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      Premier League manager wanted by Champions League club despite chairman demanding £86MILLION compensation to let him go

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      BUNDESLIGA and Champions League outfit RB Leipzig are reportedly keen to bring in a new manager from the Premier League.Leipzig, who are currently sixth in the German Bundesliga, are said to be ready to part ways with current boss Marco Rose at the end of the season.RB Leipzig head coach Marco Rose is reportedly set to replaced in the summerCredit: APRose, 48, has been in charge of Leipzig since 2022 and is understood to be under mounting pressure with the club already some 23 points off the top of the table.And according to Sky Germany, that has seen the club’s Red Bull execs – including new addition Jurgen Klopp – draw up a list of potential replacements for the former Borussia Dortmund boss.It’s claimed that top of the list of candidates is Stuttgart boss Sebastian Hoeness, who guided Stuttgart to a second place finish above Bayern Munich last season.While Benfica manager Roger Schmidt is also understood to have been approved by Klopp and his team.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLHowever, Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner is thought to be another top three target for Leipzig following his impressive work with the Eagles.Glasner joined Palace last year, having previously had a successful stint in charge of Bundesliga club Eintracht Frankfurt where he won the Europa League in the 2021/22 season.Leipzig could have to fork out some serious cash to get Glasner though, with Bundesliga rivals Bayern Munich reportedly scared off by the mammoth compensation demands of Palace chief Steve Parish.Bayern were huge admirers of Glasner in the summer and had been linked with poaching away the Austrian before settling on the appointment of Vincent Kompany.Most read in FootballCrystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner is being considered by LeipzigCredit: GettyOliver Glasner Crystal Palace recordA brief look at the stats behind Oliver Glasner’s time at Crystal Palace…Games in charge: 47Won: 22Draw: 12Lost: 13Goals scored: 80Goals conceded: 53CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSBut when approaching Palace with a £15.5m compensation offer to prise him out of their grip, the Bavarians were told that Parish was looking for a fee much closer to £86MILLION.For perspective, that fee is four times larger than the record compensation ever paid for a manager – Chelsea’s £21.5m payment to Brighton for the services of Graham Potter.Millwall fan is beaten up by gang of Crystal Palace supporters after confronting rivals in Selhurt Park standsWhile £86m also far eclipses the transfer fees spent on the likes of Virgil van Dijk, Cole Palmer and Rodri.Since his arrival in South London, Glasner has managed a 46.8 per centwin percentage.Glasner helped the Eagles secure a top half Premier League finish for the first time in nine years last season, and currently has the Selhurst Park outfit sitting 12th in the table.Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish reportedly demanded around £86m in compensation to allow Glasner to leave Selhurst Park in the summerCredit: PA More

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      ‘They are always missing something’ – Arsenal taunted by PSV’s ex-Spurs star as Timber urges side to ‘change narrative’

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      TOTTENHAM old boy Ivan Perisic has taunted Arsenal ahead of their “big moment” in the Champions League.The PSV winger claims the modern Gunners are “always missing something” – after going five years without silverware.Ivan Perisic is confident PSV can stun Arsenal in the last 16Credit: RexGunners’ boss Mikel Arteta and defender Jurrien Timber have spoken outCredit: GettyArsenal co-owner Josh Kroenke visited training on the eve of the tripCredit: GettyPerisic’s verdict before Tuesday’s last-16 first leg came as Jurrien Timber urged his Arsenal team-mates to “change the narrative” after a jarring run of poor form and injuries.And boss Mikel Arteta insists “now is the moment to start to make another strong step in the direction that we want”. But with the Gunners still missing big names, the words of Perisic, who was with fierce rivals Spurs from 2022-2024, might hit a nerve.The Croatian legend, 36, said: “It’s going to be tough. They are a really, really good team, a young team with a good coach.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”But over the last years they are always missing something to step up to win something. “I know we’re going to have a good chance to beat them.” I really believe in my team. Tactically we have to be at the top level to show something good against them.” Arsenal co-owner Josh Kroenke visited their London Colney training ground on Monday, before the squad flew to Eindhoven for the tie.Most read in Champions LeagueThe Gunners have suffered recent disappointments amid injury woeCredit: PABEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSIt follows a damaging week in the Prem title race – collecting just one point from games against West Ham and Nottingham Forest to leave the North Londoners 13 points off leaders Liverpool.Asked about Kroenke’s visit, Arteta said: “I am very happy to have him around. He is around a lot of times for big moments.Mikel Arteta urges Arsenal to ‘step up’ as focus switches to Champions League “He really wants to be with the team and it is great to have him.“Regardless of where you are in the league, when you come to this stage of the Champions League, it is something else. You feel it in the atmosphere and the energy of the players.“It is something else, in a moment where you are in or you are out. It gives you urgency and gets the best out of you.“It’s a game that really brings a different energy. It’s a competition that puts everybody on their toes.“We’ve done a lot already this season here and now is the moment to start to make another strong step in the direction that we want. I am very excited for the game.”Arsenal are in the middle of a fitness crisis following season-ending knocks to Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz, while Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli are targeting returns next month.It has left them incredibly short up top, with midfielder Mikel Merino forced to deputise as a No.9 in the last three league games – scoring twice off the bench in a 2-0 win at Leicester.Mikel Merino was in cheeky spirits before jetting out to EindhovenCredit: GettyTimber says he is fed up with gloomy talk around the clubCredit: GettyBut the past two outings with Merino starting as a striker has seen Arsenal fail to score in a 1-0 loss to the Hammers and a goalless draw at the City Ground – the first time they have failed to find the net in back-to-back league games since May 2023.With the league all but wrapped up for Arne Slot’s Reds, Arsenal must now see the Champions League as their one and only chance to win silverware this term.Arsenal finished the competition’s new 36-team league phase format in third with six wins, one draw and one defeat – just two points off Liverpool in top-spot.And Timber is sick of the negativity around the team. The Dutch defender said: “It is a beautiful game to change the narrative and win.“The motivation is there and it’s an amazing competition to play in. “We showed as well in the group stages that we did really well and we have a good team. We have so much quality in our group.”Arsenal will play Real Madrid or Atletico Madrid should they advance to the quarter finals, but Arteta is not willing to look too far ahead.READ MORE SUN STORIESThe Spanish coach added: “The reality is, being a coach, I just look at what is ahead.”It’s an ambition. It’s PSV, being better than them, to have the right to win the game. That’s where we are.”Here’s what comes after Tuesday’s clash for the Gunners More

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      ‘We’re the laughing stock’ – Ex-referees chief demands Michael Oliver is AXED for ‘missing’ horror challenge on Mateta

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      FORMER refs’ chief Keith Hackett has called for blunder whistler Michael Oliver to be axed and claims English officials “are the laughing stock in Europe.”Hackett also wants a maximum 120-second VAR review introduced following the astonishing 8min 11sec farce to rule out a Milos Kerkez ‘goal’ for offside in Bournemouth’s FA Cup shootout win over Wolves.Michael Oliver has been slammed for not immediately awarding a red card for a horror tackle on Jean-Philippe MatetaCredit: RexCrystal Palace star Mateta was taken to hospital after being kicked in the head during the club’s FA Cup clash against MillwallCredit: APEx-ref Keith Hackett wants Oliver axed and a 120-second maximum review time introducedCredit: GettyOliver was slammed by Crystal Palace chief Steve Parish for failing to award even a free-kick after Millwall keeper Liam Roberts’ flying kung fu kick to Jean-Philippe Mateta’s head put the Eagles striker in hospital.It needed VAR Nick Hopton’s intervention in Saturday’s FA Cup fifth round clash before Oliver was persuaded to issue Roberts a red card.And it came on the same day the new Semi-Automated Offside Technology failed at the Vitality Stadium – on the very first weekend of it being used in competitive matches.It prompted ex-PGMOL boss Hackett to launch a blistering attack on his successor Howard Webb, posting: “We are the laughing stock in Europe and the decline continues.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL“I wonder if the PGMOL are capable of delivering top-class officiating.“A challenge that put a player in hospital not recognised by the referee; EIGHT minutes to make an offside call? Time for the players to have afternoon tea! How is that helping?”Angry Parish accused Roberts of endangering Mateta’s life with the “most reckless challenge I’ve ever seen.”Mateta needed 25 stitches in a “serious” gashed ear and also underwent head scans before being released from hospital.Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSAnd Parish fumed: “It was a dreadful challenge, but why the ref needed to go to the screen I have no idea.”Oliver, 40, was also widely criticised over his Molineux cock-up in January when he wrongly issued a straight red card to Arsenal’s Myles Lewis-Skelly for a trip – overturned on appeal.Listen to Michael Oliver’s conversation with VAR over Lewis-Skelly red card as Howard Webb says referee got it wrongHackett insisted Oliver “needs rest. At least a couple of weeks off.“That was terrible officiating. The referee went missing. The red card should have been issued without hesitation.”Bournemouth and Wolves fans chanted: “F*** VAR,” and “it’s not football any more,” during the Vitality farce.And Hackett posted on X: “This should be a game-changing moment.“Why didn’t the Premier League/PGMOL purchase an SAOS system that is tried and tested.“Why decide to use at this stage of the FA Cup?“We now need to put a time clock on the process. Two minutes max – then revert to the on-field decision.”Hackett, 80, also claims if refs wait for a VAR input before making decisions, “then we might as well use Tarot cards or bingo balls.”READ MORE SUN STORIESSheffield-born Hackett previously accused the £26million PGMOL of “being run by a bunch of amateurs who operate like a Mayfair Gentlemen’s Club.”He added: “VAR is not working, so bin it.” More

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      Nottingham Forest 1 Ipswich 1 (5-4 pens): Sels the hero in shootout to set up FA Cup quarter-final with Brighton

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      MATZ SELS was Nottingham Forest’s penalty shoot-out hero again as Nuno Espirito Santo’s side booked a quarter final tie at Brighton.And it was a SECOND shoot-out miss for Ipswich’s Jack Taylor who also failed to score from the spot in the Carabao Cup this season.Forest goalkeeper Matz Sels celebrates after saving the final penaltyCredit: RexNuno Espirito Santo joins in emotional scenes after Forest’s shootout winCredit: PASels got down smartly to foil Jack Taylor from the tenth penaltyCredit: PATractor Boys midfielder Taylor was the only player to fail from the spotCredit: GettyIpswich took the lead through George Hirst’s header only for Forest skipper Ryan Yates to equalise.Extra-time could not separate the sides and Forest went to their second successive penalty shoot-out in the competition.And Nuno’s side did not miss – with Chris Wood, Morgan Gibbs-White, Elliot Anderson, Neco Williams and Callum Hudson-Odoi all converting their spot kicks.That put the heat on Taylor again – but his penalty was saved by the Premier League’s top keeper Sels.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLThe Belgian also saved his side in the previous round’s penalty shoot-out at Exeter.It means Forest are in the last eight of the Cup for only the second time in 29 years.After a turgid first half, the game exploded into life after the break with Hirst heading Ipswich ahead from a corner.Yates brought Nuno Espirito Santo’s men back level and was agonisingly ruled offside as it looked as though he had wrapped the game up with his second goal. Most read in FA CupBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSThere was controversy in extra time as Ipswich sub Liam Delap was brought down by Forest defender Murillo as he raced in on goal – ref Tony Harrington gave nothing.England boss Thomas Tuchel was at the City Ground to cast his eye over candidates for this month’s Three Lions internationals against Albania and Latvia.Inside Fulham’s wild dressing room celebrations as rowdy stars launch bottles and dive around after win over Man UtdBut of the two starting line-ups, only Hudson-Odoi would be a realistic pick for future squads.Tuchel managed Hudson-Odoi during the player’s injury-hit time at Stamford Bridge – and the ex-Chelsea man impressed as he looked a threat and hit the bar.But the arrival of subs Gibbs-White and Anderson, just before the hour, would have given him food for thought – along with late Ipswich sub Liam Delap.Forest made six changes for the tie – but Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna clearly wanted to rest players for the Premier League relegation battle ahead.However, with the tie going the distance, neither side could rest.McKenna made eight changes but Forest pressed early for a goal – maybe with memories of the Exeter tie still fresh in their memories.Forest looked sharp again after the break though – and Hudson-Odoi set up Anthony Elanga forced Tractor Boys keeper Alex Palmer into a save, low down to his right.But Ipswich skipper Sam Morsy came close to opening the scoring with a powerful drive from 25 yards that Forest keeper Sels did well to tip over the bar.The resulting corner went much better for McKenna’s men after 53 minutes.Ryan Yates hails his equaliser for Forest in normal timeCredit: ReutersYates made it 1-1 with a dominating headerCredit: ReutersGeorge Hirst saw his header open the scoring for IpswichCredit: ReutersBen Johnson’s corner found Hirst at the far post and his header found the net through Sels’ legs.The goal came in front of the travelling Suffolk fans who sensed the chance to stun Forest on their own turf.But Forest levelled it up with 22 minutes left – and perhaps it was the sight of top scorer Wood preparing to come off the bench.Forest fans were already singing his name as Elanga delivered a pinpoint cross into the Ipswich area.Yates was on hand to head home and Nuno’s side were suddenly back in the game.And Wood was told to return to the bench with his services put on hold.The game had opened up and the home fans then urged Brazilian defender Murillo to shoot. He did just that, bringing a superb save from Palmer.Wood did eventually come on with eight minutes to go as Nuno, as in the last round, needed his big guns on the field.But Hudson-Odoi almost gave Forest the lead when he cut on from the left and produced a shot which clipped the crossbar.The game was halted after a clash of heads between Yates and Jacob Greaves left the Ipswich sub with blood dripping from a facial wound.Yates had what would have been his second headed goal ruled outCredit: ReutersHirst enjoyed his breakthrough for the Tractor BoysCredit: ReutersIpswich boss Kieran McKenna made anxious notesCredit: ReutersForest chief Nuno Espirito Santo looked on anxiouslyCredit: RexREAD MORE SUN STORIES More

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      How Ruben Amorim will prove Wayne Rooney wrong despite FA Cup loss to Fulham

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      MANCHESTER UNITED crashed out of the FA Cup thanks to a penalty shootout defeat to Fulham on Sunday.As has been the case in many previous games, there were positives and negatives to take from the performance.Man Utd crashed out of the FA Cup against Fulham on SundayCredit: GettyBut we have identified some positives on Tactics ExposedCredit: PAWe have looked at what Amorim got wrong in the clash, including a selection issueCredit: RexAnother set piece proved to be the Red Devils undoing before Bruno Fernandes scored a wonderful goal.But despite dominating much of the play from there after, Man Utd were unable to take their chances before crashing out when Victor Lindelof and Joshua Zirkzee missed pens in the shootout.After the defeat, Ruben Amorim was busy hitting back at Wayne Rooney after he labelled the manager naive for saying the ultimate goal was to win the Premier League.In the latest edition of our Tactics Exposed series, we take a look at what Amorim got right and got wrong during the clash.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLBRUNO THE ANCHORMANFernandes’ position as one of the two pivot players was highlighted in our Tactics Exposed show last week.But unlike his performance against Ipswich where he was all-action but often to the detriment of Man Utd’s 3-4-3 system, on Sunday he was more disciplined.We highlighted Bruno Fernandes’ ‘Steven Gerrard syndrome’ against IpswichStepping into the heart of defence would have left him being pressed by Fulham and United without optionsFernandes seems to have taken on board more of what Amorim wanted him to do in this game in a more rigid way of playing by holding his position as the pivot more.Handing more trust to the centre-backs meant United had more passing options to progress the ball through the lines. Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSThis gave Amorim’s side a structure to play out from the back against Fulham, with United often passing through the lines to Christian Eriksen and Diogo Dalot.It also consequently meant Fulham changed their plan at half-time, with United certainly having some joy with this game plan.Man United fan The United Strand vows to not cut his hair until Red Devils win FIVE games in a rowUnfortunately, one of the main problems for United in this game came when they got into dangerous areas, with the likes of Eriksen getting the ball out wide but not being the player who will be able to beat his marker.Most importantly on this point, however, Fernandes’ touches and heat map showed him to be in a far more focused role within the structure all while putting in another captain’s performance.A more disciplined showing made Bruno an effective pivot in front of the back threeTrusting the likes of Harry Maguire and Co gave United more passing options through the linesAnd with Christian Eriksen and Joshua Zirkzee dropping back it meant United could progress the ball easilyUnited had a lot of joy in finding Eriksen went playing outFernandes had more touches of the ball in areas he should be having them inHis heat map also showed how he was still all over the pitch but more focusedIt was progress for Amorim, small progress, but progress.Fernandes later chipped in with another goal to level it up before scoring in the shootout as the Red Devils crashed out.IT’S OBI ONE UP TOPThe big debate has been over Rasmus Hojlund and whether the service is the problem — or just Hojlund himself.He again made some good runs and scuffed the one decent chance he got from Eriksen’s cross but didn’t do enough, especially in the duels.In the end, it was unfortunate once again that Alejandro Garnacho did not start alongside Hojlund, with the attacking dynamism the winger brings not able to assist the Dane when he made his runs.The whole first half he got one cross from Eriksen to the front post for a half chance.Rasmus Hojlund was once again starved of attacking intent by United’s starting XIHojlund had one half chance to try to end his goal droughtBut the game changed in the 68th minute when Chido Obi came onBut the game changed when 17-year-old Chido Obi came on in the 68th minute.Young Obi outshone Hojlund with direct running, physicality and got himself in three scoring positions.Zirkzee got closer to the teen when he came on for Hojlund and Garnacho did inject some pace after the starting No 9 went off.But it looks like it is time to give Obi a start and take Hojlund out of the firing line.Obi won half of his duels against Fulham compared to 20 per cent with Hojlund and he got into those positions to be dangerous.The teen ace benefitted from Joshua Zirkzee operating closer to him, like a two up topHe put himself in areas to get the ball and get a dangerous chanceHe proved to be a handful for the Fulham defenceBut for a wonderful save by Bernd Leno he would have won the gameAnd but for a really, really good Bernd Leno save he would have surely scored the winner.There is an inevitable storyline in United’s next league game coming against Arsenal after United poached the teen ace from the Gunners. Alan Hansen once famously said “You don’t win anything with kids”. But United are not winning anything without the kids either, so why not give him a go?After all, at this point of their season they don’t have a lot to lose.They’re not creating much and the chemistry between the players seems to be non-existent.Diogo Dalot was getting in all the right areas as the United left wing-backBut he lacked the impetus needed to make United really effectiveOne issue which certainly did not help was the lack of presence at left wing-back, with Dalot unable to provide the attacking impetus needed to be successful.He was in the position loads, but only one cross ended up resulting in a chance for the attack.THREE IS THE MAGIC NUMBERLeny Yoro returned to the back three alongside Harry Maguire and Matthijs de Ligt to face Fulham.And there were some positive signs this time around despite a lot of long balls being played forward.The trio kept Rodrigo Muniz, Adama Traore and Alex Iwobi pretty quiet throughout the game.Matthijs de Ligt’s cross-field passes proved an effective out ball for Man UtdThe passes would find De Ligt one on one with an opposition markerIf another player was there asides from the more defensively minded Dalot it might have produced different resultsDe Ligt was far better in defensive situations due to him being willing to jump out and engage, like he did with great success against Manchester City and Liverpool.He showed some very good cross-field passes to the wing-back on the opposite side, but we will come back to that in a moment.Overall though, it was a good flat back three which refused to be bullied.NACHO HOT BUT WING-BACKS NOTI’m not sure if Garnacho has bought his team-mates dinner yet like he promised them he would last week.But he proved effective when he came on to provide the direct running United needed and was a big threat to Fulham, though it is a system puzzle with Amorim wedded to 3-4-3.Alejandro Garnacho coming on added a directness on the left which had been missingLike Dalot, Noussair Mazraoui simply doesn’t provide the aggression United need to truly excel in this formationHis touches were often too deepThe starting wing-backs Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui just don’t have the pace and dynamism to stretch defences.De Ligt’s long field switches proved effective in getting United up the field and stretching the play.However, with Dalot unable to make the most of them they ended up being largely wasted chances.When Garnacho arrived, he did that on the left of the front three but, with no outlet on the right, it meant an imbalance.Garnacho might have made more of this situationAmorim must consider starting with more attacking wing-backs like Garnacho or the currently injured Amad Diallo — as well as new signing Patrick Dorgu, who was suspended on Sunday.But one thing is for certain, Dalot and Mazraoui are not currently doing enough in an attacking sense for Man Utd, which is leading to them having a lack of creativity.CALVIN CLIMBSCalvin Bassey was the shining light in an otherwise below par Fulham performance.Marco Silva had matched Wolves’ 3-4-3 in midweek, but ended up reverting back to the preferred back four against United.But with the home side’s back three proving to be too much for the Fulham attackers to handle, it was left to centre-back Bassey to come up with the goods in his first ever FA Cup game.Yet for Man Utd it was a case of deja vu after they conceded almost the exact same set piece goal against Fulham two years ago when Aleksandar Mitrovic scored against them.It was deju vu for Man Utd as they conceded the same set piece goal as almost exactly two years agoThis time around it was Calvin Bassey who found space at the far post to head home the openerMan Utd, like most teams nowadays, defend zonally.What Fulham did to break through this was drag out the first zone to create a gap into the second zone.The outswinging corner to a Fulham head at the near post ended up in a dangerous cross towards the far post.Two years ago it was Andreas Pereira’s cross which was flicked in at the far post when he ran into the space and scored.READ MORE SUN STORIESThis time, it was once again a Pereira corner, swung into Muniz who headed it into the gap at the far post.In the end they were just about value for a win, but you would not fancy playing them in the latter stages of the FA Cup.Man Utd ratings vs FulhamMANCHESTER UNITED crashed out the FA Cup on penalties against Fulham.Victor Lindelof and Joshua Zirkzee had poor spot-kicks saved as the Red Devils slipped to their sixth home defeat under Ruben Amorim.Fulham broke the deadlock on the stroke of half-time with a well-worked corner.Antonee Robinson darted to the near post and flicked it onto Calvin Bassey who directed his header into the bottom corner brilliantly.Just as United’s frustrations were brewing, Bruno Fernandes was the saviour yet again.He picked up Diogo Dalot’s perfect cut back and fired it beyond the stretch of Bernd Leno.United had chances towards the end of the second-half, with subs Alejandro Garnacho and Chido Obi unable to finish.There was nothing to separate the sides in extra-time and penalties were needed.Despite well-taken kicks from Fernandes, Diogo Dalot and Casemiro, Lindelof and Zirkzee woefully fired directly at Fulham hero Leno.But which Man Utd players could hold their heads up and which flopped?Here, SunSport’s Ken Lawrence reveals his player ratings. 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      Man Utd’s history means nothing – thinking they can win the league in three years is arrogant and delusional

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      IT was an FA Cup weekend which showed just how far Manchester United have fallen.Which showed how little their history means, how shockingly bad their recruitment has been — and how many clubs have overtaken them.Man Utd boss Ruben Amorim is underestimating the size of his taskCredit: GettyWayne Rooney was correct to warn the Red DevilsCredit: X formerly Twitter / @BBCMOTDRooney was also spot-on to say United could do with Danny WelbeckCredit: GettyAnd it showed how correct Wayne Rooney was to criticise the naivety of United’s hierarchy for targeting the Premier League title within three years.In a fascinating quarter-final line-up, there are four clubs — Bournemouth, Brighton,  Fulham and Crystal Palace — who have never won the Cup but who have realistic ambitions of doing so on May 17.All four are infinitely smaller than United but sit above Ruben Amorim’s men in the  Premier League table.So when Rooney doubts United’s stated ambition of winning the title in their 150th anniversary year of 2028 — chief executive Omar Berrada’s so-called ‘Project 21’ — he is absolutely right.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLRooney called it ‘naive’. He might have added ‘arrogant’ and ‘delusional’.United haven’t won it in 12 years and are now further away from doing so than at any point during that time.Portuguese Amorim is a searingly honest press-conference operator but he was wrong to sneer at Rooney with his ‘that is why I’m manager of Manchester United at 40’ jibe.That Rooney’s managerial career has stalled after four underwhelming jobs by the age of 39 does not mean his comments lack credibility.Most read in FootballUnited face more high-pressure games this monthBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSAre only successful football managers allowed to assess football managers?Sir David Attenborough has never been a Rwandan mountain gorilla but he made a decent fist of talking about them.Man United fan The United Strand vows to not cut his hair until Red Devils win FIVE games in a rowAmorim claims being a pundit is easy — which doesn’t explain why so many ex-players are so bad at it.Rooney, meanwhile, is far more articulate and insightful than he’s often given credit for.He’s United’s record goalscorer and he understands that the club’s fame, its history, means little to current footballers — especially those from overseas.“If I’m a player and United try to sign me, I’m thinking, ‘I’m not sure’,” said Rooney. “The top players want Champions League.”United’s 13 titles under Sir Alex Ferguson are an irrelevance to the elite young players they want to recruit.Those potential transfer targets will instead regard a shell of a football club, stuck in the bottom half of the table.The idea of United targeting the title in 2028 is nonsense.Before they can even think about challenging Liverpool, Arsenal or Manchester City, they must get past that little lot of FA Cup quarter-finalists — Brighton, Bournemouth, Fulham and Palace.Joshua Zirkzee was gutted after a shootout miss as Fulham KO’d UnitedCredit: GettyMarcus Rashford is flourishing on loan for Aston Villa from UnitedCredit: GettyAll are well-run clubs benefiting from the ‘levelling up’ effect of Premier League TV revenue and Profit and Sustainability Rules.United are not experiencing a one-season blip. They are suffering from a dozen years of rank boardroom mismanagement.Would you bet on them finishing above Brighton, Bournemouth, Fulham or Palace next  season?When Fulham won at Old Trafford on Sunday, United cast-off Andreas Pereira shone, as did Sander Berge, the holding midfielder United tried and failed to sign from Burnley last summer.Fulham manager Marco Silva was one of several bosses United sounded out before they offered a new contract to Erik ten Hag.Silva is a gifted coach, who prioritised the Cup by resting several first-choice players for last Tuesday’s visit to Wolves, a match which Fulham won after their manager changed his favoured formation — showing an admirable flexibility which seems alien to Amorim.Fulham beat United without playing well. Despite three key injuries of their own, they had a far stronger bench than United.They are nine points clear of United because they are simply better.United would love a forward as good as Bournemouth’s Justin Kluivert, Evanilson or Dango Ouattara, or a winger anywhere near the standard of Brighton’s Kaoru MitomaThis is the Premier League’s new order. Smaller clubs have strong squads, well-scouted, recruited, assembled and coached. They don’t often need to sell their best players either.They can work without the white noise that  surrounds United, because of a history which only serves to drag the club further down.Earlier on Sunday, United old boy Danny Welbeck scored an excellent winner for Brighton at Newcastle.And at 34 Welbeck would still be a huge improvement on what Amorim has at his disposal — as Rooney pointed out.On Friday night, Marcus Rashford was enjoying his freedom at Aston Villa — who haven’t won the Cup since 1957 but also have a decent chance of doing so.And how United would love a forward as good as Bournemouth’s Justin Kluivert, Evanilson or Dango Ouattara, or a winger anywhere near the standard of Brighton’s Kaoru Mitoma.Bournemouth and Brighton are diamond miners in the global transfer market, Fulham are more adept at recycling unwanted Premier League players and at Palace it’s a mix of the two approaches.But all have succeeded while United have continually failed.And these are the clubs United must surpass before they even think about challenging to be champions of England again.Champions by 2028? Naive isn’t the half of it.Mocking was sickWHO says FA Cup romance is dead, when Saturday brought us a kung-fu kick at Crystal Palace v Millwall, a headbutt at Bournemouth v Wolves and a racism row at Preston v Burnley?If the assault by Millwall keeper Liam Roberts on Palace striker Jean- Philippe Mateta wasn’t bad enough then the sick mocking songs of Lions fans were even more reprehensible.Amazingly this challenge on Palace attacker Jean-Philippe Mateta by Liam Roberts wasn’t the worst aspect of the FA Cup derbyCredit: GettyPalace supporters did retaliate sarcastically with a similar ‘let him die’ chant when a Millwall player was receiving treatment for a far less serious injury.The FA say Millwall chants, which gloried in Mateta’s trip to hospital, cannot be punished because they do not breach their rulebook.Well, either update your rulebook or use some common sense.Millwall can have all the community initiatives they like but while they  continue to be followed by such a high percentage of moronic lowlife, they will continue to be the pariahs of English football.Mint’s missed momentBRIGHTON’S Yankuba Minteh really should have celebrated his goal against former club Newcastle on Sunday.It’s not just that Minteh, 20, was flogged in the summer without having ever played a minute of first-team football for the Magpies.Yankuba Minteh had extra reasons to enjoy his goal at NewcastleCredit: AFPIt’s that the talented Gambian winger refused a move to Lyon after realising Newcastle merely regarded him as a saleable commodity to help them comply with Profit and Sustainability Rules.Even though a £40million fee had been agreed, Minteh held out for the Premier League move he wanted and proved his worth with a goal which helped knock Toon out of the FA Cup.He should have fully enjoyed his moment because he owed his opponents nothing.Stat’s it, big AngeIF Ange Postecoglou does not last as Tottenham boss, can we please beg all major broadcasters to offer him a blank cheque to head into punditry?Because nobody cuts through football’s mountain of bulls**t quite like Big Ange.Postecoglou’s disdain for VAR already earned the Aussie immense credit from this column — and now he has weighed in on the myth of ‘assist’ stats.Ange Postecoglou is rightfully disdainful of statistics for assistsCredit: Alamy“The assist is the most useless statistic in world football,”  said the Spurs chief. “It could come off your backside, fall to somebody on the halfway line, he scores, and it’s an assist. So it doesn’t impress me.”As usual, the big man is bang on.Now blame the robo-flopTHE problem with VAR is the personnel, not the system, they lied.Just wait until robot linesmen come in, with 30  high-speed cameras tracking 10,000 data points on every player — that will speed up checks, they promised.READ MORE SUN STORIESYeah, because that’s the thing you find with technology in your everyday life — it never fails, does it?And then the robot linesmen arrived — and malfunctioned — and we waited for EIGHT minutes to find out whether a Bournemouth ‘goal’ against Wolves had been offside. More

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      LaLiga clash postponed as furious fans boo after being told to leave stadium minutes AFTER game should have kicked off

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      VILLARREAL’S LaLiga clash against Espanyol has been POSTPONED – leaving fans furious.The Yellow Submarine were due to take on the Catalan side at the Estadio de la Cerámica tonight.Villarreal’s clash with Espanyol was postponed due to flood warningsCredit: X/dvidcostarrosaFans were told to leave the ground AFTER kick off was scheduledCredit: GettySupporters could be heard booing the official decisionCredit: GettyVillarreal were going into the match hoping to close ground on the top four while Espanyol were looking to solidify their spot in LaLiga.However, recommendations were made to postpone the match due to a risk of flooding.Fans had already entered the stadium ahead of the expected kick-off at 8pm local time. But they were urged to leave the ground AFTER the game should have started as a message was displayed on the big screen.READ MORE ON SPORTSIt said: “Due to weather alert, we ask spectators to leave the stadium calmly and follow the instructions of security personnel.”The supporter’s fury could be heard in a video that was shared on social media as they started to boo.Rain had started to fall at the ground and it was expected to get much heavier.Marca reports suggest the loudspeakers confirmed to fans in the ground that the match was suspended.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSVillarreal confirmed the decision on social media with a statement.It read: “Due to the safety recommendations because of the risk of flooding as a result of the current weather conditions in Castellón.”The Judge of Professional Competitions has decided to postpone today’s match between Villarreal CF and RCD Espanyol de Barcelona, which was scheduled to kick off at 9pm CET.”Watch incredible moment Lionel Messi’s son recreates Barcelona and Argentina icon’s goal against Getafe for inter Miami Villarreal president Fernando Roig Alfonso could be seen on the pitchCredit: GettyEspanyol players applauded the travelling fans for their effortsCredit: EPAVillarreal players showed their appreciationCredit: EPAVillarreal president Fernando Roig Alfonso could be seen taking a phone call on the pitch.Espanyol released a statement to fans thanking them for their efforts despite the game not going ahead.It read: “We want to wish our fans a safe and happy return home.”We deeply regret this. Thank you for always being there.”The team’s players still went over to applaud the travelling fans despite not kicking a ball.Villarreal players were pictured doing the same with their supporters. Fans were still left upset having made the journey to the match as they reacted on social media.One posted: “They could have warned before all those people traveled, this doesn’t make sense.”A second wrote: “Let’s see who pays for my gasoline now on this evening up and down.”A third commented: “I hope you start looking for free buses for all of us, for the next trip to Villarreal, first of all.”Elsewhere in LaLiga, Real Madrid have reportedly sent scouts to watch Crystal Palace and England midfielder Adam Wharton.READ MORE SUN STORIESBarcelona star Lamine Yamal has revealed which of his team-mates would be “impossible” to live with.He also sensationally admitted he is afraid of kangaroos. More

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      Man Utd CAN’T play Chido Obi in Europa League with club stuck with out-of-form Rasmus Hojlund to save season

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      MANCHESTER UNITED will have to rely on Rasmus Hojlund to save their season.The out-of-form forward has only scored seven times in 35 appearances this season.Manchester United will have to rely on Rasmus Hojlund in the Europa LeagueCredit: GettyChido Obi is not eligible to play in the tournamentCredit: RexHojlund, 22, will now have to lead the line in the Europa League clash against Real Sociedad.This is due to promising youngster Chido Obi being ineligible to play in the tournament.Obi will not even be able to play in the Europa League if Man United make it past the LaLiga outfit.ESPN have reported that when the club submitted the squad for the knockouts, he was not even considered part of the first-team.READ MORE ON MAN UTDThe submission did include January signings such as Patrick Dorgu and youngster Ayden Heaven.Teams competing in European competition have squads split between an A List and a B List, but Obi featured on neither.He did not even qualify for the B List, which is usually reserved for academy players.This is because Uefa rules demand that players be at a club for at least two years.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSThe 17-year-old has made three first-team appearances for the Red Devils in recent weeks.His debut came on February 16 in the defeat to Tottenham, ten days after Man United would have needed to have registered him to be eligible for the Europa.Man Utd chef dances around with Amad, Hojlund and Onana in dressing room after incredible win over Man City Hojlund has struggled for form in the Premier LeagueCredit: GettyChido Obi has impressed in his brief appearances in the first-teamCredit: GettyHe looked lively in the FA Cup defeat to Fulham but is yet to score his maiden goal in professional football.He joined Man United back in October after he left Premier League rivals Arsenal.The club confirmed that he could not play in the competition this season.A statement read: “Chido Obi is ineligible for the competition, as he cannot be added to the B list due to only signing for the Academy last year.”The one positive for manager Ruben Amorim is Hojlund’s form in Europe this season.While the former Atalanta striker has struggled domestically for the club, he has proven capable in the Europa League.Hojlund has scored five of his seven goals in the tournament despite making just eight appearances.The Dane netted braces against Bodo/Glimt and Viktoria Plzen as well as one goal against Porto.Hojlund also added an assist to his two goals in the 3-2 win over Bodo/Glimt back in November.His goals in the Europa League are more than any of his team-mates have managed.Only Christian Eriksen and Amad Diallo have scored more than once in the tournament along with Hojlund.He will need to return to that level of performance if he is to save Man United’s season.He struggled as the club were dumped out of the FA Cup by the Cottagers as he was hooked for Obi.Obi made a much bigger impact during his time on the pitch compared to a mostly invisible Hojlund.The Red Devils splashed out a stunning £72million to sign the striker in the summer of 2023.He had come off the back of an impressive season in Serie A in which he scored ten times in 34 appearances.But since moving to Old Trafford he has regressed massively and appears low on confidence.Speaking after the penalty shootout defeat to Fulham, Amorim insisted that the striker position is up for grabs.He said: “Anything can happen in the next games, during training.”We don’t have a lot of time to train but we need to see the opposition, feel the moment of the player physically, with a lot of games, because we are going to start playing Thursday-Sunday.”Anything can happen but I will focus just on the next game and not in that way I’m not going to change the striker.”I will just choose the best players to win the next match.”Progression in the Europa League is vital for Man United to take any positivity from what has been a miserable season.READ MORE SUN STORIESThe club has been dumped out of both domestic cups and look set for a record low finish in the Premier League.What would be a shock run to winning the Europa League would see the club sneak into next season’s Champions League.Man Utd ratings vs Ipswich as Maguire saves the day after Onana makes case to be WORST ever signingMANCHESTER UNITED eased their fears of the drop in a topsy-turvy relegation six-pointer with Ipswich.The Red Devils triumphed 3-2 despite playing the second half with ten men.A major cock-up from Patrick Dorgu and Andre Onana saw Ipswich take a third-minute lead through Jaden Philogene.Then, after United had recovered to lead 2-1, Dorgu saw a straight red card for a poor challenge on Omari Hutchinson.Philogene scored again to level it before the break only for Harry Maguire to nod in to be United’s saviour.But who was United’s best player on the night?Here, SunSport’s Phil Thomas reveals his Manchester United player ratings… More