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      Watch as Erik ten Hag and Ruud van Nistelrooy are caught in heated conversation on bench during Man Utd’s draw at Villa

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      ERIK TEN HAG had a heated conversation with his number two Ruud van Nistelrooy against Aston Villa.Manchester United picked up their first clean sheet in four games as they battled to a dull 0-0 draw at Villa Park.Erik ten Hag and Ruud van Nistelrooy were involved in a heated argumentCredit: Sky SportsThe Man Utd boss appeared to dismiss his assistant’s adviceCredit: Sky SportsAn under pressure Ten Hag could be replaced as Man Utd boss by Van NistelrooyCredit: GettyBut Ten Hag still did not cut an easy figure on the touchline and at one point during the match became embroiled in an argument with his compatriot.The Dutchman sat in the dugout as Van Nistelrooy offered advice, but Ten Hag appeared to dismiss his suggestions.Ten Hag gestured with his hand and shook his head and had a puzzled look on his face, clearly not agreeing with his right-hand man.Van Nistelrooy returned to Old Trafford as assistant manager in the summer but will reportedly be offered the top job if Ten Hag is sacked.READ MORE ON MAN UTDTen Hag was given the Porto and Aston Villa matches to avoid the sack and two draws mean he has been given a stay of execution.Fans are calling for him to be axed with United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe refusing to publicly back him, and Ten Hag admits he has no idea if he will be sacked.He said: “I don’t have any idea that is different. Because they should have told me. We communicate very open, very transparent.Most read in Football”I speak continuously with them and just after the game I have to do my job, talk with the players, manage the players and answer questions from you.BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSMan Utd player ratings vs Villa: Evans rolls back the years with Garnacho let downMANCHESTER UNITED eased the pressure slightly on boss Erik ten Hag with a hard-grafted stalemate at in-form Aston Villa.United looked much more solid defensively after Ten Hag rung the changes – though the Red Devils still have just eight points from seven Prem games.Here’s how SunSport’s Graeme Bryce rated 14th-placed United rated at Villa Park on Sunday.ANDRE ONANA – 7Guilty of sloppy distribution once or twice but his hands were safe enough and he did well to beat away a piledriver from Youri Tielemans to keep United on level terms.NOUSSAIR MAZRAOUI – 6Managed to contain Jaden Philogene comfortably enough in the first 45 minutes but failed to appear for the second half and was replaced by Victor Lindelof.HARRY MAGUIRE – 6Booked for a high forearm challenge on Ollie Watkins but his afternoon ended at half-time after he appeared to jar his knee defending a corner.JONNY EVANS – 9Handled Ollie Watkins well in the first 45 and showed all his experience to deal with the twin threat of Watkins and Jhon Duran for the final half hour. Rolled back the years with a five-star display to earn his Man of the Match rating.DIOGO DALOT – 7Sat in and rarely got forward but snuffed out the threat of Leon Bailey and was tidy enough. Crucial block to deny Philogene a stoppage time winner.CHRISTIAN ERIKSEN – 7Used all his experience to plug any gaps in United’s carefully constructed midfield. Dealt with the threat from Morgan Rogers well.KOBBIE MAINOO – 7Nothing flashy from the England midfielder who had his work cut out preventing Youri Tielemans carrying out his magic.ALEJANDRO GARNACHO – 6Fired in a first-half shot which Emi Martinez dealt with comfortably but shot hopelessly wide a couple of times after the break. Sloppy finishing let him down. BRUNO FERNANDES – 8United’s skipper only played after his red card against Spurs was overturned on appeal.Kept his cool here to avoid a third red card in three games – came closest for United with a free kick which crashed off the Villa crossbar.MARCUS RASHFORD – 7Taken off at half-time in Oporto and taken off after 64 minutes to save himself a second yellow card here! Looked United’s likeliest match-winner after forcing an early save from Martinez before bringing the best out in the Argentine World Cup winner with a sizzling effort which the ‘keeper tipped over. Booked for a foul on Cash.RASMUS HOJLUND – 6Put himself about and was involved in the clash which led to Ezri Konsa limping off. But lacked service and was replaced by Zirkzee just beyond the hour mark. Below par.SUBSMATTHIJS DE LIGT for Maguire (46 minutes) – 5 – Conceded a few fouls in dangerous areas. Still finding his feet.VICTOR LINDELOF for Mazraoui (46 mins) – 6 – First appearance since March but fitted in well as a stand-in right-back. Booked for a foul on Morgan Rogers.JOSHUA ZIRKZEE for Hojlund (64 mins) – 5 – Miles off the pace, failed to make any impact.ANTONY for Rashford (64 mins) – 6 – Brought out the best in Emi Martinez with a curler which was heading for the top bin until the keeper plucked it out of mid-air.CASEMIRO for Mainoo (85 mins) – 6 – Helped see out the match for United.”We always talk. Every week, I would say every day we talk, so I expect I will speak with them.”I think you said it very good – external noise. Internal, we are disappointed, we know we have to do better, especially we need to score more, that is the moment in this area after this block of games where we are really short.”Erik ten Hag really did not help himself with what he said after Man Utd’s draw with Aston Villa, slams BBC pundit Man Utd are understood to be considering their options with Thomas Tuchel lined up as a potential replacement.Van Nistelrooy could also get the gig but reportedly has doubts about usurping Ten Hag due to his own experience of being betrayed while manager of PSV.The former striker lasted less than a year as manager of the Dutch club as he accused his assistant Fred Rutten and several senior players of conspiring with the club’s directors in the Spring of 2023, before he quit the club prior to the final game of the season. More

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      Man Utd ‘lining up Thomas Tuchel to replace Erik ten Hag’ as under-fire Dutchman prepares for crunch talks tomorrow

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      MANCHESTER UNITED are reportedly lining up Thomas Tuchel as a potential replacement for Erik ten Hag.The Dutchman’s job has come under threat in recent weeks amid a terrible run of results.Erik ten Hag’s future at Man Utd is in doubtCredit: GettyUnited allegedly want Thomas Tuchel to take overCredit: GettyUnited have endured their worst-ever start to a Premier League campaign with just eight points from seven games.And now Ten Hag finds himself under increasing pressure.Man Utd co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe refused to publicly back him last week.According to Manchester Evening News, the businessman is already scouting a potential replacement.READ MORE ON MAN UTDAnd Tuchel has emerged as the priority target.Tuchel has been out of work since leaving Bayern Munich in June.He previously spent 20 months in the Premier League managing Chelsea.But earlier this year he told Ratcliffe that he did NOT want the United job.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSThe Red Devils had been seeking a new manager before Ten Hag’s FA Cup final triumph and considered Tuchel an option.But the German told officials that he instead wanted some time away from management.Manchester United vs Aston Villa: Player Ratings BreakdownIt is currently unclear whether or not his position has changed since then.Tuchel is yet to be contacted by United officials this season.Despite the ongoing speculation around his future, Ten Hag insists he would know if his job was at risk.Following United’s drab 0-0 draw with Aston Villa on Sunday, he said: “I don’t have any idea that is different. Because they should have told me. We communicate very open, very transparent.”I speak continuously with them and just after the game I have to do my job, talk with the players, manage the players and answer questions from you.”We always talk. Every week, I would say every day we talk, so I expect I will speak with them.”I think you said it very good – external noise. Internal, we are disappointed, we know we have to do better, especially we need to score more, that is the moment in this area after this block of games where we are really short.”All the other areas we are doing really well: four clean sheets, so that tells something about the defending and about the organisation, the defending of defensive transitions.”We are doing really well, we are really improving on that point.READ MORE SUN STORIES”Our build-up play is good, we are calm and composed. We are creating chances apart from today. Today we should have created more.”But that area in the box of the opponent, we have to be more ruthless, more clinical, more killing and we have to work on this.”Why NOBODY is the right man to replace Erik ten Hag at Man UtdSunSport’s DAVE KIDD says Erik ten Hag’s time at Man Utd is up… and explains what’s wrong with all the potential candidates to replace him.THIS is a mid-table squad at an underachieving club, with a lot of unwanted players on big money.And Ratcliffe is an instinctive cost-cutter who may not pay top dollar to the next manager.If this club wasn’t called ‘Manchester United’, it wouldn’t be an especially desirable job.The good news for United is that their new sporting director, Dan Ashworth, is a very decent judge of a manager.He has been instrumental in three previous managerial appointments — Gareth Southgate for England, Graham Potter for Brighton and Eddie Howe for Newcastle.None were wildly popular at the time, all were conspicuous successes.Interestingly, Ashworth’s No 1 choice for the Newcastle job was Unai Emery, who turned him down to stay at Villarreal but has since proved that judgment right by excelling at Aston Villa.Emery may well deliver the coup de grace to Ten Hag on Sunday — especially with Bruno Fernandes suspended and Kobbie Mainoo an injury doubt.And the Spaniard would be an excellent fit for United — yet there is next to no chance that he would abandon Villa’s Champions League campaign to take the Old Trafford job, not least because he isn’t a stark raving madman.Howe would be another good candidate to succeed Ten Hag but, although he has become frustrated on Tyneside, the Saudis would surely not allow Ratcliffe to poach Howe, as they reluctantly did with Ashworth.Potter is available but his Chelsea experience and lack of charisma would make him a tough sell.Which brings us to Southgate, who remains close with Ashworth and is an excellent man-manager who was seriously considered by United last spring.Yet, despite having led England to two of their three major finals, Southgate’s reputation for over-caution was only enhanced during the Euros.Mauricio Pochettino, passed over twice by United, is out of the equation having taken the United States job.Thomas Tuchel would be a popular and gettable option but, despite being a fine coach and a very engaging man, he is considered something of a loose cannon.Likewise, Roberto De Zerbi, now at Marseille after his brief Brighton stint sparkled then fizzled out.Kieran McKenna — a gifted former United coach who has won back-to-back promotions with Ipswich Town — is an intriguing candidate but the imminent vacancy may come a year or so too soon.Marco Silva, the extremely under-rated Fulham boss, has been on United’s radar and should not be discounted.Sporting Lisbon’s Ruben Amorim, last season’s ‘next big thing’, was passed over by West Ham as well as Liverpool this summer and is not an easy man to pin down.Zinedine Zidane, who has taken over from Alan Curbishley as a 20-1 shot for every Premier League job, is a ‘figurehead’ manager and not an Ashworth type.Ruud van Nistelrooy, the former United goal machine who joined Ten Hag’s coaching team in the summer is the bookies’ favourite. Simply because he’s in the building and he’s Dutch.So, yes, getting rid of Ten Hag is the easy part. More

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      Arsenal considering major change to match-day rules after Conor McGregor’s bizarre antics on Emirates Stadium pitch

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      ARSENAL have launched an inquiry after Conor McGregor’s antics on the pitch with Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice.The UFC legend was in the stands for the Gunners’ 2-0 Champions League win over PSG last Tuesday.Conor McGregor went onto the pitch after Arsenal’s win over PSGCredit: @thenotoriousmmaHe played football and posed for snaps with Declan Rice and Bukayo SakaCredit: @thenotoriousmmaMcGregor was videoed play-fighting with Saka on the pitchAfter the final whistle, McGregor made his way from a VIP area to the pitch.He then enjoyed a kickabout on the field before being greeted by Saka and Rice.The Notorious jokingly kicked and grappled the winger as he warned the Irishman to “be careful” while play-fighting.Reports from The Times say that McGregor did not have permission to go onto the pitch and ignored requests for him to go inside.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLArsenal have launched an investigation into how it happened.They are considering changing match day rules to see if special arrangement can be made between players and celeb fans.McGregor got tickets to the game via a third party site called 1 Access.The company provide corporate sport packages to the rich and famous.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS1 Access are believed to have a box at the Emirates Stadium within an area that players often hang out after matches.Reports state he was not a guest of Arsenal and the club want to distance themselves from his “brand”.I’m mum of an Arsenal star – I have a side hustle to help parents of Premier League footballers Arsenal ratings vs Southampton: Saka saves nervy Gunners with Jesus low on confidenceARSENAL came from behind to beat Southampton 3-1 in front of a temporarily anxious Emirates crowd.Here’s how SunSport’s Ivan Speck rated every Arsenal player…David Raya – 6A spectator for most of the game. Could do anything to keep out Cameron Archer’s curling opener.Thomas Partey – 6Swapped his usual defensive midfield role for right-back, though given the one-way traffic, he barely had any defensive duties.But he supported Saka at every opportunity.William Saliba – 6Dependable as always when he was needed, which was mostly in the second half.Could have closed down Archer more quickly for the Southampton goal, but not alone in that.Gabriel – 6Spent more time in the Southampton box trying to get his head on corners than in his own area, especially in the first half.Handled the giant Paul Onuachu well when Southampton threw him on.Riccardo Calafiori – 5Given a couple of uncomfortable moments by Tyler Dibling.Did not seem to know which way the St Mary’s youngster was going half the time.Jorginho – 6Inches wide with a searing low shot late in the first half.Probed but rarely found an incisive pass through the yellow shirts. Taken off after an hour.Declan Rice – 6His usual solid self and tried to take on a more creative role with Southampton camped out in front of their own area, but prefers an open game to showcase his box-to-box talents.Raheem Sterling  – 7A freedom about his play. Happy to take on defenders at pace with his dancing feet.Unlucky not to finish off one dazzling run and even more unfortunate to be taken off after an hour.But was robbed of the ball for the Saints opener.Bukayo Saka – 9A game of two halves. Had to cope with being double-teamed every time he picked up the ball in the first half and there was disbelief around the Emirates when he launched one shot high into the stands.The second period was a different story. Tore Southampton to shreds time and again.A brilliant floated cross for Gabriel Martinelli to put Arsenal ahead, then a typically clinical finish for his side’s third.Kai Havertz – 8Proved his worth again as a scorer of important goals with the crucial equaliser just as nerves were beginning to jangle around the Emirates.Gabriel Jesus – 4Too long in the shadows has drained him of the belief he had when he first arrived at Arsenal as the main man up front.Two tame shots summed up his current ineffectiveness.SUBSGabriel Martinelli (Sterling 60) – 8Three weeks ago, his role in the Arsenal side was in question.His form has returned in spades with a second Premier League goal in successive weeks.Leandro Trossard (Jesus 61) – 7Like Martinelli, welcomed as a hero when he came on. Has become an important player in this Arsenal team. His run led to the third Arsenal goal.Mikel Merino (Jorginho 61) – 6A first Premier League appearance in Arsenal colours. Introduced just as the games was opening up and will benefit from the taster.Takehiro Tomiyasu (Partey 84) – 6Back from injury. Given a run out towards the end to ease him back into first team duties.Jakub Kiwior (Calafiori 90) – 6Introduced late on when the game was won. Not much to do. More

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      ‘They should have told me’ says Erik ten Hag as Man Utd boss admits he has no idea whether or not he’ll be sacked

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      ERIK TEN HAG insists the Manchester United hierarchy should have told him by now if they intend to sack him.The Red Devils have endured their worst start to a Premier League campaign with just eight points from seven games.Erik ten Hag insists he would know if his job is in dangerCredit: GettyMan Utd were held to a 0-0 draw against Aston VillaCredit: GettyThey currently sit 14th in the table – 10 points adrift of leaders Liverpool.Fans are now calling for Ten Hag to be sacked, with United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe refusing to publicly back him.But the Dutchman insists he would know if his job was in danger.Pressed on his future following Man Utd’s 0-0 draw with Aston Villa, he said: “So I don’t have any idea that is different. Because they should have told me. We communicate very open, very transparent.Read More on Man Utd”I speak continuously with them and just after the game I have to do my job, talk with the players, manage the players and answer questions from you.”We always talk. Every week, I would say every day we talk, so I expect I will speak with them.”I think you said it very good – external noise. Internal, we are disappointed, we know we have to do better, especially we need to score more, that is the moment in this area after this block of games where we are really short.”All the other areas we are doing really well: four clean sheets, so that tells something about the defending and about the organisation, the defending of defensive transitions.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSMan Utd player ratings vs Villa: Evans rolls back the years with Garnacho let downMANCHESTER UNITED eased the pressure slightly on boss Erik ten Hag with a hard-grafted stalemate at in-form Aston Villa.United looked much more solid defensively after Ten Hag rung the changes – though the Red Devils still have just eight points from seven Prem games.Here’s how SunSport’s Graeme Bryce rated 14th-placed United rated at Villa Park on Sunday.ANDRE ONANA – 7Guilty of sloppy distribution once or twice but his hands were safe enough and he did well to beat away a piledriver from Youri Tielemans to keep United on level terms.NOUSSAIR MAZRAOUI – 6Managed to contain Jaden Philogene comfortably enough in the first 45 minutes but failed to appear for the second half and was replaced by Victor Lindelof.HARRY MAGUIRE – 6Booked for a high forearm challenge on Ollie Watkins but his afternoon ended at half-time after he appeared to jar his knee defending a corner.JONNY EVANS – 9Handled Ollie Watkins well in the first 45 and showed all his experience to deal with the twin threat of Watkins and Jhon Duran for the final half hour. Rolled back the years with a five-star display to earn his Man of the Match rating.DIOGO DALOT – 7Sat in and rarely got forward but snuffed out the threat of Leon Bailey and was tidy enough. Crucial block to deny Philogene a stoppage time winner.CHRISTIAN ERIKSEN – 7Used all his experience to plug any gaps in United’s carefully constructed midfield. Dealt with the threat from Morgan Rogers well.KOBBIE MAINOO – 7Nothing flashy from the England midfielder who had his work cut out preventing Youri Tielemans carrying out his magic.ALEJANDRO GARNACHO – 6Fired in a first-half shot which Emi Martinez dealt with comfortably but shot hopelessly wide a couple of times after the break. Sloppy finishing let him down. BRUNO FERNANDES – 8United’s skipper only played after his red card against Spurs was overturned on appeal.Kept his cool here to avoid a third red card in three games – came closest for United with a free kick which crashed off the Villa crossbar.MARCUS RASHFORD – 7Taken off at half-time in Oporto and taken off after 64 minutes to save himself a second yellow card here! Looked United’s likeliest match-winner after forcing an early save from Martinez before bringing the best out in the Argentine World Cup winner with a sizzling effort which the ‘keeper tipped over. Booked for a foul on Cash.RASMUS HOJLUND – 6Put himself about and was involved in the clash which led to Ezri Konsa limping off. But lacked service and was replaced by Zirkzee just beyond the hour mark. Below par.SUBSMATTHIJS DE LIGT for Maguire (46 minutes) – 5 – Conceded a few fouls in dangerous areas. Still finding his feet.VICTOR LINDELOF for Mazraoui (46 mins) – 6 – First appearance since March but fitted in well as a stand-in right-back. Booked for a foul on Morgan Rogers.JOSHUA ZIRKZEE for Hojlund (64 mins) – 5 – Miles off the pace, failed to make any impact.ANTONY for Rashford (64 mins) – 6 – Brought out the best in Emi Martinez with a curler which was heading for the top bin until the keeper plucked it out of mid-air.CASEMIRO for Mainoo (85 mins) – 6 – Helped see out the match for United.”We are doing really well, we are really improving on that point.”Our build-up play is good, we are calm and composed. We are creating chances apart from today. Today we should have created more.Manchester United vs Aston Villa: Player Ratings Breakdown”But that area in the box of the opponent, we have to be more ruthless, more clinical, more killing and we have to work on this.”Ten Hag is now behind Man Utd’s two worst starts in Premier League history.Only last season, he took just nine points from the first seven games.That had only been done once before, by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in the 2019/20 season.Why NOBODY is the right man to replace Erik ten Hag at Man UtdSunSport’s DAVE KIDD says Erik ten Hag’s time at Man Utd is up… and explains what’s wrong with all the potential candidates to replace him.THIS is a mid-table squad at an underachieving club, with a lot of unwanted players on big money.And Ratcliffe is an instinctive cost-cutter who may not pay top dollar to the next manager.If this club wasn’t called ‘Manchester United’, it wouldn’t be an especially desirable job.The good news for United is that their new sporting director, Dan Ashworth, is a very decent judge of a manager.He has been instrumental in three previous managerial appointments — Gareth Southgate for England, Graham Potter for Brighton and Eddie Howe for Newcastle.None were wildly popular at the time, all were conspicuous successes.Interestingly, Ashworth’s No 1 choice for the Newcastle job was Unai Emery, who turned him down to stay at Villarreal but has since proved that judgment right by excelling at Aston Villa.Emery may well deliver the coup de grace to Ten Hag on Sunday — especially with Bruno Fernandes suspended and Kobbie Mainoo an injury doubt.And the Spaniard would be an excellent fit for United — yet there is next to no chance that he would abandon Villa’s Champions League campaign to take the Old Trafford job, not least because he isn’t a stark raving madman.Howe would be another good candidate to succeed Ten Hag but, although he has become frustrated on Tyneside, the Saudis would surely not allow Ratcliffe to poach Howe, as they reluctantly did with Ashworth.Potter is available but his Chelsea experience and lack of charisma would make him a tough sell.Which brings us to Southgate, who remains close with Ashworth and is an excellent man-manager who was seriously considered by United last spring.Yet, despite having led England to two of their three major finals, Southgate’s reputation for over-caution was only enhanced during the Euros.Mauricio Pochettino, passed over twice by United, is out of the equation having taken the United States job.Thomas Tuchel would be a popular and gettable option but, despite being a fine coach and a very engaging man, he is considered something of a loose cannon.Likewise, Roberto De Zerbi, now at Marseille after his brief Brighton stint sparkled then fizzled out.Kieran McKenna — a gifted former United coach who has won back-to-back promotions with Ipswich Town — is an intriguing candidate but the imminent vacancy may come a year or so too soon.Marco Silva, the extremely under-rated Fulham boss, has been on United’s radar and should not be discounted.Sporting Lisbon’s Ruben Amorim, last season’s ‘next big thing’, was passed over by West Ham as well as Liverpool this summer and is not an easy man to pin down.Zinedine Zidane, who has taken over from Alan Curbishley as a 20-1 shot for every Premier League job, is a ‘figurehead’ manager and not an Ashworth type.Ruud van Nistelrooy, the former United goal machine who joined Ten Hag’s coaching team in the summer is the bookies’ favourite. Simply because he’s in the building and he’s Dutch.So, yes, getting rid of Ten Hag is the easy part. More

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      Gary Lineker reveals two Match of the Day pundits could leave as they enter final stages of BBC contracts

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      GARY LINEKER has revealed two much-loved pundits could be set for Match of the Day exits amid contract talks.The 63-year-old host sees his deal with the BBC expire next year, casting doubt over his future.Gary Lineker has lifted the lid on his BBC futureCredit: BBCAlan Shearer and Micah Richards also see their contracts expireCredit: BBCLineker is in talks over a new contract and The Sun understands it was “business as usual” this weekend despite a leaked Beeb email suggesting plans are being drawn up for his departure.He lifted the lid on his MOTD future on the Rest Is Football podcast before revealing Alan Shearer and Micah Richards are in a similar position.Lineker said: “I’m coming to the end of my contract in the summer, so it is natural at some point to have conversations and they have just started.”All is OK and I believe you two are in a similar predicament.”READ MORE IN FOOTBALLRichards replied: “What is more concerning is that I am 4-1 to replace you.”Shearer joked: “That is a f***ing massive concern by the way. I’m not signing my new contract if you are a presenter by the way.”But Richards has the support of Lineker, who said: “I would love to see you take over Micah, I think you would be brilliant in the chair.”But with your eyesight you could not read the auto-cue.” Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSLineker is open to staying at the BBC, with The Sun exclusively revealing that he has offered to take a pay cut.The ex-England striker could stay for £1million per year, which is £350,000 less than his current salary.Gary Lineker’s BBC pay negotiationsAnd he remains relaxed about his contract situation, saying: “There are bigger problems in the world that is for sure.”Should Lineker quit, Mark Chapman, Gabby Logan and Alex Scott are among the bookies favourites to fill his boots. More

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      Micah Richards reveals major Liverpool change ‘different to under Klopp’ that could win them Premier League title

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      MICAH RICHARDS highlighted the change to Liverpool’s tactics since Arne Slot replaced Jurgen Klopp. The Dutchman took over in the summer after Klopp emotionally ended nine years at Anfield. Arne Slot is being backed to win the Prem title with LiverpoolCredit: AlamyLiverpool currently lead the Premier League table with six wins in seven matches after their 1-0 away victory at Crystal Palace. And former Manchester City defender Richards said on Match of The Day: “Against Chelsea and Arsenal next, that’s when we can judge them. “But they look good in a different way to Klopp. Slower build-up but they’re doing well.”Prem legend Alan Shearer backed Slot’s Reds as title challengers. READ MORE IN footballHe said: “They certainly can, absolutely. If they can steer clear of injuries, you’ve seen a couple that they’ve had today. “But I think we’ve seen enough already in the first few games to say that they’ll be strong. It’s been a really good start.”Victory at Palace saw Slot become the first Liverpool manager to win nine of his first ten games in charge of the club. And he said: “It’s actually also quite special if you know how many great managers Liverpool had. Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS”But I also said last week I think that I hope they don’t only remember me in one, two, three, four, five years only for this. “We are hoping to do more special things than this. And it also says the luck I had that I inherited a very good squad and very good staff to continue getting the results that Jurgen had here as well.”Arne Slot aims dig at Jurgen Klopp as Liverpool boss says ‘I’m a stupid manager if 12.30pm kick offs are more difficult’ More

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      Ex-Liverpool and England star Neil ‘Razor’ Ruddock shows off incredible body transformation after 11 STONE weight loss

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      FORMER Premier League star Neil ‘Razor’ Ruddock has shown off his incredible 11-stone weight transformation.The 56-year-old began his weight loss journey back in 2021 after meeting TV personality James Argent.Neil Ruddock has shown off his incredible weight transformationCredit: Marc AsplandThe ex-Premier League star has lost 11-stoneCredit: Marc AsplandRazor ballooned to 27st during the pandemicCredit: Andrew BarrRuddock had ballooned to 27st during the Coronavirus pandemic, which put his health at serious risk.But after meeting Argent – who experienced his own 14st weight loss journey in recent years – he decided to get a gastric sleeve fitted.The former Liverpool star now eats much less and has reduced his alcohol intake.In a recent interview, Ruddock opened up about why he started excessively eating and drinking in the first place.Read More in FootballOn his 28th birthday, the day before 1996 FA Cup final between Liverpool and Manchester United, the ex-defender found out that manager Roy Evans had dropped him from the squad.His dad had purchased 50 tickets so that friends and family could watch him at Wembley.So the realisation that he would not play made Ruddock feel like he had let his nearest and dearest down.He told The Times: “The greatest thing I’ve ever done in life is making my dad proud of me.Most read in Football”Roy just said it was the toughest decision he had to make. It was the toughest decision he’s ever had in management.”You know, I love the man to death, but it wasn’t . . . at the end of the day, I can’t blame him.Neil ‘Razor’ Ruddock and wife Leah on being clinically dead during life saving surgery and the support that Robbie Williams has given to him in his recovery”He’s had to make a decision. But I just couldn’t handle it.”I remember ringing my dad in tears. My dad’s in tears as well. I still might want to cry. I want to cry now. My dad’s no longer here any more.”On the day of the final, Ruddock sat in the dressing room and began drinking cans of beer while his team-mates battled it out for the FA Cup.In his new book, Toxic, he explained: “All of a sudden, sport, the thing you have relied on all your life to deliver the good times, is doing exactly the opposite.”The Cup final was the start of a spiral which never ended. The start of mad, bad, sad, glad syndrome.”Until that day I had never ever doubted myself. Never. Not once. Now it was all I did. Anxiety bubbled underneath. I was gone — a volcano waiting to erupt.”Ruddock made 195 Premier League appearances during his career and played for the likes of Liverpool, West Ham, Tottenham, Southampton and Crystal Palace. More

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      Gary Lineker reveals who he’d ‘love’ to replace him at MoTD – adding ‘conversations natural’ as contract comes to an end

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      GARY Lineker has revealed who he’d “love” to replace him as Match of The Day host.The long-standing pundit, who’s been in the chair since 1999, opened up about his future on this morning’s episode of the Rest is Football podcast.Gary Lineker said ‘conversations are natural’ ahead of his contract running out next summer. Pictured, the host on Match of The DayCredit: Pixel8000He said he would ‘love’ Micah Richards (right) to replace himCredit: Pixel8000Gary has hosted the show since 1999 and is now its longest-serving presenterCredit: Pixel8000Lineker, whose contract is running out next summer, told how “conversations are natural”.The star said that he has just started contract talks – and that Alan Shearer and Micah Richards are in a similar boat.Gary also said Richards was his preferred candidate to replace him in the long run.He said: “It’s been a strange few days as you know. I’m coming to the end of my contract in the summer.Read More Sport”So it’s natural you have to have conversations. They’ve just started. I don’t know why it’s all spiralled out of control but all is OK. “I’m more concerned about my cold. I started not feeling well on my way home. Terrible throat.”Micah replied: “What’s more concerning is I’m 4-1 to replace you!”Laughing, Lineker said: “I’d love to see you take over mate – I think you’d be brilliant in the chair.”Most read in FootballLast night Lineker silenced speculation over his MOTD future by opening the show with a joke.The former England striker, 63, told BBC viewers on Saturday night: “It’s my last show… before the international break.”Reports in the last few days have been circulating online saying that yesterday could have been his final appearance.Lineker is understood to be in talks with BBC executives — and sources have told The Sun on Sunday it was “business as usual”.An alleged leaked email also appeared to suggest plans were being drawn up at the BBC for his departure.But the long-running BBC football highlights show opened up with Lineker making a gag about the rumours around his future.He said: “Hello, seven games on the way and it’s my final show…”Before the international break.”The clever joke left pundits Alan Shearer and Micah Richards laughing as Lineker continued on with the show.An alleged leaked email appeared to suggest plans were being drawn up at the BBC for the former striker’s departure earlier this week.It was said to have included a draft statement for release when the ex-England ace decides to leave.The Beeb has refused to call the email a fake and instead said nothing had been agreed.But the star, 63, is understood to now be in talks with BBC executives over a new Match of the Day deal after sources told The Sun on Sunday it was “business as usual”.The veteran presenter could agree to stay on for £1million a year — £350,000 less than his current mega salary.He has hosted the show since 1999 and is now its longest-serving presenter.It is believed that Lineker will remain on the show until at least the end of the season.A source told The Sun: “Gary is hugely popular with both fans and players alike.”The sense is that, with so much uncertainty and scandal at the BBC, right now viewers are crying out for a safe pair of hands.“Gary adores the BBC, and loves his job, and recognises what an honour it is to host television’s flagship football show, as well as international games.“Gary has long maintained that the BBC provides excellent value for money – and has quite literally put his money where his mouth is, and offered to take a substantial pay cut.”Lineker was taken off air last year after his tweet compared the language used to launch a government asylum plan to “that used by Germany in the 30s”.Pundits Ian Wright and Alan Shearer boycotted MOTD in solidarity.Ex-Spurs player Jermaine Jenas, 41, had been reportedly in the running to replace Lineker on the show but was sacked for inappropriately texting two women on The One Show.The bookies are now predicting that either Mark Chapman or Gabby Logan will be the next faces of the late-night football recap show.MotD2 host Chapman and Sports Personality of the Year host Logan are both 5/2 to pick up the reins, according to William Hill.READ MORE SUN STORIESEx-Manchester City defender Micah Richards (4/1) and Lionesses legend Alex Scott (5/1) are also in contention.Other names in the frame include regular pundits Alan Shearer (14/1) and Danny Murphy (25/1).Who’s the favourite to replace Lineker?Mark Chapman – 5/2Gabby Logan – 5/2Micah Richards – 4/1Alex Scott – 5-1Dion Dublin – 6/1Clare Balding – 7/1Jason Mohammad – 10/1Colin Murray – 12/1Eni Aluko – 12/1Alan Shearer – 14/1Kelly Cates – 16/1Eilidh Barbour – 16/1 Source: William Hill More