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      Arsenal Wags show their class with message to PSG as they share pictures from trip to Paris

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      ARSENAL’S dreams of finally winning their first ever European title ended in tears after getting knocked out of the Champions League by Paris Saint-Germain.But three of the Gunners stars’ partners had the time of their lives in Paris where they got to enjoy the City of Light before Wednesday’s crunch semi-final second leg at Parc des Princes.Bukayo Saka’s girlfriend Tolami Benson, Jurrien Timber’s better half Rose de Back and Leandro Trossard’s wife Laura Trossard Hilven went to ParisLaura shared pictures of their holiday in FranceLaura and Tolami followed Arsenal for the Champions League semi-finalLaura watched Arsenal take on Paris Saint-Germain at Parc des PrincesBukayo Saka’s girlfriend Tolami Benson, Leandro Trossard’s wife Laura Trossard Hilven and Jurrien Timber’s better half Rose de Back shared pics of their holiday on social media.The ladies got to walk around the French capital and even found time for a spa break before going to PSG’s ground.And despite witnessing their men’s dreams of a Champions league trophy going up in flames following a 2-1 loss, the trio showed class and thanked Paris for a lovely hospitality.Laura posted on Instagram: “Bisous Paris, merci. Félicitations et au revoir. [Kisses Paris, thank you. Congratulations and see you].”Read More on ArsenalArsenal fans loved the positivity as they stormed the comments’ section.One supporter posted: “Beauty.”Another commented: “Such nice pictures.”A third wrote: “Amazing.”Most read in FootballThis fan said: “Awesome.”And that one gushed: “Incredible.”Man City vs Arsenal WagsArsenal are now focused on sealing second place in the Premier League.Tolami, Laura and Rose had a classy message for PSG despite the eliminationThe trio thanked Paris for the hospitalityThey even found time for a spa break More

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      Man Utd wonderkid and ‘next Bukayo Saka’ Bendito Mantato, 17, signs first pro contract with club

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      MANCHESTER United’s young Saka-like starlet Bendito Mantato has signed his first professional contract with the club.Mantato, 17, was named on the bench for the first time last week as he travelled to Spain for the first leg of United’s Europa League semi-final against Athletic Bilbao.Bendito Mantato, centre, has signed a first professional contract with Man Utd after training with the first team.Credit: GettyHe was also absent from Monday’s U21 squad to face West Ham to be instead part of the preparations for the second leg on Thursday night.The teenager is so highly-rated that he has drawn comparisons with Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka with his dynamic left-footed play on the right wing.His journey from wing-back to right wing mirrors the Arsenal star’s youth journey and makes him an attractive fit for Ruben Amorim’s side.The United boss has experimented with wing-backs this season, using Patrick Dorgu and Diogo Dalot in the role.READ MORE ON MAN UTDBut Mantato could be a valuable string to his bow with 14 goals and assists this season across U18 and U21 level.It’s not just Amorim who can see the potential in the star as Chelsea, Liverpool, Newcastle and Brighton expressed interest in signing him last year, according to the Manchester Evening News.Mantato has been hailed as a “versatile player with impressive size for his age and a strong technical base” by community football platform Planet Football and has gone viral on X for his skills.Despite making his U18 debut aged 14 only last season, his senior debut could be on the horizon.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSAmorim has already started to give youth a shot, fielding the club’s youngest ever starting XI in the Premier League against Brentford on Sunday with a 22 years and 270 days average age.Chido Obi, 17, and Harry Amass, 18, both started among an additional five 20-year-olds. After scoring the 99th minute winner against Arsenal in the February FA Youth Cup quarterfinals, Mantato will be a welcome addition to the senior side.Join SUN CLUB for the Man Utd Files every Thursday plusin-depth coverage and exclusives from Old Trafford More

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      Ryan Reynolds and Tom Brady’s secret roles in David Beckham’s Salford takeover revealed as he lays out ambitious plans

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      DAVID BECKHAM has revealed why Tom Brady and Ryan Reynolds inspired him to complete a takeover of League Two side Salford City.The England icon recently joined forces with Gary Neville to finalise a takeover of Salford, having initially held a 10 per cent stake.Gary Neville and David Beckham have completed a takeover of Salford CityCredit: GettyBeckham has admitted he was inspired by Wrexham co-owner Ryan ReynoldsCredit: Getty Images – GettyThe England icon has also been impressed by Tom Brady’s work at BirminghamCredit: ReutersFollowing the departure of majority shareholder Peter Lim last year, several members of Manchester United’s Class of 92 – including Nicky Butt, Ryan Giggs, Phil Neville and Paul Scholes – relinquished their ownership, allowing Beckham and Neville to invest further.The duo have since put together a consortium made up of Declan Kelly, founder of US-based advisory firm Consello, and Lord Mervyn Davies, chairman of the Lawn Tennis Association.It also includes four additional businessmen plus an Indian sports technology company.The Athletic has reported that Beckham and Co have invested between £11million and £15m to bolster Salford’s infrastructure and sporting ambitions.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe Inter Miami chief has admitted that he was influenced by Wrexham co-owner Reynolds and Birmingham shareholder Brady when making his decision to invest.He said: “We’ve all been inspired by what Ryan Reynolds has been doing at Wrexham and I’m not saying this is why we’re doing it because it’s not”But I’ve spoken to Ryan about it so many times now and he said the feeling around the city, the feeling around the club, is so exceptional. That’s the kind of thing that we want to create.”Tom Wagner and Tom Brady have done an incredible job with Birmingham.Most read in EFLCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS”I went to a game a few months back and the atmosphere in the stadium was one of the best I’ve seen for a long time. That’s what we want to create.”We want to create that community, add to the community and fan base we’ve already got — and then lift it.How Wrexham was transformed from crime-ridden hellhole to Welsh Hollywood as locals say ‘next stop’s the Premier League’ “When you see what the Toms are doing, there is investment, there is a plan and it would be the dream to talk about the growth of Salford City.”It’s not only growth on the field, which is what we care most about, but we want success. Because if we’re having success then we’re also having the opportunity to say: ‘Now we we’re going to invest, now we’re going to get a bigger stadium, now we’re going to get a bigger training facility and then it will go on. That is what we’re aiming for.”We’re not going to turn around and say: ‘OK, there’s a bunch of money, we have no plan but we have the money and now we’ll go and get the players’. That’s not how we work in business. It has to be sustainable.”It has to be a real plan around the club because we want to be taken seriously on the field, firstly, and then on the business side. We don’t want to look stupid or make the mistakes that others have in the past.”Beckham also said: “I will be over every big decision that’s made and every little decision that’s made.”That’s what my commitment is to Gary. It’s what my commitment is to the club.”We’re definitely not doing it for a laugh and it’s also not for the romantic side of things. Yes, we care about the club — but we’re doing it to win. We want Salford to be successful and we have had success, but then we want it to go on to the next level.”I always dream big so I’m always going to want us to get to the pinnacle of football and be in the Premier League. But there’s a lot of hard work and a lot of investment to be done up until that point.”The Championship is a league that we want to get in but it’s step by step. We want success very quickly but these things take time.”There’s a reason why we’re not going to be going up this year. So what is that reason? How do we solve it? And what do we need to put around the team, the manager and the club to ensure we have that success?”But if we can do that, fast forward it and be up in the Championship, that’s what the dream would be.”The new consortium will not take on active daily roles within the club.Read More on The SunInstead, a new chief executive will likely be appointed.Butt, Giggs, Scholes and Phil Neville are expected to stay on in other non-stakeholder roles at Moor Lane. More

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      The nightmare scenario that would see Arsenal MISS OUT on top-five finish as horror Premier League run is laid bare

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      ARSENAL are out of the Champions League and no longer able to win a trophy from a season that promised so much.But that doesn’t mean Mikel Arteta’s side have nothing to play for.Arsenal went out of the Champions League after a 3-1 aggregate defeat to PSGCredit: PABut now the manager must rally the troops to make sure they are playing in next year’s competitionCredit: GettyA shock 2-1 loss to Bournemouth means Arsenal have now won just three of their last ten Premier League gamesCredit: GettyArsenal still have work to do to make sure of qualifying for the Champions League next seasonWith Man City finding some form in third place and now just three points behind the Gunners, the prospect of Pep Guardiola maintaining his record of finishing above the Gunners in every season he’s managed in England looms large.Although they have had some memorable nights in Europe, Arteta’s men could hardly be more out of form in the Premier League.They have won just three of their last ten matches, allowing Liverpool to stroll to the title.However, there is a greater danger lurking than just wounded pride if an underwhelming end to the season sees Arsenal unable to manage a second placed finish.READ MORE ARSENAL NEWSThat is because there is still the possibility of missing out on Champions League football altogether.This season, it should be easier than any other to secure a place in Europe’s elite club competition.That’s because the top five will qualify for the Champions League as a result of the Premier League being one of the two strongest in European competition this season.But Arsenal still have work to do with City, Newcastle, Chelsea, Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa all capable of overtaking them.Most read in FootballBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKArsenal’s next game is a trip to newly-crowned champions Liverpool, where they’ll hope to break an Anfield duck that has lasted 13 years.Lukas Podolski and Santi Cazorla were the scorers when Arsenal last won at Liverpool back in September 2012. ‘I don’t like your vibe’ – Ian Wright calls out Paul Scholes in heated row over ArsenalA nightmare scenario could see Arsenal finish outside the Champions League placesThey then have the all-important home game with fourth-placed Newcastle, who are on 63 points.Should they win that match, they would reach 70 points and automatically qualify for the Champions League.Aston Villa, in seventh, are currently on 60 points and would be unable to catch Arsenal in that scenario.Sixth placed Nottingham Forest, on 61 points, and fifth placed Chelsea, on 63 points, still have to play each other, meaning only one of the two teams can reach 70 points.Arsenal face a trip to champions Liverpool, a six-pointer at home to Newcastle and a final day at basement club SouthamptonFortunately for Arsenal, they then face a final-day trip to a Southampton side who will go down as the joint-worst in Premier League history if they are unable to pick up another point in their final three matches.If Arsenal can pick up two points from their games against Liverpool, Newcastle and Southampton, that should be enough for Champions League qualification.That’s because their goal difference is 12 goals better than Newcastle and Chelsea, 21 better than Nottingham Forest and 27 better than Aston Villa.But if they pick up a point or less, that will open the door to all their rivals.Read More on The SunAston Villa will need to win their three games against Bournemouth, Tottenham and Man Utd to have any chance of finishing above Arsenal.While a point for the Gunners will mean Nottingham Forest would also need to win their remaining three games to finish above them. More

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      Watch Chelsea star Estevao Willian’s latest wondergoal as fans tip him to rival Yamal like Messi and Ronaldo

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      CHELSEA starlet Estevao Willian was tipped for an epic rivalry with Lamine Yamal as he netted another wonder goal.The Brazilian ace has only just turned 18 but is already being hailed as a future Ballon d’Or winner.Chelsea starlet Estevao Willian struck another stunner for PalmeirasCredit: AFPHis goal inspired his side to Copa Libertadores victoryCredit: ESPNEstevao agreed a £28million deal to leave Palmeiras for Chelsea last summer, with the move set to be finalised this summer.And Enzo Maresca has reportedly decided to keep the teen in his squad following an incredible run of form.The ace struck 15 goals last year for Palmeiras and already has eight in the new term.Estevao, already a Brazilian league title winner and four-time senior international, has a habit of netting worldies.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLBut his latest one saw fans gasp in amazement.Palmeiras took on Cerro Porteno in their Copa Libertadores group stage game last night.And it was Estevao who opened the scoring moments before half-time with an incredible left-footed howitzer from outside the box.The shot nearly took the roof off the net as it helped Palmeiras eventually seal a 2-0 away win.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSBut fans were left claiming that Estevao is a one-off generational talent.They believe he will end up being a rival to Barcelona’s 17-year-old superstar Yamal.Enzo Fernandez and Noni Madueke lead Chelsea’s dressing room celebrations after win over LiverpoolAnd some feel it could even echo the goal-fest rivalry between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.One said: “Just as we had the Messi vs CR7 era, the next big rivalry will be Estevao vs Yamal!”Another declared: “How does he generate this much shot power?”One noted: “Another reason we’re going to be so much better next season.”Another added: “Best under-18 player in the world not named Yamal.” More

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      David Beckham and Gary Neville complete Salford takeover as rest of Man Utd Class of 92 relinquish their stakes

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      DAVID BECKHAM and Gary Neville have completed a takeover of Salford City.Neville clubbed together with other members of Manchester United’s famous Class of 92 to buy stakes in the club in 2014.Gary Neville and David Beckham have completed a takeover of Salford CityCredit: GettyThe Class of 92 invested in the club in 2014Credit: BBCThe ex-footballers came through the Manchester United academy togetherCredit: GettyBeckham then joined the ownership team in 2019 when he purchased a ten per cent stake from majority shareholder Peter Lim. But now Nicky Butt, Ryan Giggs, Phil Neville and Paul Scholes have relinquished their ownership.Lim also departed in 2024, leaving Beckham and his best man Neville to seek fresh investment. And they have found that in the shape of Declan Kelly, founder of US-based advisory firm Consello, and Lord Mervyn Davies, chairman of the Lawn Tennis Association – who will together co-chair Salford’s board of directors.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLThe new ownership group also includes four further businessmen plus an Indian sports technology company. According to The Athletic, they have invested between £11million and £15m to bolster Salford’s infrastructure and sporting ambitions.But the consortium are understood not to be taking on active daily roles in the club, with Beckham and Neville driving the operation and hoping to appoint a new chief executive.Butt, Giggs, Scholes and Phil Neville, meanwhile, are expected to stay on in other non-stakeholder roles at Moor Lane.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSSalford enjoyed four promotions in five years once the ex-United stars initially bought in. The 2024-25 season was their sixth consecutive campaign in League Two.The Ammies finished eighth, missing out on a play-off spot by just one point. It is said the celebrity owners are targeting two promotions to the Championship within the next five years. Beckham, who also owns MLS outfit Inter Miami, told The Athletic: “I will be over every big decision that’s made and every little decision that’s made.”That’s what my commitment is to Gary. It’s what my commitment is to the club.“We’re definitely not doing it for a laugh and it’s also not for the romantic side of things.“Yes, we care about the club — but we’re doing it to win. We want Salford to be successful and we have had success, but then we want it to go on to the next level.“I always dream big so I’m always going to want us to get to the pinnacle of football and be in the Premier League. “But there’s a lot of hard work and a lot of investment to be done up until that point.“The Championship is a league that we want to get in but it’s step by step. We want success very quickly but these things take time.Salford City ownership groupDavid Beckham (ex-England captain, Man Utd legend, Inter Miami owner)Gary Neville (ex-Man Utd and England right-back, Sky Sports pundit) Declan Kelly (founder of US-based advisory firm Consello)Lord Mervyn Davies (chairman of the Lawn Tennis Association)Frank Ryan (co-chair, co-CEO, Americas Chair, DLA Piper)Shravin Mittal (founder of Unbound and managing director of Bharti Global Ltd)Nick Woodhouse (executive vice chairman, Authentic Brands Group)Colin Ryan (chief strategy and corporate development officer, Qualcomm)Dream Sports Group (Indian sports technology company)“There’s a reason why we’re not going to be going up this year. So what is that reason? How do we solve it? And what do we need to put around the team, the manager and the club to ensure we have that success?“But if we can do that, fast forward it and be up in the Championship, that’s what the dream would be.”Beckham also explained why Salford means so much to him personally as it was where he lived when he moved to Manchester aged 15, where he trained at The Cliff, where he bought his first house and where he first lived with wife Victoria. And he revealed he has taken motivation from the likes of fellow A-lister football club owners Tom Brady at Birmingham and Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney at Wrexham, who both enjoyed promotion from League One this season. Beckham added: “We’ve all been inspired by what Ryan Reynolds has been doing at Wrexham and I’m not saying this is why we’re doing it because it’s not.“But I’ve spoken to Ryan about it so many times now and he said the feeling around the city, the feeling around the club, is so exceptional. That’s the kind of thing that we want to create.“Tom Wagner and Tom Brady have done an incredible job with Birmingham. I went to a game a few months back and the atmosphere in the stadium was one of the best I’ve seen for a long time. “That’s what we want to create. We want to create that community, add to the community and fan base we’ve already got — and then lift it.“It’s not only growth on the field, which is what we care most about, but we want success. Because if we’re having success then we’re also having the opportunity to say, ‘Now we we’re going to invest, now we’re going to get a bigger stadium, now we’re going to get a bigger training facility and then it will go on.’ That is what we’re aiming for.Read More on The Sun“We’re not going to turn around and say, ‘Okay, there’s a bunch of money, we have no plan but we have the money and now we’ll go and get the players’. That’s not how we work in business. It has to be sustainable.“It has to be a real plan around the club because we want to be taken seriously on the field, firstly, and then on the business side. We don’t want to look stupid or make the mistakes that others have in the past.”Beckham and Neville have been friends for decades – with the right-back even Becks’ best manCredit: Getty – ContributorBeckham has taken inspiration from Wrexham owner Ryan ReynoldsCredit: Getty Images – GettyHe was impressed by what Tom Brady has done on and off the pitch at BirminghamCredit: Getty More

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      ‘I don’t like your vibe’ – Ian Wright calls out Paul Scholes in heated row over Arsenal

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      ARSENAL legend Ian Wright collided with Manchester United icon Paul Scholes, who insisted Mikel Arteta’s men “bottled” the Champions League game with Paris Saint-Germain.The two Premier League heroes locked horns on the latest edition of The Overlap – brought to you by Sky Bet – before Wednesday’s semi-final second leg with PSG at Parc des Princes.Manchester United legend Paul Scholes insists Arsenal ‘bottled’ it against Paris Saint-GermainArsenal legend Ian Wright would have none of Scholes’ heavy criticismWright, 61, and Scholes, 50, joined Gary Neville, Roy Keane and Jill Scott to analyse the Gunners’ 1-0 loss in the first leg last week at the Emirates.And the Man Utd legend insisted the North Londoners ruined their chances of winning their first ever European title.Neville asked his former team-mate if he thought Arsenal bottled it, to which Scholes confidently responded: “Yeah.”Wright, though, took great exception to that heavy criticism as he immediatey fired back: “Bottled what? No, we didn’t bottle it. If you bottle it you lose two and three. Seriously Scholesey…”Read More on ArsenalScholes responded: “No, you just lose…”Wright insisted Arsenal were still alive as there was a second leg to play with a manageable aggregate: “No, we haven’t lost, though. it’s half-time, Scholesey. See how we play tonight!”Scholes, though, went even further as he stated Arsenal have proven to be prone of bottling must-win situations, such as last season’s goalless draw at Manchester City that effectively cost them the Prem.The former midfielder explained: “I thought you had to win that. Alright the away goal rule doesn’t count anymore, does it? I think they’ve bottled it in a few big games.”Most read in FootballJoin SUN CLUB for the Arsenal Files every Friday plusin-depth coverage and exclusives from The EmiratesWright asked: “When?”Scholes said: “I’ll go back to City last season, City away. When you had the chance to win the league.”Eni Aluko’s former England team-mate Steph Houghton publicly backs Ian Wright in TV pundits’ rowWright stated: “Yeah, but that’s last season.”Scholes said: “But I’m just saying, it’s the same group of players really. Same manager.”And that was when Wright had enough of all the negativity and lashed out: “I don’t like your vibe Scholesey.”Scholes didn’t budge as his experience has taught him a team needs to go above and beyond to win the big matches.And the United legend suggested Arsenal gave too much value on their two triumphs against Real Madrid as they forget that is something that took place in the quarter-finals.Scholes insists the big games don’t really start until the semi-finals, which means the home matches must be won: “The big occasion. Last big game you won was probably Real Madrid.”Real Madrid criticismWright responded: “Yeah.”And Schoels continued: “Is it that big?”Wright replied: “Massive!”Scholes asked: “Quarter-final?”Wright insisted: “It’s f****** massive!”Scholes stood his ground: “It’s not massive, is it? It’s not that big.”Read More on The SunWright insisted: “It’s not over yet, I told you we have to do this in the next couple of weeks and then you can give me this vibe.”Unfortunately, Wright’s confidence didn’t pay off as Arsenal were eliminated from the Champions League after losing 2-1 in the return leg at PSG. More

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      Rio Ferdinand to miss Man Utd vs Athletic Bilbao clash with sickness bug with TNT Sports pundit’s family also affected

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      RIO FERDINAND is set to miss Manchester United’s Europa League clash with Athletic Bilbao after being struck down with illness.Ferdinand, 46, took to social media on Wednesday with a selfie from his hospital bed.Rio Ferdinand is set to miss Man Utd vs Athletic Bilbao due to his illnessCredit: https://x.com/rioferdy5Other members of Ferdinand’s family have been affectedCredit: SplashHe was due to be in Paris to cover PSG vs Arsenal’s second leg in the Champions League. But Ferdinand could not make the trip due to his health.And PA now report that the sickness bug will also wipe him out of tonight’s Old Trafford clash.It is understood the bug has also affected other members of Ferdinand’s family. READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe 81-cap former England star is married to Kate Wright.They have two children together – son Cree, four, and daughter Shae, one. Ferdinand also had three kids – Lorenz, Tate, and Tia – with his first wife Rebecca Ellison, who tragically passed away in 2015.Ferdinand tweeted on Wednesday just two hours before kick-off at the Parc des Princes with his thumbs-up photo in hospital. Most read in FootballThe United hero wrote: “Gutted to be missing the Semi-Finals this week on @footballontnt!!”Wishing the team all the best — I’ll be watching every minute from the iPad!”TNT Sports were among the many to send their best wishes and a speedy recovery. Ferdinand later tweeted “horrendous decision” when PSG were awarded a controversial penalty for handball.He then replied “brooooo” to Patrice Evra’s bizarre videos – in which he compared Arsenal’s failure to win a trophy to interrupted sex. Ferdinand was set to be on commentary duties for United’s second leg against Athletic tonight. United lead 3-0 from the first leg in Spain last week thanks to a first-half blitz from Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes. Should Ruben Amorim’s side avoid a spectacular home collapse against an Athletic side missing both Nico and Inaki Williams, they will book their spot in the final in Bilbao on May 21. In the previous round, Ferdinand and fellow co-commentator Robbie Savage could not contain their excitement when Harry Maguire completed an unbelievable turnaround to beat Lyon. Ferdinand was set to be at Old Trafford for the Europa League semi-finalCredit: Getty More