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NEAL MAUPAY has been hailed by fans for “cooking” Paul Scholes with a brutal comment.The Manchester United legend had hit out at Maupay’s antics on the pitch during his time at Brentford.Neal Maupay hit back at Paul Scholes on social mediaCredit: Getty More
MANCHESTER UNITED stars have questioned whether boss Ruben Amorim should change his system, according to reports.The Portuguese, 40, has implemented a 3-4-3 formation since moving to Old Trafford in November.Ruben Amorim has so far struggled as Man Utd bossCredit: GettyThe Red Devils are 13th in the Premier LeagueCredit: AlamyHis side have so far struggled to get to grips with it, losing eight of Amorim’s 20 matches in charge in all competitions.Man Utd’s poor form has seen them slump to 13th in the Premier League table.According to the Mail, some United players have spoken about whether they’d be better off adapting their tactical approach in order to achieve better results in the short term.There are said to be concerns that the Red Devils will not get better unless Amorim makes changes.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe former Sporting CP boss is very unlikely to make significant tweaks.Following his side’s 2-0 home defeat to Newcastle in December, Amorim said: “I have to sell my idea. If I change all the time it is going to be even worse.”I understand they have a lot of difficulties because they spent two years playing one way and now they are playing another.”With a lot of losses, it is really tough on them. You can feel it, during the game I can feel it but I have to sell my idea because I don’t have another one.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS”When you have a change of coach, especially in this type of club, it is because they were not winning.”They played in the system they were bought for and were chosen perfectly for that system. After two years, working in pre-season, they were losing. ‘He’s got a pair of b——s,’ says Rio Ferdinand as he hits back at Roy Keane’s criticism of Man Utd star Garnacho”So am I going to change to that system to something that I don’t believe in? That doesn’t make sense.”Despite question marks surrounding his system, there are so far no suggestions that Amorim is close to losing the United dressing room.But Gary Neville has also raised concerns over his old side’s struggles to get to grips with Amorim’s way of playing.He said on his Gary Neville Podcast: “I thought it would get better when Ruben Amorim came in, the enthusiasm of him and the new system, the players would buy into and we’d see a bounce, but we’ve seen the absolute opposite and it’s got a lot worse.”They are obviously going to stick with Amorim. But the more you lose, the more difficult it is for the manager to convince the players of his idea.”It will depress the thoughts of the players to a point whereby they’ll start to lose faith in the idea and it’ll damage you.” More
CHELSEA owner Todd Boehly has plunged into cricket by paying £40million for a 49 per cent stake in Trent Rockets.The team competes in The Hundred, which is a short-form 100-ball event that started in 2021.Todd Boehly has purchased 49 per cent of the Trent RocketsCredit: GettyThe Nottingham-based side won the tournament in 2022Credit: GettyBoehly has been in talks with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) since October when the first round of bidding ended.The Chelsea chief extends his portfolio to cricket alongside fellow Blues director Jonathan Goldstein via business Cain International.They have entered a period of exclusivity with Nottinghamshire CCC, who will retain a controlling (51 per cent) stake in the franchise.American Boehly, who led a consortium which bought Chelsea for £4.25billion in 2022, has stakes in many other teams including baseball’s LA Dodgers.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLTheir deal will take proceeds from the eight-team Hundred sell-off to around £500million, with one side still to go under the hammer.Other investors include three IPL franchises, an IT entrepreneur, a consortium of cricket-mad tech tycoons and the owners of Birmingham City, who include NFL legend Tom Brady.The money will be shared by the recreational game, the 18 counties and MCC.Meanwhile, England play their final ODI in India tomorrow with Mark Wood insisting they need more time to fire under Brendon McCullum.Most read in CricketBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSEngland have lost six matches out of seven in India since McCullum took charge of all formats.Fast bowler Wood said: “Some of the guys are starting under a new coach. It takes time. The Test team was in a different place to the white-ball team.”Bizarre moment Enzo Fernandez gives fan his shorts after Chelsea clash… but supporter SNIFFS themBatsman Tom Banton, called up for the injured Jacob Bethell, could play his first match for England since 2020. More
WAYNE ROONEY trolled himself on his rain-lashed Amazon Prime debut.The Manchester United icon was the only one in a four-person broadcasting team at Manchester City against Real Madrid without an umbrella.Wayne Rooney gave himself some stick over his hairCredit: X @primevideosportAnd when his brolly bravery was pointed out to him, Rooney joked: “I hope the rain doesn’t come down any more, my hair will be all over the place!”Rooney is understood to have had two hair transplants.The procedures are thought to have cost around £30,000.After his first op in 2011 he was happy to share the experience on social media.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLHe posted: “Just to confirm to all my followers I have had a hair transplant. I was going bald at 25, why not? I’m delighted with the result.”Rooney reportedly then had a top-up two years later.The former Everton striker, 39, was sacked from his last managerial job in December – after just seven months in charge of Plymouth.But amid a string of offers he chose a TV stint with Amazon.Most read in Champions LeagueBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSAnd in fact it took him just THREE SECONDS with the microphone at the Etihad on Tuesday night to land a dig.He told his new colleagues: “Obviously a stadium I’ve scored a lot of goals in.”Wayne Rooney rips into Man City after just three seconds of Amazon Prime jobA grinning Rooney then added: “I’m sure I’ll get a nice welcome.” One fan responded on X: “6 goals he scored at the Etihad btw wouldn’t say that’s a lot of goals.”Meanwhile, City were more concerned about keeping Real out – with Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappe both starting for the visitors. More
WAYNE ROONEY set a cheeky new record just three seconds into his debut as an Amazon Prime Video pundit.The Manchester United legend was at the Etihad for City’s Champions League play-off with Real Madrid.Wayne Rooney made a mischievous instant impactCredit: GettyHe scored six goals at the Etihad Stadium during his careerCredit: GettyAnd after just THREE SECONDS the ex-striker joked: “Obviously, it’s a stadium I’ve scored a lot of goals in…”Rooney immediately added: “So I’m sure I’ll get a nice welcome!”He joined Gabby Logan, Daniel Sturridge and Clarence Seedorf on Prime for the coverage of the match.The former England skipper has had some memorable moments at the Etihad.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLHowever, his overall stats against City are pretty modest – by his incredible standards.Rooney, 39, notched nine goals and three assists in 27 games against the Cityzens for United and Everton.And six of these came on City’s own patch, with five during his time at Man United and one at the Toffees.Fans loved the joke as they reacted on social media.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSOne posted: “Hahaha classic one from Rooney there.”A second commented: “Brutal jibe from Wazza.” ‘My hair will be all over the place’ – Wayne Rooney leaves Amazon Prime panel in stitches with gag about Manchester rainWayne Rooney’s record-breaking careerWAYNE Rooney took the football world by storm when he made his debut for 2002 with Everton.He quickly became the club’s youngest-ever goalscorer aged 16 years and 342 days and was named the BBC’s Young Sports Personality of the Year.The striker joined Manchester United in 2004 and spent 13 years at Old Trafford. He went on to make 559 appearances for the Red Devils and scored 253 goals. To this day he is still the club’s all-time leading goalscorer.Following his spell with United, Rooney returned to Everton for a season. He also spent one-season stints with D.C. United and Derby County at the end of his career.As well as his impressive club career, Rooney is also England’s second-highest goalscorer with 53 goals in 120 appearances, behind only Harry Kane.After hanging up his boots, the England icon turned to a career in management.He took charge of Derby County in 2020 and managed to just about save the club from relegation from the Championship at the end of his first season.However, with Derby handed a 21-point deduction the following campaign, he was unable to keep them up again and subsequently left.Then came a 15-month spell in charge of MLS side D.C. United. He failed to impress during his time in Washington and parted ways with the club at the end of the 2023 regular season.Rooney was controversially handed the Birmingham job in October 2023, replacing John Eustace with the club doing well and sixth in the Championship table.However, in 15 games he suffered nine defeats and managed just two wins. He was sacked in January 2024 with Birmingham down in 20th. The club were relegated to League One at the end of the campaign.He returned to management in May with Plymouth Argyle but managed just five wins in 25 games. The United legend now finds himself out of work once again.The former Red Devils star is a club legend with an all-time record of 253 goals in 559 appearances in all competitions.He starred for the club between 2004 and 2017, during which he won five Premier League titles and one Champions League.He retired in 2021 and has worked in club management up until last year when he was axed by Plymouth Argyle.He has recently been tipped for a stunning return to the dugout with Steven Gerrard at Rangers. More
CHAMPIONS League action is back with the knockout phase play-offs.16 teams are gearing up to compete against each other, looking to join the eight teams that have already advanced to the last 16.Manchester City had to come from behind against Club Brugge to progress to the knockout phase play-offsCredit: EPAManchester City and Celtic are among those who are playing this week and will be aiming to progress to the next stage – they’re up against current holders of the competition, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, respectively.This will be the fourth year in a row that City have faced off against Real in the knockout stage of the competition – and they will know they need nothing short of a perfect display across both legs to get passed the 15-time winners of the competition.In the previous three meetings of these two footballing giants, City have only got past Los Blancos once and that was the year they went all the way to pick up their first Champions League title.Similarly, Real Madrid have beat City twice in the last three years, and they picked up the trophy on both occasions, so fans will know they are in for a hell of a tie over the next week!READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAre Champions League knockout play-offs one or two legs?Just like any other knockout stage in the Champions League round, there will indeed be two legs.The first legs of these play-off fixtures will take place on the 11th and 12th February, with the second legs the following week on the 18th and 19th February.The eight winning teams will join the eight teams that have already qualified in the last 16.Which teams are in the play-off round and when are they?The full draw for the play-off round is as follows:Most read in Champions LeagueBrest v Paris St-Germain – first leg 11 February, second leg 19 FebruaryJuventus v PSV Eindhoven – first leg 11 February, second leg 19 FebruaryManchester City v Real Madrid – first leg 11 February, second leg 19 FebruarySporting v Borussia Dortmund – first leg 11 February, second leg 19 FebruaryClub Brugge v Atalanta – first leg 12 February, second leg 18 FebruaryCeltic v Bayern Munich – first leg 12 February, second leg 18 FebruaryFeyenoord v AC Milan – first leg 12 February, second leg 18 FebruaryMonaco v Benfica – first leg 12 February, second leg 18 FebruaryWho’s already in the last 16?The teams through to the round of 16 are:LiverpoolBarcelonaArsenalInter MilanAtletico MadridBayer LeverkusenLilleAston Villa. More
MANCHESTER CITY host European heavyweights Real Madrid at the Etihad Stadium for the first leg of their Champions League knockout phase play-off.Pep Guardiola’s men clinched a playoff round place with a 3-1 victory over Club Brugge in their final league phase match.Savinho’s goal against Club Brugge helped Man City qualify for the knockout stagesCredit: AFPThe result was their only victory in their previous five European matches, losing to PSG, Juventus and Sporting CP in their poor run of form.Real Madrid picked up their form in the competition towards the end of their campaign.They have won three of their last five Champions League matches after a poor start saw them lose three consecutive games to Lille, AC Milan and Liverpool.Read more football newsWednesday’s match will be the fourth time Pep Guardiola and Carlo Ancelotti’s sides have met in the knockouts of the competition in as many years. Madrid have the slight edge over City, running out 2-1 winners across the last three ties.When is Man City vs Real Madrid?Man City vs Real Madrid will take place on Tuesday, February 11.Kick off will be at 8pm GMT.The Etihad Stadium will host the first leg.How to watch Man City vs Real Madrid for FREEThis season’s Champions League sees a new broadcaster enter the UK scene.Most read in FootballAmazon Prime Video is showing the top Tuesday match in the iconic European competition each week at no additional cost to Prime members.Should you not currently hold a subscription, you can sign up for a free 30-day trial, which will give you access to all the benefits of being a Prime member, including access to watch Man City vs Real Madrid.Alternative, SunSport will blog all the action as it happens.What other games are on this round?Brest host PSG in the earlier kick off on Tuesday. The all-French tie begins at 5.45pm GMT in the first of four matches on the dayJuventus face PSV Eindhoven at 8pm GMT while Borussia Dortmund meet Portuguese league leaders Sporting CP at the same time on Tuesday.There are four more fixtures in the Champions League this week which will all be played on Wednesday, February 12.Club Brugge host Serie A dark horses Atalanta in the early kick off at 5.45pm GMT.Wednesday’s 8pm GMT matches see Vincent Kompany’s Bayern Munich travel to Celtic Park to face the Scottish giants.Meanwhile, Feyenoord face AC Milan and AS Monaco go up against Benfica. More
NEWCASTLE coach Jason Tindall found a bizarre way to have a “pop” at Aston Villa amid a mass tunnel brawl.The FA have revealed incredible inside details as they confirmed big fines for both clubs following the flare-up on Boxing Day.Jason Tindall is said to have revved up the row by changing into this pop-throwback hoodie near the endCredit: GettyTempers had first frayed on the pitch as Jhon Duran was sent off for a foul on Newcastle defender Fabian Schar at St James’ ParkCredit: AlamyJhon Duran saw red for a foul on Fabian Schar before Anthony Gordon, Alexander Isak and Joelinton sealed a 3-0 Newcastle win at St James’ Park.An independent Regulatory Commission have now broken down the events – revealing a surprising throwback to a 1980s’ pop duo from Tindall.The 47-year-old’s antics loomed large in the reports received by the commissionReferee Anthony Taylor explained he sent off Tindall for aggressive behaviour.READ MORE TOP STORIESTaylor said fourth official Leigh Doughty informed him of a half-time bust-up “caused by Victor Manas (Aston Villa head of analysis)”.Manas was “shouting aggressively” leading to an “aggressive verbal altercation”. Taylor added: “This caused a further confrontation to take place of approx 20 players and staff. I was also advised that Mr Tindall had to be prevented from becoming involved further.”But it was what came near the end of the match that stood out – with the ex-Bournemouth defender said to have escalated the matter by winding up Villa… with a WHAM! hoodie.Most read in FootballVilla boss Unai Emery reacted angrily, with Tindall said to be involvedCredit: ReutersBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSVilla’s club secretary Sharon Barnhurst emailed the commission to say Tindall “shushed” their manager Unai Emery three or four times in the first half, leading to Manas intervening in a heated exchange during the interval. Trouble exploded again before the final whistle.Former Premier League star signed contract then ripped it up just 20 minutes later in classy gesture The Telegraph report that Barnhurst submitted: “Mr Tindall on the 85th minute reappeared within the tunnel wearing a WHAM! jumper, joking around with other members of Newcastle United’s staff. “Tindall was then said to have stayed in the tunnel area until full-time before being “involved in a tense exchange of words” with a Villa coach.Both clubs admitted improper conduct.The Commission fined Villa £30,000 and Newcastle £20,000, as well as warning them both about their behaviour.Manas landed a two-match ground ban and £4k fine – but Tindall was cleared.An FA spokesman said: “The Regulatory Commission found the charge against Jason Tindall to be not proven, and he will face no further action.” More
