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      Arsenal fan guilty of hurling vile racial abuse at OWN player Thomas Partey – but claimed he was just being ‘sarcastic’

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      AN ARSENAL fan has pleaded guilty to racially abusing star midfielder Thomas Partey – but claimed he was only being sarcastic.Charles Ogunmilade, 28, admitted racially attacking the Gunners’ Ghanaian midfielder with a “grossly offensive” message after Arsenal’s 3-3 draw with Southampton last year.The aspiring photographer called Partey a “dirty black c**t” in a shocking racist postCredit: GettyCharles Ogunmilade, above, sent the post after Partey hit a long-range strike over the bar.Credit: Chris EadesThe post, on Elon Musk’s X platform, were sent moments after £50m midfielder Partey, 31, spooned a 30-yard wonder-strike effort over the crossbar.His shot followed Arsenal stars Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard scoring to rescue a critical point in the title race with two goals in the last two minutes of the match.Recruitment consultant Ogunmilade, of Romford, Essex, spoke only to confirm his name, age and plea.Prosecutor Rami Amin said: “During the evening of April 21, 2023 there was a Premier League match between Arsenal and Southampton.Read more about Arsenal“This featured a player for Arsenal called Thomas Partey.“This defendant posted a comment on the Twitter platform.”The court heard the content of the post, which The Sun is not repeating, meant the offence was aggravated because of the racist language used.Padma Panigrahi, defending, insisted the vile remarks had been made in jest.Most read in FootballThe solicitor added: “My client has advised me that he and his friends communicate on Twitter.“He and his friendship group mimic what white, racist football hooligans say.“That’s why it was in inverted commas – they were basically being sarcastic.“That’s what a white football racist would say in that situation.“He’s very remorseful, that’s why he’s admitted it in an interview and co-operated with the police.“His family are in Nigeria.”The court heard Ogunmilade would contest a football banning order, which is typically applied to cases involving the sport.He is likely to be handed a community order.Head magistrate Margaret Orgill JP told the football fan: “As you know, we need a probation report.“If you commit any offence while on bail, you will get a more severe punishment.He was granted unconditional bail to appear for sentencing at City of London magistrates’ court on November 26.Ogunmilade made no comment when approached by The Sun outside court.READ MORE SUN STORIESThe club previously demanded an investigation into a vile troll who posted a racist image of England hero Bukayo Saka, 21.And last month law student Suhel Ali escaped jail after calling world-class winger Saka offensive terms in a voice note on X.Partey attempted to win the match for Arsenal but hit his shot over the bar, after Martin Odegaard had levelled the score at 3-3Credit: ReutersSuhel Ali, 20, escaped jail last month after racially abusing Bukayo SakaCredit: Not known, clear with picture desk More

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      Man Utd legend Dwight Yorke lands new management job nearly two years after being sacked by Australian team

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      FORMER Manchester United star Dwight Yorke has been named head coach of the Trinidad and Tobago national team.Yorke, 52, made 72 appearances for the Soca Warriors across 20 years during his playing career.Dwight Yorke has been named head coach of Trinidad and TobagoCredit: GettyYorke made 72 appearances for the Soca Warriors across 20 yearsCredit: AFPAnd now he is set to lead the nation through a series of World Cup qualifiers.The ex-United striker’s appointment marks a “new chapter” for the nation.Discussing his arrival, TTFA President Kieron Edwards said: “With World Cup qualification in our sights, we’re thrilled to welcome Dwight Yorke as the new head coach of our Men’s National Team.”Dwight’s experience, leadership, and commitment to the red, white, and black are exactly what we need to inspire our players and our nation.”Read More in FootballMeanwhile, Yorke admitted he is thrilled to be working with the national team ahead of such an important run of fixtures.He explained: “I am proud and privileged to receive the honour of leading the Trinidad and Tobago national team.”The opportunity to work with this talented, close-knit group of players is something I look forward to.”Having helped Trinidad and Tobago to the semi-finals of the CONCACAF Gold Cup in 2000, captained the side at the 2006 World Cup and been Assistant Manager, my love and commitment to my national team is well documented.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS”I saw first hand as a player how working together to achieve our targets brought joy and united our country. I see that same ambition and desire at all levels of the current set-up.”So I look forward to building on the work of someone who I played alongside with for a number of years from youth level right up to senior team, a good friend and former team-mate, Angus Eve, and the current interim head coach, Derek King.’I did my coaching badges with Ruben Amorim, I think Man Utd have got the right man’ says Gabby Agbonlahor “As a player I experienced some incredible moments in a Trinidad and Tobago shirt. With this squad I hope they can continue as head coach.”Yorke had been out of work since leaving Australian side Macarthur in January 2023.He was sacked after a huge dressing room clash whereby he compared his squad to a “pub team” and claimed the club was “run by muppets”.Yorke was a potent finisher during his Premier League days, best known for partnering Andy Cole up front for Manchester United.He made a total of 584 career appearances scoring 188 goals.Dwight Yorke struck up a ferocious front line at Utd with Andy ColeCredit: Getty More

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      Diogo Dalot’s Halloween costume choice comes back to haunt him as Man Utd star is savaged by one-liner

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      DIOGO DALOT has been left haunted by his vampire Halloween costume choice. The Manchester United star was the butt of the joke after one fan’s savage one-liner.Diogo Dalot and fiancee Claudia dressed up as vampires for HalloweenDalot has faced heavy criticism for his mistakes this seasonDalot swapped his recently suspect performances for a scary look.The Portugal defender and fiancee Claudia Pinto dressed as Count Dracula and his wife, to celebrate their daughter’s first Halloween.Their child Clara, who turns one years old later this month, was dressed in a cute pumpkin outfit as the Prem star shared his holiday festivities to his 3.4m Instagram followers.But some quick-witted fans jumped at the chance to compare Dalot’s vampire outfit to his defensive struggles this season.READ MORE ON MAN UTDOne hilarious X user wrote: “No wonder he’s afraid of crosses.”While another said: “From sucking blood to sucking at football all in a day’s work.”In folklore and fiction, vampires are often depicted as being afraid of crosses, crucifixes, and other holy Christian symbols.After winning United’s Players’ Player of the Year in May, Dalot has been cursed with misfortune, as he’s faced heavily criticism this term.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSFans were left “disgusted” when he failed to do the basics and track Brennan Johnson’s run for Tottenham’s opener in their 3-0 win at Old Trafford in September. He then failed to track goalscorer Ethan Pinnock’s clever run from a Brentford corner just before half-time of United’s win 2-1 a fortnight ago.Ruben Amorim showed flashes of a young Jose Mourinho is his latest press conference – and teased a big announcementDalot was even guilty of failing to deal with crosses during United’s 5-2 thrashing of Leicester in the Carabao Cup Round of 16.Luke Thomas’ in-swinging free-kick bounced off Dalot into the path of Conor Coady, who was free to fire home from two yards to make it 4-2 just before the break.And it’s not just the defensive work that Dalot’s been struggling with.The full-back left fans in disbelief when he failed to score an OPEN GOAL in United’s 2-1 defeat to West Ham.His miss of the season contender contributed to United’s overall lack of fortune in front of goal at the London Stadium, which proved to be the final nail in Erik ten Hag’s coffin.Dalot produced one of the misses of the season at West HamThe Dutchman was sacked first thing Monday morning, with Dalot later “thanking” him on Instagram.But the full-back will hope for an upturn in fortunes under new boss Ruben Amorim.Former Portugual international Amorim will take charge on November 11 after seeing out a brief notice period with Sporting Lisbon.Dalot told Sky Sports: “I am very exciting to start working with him.”He’s very demanding, that’s what I can expect – and I think that’s the perfect match for a club like this. “Standards are really high – he’s a person that you can see has really high standards and he stands by them, so I hope that can be a really good match and that we can win together, that’s what I wish the most.”READ MORE SUN STORIESAmorim’s first match in charge will be against Ipswich on November 24, with Ruud van Nistelrooy continuing as interim manager until then.The former United striker will oversee games against Chelsea, PAOK and Leicester again before the international break. More

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      Meet FA Cup underdogs whose star man is gravedigger and manager played under Sir Alex Ferguson

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      SCARBOROUGH’S part-timers hope gravedigging midfielder Dom Tear can help leave managerless Burton’s FA Cup hopes dead and buried this weekend.Tear has scored 10 goals in all competitions this season for sixth-tier side Scarborough, who take on League One’s bottom club Burton, who are winless, on Saturday in the first round.Scarborough hope gravedigger midfielder Dom Tear can inspire them to a winCredit: X @16TearFormer Man Utd star Jonathan Greening is in charge of the National League north sideCredit: GettyScarborough’s line-up is comprised of teachers, an NHS physio and an electrical powerline worker, among other trades, as the National League North side sense an upset.But Seadogs stalwart Kieran Glynn feels gravedigger and midfield partner Tear is the one most likely to signal the portents of doom to Brewers’ fans at the Pirelli Stadium.Glynn, also a furniture removal man, told the PA news agency: “Dom Tear is absolutely on fire, so gravedigging and football must be working!”He scored two in the last round as well, that’s 10 in all competitions. He can’t stop scoring.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”First-team coach Jimmy (Beadle), Mr Scarborough, nicknamed him the ‘backdoor burglar’.”Jimmy’s love for the town is mental. He’s unbelievable for morale and the funniest man I’ve met in football.”He said to Dom: ‘You’ve got 10 goals, but completed three passes’. Dom won’t touch the ball for 87 minutes and then he’ll score two in the last three.”He’s just there. They’re all one-touch finishes. Balls in across the box and he’ll sneak in back stick to tap it in.Most read in SportBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS”His knack of being in the right place at the right time is the best I’ve seen in a long time.”The Seadogs rose from the ashes as a ‘phoenix club’ in 2007, renamed as Scarborough Athletic and resuming in the 10th tier after the club had been wound up days earlier with debts of £2.5million.Meet non-league star with longest throw in football who plans to put it to good use in FA Cup giant killingThey moved into their new Flamingo Land Stadium in 2017 having spent 10 years playing home games at Bridlington Town, 20 miles away.Former Manchester United midfielder Jonathan Greening was appointed manager in 2021 and guided the club to promotion to National League North in his first season.Glynn, in his third spell with the Seadogs, said: “Jono has revamped the whole club. It’s a club that, once it gets its claws in you, you keep coming back. I’m proof of that, I can’t get away!”But Jono came in and absolutely lifted the place in every aspect. Whether that’s professionalism or getting the fans onside.”Over 1,000 supporters will make the trip to Staffordshire on Saturday as Scarborough bid to reach round two for the second successive season.They beat Dunstan 5-2 in a replay, Warrington Rylands 2-0 and then Chester 3-1 in the qualifying rounds.”Before the first-round draw, half the lads wanted Hednesford or Gainsborough and the other half wanted Birmingham or Wrexham,” Glynn said.”We trained this week on Tuesday and everyone was buzzing for it.READ MORE SUN STORIES”It’s weird seeing lads who have had a few niggles in the last couple of weeks training their hearts out.”Anyone in football knows confidence is massive. You would assume confidence is low in Burton’s camp and hopefully we can capitalise on that.” More

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      Injuries & suspensions update ahead of Gameweek 10: Latest news on Gabriel, Eberechi Eze and other key players

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      DREAM TEAM brings you all the latest injury, suspension and availability news ahead of Gameweek 10 in one easily digestible dose.Dream Team managers should know to take Mikel Arteta’s quotes with a pinch of salt but Arsenal’s head coach told reporters that Gabriel will be included in the matchday squad to face Newcastle if the defender makes it through the final training session without complaint.Riccardo Calafiori, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Martin Odegaard remain sidelined while Ben White is also a major doubt having been unable to train.As for the Magpies, Eddie Howe admitted both Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon are carrying “niggling injuries” with the pair to be assessed before confirmation of their availability.Gabriel is the most transferred-out player ahead of Gameweek 10Credit: ReutersPep Guardiola told journalists that he had just 13 senior players fit after Manchester City’s defeat to Tottenham in the Carabao Cup.While that may have been an exaggeration from the decorated tactician, the defending champions will be missing several key men again this weekend.Kevin De Bruyne, Kyle Walker, Jack Grealish and Jeremy Doku are the certainties (plus long-term absentees Rodri and Oscar Bobb) while Manuel Akanji, Josko Gvardiol and Savinho were all flagged in midweek – the latter was stretchered off.It might not mean anything but Gvardiol posted a relatively positive update on social media on Thursday: “We keep moving forward with full focus on Saturday!”The Croatian left-back is the most-selected defender in Dream Team right now with an ownership of 28.9%.Elsewhere, Micky van de Ven suffered a hamstring injury in midweek and is expected to be unavailable until after the international break.Most read in FootballCristian Romero and Timo Werner are both doubts but Son Heung-min “should be okay” when Spurs host Aston Villa on Sunday.Unai Emery has nearly a complete squad to choose from – Ross Barkley is the only known absentee.Van de Ven has injured his hamstringCredit: ReutersArne Slot expects Alisson, Diogo Jota and Federico Chiesa to return after the international break.Lewis Dunk was initially expected to miss the next three or four weeks but Fabian Hurzeler said Brighton’s long-serving centre-back was set to undergo an assessment on Friday – it would still be surprise if he featured at Anfield on Saturday.Joao Pedro and Matt O’Riley have returned to training but this weekend may come too soon in regards to competitive action.Dwight McNeil is considered a doubt for Everton’s trip to Southampton on Saturday.The 24-year-old, who ranks joint-sixth among Dream Team midfielders, supposedly “has a chance” of playing some part against Saints but he’s yet to train with the rest of the squad.Abdoulaye Doucoure is also due for an assessment.Eze is unavailable for Palace this weekendCredit: PANuno Espirito Santo kept his cards close to his chest in his press conference on Thursday but Chris Wood, Elliot Anderson, Jota Silva and Morgan Gibbs-White were all named as doubts.Nottingham Forest will definitely be without James Ward-Prowse as he’s ineligible to face his parent club.Crystal Palace will be without key players Eberechi Eze and Adam Wharton for their visit to Wolves.The former will miss two league games with a hamstring injury while the latter may be sidelined for a month having had surgery on his troublesome groin.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 NOWARSENALInjuries: Kieran Tierney, Martin Odegaard, Riccardo Calafiori, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Gabriel (doubt), Ben White (doubt)Suspensions: NoneASTON VILLAInjuries: Ross BarkleySuspensions: NoneBOURNEMOUTHInjuries: Luis Sinisterra, Alex Scott, Kepa Arrizabalaga (doubt), Dango OuattaraSuspensions: NoneBRENTFORDInjuries: Aaron Hickey, Igor Thiago, Josh Dasilva, Gustavo Nunes, Rico Henry, Kristoffer AjerSuspensions: NoneBRIGHTONInjuries: Solly March, Matt O’Riley (doubt), James Milner, Joao Pedro (doubt), Adam Webster, Yankuba Minteh (doubt), Lewis Dunk (doubt), Ferdi Kadioglu (doubt)Suspensions: NoneCHELSEAInjuries: NoneSuspensions: NoneCRYSTAL PALACEInjuries: Matheus Franca, Chris Richards, Cheick Doucoure, Chadi Riad, Adam Wharton, Eberechi Eze, Jefferson Lerma, Joel WardSuspensions: NoneEVERTONInjuries: Youssef Chermiti, Armando Broja, Tim Iroegbunam, James Garner, Abdoulaye Doucoure (doubt), Dwight McNeil (doubt)Suspensions: NoneFULHAMInjuries: Sasa Lukic, Carlos Vinicius (doubt)Suspensions: NoneIPSWICHInjuries: Axel Tuanzebe, Massimo Luongo, Ben Johnson (doubt), Jacob Greaves, Chiedozie Ogbene, Jack TaylorSuspensions: Harry ClarkeLEICESTERInjuries: Patson Daka, Jakub Stolarczyk, Hamza Choudhury, Issahaku Fatawu, Victor Kristiansen (doubt)Suspensions: NoneLIVERPOOLInjuries: Harvey Elliott, Federico Chiesa, Alisson, Diogo JotaSuspensions: NoneMANCHESTER CITYInjuries: Oscar Bobb, Rodri, Kevin De Bruyne, Kyle Walker, Jeremy Doku, Jack Grealish, Savinho (doubt), Manuel Akanji (doubt), Josko Gvardiol (doubt)Suspensions: NoneMANCHESTER UNITEDInjuries: Luke Shaw, Leny Yoro, Tyrell Malacia, Kobbie Mainoo, Harry Maguire, Mason Mount, AntonySuspensions: NoneNEWCASTLEInjuries: Callum Wilson, Jamaal Lascelles, Sven Botman, Kieran Trippier, Alexander Isak (doubt), Anthony Gordon (doubt), Jacob Murphy Suspensions: NoneNOTTINGHAM FORESTInjuries: Danilo, Ibrahim Sangare, Morgan Gibbs-White (doubt), Chris Wood (doubt), Jota Silva (doubt), Elliot Anderson (doubt)Suspensions: NoneSOUTHAMPTONInjuries: Gavin Bazunu, Ross Stewart, Will Smallbone, Ryan Fraser (doubt), Flynn Downes (doubt), Ryan Manning (doubt)Suspensions: NoneTOTTENHAMInjuries: Son Heung-min (doubt), Djed Spence, Micky van de Ven, Cristian Romero (doubt), Wilson Odobert, Timo Werner (doubt)Suspensions: NoneWEST HAMInjuries: Niclas FullkrugSuspensions: Mohammed KudusWOLVESREAD MORE SUN STORIESInjuries: Sasa Kalajdzic, Enso Gonzalez, Boubacar Traore, Bastien Meupiyou (doubt), Yerson MosqueraSuspensions: NoneBetMGM sign up offerBetMGM: Get £40 in free bets — HERE**New cust only. 7 days to opt in by placing a £10 qualifying bet at 1/1 (2.0) odds or greater to receive 4x Free Bets: 1 x £10 horse racing, 1 x £10 Bet Builder, 1 x £10 Acca and 1 x £10 football. 7 day expiry. Exclusions apply. Stake not returned. 18+. T&Cs apply.Commercial content notice: Taking one of the bookmaker offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. 18+. T&Cs apply. gambleaware.org More

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      Enzo Maresca appears to forget Premier League rule with Jadon Sancho statement ahead of Man Utd clash

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      CHELSEA boss Enzo Maresca gave fans an unexpected Jadon Sancho update ahead of Sunday’s game with Manchester United.The Blues are preparing to take on the Red Devils at the Theatre of Dreams this weekend. Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca gave an important team news update on FridayCredit: GettyJadon Sancho is suffering from illness ahead of the weekendCredit: AlamyMaresca arrived at Stamford Bridge over the summer and has guided Chelsea to fifth in the table. The 44-year-old will be facing off with United interim boss Ruud van Nistelrooy.And in providing injury news for the clash, Maresca appeared to forget a fairly important Premier League rule. The former Leicester chief revealed his team had an almost clean bill of health into the weekend. READ MORE ON FOOTBALLHe also gave an update on Jadon Sancho, who has been struggling with a recent illness. Maresca said: “All the players are available but Jadon will be out. “He has been ill in the recent days.”Fans were quick to point out to the Chelsea boss that Sancho was always going to miss the game.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSHe is on loan from Man Utd and is therefore not eligible to play against his parent club.One laughed on X: “I think Maresca genuinely just forgot lmao.”Chelsea vs Newcastle: Player RatingsAnother said: “No worries, the boys will destroy United on his behalf.”While a third joked: “Sancho knew Dalot was gonna pocket him.”Chelsea will not have to face United under new boss Ruben Amorim on Sunday. The Portuguese was confirmed as the Red Devils manager on Friday lunchtime. But he will not join up with his new team until November 11 – with his first game against Ipswich Town almost a fortnight later. The Red Devils will be led by Erik ten Hag’s No. 2 Van Nistelrooy, who has made it clear he wishes to stay on at the club.After leading United to a 5-2 win over Leicester, Van Nistelrooy said: “I decided to come back here for a very important reason.READ MORE SUN STORIES”I came as an assistant to help the club move forward and I’m still motivated to do so in any capacity.”I’m very motivated to stay here and help the club forward, that’s my absolute goal.” More

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      Why Man Utd’s dubious history of trying to gazump Man City means jury will be out on Ruben Amorim appointment

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      MANCHESTER UNITED have confirmed the appointment of Ruben Amorim as their new team boss.Amorim, 39, was announced on Friday as United’s new head coach – a first in history for the men’s team – and will takeover on November 11.Ruben Amorim is the latest Man Utd signing that was heavily linked to Man CityCredit: EPAUnited have had bad recent experiences with signing stars linked to City, including Cristiano RonaldoCredit: PAAlexis Sanchez is perhaps the worst case of a potential red herring signingCredit: Getty – ContributorThe Portuguese tactician, dubbed the Special One 2.0, had been heavily linked with a number of top clubs around Europe including Liverpool, Bayern Munich and Barcelona.It was also widely reported that Manchester City had sounded out Amorim as the potential successor to Pep Guardiola, if the Spaniard were to leave on the expiry of his contract in 2025.City had distanced themselves from those reports, but the link was only strengthened with the news of Sporting CP director Hugo Viana moving to the reigning Premier League champions next summer. A report during the Amorim-United saga suggested United CEO Omar Berrada had moved for the ex-midfielder due to his intimate knowledge of City’s operation, having previously worked at the club.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLIt means United have moved for another City transfer target in an effort to gazump them.While this new era under Ineos could have already turned the leaf and made this merely coincidental, previous United deals for City targets have not ended well.The most recent major example of this is the signing of Cristiano Ronaldo.”CR7″ made a triumphant return to Man Utd after shock transfer links emerged suggesting he was set to move to Man City.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSUnited moved swiftly to prevent a shock move of the legendary figure to their rivals, and while Ronaldo personally had a good goalscoring season, his arrival severely hindered the overall system of the team and stopped the club from moving for other, more urgently needed, targets.Ronaldo is not the only case of United moving to one-up City, only for the Red Devils to be bitten on the bottom by the deals not working out as well as hoped.Ruud van Nistelrooy hints he wants to stay at Man Utd in plea to Ruben Amorim as interim vows to ‘serve’ clubHarry Maguire and Fred were both linked with City before arriving at Old Trafford.Former academy stars for United and City respectively in Paul Pogba and Jadon Sancho had reportedly drawn from the Etihad outfit before they completed moves to the red side of Manchester. Pogba and Sancho signed for United for £89m and £73m respectively with big hopes behind them being able to lead the club to glory.However, Pogba’s time at Old Trafford did not go to plan with inconsistent performances, while Sancho had an almighty fallout with Ten Hag after a disappointing two seasons before being froze out in his third.Alexis Sanchez is arguably the biggest case of United falling foul of City transfer trickery.Then-Arsenal star Sanchez was known to be pushing for a move away from the Gunners. City were the most heavily-linked club, but like in the aforementioned cases, United made a late move for the attacker, eventually completing a swap deal that saw Henrikh Mkhitaryan go the other way.However, Sanchez bombed at Old Trafford and drained huge resources, with his financial impact working out at a staggering £505,000-a-week, and £11.9m paid for each goal scored.READ MORE SUN STORIESThe consistent red herring results could be a cause for concern given how Amorim had been linked with City in the past. However, a new era could signal a new result. Only time will tell.Ruben Amorim leaves Sporting on a highBy Charlie WyettRUBEN AMORIM would have preferred to leave Lisbon in a blaze of glory after winning a third Primeira Liga title.Yet football does not work like that. And in what was surely his final game before taking charge of Manchester United, Amorim prepared to say his goodbyes at a half-empty Estadio Jose Alvalade in a League Cup quarter-final against Nacional.Sporting won 3-1 thanks to  second-half goals by captain  Morten Hjulmand and Viktor Gyokeres, who scored two.Luis Esteves pulled back for Madeira-based Nacional.The stadium  will be a good deal more lively on Tuesday when Manchester City are here for  a Champions League match — although Amorim should by then have his feet firmly under his desk at Old Trafford.Liverpool and Aston Villa were both interested in Europe’s most sought-after coach. Even City could have been a possible destination post-Pep Guardiola.Yet the United job is one Amorim, 39,  could not turn  down — even if not everyone saw it that way at Sporting last night.There is clearly a huge split in the Portuguese club’s fan base over their coach leaving at this stage of the season with many believing he should have seen the job through.Yet Amorim, along with the three-man coaching team who are expected to follow him, leaves a club in a much better state than when he arrived here in 2020.Inside the stadium, there was applause — albeit muted — when his name was read out before the game along with the line-ups.And there did not appear to be any jeers when Amorim shuffled out from the tunnel awkwardly towards the dugout.So, while his departure is hard to take for some, none of the fans will forget his legacy.This is a club which is back as the dominant force in Portugal. Even this term, Sporting have won their first nine league games, scoring 30 goals and conceding just two.They are also eighth in the Champions League table, which is one hell of an effort.In contrast, Lisbon was not exactly hit by League Cup fever last night.Amorim made lots of changes, which saw Sporting’s star man Gyokeres, the former Coventry striker, start on the bench.There was, however, a first appearance in six weeks for former Tottenham winger Marcus Edwards. He is certainly one player who has been transformed by Amorim since arriving at the club from Vitoria in 2022 and will be sorry to see the coach leave.While he changed his team, Amorim stuck with his tried and trusted formation of a back three.It will certainly be something Manchester United’s fans will have to get used to over the  coming months.But looking at the Premier League table, none of them will be complaining about the change. More

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      I tried following Gareth Bale’s diet to see if I could be as good as him – it didn’t quite work out for me

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      FORMER Tottenham striker Peter Crouch has recalled the time he tried following Gareth Bale’s pre-match diet.Crouch spent two years with Spurs before joining Stoke City in 2011.Peter Crouch has revealed he once copied Gareth Bale’s pre-match dietCredit: PACrouch and Bale played together at Tottenham for two yearsCredit: AP:Associated PressDuring that time he managed 45 goal contributions in 93 games and played alongside the likes of Luka Modric and Jermain Defoe.But he claims Bale stunned him more than anyone else.In a recent episode of his podcast – That Peter Crouch Podcast – the ex-striker revealed that he even started copying Bale’s pre-match meal in a bid to match his performance levels.Crouch explained: “You know, what changed for me was watching Gareth Bale.Read More on Man Utd”I’ve talked about this before, watching Gareth be the most intense runs, the most distance covered, it was ridiculous.”He was one of the most fittest players I’ve ever seen.”He’d just literally have baked beans on toast every time. And I thought, ‘what is in those beans?'”So I started doing it. I started doing baked beans on toast.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS”I thought it must be the difference. It didn’t quite work for me!”But you know when you see other people doing different things and, certainly later on in your career, you see definitely the chefs and stuff at the training ground has changed.”I played with Frank Lampard at Chelsea and we never lost.. but I’d still rather line up alongside Steven Gerrard’Crouch was discussing pre-match meals with co-host Steve Sidwell when the topic of Bale came up.The former England star also revealed that he would usually eat chicken, pasta and boiled potatoes before a match – sometimes at 9am if he was preparing for an early kick-off.After leaving Tottenham, Crouch went on to spend eight years at Stoke before retiring at Burnley. More