredit: GettyThe Manchester City winger is clearly still hurting from what he described as the “hardest moment of his career” back in June.He vowed to use his heartache as motivation, and prove that he should have been on the  plane to Germany despite an indifferent previous 12 months at the Etihad.Yet, despite a couple of goals in the autumn internationals, the £100million man’s season is yet to really take off.And with no more international football for four months, the time has come for him to do some talking on the pitch for City.READ MORE TOP STORIESJust four Prem starts so far, with two cup games,  is not what his employers were hoping for after almost a third of the campaign.What is more, he managed to test the patience of Pep Guardiola yet again by telling him he wanted to join up with the England squad earlier this month.The Etihad chief made it clear Grealish should be staying back at the City Football Academy to work on his fitness after a hamstring issue.But the former Aston Villa skipper insisted he wanted to go — although in the end he was  sent back almost as soon as he put his bags down at St George’s Park.Most read in FootballGrealish will have to wait four months to see if Tuchel picks himCredit: AFPFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSGrealish could probably see why his club manager was so miffed.He was back in training a couple of days before City’s defeat at Brighton ten days ago,  but has not played any competitive football  since October 20.Top ten greatest Premier League players of all time as Kevin de Bruyne and Cristiano Ronaldo both miss out on top spotThat was as a second-half sub at Wolves, while his last start came two weeks before that as the champions edged past Fulham.Guardiola said Grealish has had “two or three setbacks” with injuries and has not been able to find any rhythm. This was not what anyone had in mind when he was one of the first to report back for pre-season training in July.Speaking in Orlando on City’s pre-season tour in late July, he opened up on his Euro heartache, saying: “It was the hardest moment for me as a footballer. And I’ve had a lot of ups and downs in my career.“I felt like I should have been in the squad. “But I want to try and use it as motivation now, going forward into this season, and hopefully prove some people wrong.“I just need to regain my form and fitness and after that I know what I can do on the pitch.”He has shown glimpses of what he can do since then — for his country at least — with goals in the away wins over Republic of Ireland and Finland. But he has just one assist in seven Prem appearances for City so far this term. And not many of the Etihad faithful will be surprised either, given the way last season ended for him.He appeared in just one of their last five matches as City swept to a fourth straight Prem title and that was a brief cameo off the bench.City chief Pep Guardiola was unhappy Grealish went with EnglandCredit: ReutersGareth Southgate omitting him for Euro 2024 hurt GrealishCredit: GettyOver the course of last season, he started only ten Premier League matches.Then, when City desperately searched for  a goal in their FA Cup final defeat to United, the most expensive signing in the club’s history stayed on the bench.Guardiola admitted after that game that Grealish had “struggled” for much of the campaign.The signs were promising as Grealish impressed during City’s four-match summer tour of the US.His manager said in August: “From what I’ve seen so far from Jack,  I’ve loved it. It’s his commitment in every session.“Hopefully he can sustain it until  the end of the season and compete for a place, but it depends on him.”Fast forward three months and Pep had a face like thunder when he  discussed Lee Carsley’s call-up of Grealish for this month’s internationals — and the player’s decision to accept it.The pair might have to patch things up a bit when training resumes ahead of Saturday’s visit of Tottenham.And Grealish, who turned 29 in September, will know he needs to get that form and fitness back quickly.It does not matter if Southgate, Carsley or Thomas Tuchel is boss,  if you are not performing well for your club, you cannot expect to play for your country.READ MORE SUN STORIESAnd after his summer heartache, Grealish knows that only too well. More

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      Chelsea legend John Terry reveals moment that ‘broke me’ three days after Champions League final penalty slip vs Man Utd

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      JOHN TERRY has revealed the moment that “broke” him three days after his infamous slip in the 2008 Champions League final.Terry, 43, was a victim of the elements when he slipped as he took the decisive penalty in the Champions League final against Manchester United in Moscow.John Terry has revealed the moment that ‘broke’ him three days after his Champions League final slipCredit: UP FRONT PODCASTTerry slipped while taking the decisive penalty in the 2008 Champions League final, handing the win to Manchester UnitedCredit: PA:Press AssociationDespite 16 years passing since that moment, Terry claims he’s “still not over it today” and doesn’t think he “ever will be”.His slip handed Man Utd the trophy that night and snatched it away from the travelling Chelsea support and his SW6 teammates.But it wasn’t the slip itself that left Terry “broken”, but rather a game at Wembley just three days later.The central defender scored a bullet header from the edge of the box as the Three Lions beat the USA 2-0 at the Home of Football.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAnd Terry revealed on the Up Front with Simon Jordan podcast that he would have traded that moment for the penalty if he could.He said: “I just remember standing looking over Moscow in my hotel, I was on about the 25th floor, just looking out.”Just asking ‘Why? Why then? Why did it start raining? Why did I slip?’. All of these things that go over [in your head].”Probably the hardest thing was that three days later we met up with England. We had a friendly at Wembley against the USA.Most read in FootballWho are these famous footballers?FOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS”I ended up scoring a header from outside the box and that was probably the hardest moment.”Because if I could swap any goal in my career it would be that. I scored a header from 18 yards and after the game it f****** broke me.”Chelsea legend John Terry plays golf on luxury course after private jet trip Fortunately for Terry he was able to do way with those demons when he returned to the Champions League final with Chelsea in 2012.The Blues beat Bayern Munich on penalties at the Allianz Arena to lift club football’s most prestigious trophy.Terry was suspended for the match, but had helped his side to the final with eight solid performances throughout the tournament.Despite his suspension, Terry previously admitted that he felt just as much a part of the Champions League winning squad as anyone else.In 2014, he said: “People like to have their digs and their pops, but I know I played a huge part, in the dressing room and on the field as well, so I count myself to have won it. “No one speaks about the other 10 players who weren’t on the pitch that night in Munich as well. Maybe that’s me and that’s where I am at as a player.”Terry claimed that his goal vs the USA three days after the final ‘broke’ himCredit: GettyThe centre-back said he would swap the headed finish for the penalty if he couldCredit: AFPTerry won the Champions League with Chelsea in 2012Credit: Getty More