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      Three-time Man Utd title winner looks unrecognisable with new facial hair as he returns to Old Trafford

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      AN ex-Manchester United star looked unrecognisable on his return to Old Trafford.The three-time Premier League winner, who spent six years at the club, watched the recent goalless derby against City from the stands.The cult hero returned to Old Trafford to watch the Manchester derbyCredit: instagramHe won three Premier League titles at Man UtdCredit: instagram He posted a photo alongside his old team-mate Darren FletcherCredit: instagram He shared photos of his trip down memory lane on Instagram and he even posted a snap alongside his former team-mate and now coach Darren Fletcher.The 43-year-old wrote: “A few years have passed but the sentiment remained the same.”It was nice to stand on the Old Trafford turf again and meet old friends.”The former player lifted ten trophies during his time at United, including the Champions League in 2008.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLHe made 61 appearances for the club in all competitions before leaving in 2012.The goalkeeper was signed by Sir Alex Ferguson from West Brom and later had spells at Brighton, Wolves and Birmingham.On the international stage, he was capped 11 times by Poland.Have you worked out who the unrecognisable cult hero is?Most read in FootballBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSIt is, of course, former back-up keeper Tomasz Kuszczak.Kuszczak hung up his gloves in 2019 and returned to his homeland to start a construction business and get a degree in sports journalism.How Ruben Amorim can fix Man United’s Garnacho problemHe also briefly worked as a goalkeeper coach to the Polish national side.Tomasz Kuszczak played 61 times for UnitedCredit: GettyKuszczak won ten trophies in six years at Man UtdCredit: Action Images – ReutersJoin SUN CLUB for the Man Utd Files every Thursday plusin-depth coverage and exclusives from Old Trafford More

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      Carlton Fairweather dead at 63: Ex-Wimbledon ‘Crazy Gang’ member and legendary Sunderland coach dies after cancer fight

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      FORMER Wimbledon star Carlton Fairweather has died at the age of 63.The ex-Crazy Gang member passed away on Monday evening after a battle with cancer.Carlton Fairweather has passed away at the age of 63Credit: GettyThe former Wimbledon star spent 9 seasons with the DonsCredit: GettyFairweather was coach of Sunderland Ladies in the WSL from 2014 to 2017Credit: GettyFairweather rose up the football pyramid in the late 80s, going all the way from non-league to the Prem. A native of Camberwell in London, he started his career at Dulwich Hamlet.Spells with Bromley and Tooting followed, with scouts from Wimbledon spotting the tricky winger in 1984. He would go on to make 138 league appearances for the Dons, scoring 26 goals.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLFairweather joined the club in the third tier and helped them rise up the pyramid, with Wimbledon founder members of the Premier League in 1992.He was part of the famous Crazy Gang, who memorably beat Liverpool in the 1988 FA Cup final – although Fairweather sat the game out at Wembley due to injury. Fairweather would go on to play for Carlisle and Connecticut Wolves in the US before retiring in 1999. After hanging up his boots, the winger became a coach with Sunderland Ladies in the WSL. Most read in FootballThe club wrote on X: “We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Carlton Fairweather, aged 63. “A beloved character behind the scenes at the Academy of Light, Carlton passed away on Monday evening surrounded by his family and loved ones.”Sunderland’s Chris Rigg is there youngest-ever outfield player Sunderland’s sporting director, Kristjaan Speakman, told the club website: “Carlton’s personality and charisma were unique. “He worked across all aspects of our club and the reason he’s so highly thought of is down to his dedication, humility, and work ethic. “He will be truly missed by all within our club.”A statement from AFC Wimbledon added: “Everyone at AFC Wimbledon was deeply saddened to learn that popular former Dons winger Carlton Fairweather has passed away. “Our thoughts are with Carlton’s family and friends at this difficult time.”Fans from both clubs paid their respects on social media after Fairweather lost his battle with pancreatic cancer.One fan wrote: “So so sad such a lovely man, RIP Carlton, you were one in a million.Read More on The SunAnother said: “A lovely man with a heart of gold.”While a third added: “One of life’s true gentlemen who will be sadly missed by so many at the AOL both players and staff alike. Taken far too soon. More

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      Dream Team bosses in need of difference-makers should consider impressive Wolves players

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      WOLVES are finishing the season in fine style.A 4-2 win over Tottenham on Sunday means Vitor Pereira’s side have taken the maximum of 12 points from their last four Premier League games.Vitor Pereira has made a positive impact at WolvesCredit: GettyWolves remain 16th in the table as the campaign as a whole has been a disappointing one but Dream Team managers should monitor the form table closely at all times.No team has taken more points from their last five league games than the Black Country club.This fact alone should prompt gaffers to consider the options available to them from Molineux. Jorgen Strand Larsen (£3.6m) is among the game’s most in-form strikers at present having notched 46 points across his last four outings.This fruitful run has featured five goals at a rate of one every 67.6 minutes.The Norwegian forward has impressed in his first campaign on English soil with 12 league goals to his name in total.Strand Larsen has chipped in with a dozen goalsCredit: GettyElsewhere, Rayan Ait-Nouri (£4.2m) is statistically the most in-form defender in Dream Team right now.The Algeria international scored one goal and assisted another against Spurs for a 16-point return last time out.Most read in FootballMore broadly, he’s amassed 62 points in his last eight appearances.This prosperous spell has catapulted him up the rankings – he’s now 11th among assets in his position.A defender in the loosest sense of the wordCredit: GettyAit-Nouri is categorised as a defender but his actual role on the pitch resembles that of a midfielder.His attacking attributes have allowed him to register 11 goal involvements this season.Only Crystal Palace’s Daniel Munoz (£5.4m) boasts a higher tally among defenders at the time of writing.Most intriguing is Matheus Cunha (£5.3m).The Brazilian forward returned from suspension as a second-half substitute against Spurs and marked the occasion with a goal, his 16th of the campaign in all competitions.Cunha seemed to offer his apologies to the Molineux crowd after scoring against SpursCredit: PAThe 25-year-old has irked more than a few Wolves supporters in recent times as he has been publicly open to a transfer away from the club, with some ill-advised social media activity thrown in for good measure.But Cunha’s talent is undeniable, as evidenced by the Dream Team Stats Centre.Cunha’s average of 8.4 is only bettered by three players in the whole game: Mohamed Salah (£7.2m), Erling Haaland (£7.8m) and Bukayo Saka (£6.5m).That he is rubbing shoulders with players of such calibre is mightily impressive given Wolves have spent most of the campaign one or two places above the relegation zone.Cunha ranks among the top five forwards for goals, shots on target, big chances created, tackles and bonus points!Cunha averages 8.4 points-per-game this seasonCredit: ReutersWolves have just six league fixtures remaining but with Manchester United and Leicester up next, there may be an opening for one or two of their best performers in a competitive XI.Read More on The SunWith just a few Gameweeks remaining, there must be some Dream Team bosses willing to take a punt on some lowly-owned difference-makers.Cunha is the most popular Wolves player right now but he appears in just 1.6% of teams.Score PredictorPlay Score Predictor with Dream Team this season!FREE to play£250 weekly prizePredict scores of five selected Premier League fixtures and earn points for accuracyMost points wins weekly cash prizePLAY NOW More

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      Chelsea star Cole Palmer’s girlfriend Connie Grace shows off her curves in number of tiny bikinis on holiday

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      COLE PALMER’s girlfriend Connie Grace has turned heads with her stunning holiday outfits. Connie, 22, is currently enjoying a sun-drenched Easter break to Montego Bay, Jamaica.Cole Palmer’s girlfriend Connie Grace is enjoying the Caribbean sunCredit: INSTAGRAM @conniegrace_The 22-year-old hit up the beach under sun-drenched skiesCredit: INSTAGRAM @conniegrace_She also headed off on a river cruise with a cocktailCredit: INSTAGRAM @conniegrace_Grace and the Chelsea star went public last NovemberCredit: instagram @conniegrace_The Manchester-born blonde stunned in a series of bikini snaps as she posed on sun-kissed beaches in the Caribbean. Connie and Cole, 22, went public last November at the GQ Men of the Year Award.And the influencer documented her trip of a lifetime to a legion of 36,000 Instagram fans. Connie hit the beach for cocktails under bright blue skies, rocking a barely-there blue bikini.READ MORE ON WAGSShe later headed up river for a relaxing cruise, stopping off at a bar en route. Connie captioned the snaps: “Montego bae.”One fan responded in the comment section: “You look amazing.”Another said: “The best ever.”Most read in FootballBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKWhile a third joked: “I liked this before Cole does!”And a fourth wrote: “Don’t listen to impolite comments, you two are a perfect couple!”Fans beg Cole Palmer ‘never change’ as footage of Chelsea star asking waiter bizarre question emerges Palmer, 22, and Connie met when they were both 17 years old.But they only went public with their relationship just before Christmas.Palmer, who cost Chelsea £42.5mllion from Manchester City in the summer of 2023, has endured a rough 2025. He has not scored for the Blues since January 14, a run that now stretches to 14 games across all competitions. Opening up on their relationship in a recent documentary, Connie said: “We met when we were 17. I think he knew me through mutual friends so I think he probably had his eye on me.”Oh, he’s warm and cuddly. Well, with me, hopefully with no one else.”When you know how much someone wants something and you know that’s someone’s dream, you just feel so proud.Palmer and Connie first went public at the GQ Mens AwardsCredit: Splash”Cole now is still the same Cole that I met when I was 17.”Obviously, he’s changed, he’s grown up, and his life now is completely different, but he’s still the same boy, he’s still laid-back Cole.”Cole will adapt to whatever situation he’s in. He’s not bothered that he’s that far from home because all he wants to do is play football. Read More on The Sun”If it means leaving home and being in a place which is completely different to where he’s from, he’ll do it.”He’s not bothered about the whole fame side of it and he’s not bothered what people think of him.The influencer boasts almost 80,000 followers on InstagramCredit: instagram @conniegrace_ More

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      Arsenal in talks with serial winner Kingsley Coman over stunning transfer but face battle for Bayern Munich star

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      ARSENAL are reportedly in talks with Bayern Munich star Kingsley Coman over a stunning summer transfer.The serial winner, 28, is on course for a 13th career league title of his career after also lifting trophies at Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus.Arsenal are in talks with Bayern Munich over a deal for Kingsley ComanCredit: GettyWhile Coman could make his 330th appearance for Bayern Munich in Wednesday’s Champions League quarter-final second leg against Inter Milan.However, the French winger may not be making many more amid reports that he is up for sale.Florian Plettenberg claims Bayern are ready to listen to offers for Coman this summer as he approaches the final two years of his contract.And Arsenal are said to have already made an approach as Mikel Arteta seeks reinforcements in attack.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe Spaniard has been forced to deal with injuries to key men this season including Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.Coman’s stellar winning record makes him an ideal candidate to help the Gunners finally secure a Premier League title.And the star could be willing to take a cut on his current £275,000-a-week wages for a go in England’s top flight.However, it’s also reckoned that Saudi teams are lining up for Coman this summer.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSThey are ready to offer him mind-boggling numbers to snare the star in his prime.But Arsenal are hopeful they can win the race by offering Coman a first-team spot, Champions League football and the chance to participate in another title battle.How Declan Rice can be ‘world class’ AGAIN vs Real Madrid | Tactics Exposed Deano’s DecisionMeanwhile, the Gunners are said to be confident of keeping William Saliba this summer.The defender is a target for Real Madrid but they have reportedly cooled their interest due to the mega fee it will take to sign him. More

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      Italy World Cup winner, 48, needs to have his bones CUT after developing severe deformity in legs

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      WORLD CUP winner Gianluca Zambrotta has opened up about suffering from a bone deformity that requires him to undergo surgery.Zambrotta, 48, opened up on his Genu Varum diagnosis, a deformity usually known as Bow Legs that causes the legs to curve outwards at the knees.World Cup winner Gianluca Zambrotta has opened up on being diagnosed with a leg deformityCredit: GettyZambrotta has Genu Varum, meaning his legs bend outwards at the kneeCredit: GettyThe retired right-back had an impressive career that saw him play for Barcelona, Juventus and AC Milan as well as lifting the World Cup as a crucial member of Italy’s 2006 World Cup-winning squad.But since hanging up his boots in 2014 as a three-time Italian champion, Zambrotta has had to battle with issues caused by his Bow Leg diagnosis.Now he has revealed that he will have to have surgery to fix the issue after doctors were left shocked that he could even walk.He told Gianluca Gazzoli’s BSMT podcast: “I will soon have surgery on both knees.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”I have visited three or four leading surgeons nationwide, and they can’t explain to me how I can have these knees or how I can engage in physical activities like padel, for example.”Adding: “The doctors look at me and ask me how I walk.”Zambrotta explained that doctors will have to cut into his bones in order to perform the operation, known as an osteotomy.”I’ll have to have an osteotomy,” he said. Most read in FootballZambrotta used to play for JuventusCredit: Getty Images – GettyDoctors have been amazed that he can still play padelCredit: Rex”Basically, they’ll straighten my legs by cutting small pieces of bone above and below and inserting plates to try to avoid having to get a full prosthesis now.”Although I’ll have to get one in a few years.”Football’s weirdest contract clauses revealed including non-Arsenal agreement and a private jet promiseZambrotta didn’t have any major injuries or issues throughout his career, but did have three small operations on the muscles around his knees.The Serie A icon – who has called himself a “laboratory model for surgeons” – will eventually have to use prosthetic legs. Zambrotta retired with 98 Italy caps to his name, featuring in three World Cups, three European Championships and one Olympics for the national side.While his club career spanned 19 years and saw him play for Como, Bari, Juventus, AC Milan, Barcelona and Swiss outfit Chiasso.And he even spent a small amount of time pursuing a career in management after calling quits on his playing days.Zambrotta had a brief spell as Chiasso manager between 2014 and 2015, as well as taking charge of Indian side Delhi Dynamos. His last role in coaching was as the assistant manager to Fabio Capello at Chinese club Jiansung FC from 2017 to 2018.Gianluca Zambrotta’s careerA brief look at Zambrotta’s impressive playing career…1994 – 1997: Como1997 – 1999: Bari1999 – 2006: Juventus2006 – 2008: Barcelona2008 – 2012: AC Milan2013: FC ChiassoCLUB STATSMatches played: 611Goals scored: 29Assists: 50INTERNATIONAL STATSMatches played: 98Goals scored: 2Assists: 5HONOURS1 x FIFA World Cup (2006)3 x Serie A Champion (2002, 2003, 2011)3 x Italian Super Cup Winner (2003, 2004, 2012)1 x Spanish Super Cup (2006) More

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      Wayne Rooney lined up for managerial return and ‘is contender to replace under-fire Championship boss’

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      WAYNE ROONEY is in line for a shock return to management just four months after being sacked by Plymouth Argyle.Blackburn are reportedly considering him as pressure mounts on boss Valerien Ismael.Wayne Rooney is a candidate for the Blackburn jobCredit: GettyValerien Ismael is under pressure after a poor run of formCredit: RexIsmael took over at Ewood Park after John Eustace surprisingly left the club to join Derby in February.But Blackburn have won just one of the Frenchman’s eight games in charge and they have slipped out the race for the play-offs.talkSPORT claim Ismael is under mounting pressure despite him signing a three-year contract just months ago.The Rovers are already weighing up his replacement and Rooney is supposedly on the list of possible candidates for the job.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLRooney, who has swapped dugout for punditry so far this year, was axed on New Year’s Eve by Argyle.The Manchester United and England legend guided the club to just four victories from 23 games in the Championship.At the time of his departure, they had conceded more goals (51) and scored the fewest (22) in the division.Rooney started his managerial career at Derby, miraculously saving them from Championship relegation in the 2020/21 season.Most read in ChampionshipBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSBut he was unable to do the same the following campaign after they were hit with a huge 21-point deduction for going into administration.Rooney then moved to the States and took charge of DC United before returning home to be Birmingham’s boss.I get the same text from Sir Alex Ferguson every time I get sacked from a job, admits Wayne Rooney But he lasted just 15 games, winning just two, in a nightmare reign.Despite his struggles in the dug-out, Rooney has said he’d be keen to give it another go.He told the Stick to Football podcast that he would open the door to a return – with the right club.And he even admitted he would accept a role as assistant manager.He said: “I’d have no problem dropping into an Under-21 team or going in as a coach.”I’m still young enough to learn and develop. Just having a good group of players who were at a [good] level.”Blackburn strugglesBlackburn are currently tenth in the Championship, seven points off the all-important top six with four games to go.Ismael has blamed injuries for his tough start to life in Lancashire, saying: “When you see the injury, we lost key players, massive players are missing for us. “Ten players are missing. 10 players are missing. It’s just too much.”It was really difficult for us to deal with that. At the same time, you are playing and need to get results and you’re losing players every game, every time. Read More on The Sun”We are not a dead team. We were a team with issues. We tried to deal with our issues. We tried to give our best. “But as I say, you have to stay calm. Focus on your job. Try to find the solution, ride the storm. At some point, you know it will come back. But some ingredients have to be right.” More

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      Footballer bizarrely presented with DEAD PIG as prize for being named man of the match

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      A NORWEGIAN club has hogged the limelight… by presenting their man of the match with a DEAD PIG.Fifth-tier Varhaug hosted their top-flight local rivals Bryne in the Norwegian Cup on Sunday.A dead pig was handed out as a Man of the Match award by a Norwegian top flight sideCredit: XSondre Dvergsdal picked up the prizeCredit: WikipediaBryne had caused a stir last month when handing keeper Jan de Boer four trays of EGGS in their own bizarre MOTM award.But Varhaug, based in the same rustic Rogaland area, set out to prove they are the southwestern county’s real “farmers’ team”.And after their 4-0 defeat, officials presented star man Sondre Dvergsdal with a freshly-slaughtered 50lb porker.Manager Sigrid Lode Knutsen said: “We came to the conclusion that we had to go harder than the ‘city dwellers’ from Bryne.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”The real farmers come from Varhaug.”Meanwhile, Bryne, Erling Haaland’s former club, have vowed to continue rewarding their own players with local produce.Marketing chief Hagerup Roken said: “It goes without saying that we will hand out raw materials as prizes for our best players.”And keeper De Boer – who looked disappointed when pictured with his eggs award – insisted: “I think it’s fun.”Most read in FootballBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSManchester City superstar Haaland began his pro career with Bryne before leaving for Norwegian rivals Molde in 2017.Dad Alfie also started out with the Eliteserien club, spending 14 years with them before Nottingham Forest signed him in 1993.Sky Sports remove controversial Monday Night Football post after they are hit by backlash from Man Utd fans More