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    ‘I knew I was in trouble,’ says Zinchenko as he reveals what he said to Pep Guardiola to get training cancelled

    OLEKSANDR ZINCHENKO has recalled the time that questioning Pep Guardiola saw Manchester City training cancelled on the spot.The Ukrainian full-back spent six years playing under Guardiola at the Etihad before making the switch to Arsenal in 2022.Oleksandr Zinchenko’s backchat saw Man City training cancelled on the spot by Pep GuardiolaCredit: GettyZinchenko, 27, had signed from Russian side Ufa and had a huge shock in trying to adapt to Guardiola’s intense tactical training sessions.The Spanish manager is known for his information-loaded sessions and his incredible management style – which has reaped six Premier League titles and one Champions League since his arrival in Manchester.But Zinchenko struggled to adapt to Guardiola’s intense methods when he first arrived and one day let the mental exhaustion get the better of him, instantly realising he “was in trouble”.Writing in his new book, Believe, Zinchenko recalled snapping back at Guardiola who had taken issue with one of his misplaced passes.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLHe wrote: “Out loud I said: ‘Mister! Like, I just did one wrong pass, you know?’ And his reaction was incredible.“‘Oh, okay, sorry, sorry, Mr Zinchenko. Sorry,’ said Pep. ‘Okay, guys, thank you, everyone inside.’”And he went in, walked to the changing room. Training over, all because I talked back. I knew I was in trouble.”The punishment didn’t stop there either as Zinchenko was benched for the next game.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSIn a recent interview with The Guardian, Zinchenko recalled how he wanted to apologise straight away after realising what he had done wrong.He said: “Listen, first of all, I was not right. I understood straight away, but it would have been silly if I went right to his office and apologised.Arsenal pair have to be physically forced apart at full-time of Forest clash as tempers boil over in furious row”It was game day minus one and I knew his head was totally on the game plan. But I did apologise after the game.”The pair certainly made up and Zinchenko even revealed that Guardiola called him to thank him for his help after City’s 2023 treble-winning season – despite the defender leaving the season before.Zinchenko has since settled in at Arsenal where boss Mikel Arteta adopts a similar managerial style.Guardiola and Zinchenko made up after the incidentCredit: Getty More

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    Nottingham Forest owner Marinakis spat on floor in ‘disgusting display of contempt’ – but gives outrageous excuse for it

    NOTTINGHAM FOREST owner Evangelos Marinakis was handed his five-match stadium ban after spitting on the floor in a “disgusting display of contempt”.But he produced an outrageous excuse for his behaviour.Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis was banned after spitting on the floor near the refereesCredit: PAMarinakis was charged following the 1-0 defeat at home to Fulham in September as Raul Jimenez grabbed the only goal from a controversial penalty. The FA confirmed the lengthy stadium ban last week – ensuring he would not take his seats in the stands until the home clash with Ipswich on November 30. But now the incredible written reasons for the verdicts have been released. And it is claimed Marinakis spat on the ground in the tunnel when the referees approached following the full-time whistle. READ MORE ON FOOTBALLThe disciplinary panel concluded: “The only reasonable inference we can draw from our rejection of EM’s explanation for the spit is that EM deliberately spat in a disrespectful and disgusting display of contempt towards the match officials. “In our view, there is no other credible explanation for his conduct.”We consider that such a ban will have a real impact on [him] and will act as a deterrent to others from behaving in a similar manner.”But Marinkas’ defence left many baffled – suggesting he had simply coughed. Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSIn his witness statement, the Greek businessman – who paid for the club’s multi-million-pound training ground renovation and also owns Olympiacos – claimed his cigar smoking sparked his antics. The report says: “a. He smokes two or three cigars a day. He often needs to expectorate and/or coughs. His coughs contain phlegm.FA hit Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis with STADIUM BAN after furious tunnel blast at officials”b. If he has to spit, he spits in a tissue if one is available or on the floor if he does not have one available. Sometimes when he coughs spit or phlegm can go to the floor.”c. On the day of the incident he was suffering from a hacking cough. He was taking lozenges.”d. As the officials approached he felt a cough coming and he coughed on the floor, down and to his right which was away from the path the officials were taking. He did not speak to the officials.”e. He cannot now remember if any spittle left his mouth but if it did (and he does not challenge that some might well have done) it certainly was not aimed at the referee’s feet and did not hit anybody.TV fixtures in DecemberHere are all the games that will be televised in December…Tuesday 3 December19:30 Ipswich v Crystal Palace (Amazon Prime Video)20:15 Leicester v West Ham (Amazon Prime Video)Wednesday 4 December19:30 Everton v Wolves (Amazon Prime Video)19:30 Man City v Nott’m Forest (Amazon Prime Video)19:30 Newcastle v Liverpool (Amazon Prime Video)19:30 Southampton v Chelsea (Amazon Prime Video)20:15 Arsenal v Man Utd (Amazon Prime Video)20:15 Aston Villa v Brentford (Amazon Prime Video)Thursday 5 December19:30 Fulham v Brighton (Amazon Prime Video)20:15 AFC Bournemouth v Spurs (Amazon Prime Video)Saturday 7 December12:30 Everton v Liverpool (TNT Sports)17:30 Man Utd v Nott’m Forest (Sky Sports)Sunday 8 December14:00 Fulham v Arsenal (Sky Sports)16:30 Spurs v Chelsea (Sky Sports)Monday 9 December20:00 West Ham v Wolves (Sky Sports)Saturday 14 December17:30 Nott’m Forest v Aston Villa (Sky Sports)Sunday 15 December14:00 AFC Bournemouth v West Ham (Sky Sports)16:30 Man City v Man Utd (Sky Sports)19:00 Southampton v Spurs (TNT Sports)Monday 16 December20:00 Brighton v Crystal Palace (Sky Sports)Saturday 21 December12:30 Aston Villa v Man City (TNT Sports)17:30 Crystal Palace v Arsenal (Sky Sports)Sunday 22 December14:00 Fulham v Southampton (Sky Sports)16:30 Spurs v Liverpool (Sky Sports)Thursday 26 December12:30 Man City v Everton (Amazon Prime Video)15:00 AFC Bournemouth v Crystal Palace (Amazon Prime Video)15:00 Chelsea v Fulham (Amazon Prime Video)15:00 Newcastle v Aston Villa (Amazon Prime Video)15:00 Nott’m Forest v Spurs (Amazon Prime Video)15:00 Southampton v West Ham (Amazon Prime Video)17:30 Wolves v Man Utd (Amazon Prime Video)20:00 Liverpool v Leicester (Amazon Prime Video)Friday 27 December19:30 Brighton v Brentford (Amazon Prime Video)20:15 Arsenal v Ipswich (Amazon Prime Video)Sunday 29 December14:30 Leicester v Man City (Sky Sports)17:15 West Ham v Liverpool (Sky Sports)Monday 30 December20:00 Man Utd v Newcastle (Sky Sports)”f. He fails to see how coughing (where spit or phlegm can come out from any person) towards the floor in a relatively crowded tunnel is misconduct.”But the reasoning prompted various responses from fans.One said: “Gross. Wild defense. Maybe he should learn to cover his mouth when he coughs like the rest of us learned when we were three.”Another wrote: “Disgusting bloke.”Elsewhere, Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo got a three-game touchline ban following his red card at Brighton.READ MORE SUN STORIESHe vented his anger at the officials as Morgan Gibbs-White got sent off. The ex-Wolves and Spurs boss was ordered to stump up a fine of £55,000 while Gibbs-White got a one-match suspension and £20,000 fine. More

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    Jose Mourinho reveals the four reasons he loves living in a hotel as ex-Man Utd manager dubbed ‘Alan Partridge’

    JOSE MOURINHO has many reasons why he prefers to stay in a hotel rather than find a new home when he takes over at football clubs.Which might explain why he’s checked-in to a new hotel since moving to Istanbul.Fans think that Jose Mourinho is just like Alan Partidge after learning that he has been living in hotels for yearsMourinho spent over two years living in a hotel during his time at Manchester UnitedCredit: GettyThe Special One spent the entirety of his two-and-a-half year stint as Manchester United manager living in a Salford hotel – leading to fans dubbing him “Alan Partridge”.Mourinho, 61, spent his time with the Red Devils staying in the Lowry Hotel, a five-star establishment with a high-end restaurant and a luxury spa.Naturally, you can understand why the gaffer would have enjoyed spending his time in the hotel.And he previously explained the four reasons that the fancy establishment kept him from wanting to find a more permanent residence elsewhere.READ MORE ON MAN UTDNo cooking, no ironing, no cleaning and the ability to order a latte whenever he wants were his primary benefits. He said: “I would be unhappy if I was in a house on my own. I would have to clean, I don’t want [that]. “I would have to iron, I don’t know how to. I have to cook; I would cook fried eggs and sausages [because] that’s the only thing I can do.”I lived in an amazing apartment. It was not a room. It was mine all the time. It was not like after one week I had to leave. No, it was mine.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS”I left everything there; my television, my books, my computer. It was a flat with ‘bring me a coffee latte, please’, or ‘I don’t want to go down for dinner, bring my dinner up’.”If I was watching football or doing work with one of my assistants I would ask; ‘bring us food’. I had everything. If I was in an apartment alone it would be much more difficult. I was fine – more than fine.”José Mourinho describes ‘The Mourinho Effect’ he has at Fenerbahce Mourinho hasn’t stopped with his love affair with hotels either, with the Portuguese manager currently staying in a £1,000-per-night Istanbul hotel while in charge of Turkish giants Fenerbahce. Mourinho declined Fenerbahce’s offer to find him and rent out the best house in Istanbul when he took over as boss in June.Instead, he opted to set up residence at the luxury Four Seasons Hotel so he can focus solely on business.The five-star former palace sits on the banks of the Bosphorus Strait and boasts stunning views from the European side over to the Asian side of the historic city, where Fenerbahce’s Sukru Saracoglu Stadium home is located.Mourinho’s hotel exploits have reminded lots of fans of TV character Alan Partridge, who famously spent the first season of “I’m Alan Partidge” staying in the Linton Travel Tavern hotel.One fan on social media joked: “I like to think Mourinho held a small party with the staff of the Lowry when United sacked him. Just like Partridge in the Linton Travel Tavern.”While another added: “Is Jose staying in a Travel Tavern?”A third teased: “I imagine Mourinho’s goodbye to the staff at The Lowry was akin to Alan Partridge leaving the Linton Travel Tavern.”And a fourth commented: “Jose Mourinho has gone full Alan Partridge”.READ MORE SUN STORIESMourinho will come face-to-face with his old team again this week when Fenerbahce take on Man Utd in the Europa League on Thursday.The Red Devils are still winless in Europe this season but will feel that an out-of-form Fenerbahce side could represent an opportunity to get their first win.Mourinho is now living at the Four Seasons HotelSuites start from a whopping £1,000 per nightCredit: Four SeasonsThe hotel has a stunning indoor poolMourinho can eat at the fancy restaurant on siteMourinho faces his old team this Thursday as Fenerbahce take on Man UtdCredit: Getty More

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    Women’s team go invincible and don’t even concede a goal all season – but don’t win the league

    A WOMEN’s team in Sweden have enjoyed an invincible season – but aren’t walking away with the league title.Angelholms FF went through the entire campaign in Division 4 Skane Northwest without conceding a single goal. Angelholms FF didn’t concede a single goal across 18 gamesCredit: Angelholms FFThe team racked up an impressive 15 wins from a possible 18. But despite keeping 18 clean sheets, they were pipped to the title by Ljungbyheds IF. The remarkable final standings see the eventual champions winning the league by a solitary point. Angelholms were undone by three 0-0 draws, including one to Ljungbyheds.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLThey were also the only team to prevent the eventual champions from finding the net all season.Free-scoring Ljungbyheds netted an eye-watering 121 goals in just 18 games on their way to first place.Proud Angelholms coach Ulf Johansson was happy to reveal the reasons behind their defensive success. Johansson said in June: “[It is achieved] through a high defensive game [and] the right attitude.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS”A direct recapture and a good goalkeeper is the melody of being able to keep a clean sheet in so many games.”Reacting to the incredible run, one football fan wrote on X: “I wouldn’t think it possible but here we are. 78 goals scored, 0 conceded, and finishing 2nd with a GD 29 less than 1st.”My cousin is Man Utd FA Cup hero – now he’s helping me through my injury hell so I can shine for women’s teamAnother said: “This is actually insane. Craziest stat I’ve ever seen.”While a third added: “This is truly amazing I doubt we’ll see anything like this.”The last men’s team to go invincible in England were Arsenal during the 2003/04 season.Before that, you had to go all the way back to 1888 and Preston North End to find another English club unbeaten for an entire campaign.In the Women’s Super League, Chelsea were the last team to achieve the feat in 2019/20.READ MORE SUN STORIESAcross Europe’s elite leagues, Bayer Leverkusen in Germany was the most recent team to go invincible.The Bundesliga side won the league without losing a single game last term. More

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    European giants in freefall with ‘world’s greatest stadium’ left abandoned and owner told to go home and never return

    THEY were in the Champions League final two seasons running just two decades ago.But now one of Europe’s biggest clubs are in freefall.Furious fans protested after defeat left the club bottom of the leagueCredit: x @sanchis14No work has been done on their new stadium since 2009Credit: GettyThe ghostly shell of a ground sits in the middle of a major European cityCredit: GettyA skip was set on fire as fans protested against the ownershipCredit: X @pacopolitThey currently sit bottom of the league on just six points and staring down the barrel at relegation.And following their latest humiliating defeat, fans blockaded the stadium in the hope of trapping the hated owners inside.Meanwhile, construction of a new ground which was meant to be the ‘world’s greatest stadium’ has ground to a complete halt with nothing done since 2009.As a result of the Nou Mestalla being left an empty shell with no plan for work to restart, it was scrapped as a World Cup 2030 host venue.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSAnd all of this has left the club’s fans furious with owner Peter Lim, who also owns Salford City, alongside Gary Neville and a group of Man Utd legends.Valencia were Champions League finalists in 2000 and 2001, losing to Real Madrid and Bayern Munich respectively.But a 3-2 home defeat to Las Palmas on left the club staring down the barrel at relegation.They now sit rock bottom of La Liga, two points off 17th-placed Leganes.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSAhead of the Las Palmas game, manager and club legend Ruben Baraja commented that the club would not be able to aim any higher than simply avoiding the drop this season.He said: “When we talked about our objectives, what we wanted was to stop the suffering, to improve in that sense. Huge title-deciding match suspended with stadium evacuated and second half played the following day with no fans“But the league campaign has brought us to this scenario. It is what it is.”Footage from the streets in Valencia showed a skip set on fire as the police attempted to disperse the post-match protest.Valencia now sit bottom of La LigaCredit: GettyThey were beaten 3-2 at home by Las PalmasCredit: GettyThe club hold long term plans to move away from their current stadiumCredit: Getty More

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    Hansi Flick has dived into Catalan culture to take Barcelona back to good old days but faces toughest week of his reign

    HANSI FLICK’S start to life at Barcelona has been better than anyone could have expected.After another summer of financial acrobatics within the walls of the club in Catalonia, a pre-season with most of the star names absent and some key injuries it was hardly a settled start.Hansi Flick has dived into Catalan culture to take Barcelona back to the topCredit: GettyBarcelona boss Flick is facing two major clashes against Bayern Munich and Real MadridBut the German’s eagerness to embrace the culture of the club and its surrounding areas has seen the Spanish giants flourish.They are top of LaLiga, three points clear of Real Madrid, and have won all but one of their ten league games so far.But Flick’s flying start is about to face its litmus test. They host his former club Bayern Munich in the Champions League on Wednesday before visiting Real on Saturday evening.Weeks do not come much more taxing than that.Read More on FootballFlick returns to Bayern finally feeling at the top of his game once more following the brutal and bruising experience of becoming the first manager to ever be sacked in the history of the German national team.He took his time in choosing a next step, there were trips to watch Premier League games and a brief flirtation with the West Ham job in the summer. Things have worked out rather better, for both him and Barcelona.After the chaos of last season’s dance around the future of club legend Xavi, in Flick the club now have a manager in whom everyone appears completely invested.From players benefiting from a clear plan and strict fitness regime to a board blown away by his investment in the culture.Most read in Champions LeagueBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSFlick has dived head first into Barcelona and Catalonia, touring the area in the early weeks, attending an event on National Day of Catalonia and, first and foremost, embracing La Masia.Ten graduates from the club’s famed academy were involved in Sunday’s 5-1 win over Sevilla, with seven of them starting.Andres Iniesta breaks down in tears as Barcelona legend confirms retirement after one of finest careers everClub president, Joan Laporta, said: “Flick understood perfectly what our value is, our jewel: La Masia.”He travelled to meet Xavi at his home and involved former midfielder Thiago Alcantara in his staff for a short period early on.Flick even earned the seal of approval from Pep Guardiola during a pre-season game against Manchester City, drawn 2-2.Guardiola said: “They have done a lot of things well. The positional play of his team is extraordinary, I wish them all the best.”Lamine Yamal, now at the grand old age of 17 following his Euro 2024 heroics, continues to shine while Ansu Fati, following a dispiriting season on loan with Brighton, is back in the picture.Pedri is thriving and Gavi has now returned from his long injury lay-off.Improving Robert LewandowskiBut it is not just the youngsters Flick is getting the best out of. Robert Lewandowski, with whom Flick won the treble at Bayern in 2020, is playing a more advanced role and reaping the rewards once again.The Pole, 36, is LaLiga’s top scorer with 12 already – double that of Kylian Mbappe, Real’s marquee arrival.Having not had a number of his senior players during the summer, Flick had to work hard to blend what was a positive pre-season with the more senior players as they returned.It was another challenge which meant he did not foresee such a fine start.He said: “I always think positive but at the end it’s a project we started with the players from La Masia, because a lot of players were with the national teams at the Euros, it feels really good.READ MORE SUN STORIES”Because also the young players are doing great.”The players came back, it was the same and I think this is an important thing… That you have a good feeling and, step by step, the players get the confidence to play how we want to play, to do it on the pitch and at the end we have the quality.” More

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    Son Heung-min marks return with goal and assist (of sorts) to put Dream Team managers on notice

    SON HEUNG-MIN (£5.1m) returned from injury at the weekend and marked his comeback with a 13-point haul at West Ham’s expense.Tottenham went 1-0 down to their London rivals in Saturday’s early kick-off but stormed back to win 4-1 with their captain contributing to three of his side’s goals in one way or another during an eight-minute blitz in the second half.Picture perfectCredit: Dream TeamSon played a smart pass to Destiny Udogie (£3.3m) who in turn set up Yves Bissouma (£2.5m) for the hosts’ second goal.Three minutes later, it was the South Korean superstar’s shot that forced Jear-Clair Todibo (£2.5m) and Alphonse Areola (£2.4m) into an awkward mess of limbs that resulted in an own goal.And just two minutes later, Son capped the victory with a trademark goal of his own from the left flank.From a Dream Team perspective, the 32-year-old was perhaps slightly fortunate to be credited with a ‘fantasy assist’ by stats providers Opta for his contribution to Areola’s own goal but it could be argued he made his own luck with a bright all-round performance.A reminder that Dream Team lock in scores relating to Opta’s data 12 hours after the final whistle for every relevant fixture – we bow to their wisdom on such matters.Son has registered three double-digit hauls already this seasonCredit: GettyThe broader point is that Son’s performance should have put Dream Team managers on notice.Naturally, his ownership plummeted when he was injured – he missed three games across Gameweeks 6 and 7 – but a 13-point haul upon his return should spark more than a few transfers.Spurs’ long-serving No7 has scored four goals and provided three assists in eight outings this season for a return of 63 points.Most read in FootballHis average of 7.9 points-per-game is only bettered by Erling Haaland (£8.9m), Mohamed Salah (£7.4m) and Nicolas Jackson (£4.3m) among forwards.Postecoglou has rotated in the Europa League so far this seasonCredit: RexWith the three points secured, Ange Postecoglou opted to substitute Son at the 70-minute mark on Saturday and to what extent he features against AZ Alkmaar in the Europa League on Thursday night remains to be seen.But as it stands, Son has to be considered a decent option for Gameweek 9 when Spurs will take on Crystal Palace (Premier League) and Manchester City (Carabao Cup).The Eagles are one of just four top-flight teams yet to win a league game in 2024/25 and currently find themselves 18th in the table.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 NOWSpurs have not been infallible by any means and their capitulation at Brighton before the international break will linger long in the memory but they have now won six of their last seven games in all competitions.Plus, only Man City have scored more league goals than Postecoglou’s adventurous side at this stage.As a proven performer, Son has to be considered an appealing option now he’s available again, especially given his side’s attack-first approach.BetMGM 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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    Fans praise Joshua Zirkzee’s thick skin as struggling Man Utd star ‘likes’ Instagram post ripping into him

    MANCHESTER UNITED ace Joshua Zirkzee was praised by fans after his classy response to an Instagram clip that was ripping into him.Zirkzee, 23, joined United in the summer after a £36.5million deal with Bologna where he stood out last season with 12 goals and seven assists in 37 appearances.Manchester United ace Joshua Zirkzee ‘liked’ a parody video on InstagramCredit: GettyZirkzee was praised by Man Utd fans for showing a strong characterThe striker had a strong start with the Red Devils as he scored the winner in a 1-0 win over Fulham on his debut in August at Old Trafford.However, the Netherlands international has been unable to build momentum in his next 10 games across all competitions after his impressive bow.That has led to criticism across social media amid United’s worst ever Premier League start.A channel satirised Zirkzee’s positioning on the pitch with a clip on Instagram.Read More on Man UtdOne of the content creators pretended to be the Dutchman and was shown being unable to play at No9 as he instead opted for a deeper role in midfield or down the wing.Zirkzee caught wind of the parody clip and won over a lot of fans by being a good sport and simply “liking” the video.Fans stormed the comments section and praised the centre-forward’s strong character, while some predicted he will soon silence his critics and trolls.One fan tweeted: “He might have a better sense of humour than most of your bunch.”Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSAnother commented: “Zirkzee is unstoppable.”A third wrote: “Zirkzee is fantabulous.”Watch frosty moment between Liverpool star Van Dijk and Man Utd striker Zirkzee in tunnel before Holland clashThis one said: “His redemption arc is loading.”And that one stated: “He’s scoring on Thursday [in the Europa League at Fenerbahce], watch.”Zirkzee only spent 16 minutes on the pitch during Saturday’s 2-1 win over Brentford at Old Trafford.Stats showed that the forward did float around the Bees’ half and at times was caught deeper than the No9 position, but his career so far shows that he was actually playing to his strengths.The ex-Bayern Munich ace previously revealed that he occasionally drops down to midfield and thus considers himself more of a “9.5”.Zirkzee said: “I occasionally drop down to midfield. I don’t do that for myself but to help the team.READ MORE SUN STORIES“I am what I call a false striker. Not a No 9, not a No 10. I am a 9.5! That’s my game.“Maybe I’m a little different than others. But being different is good, right?”Zirkzee only played 16 minutes for Man Utd against BrentfordStats show Man Utd ace Zirkzee played deep against Brentford More