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      Van Nistelrooy ‘will be offered interim job as Man Utd manager’ if Ten Hag is sacked but ex-striker ‘has reservations’

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      RUUD VAN NISTELROOY is set to be offered the Manchester United job if Erik ten Hag is sacked, but reportedly has reservations about replacing him.Ten Hag is teetering on the precipice of losing his job after a poor start to the season which has seen his side win just three games from their first nine games in all competitions.Ruud van Nistelrooy has been touted as a potential successor to Erik ten HagCredit: ReutersBut the former United ace is said to be having reservations over taking the jobCredit: RexIt was reported at the start of the week that Ten Hag, 54, had two games to save his job.The first of those was a 3-3 draw at Porto, with today’s clash against Aston Villa potentially the last dance for the former Ajax manager, with club chiefs also scheduled to meet in London on Tuesday.Consequently, talk over his replacement has been rampant, with one potential successor in the hot seat being assistant manager and United legend Van Nistelrooy on an interim basis.However, according to the Mirror, Van Nistelrooy is having doubts over his potential succession to the manager’s hot seat.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLIt comes after his own experience of being betrayed while a manager at PSV Eindhoven – to date his only senior managerial experience.Van Nistelrooy shockingly ended his association with PSV towards the end of his first season with the club which saw him win the Johan Cruyff Shield and qualify for the Champions League.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 Dutch outfit prior to the final game of the season.And he is said to be conscious of a similar scenario developing at Old Trafford.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSA source in Holland said: “Van Nistelrooy is a principled guy. “He felt betrayed at Eindhoven – and he will not want to be viewed as the man who went behind Erik ten Hag’s back.”Porto vs Man Utd player ratings Van Nistelrooy, 48, was brought in as a coach over the summer after Ten Hag was handed a contract extension by new club chiefs brought in by Ineos.Last week Arsenal icon Martin Keown suggested Van Nistelrooy might not be giving everything to help Ten Hag.He told talkSPORT: “I’m looking at Van Nistelrooy. Is he giving everything to this manager? This manager looks very lonely on the sideline.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.”Is Van Nistelrooy waiting to take over? Because it looks as if there’s going to be change taking place there.”Keown added: “Is everyone adding to the group? I’m not seeing that from Van Nistelrooy. “Ten Hag is just sitting there, nothing going on, no conversation. Pep [Guardiola] goes back and speaks to the gurus next to him.READ MORE SUN STORIES”Is everybody looking in the mirror at themselves giving their best?”It doesn’t look like the players are committed, it doesn’t look like the staff are particularly committed. It’s a lone man in the dugout.”Man Utd ratings vs PortoMAN UTD ended up with a 3-3 draw after throwing away a 2-0 lead away to Porto.Here’s how SunSport’s Dylan Terry rated the Red Devils’ stars performances in PortugalAndre Onana – 6/10Reacted brilliantly the first time he was called into action with a flying save, only for Porto to score the rebound.Porto then scored with their next shot on target too – Omorodion’s header – and Onana could do little about the excellent finish for Porto’s third.Made two great stops to keep Man Utd in the game.Noussair Mazraoui – 4Looked fairly stable in the first 45 minutes but waned as the game went on.All at sea at the start of the second half as Porto cut through the right-hand side of Man Utd’s defence with ease.Matthijs de Ligt – 4Looked imposing in the air as he dealt with Porto’s crosses from both sides, but then failed to get in front of Omorodion for the hosts’ second goal.Like most of the Man Utd side, his performance dropped as the game went on and he was bullied by Porto’s No9.Lisandro Martinez – 4Should have reacted quicker for the first Porto goal as Pepe got ahead of him to nod into an empty net – with Martinez static on the six-yard box.There is clearly not much of a partnership with De Ligt as Porto pulled them apart all evening.Diogo Dalot – 4Porto enjoyed a lot of success down Man Utd’s left-hand side and Dalot looked all at sea on several occasions.Had little help from Martinez but still looked exposed.Casemiro – 3Anonymous yet again in Man Utd’s midfield – the ball just passes him by.Could not even manage one of his customary fouls.Christian Eriksen – 5Looked leggy out of possession but produced an impressive run before laying it off to Hojlund for Man Utd’s second goal.Then failed to make much more of an impact and his delivery from wide areas left a lot to be desired.Bruno Fernandes – 4A damning indictment of Man Utd’s current predicament as Fernandes was shown a red card for a second successive game.Two high boots, two yellow cards, and another early bath for the Portuguese playmaker – who had worked tirelessly prior to his dismissal.Amad Diallo – 5Very quiet aside from one burst through the middle as Rashford received all of the ball over the other side.Replaced by Antony who arguably created even less.Rasmus Hojlund – 7Made his case for starting ahead of Joshua Zirkzee with a goal, firing beyond Costa at the near post.Held it up and then showed his strength and pace to run at Porto before the break – showing little rustiness in his first start of the season.Marcus Rashford – 8Rashford showed his directness for the opening goal, driving at the Porto back line and forcing the error from Costa.A constant threat in the first half as he assisted Hojlund’s strike.But he was then surprisingly hooked at the break, a decision that will need an explanation from Ten Hag.See how the Man Utd subs rated here More

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      Former Chelsea star swaps national teams and vows to fight for England spot despite playing twice for Jamaica

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      FORMER Chelsea midfielder Omari Hutchinson has confirmed his allegiance to England and will battle for a place in the Three Lions squad.The 20-year-old earned two full caps with Jamaica before being called up to England’s U21s in August after a breakthrough season with Ipswich.Omari Hutchinson has committed to England, according to reportsCredit: RexThe former Chelsea midfielder previously earned two caps for Jamaica through his dadCredit: GettySeveral meetings have been held at various intervals over the last 12 months with Jamaica asking him to fully commit to them.While people close with the England U21s camp have been trying to convince him to return to the Three Lions fold.According to The Athletic, Hutchinson enjoyed playing for Jamaica with his dad Leon born on the Caribbean island.But Hutchinson has decided to fully commit to England – despite the vast difference in talent pools and competition for places.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSThe Ipswich star was forced into a final decision because if he’d earned one more cap for Jamaica he wouldn’t be able to switch allegiance.A football player becomes cap-tied to a nation after playing more than three matches for that team – or one competitive appearance.But Hutchinson has played two friendlies with Jamaica against Catalonia in May 2022 and Trinidad and Tobago last year.He had previously represented England at U17 and U19 level.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSJamaica boss Steve McClaren, who was appointed in July, was involved in trying to convince Hutchinson to earn more caps there.Hutchinson decided to opt out of international football last year to focus on securing Ipswich promotion to the Prem.Top 10 highest-paid Premier League starsIn March, he told the Athletic: “I got called up for both England and Jamaica, but I said, ‘Look, I want to leave internationals out for this season and focus on Ipswich’.“There are a lot of games and my body is quite sore as it’s my first season in men’s football.”Hutchinson has been called up to the England U21 squad for their upcoming European Championship qualifiers.His fine form on loan with The Tractor Boys last term saw him score 10 Championship goals and provide five assists, as Ipswich finished second to earn automatic promotion.Ipswich earned promotion to the Prem last season and currently sit 17thCredit: ReutersHutchinson then permanently joined Ipswich in a club-record deal from Chelsea for an initial fee of £18m plus performance related add-ons in July.Arsenal pocketed a tidy near £4m windfall after Chelsea sold Hutchinson, after the forward signed for the Gunners aged 12.He will have to compete with a strong senior England side once he makes the jump from the U21s – who have been given more chances of late.READ MORE SUN STORIESAngel Gomes and Morgan Gibbs-White have been called up under interim boss Lee Carsley – but they’ll have to fight Phil Foden, Jude Bellingham, Kobbie Mainoo, Declan Rice and Cole Palmer for minutes.Meanwhile, Mason Greenwood has chosen to go the other way by turning his back on England to play for Jamaica pending Fifa approval. More

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      I was in prison FIVE times before I turned my life around to become an EFL star… now I’m a full-time church pastor

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      ON October 28, 1988, Ricky Junior Otto was sentenced to four years in prison aged 20 — the last of his five jail terms.He accepts he was a thug, bully and out-and-out menace to society — a product of a violent culture which ruled with fear growing up in Hackney, East London.EFL hero Ricky Otto is now a church pastorCredit: SuppliedOtto exclusively revealed how two inmates serving a combined 41 years during his time in Wandsworth changed his lifeCredit: AlamyBut following the time he served at Wandsworth, on this occasion for armed robbery, Otto walked out on January 25, 1990 an entirely different person to the one who arrived.And, remarkably, it was two inmates serving lengthy sentences who provided him with a lightbulb moment that changed his life forever.Now 56, Otto revealed: “It was these two guys — one was doing 24 years for murder, the other 17 for manslaughter.“They had watched me playing football in the gym and realised I had a talent and expressed this in the most incredible way.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL“They told me something that day I have never forgotten: ‘Don’t serve the time, let the time serve you’.“From that moment I understood what they meant: ‘Don’t just sit in prison doing nothing but rather start preparing yourself now for when you are released’.“After that I became a gym orderly and started to prepare myself mentally and physically for a life after prison. It was just the kick up the backside that I needed.“When I walked out of Wandsworth in 1990, I knew it was a new beginning — with football being my escape into a new world.”Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSThe former winger said: “My immediate thought was to re-engage with my old team-mates who were now playing for amateur side Haringey Borough.“After a few games I got injured and I was sent for treatment at non-league Dartford. I ended up playing four games for them.Leicester City Players Under Fire for Harassing Fan “My performances caught the eye of Leyton Orient management duo Frank Clark and Peter Eustace.“They knew of my past and did not judge me but offered me a week’s trial, which was the opportunity of a lifetime that I’d been dreaming of while serving my time.“The trial was successful and I signed my first professional contract ten months after being released and just a couple of weeks before my 23rd birthday. It was the best birthday present ever!”After playing in the reserves and learning the game, Otto eventually got the chance to make his league debut when he was made sub for Orient’s fourth-tier game at Fulham in 1991, just 15 months after his release.He continued: “It was the last game of the season. I played the last 15 minutes, I should have scored too. But I was on the pitch playing and I had this wonderful feeling of achievement.”The following season he played 32 league games for the O’s, scoring his first goal at Hartlepool in September 1991.Otto said: “It was flattering that Barry Fry — then with Barnet — had watched me play against his side in the London Cup final and was clearly impressed.“When Barry joined Southend in April 1993 he signed me for £100,000. I don’t think I played in a better side at the start of the 1993-94 season.They knew of my past and did not judge me but offered me a week’s trial, which was the opportunity of a lifetime that I’d been dreaming of while serving my timeRicky OttoSunSport“Had Barry not been headhunted by Birmingham I genuinely believe we would have gone on to make the play-offs in what was the Championship at the end of that season.“We had such a wonderful camaraderie, with wins against big clubs with multi-million-pound budgets like Sunderland, Derby, Stoke and Middlesbrough. We were flying!”Otto’s next move was to link up with Fry again at Birmingham — this time in an £800,000 switch to St Andrew’s.His greatest football memories include his stunning equaliser against Liverpool at Anfield in the 1995 FA Cup and playing for City in the Football League Trophy final the same year — when his assist provided the extra-time winner for Paul Tait in front of over 76,000 fans at Wembley.Otto said: “I remember travelling on the coach to Wembley with a sea of Birmingham fans walking towards the stadium.“I had that pinch-me moment where I couldn’t believe I was going to be playing at Wembley.”After Birmingham, Otto played at Charlton, Peterborough and Notts County on loan.It was while he was with County, under Sam Allardyce, that he suffered a cruciate ligament injury which ultimately ended his career.I remember travelling on the coach to Wembley with a sea of Birmingham fans walking towards the stadium.I had that pinch-me moment where I couldn’t believe I was going to be playing at WembleyRicky OttoSunSportHe said: “I did manage to play again but I was never the same player. I’d lost that yard of pace and I always had that twinge of pain when I was playing.”After ten years, he knew his career was over.He added: “Having left school with no qualifications this was a period when I had think what I was going to do for the rest of my life.“Of course, I could have slipped back into my old ways before football but I knew I had to build another chapter to my life.”Instead, he trained as a probation officer, later creating his own consultancy working with offenders and those at risk of offending.Ricky said: “My work has enabled me to engage with some of the country’s most prolific offenders.“Being able to relate to their journey, I am able to use the same old adage that was spoken into my life when incarcerated: Don’t serve the time, let the time serve you.“For nearly 20 years I have primarily worked with adults. However, over the last two years I’ve been working with Walsall Youth Justice Service as a Resettlement Disproportionality Officer.”READ MORE SUN STORIESEven more remarkably, father-of-three Ricky is a committed Christian and, after passing his degree in Theology, is Pastor of ARC Birmingham Church. He is currently studying for a Masters degree.Yet in reflection of his extraordinary 56 years, Otto readily admits: “Without a shadow of a doubt, football saved my life.” More

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      Man Utd cult hero Phil Jones reveals next career path after ‘stripping everything back’ and finding his purpose

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      PHIL JONES has revealed his next career path after he had to “strip everything back”.The former Manchester United star retired from football in August.Phil Jones has opened up his next step after ‘stripping everything back’ to find his purposeCredit: GettyJones retired from football in AugustCredit: GettyThe 32-year-old has struggled with injuries throughout the latter half of his career, which saw him not play at all for more than two years before he announced he was hanging up his boots.The ex-defender has since opened up on the mental health struggles he faced and has now lifted the lid on how he reflected on himself and what he wanted to do as his next step.Writing in an emotional column for BBC Sport, Jones explained how this saw him find a renewed purpose in his career and family life.He said: “I only announced my retirement in August but I knew for a while before then that I would be finishing. READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”To come to terms with that, I had to re-evaluate everything and unpick myself personally and professionally, with therapists and psychologists, to find myself.”I’ve talked quite a lot recently about how that worked for me and helped me deal with the issues I faced mentally, but it’s important for anyone reading this to know that the process is the same in every aspect of life, not just sport, if your circumstances change or things are not going well for you.”For me, that meant stripping everything back to understand who I was and where I wanted to get to next in life, and then thinking about the challenges I would face to get there.”Part of the purpose I have found is as a husband and a father, because I always wanted to be the best I could be at both for my family, but it applied to my future in football too.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS”It meant going away and trying to almost rediscover what had got me to that point in my career in the first place, and thinking about what I had actually achieved, before I was able to take the next step.”I have had some difficult times, but I am ready for anything now.”‘He’s done!’ | How woeful tactics & Dalot shocker saw Spurs smash Man Utd to spell end for Ten HagJones later explained in his column how he would hide his injuries from team-mates due to the shame he felt.He added: “Unfortunately there were times when I was at United when I did not look for help. “My coping mechanism when I had any problems was to stay silent, and that was probably my downfall.”I didn’t open up to anyone, and I would hide my injuries from other players and the staff. I put a shield up so no-one knew what was going on, apart from my close family.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.”I only spoke about this for the first time on a podcast last week, but one of my lowest moments was when I was trying to play through the pain of my knee injury, when it had got to a point where the doctor had to inject my knee before every game I played so I didn’t feel it.”I was on the bench for a game at Brighton but one of our centre-halves was struggling in the warm-up, so I thought I would be pro-active and get the injection before kick-off.”It was embarrassing for me because I didn’t want anyone to see that I was struggling, or in pain – I was meant to be a tough guy as a defender, remember – so I went into a cubicle in the changing room just as the manager started his pre-match talk, and got the doc to inject me in there.”He first tore his meniscus as an 18-year-old at Blackburn and, although Sir Alex Ferguson signed him for United, it was the beginning of his injury nightmare.READ MORE SUN STORIESAs the injury absences became longer, Jones became the subject of horrific abuse and ridicule both online and face-to-face in the street, which he opened up about in an interview with SunSport.But Jones is now excited for his future in management, having spent last season working with United’s Under-18s and going through his various coaching badges.Help for mental healthIf you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support.The following are free to contact and confidential:Mind, www.mind.org, provide information about types of mental health problems and where to get help for them. Email info@mind.org.uk or call the infoline on 0300 123 3393 (UK landline calls are charged at local rates, and charges from mobile phones will vary).YoungMinds run a free, confidential parents helpline on 0808 802 5544 for parents or carers worried about how a child or young person is feeling or behaving. The website has a chat option too.Rethink Mental Illness, www.rethink.org, gives advice and information service offers practical advice on a wide range of topics such as The Mental Health Act, social care, welfare benefits, and carers rights. Use its website or call 0300 5000 927 (calls are charged at your local rate).Heads Together, www.headstogether.org.uk, is the a mental health initiative spearheaded by The Royal Foundation of The Prince and Princess of Wales. More

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      Thomas Frank gives hilarious reason why Brentford took SO LONG to score their 2nd-minute opener vs Wolves

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      THOMAS FRANK cheekily blamed captain Christian Norgaard losing the TOSS for Brentford failing to score inside the first minute again.It took Nathan Collins a sluggish 75 SECONDS to fire them ahead against Wolves.Thomas Frank gave a hilarious reason why it took Brentford 75 seconds to scoreBees had scored inside the first minute of their three previous Prem games against Manchester City, Tottenham and West Ham.And boss Frank claimed that Norgaard losing the toss — allowing Wolves to kick off — cost vital seconds.The Dane laughed: “We have been practising coin tosses the whole week, clearly Norgaard didn’t do well enough!“That’s why our first goal took a little bit longer this time. All jokes aside, it’s fantastic.Read more football news“We want to play forward as quickly as possible.“Let’s just say we’re working very hard on it, to get the ball up there.”Yoanne Wissa scored after 22 seconds at City while Bryan Mbeumo took a second longer against Spurs — and 38 seconds against the Hammers.On Saturday, Norgaard made up for his toss flop by scoring just 32 SECONDS after the restart following Wolves’ equaliser lo make it 2-2.Most read in FootballFrank added: “That goal was more impressive because it was 32 seconds after kick-off and that’s more of a sucker punch to Wolves.”Top ten Premier League managers’ Wags More

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      Premier League and Championship clubs considering shock Jordan Henderson transfer – but Saudi deal could cause problems

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      JORDAN HENDERSON’S lack of playing time at Ajax is whipping up interest in England.The former England skipper cannot get regular games in Holland and may be in the market for a return home in January.Jordan Henderson has found game time hard to come by at AjaxSome Premier League clubs have been alerted but leading Championship sides are also considering a loan deal.Hendo, 34, found it hard to come back to England sooner due to  potential tax issues following his spell in Saudi Arabia with Al-Ettifaq.That may still be an issue for him next year but the midfield general is hoping there is a way of doing it.Henderson emerged at Sunderland, before Liverpool paid around £20million to secure his services in 2011.Read more football newsAnd an emotional return to the Black Cats could be on the cards, with Regis Le Bris’ side top of the second tier.While Henderson’s experience and leadership could prove invaluable to any of the teams under threat of relegation from the Prem.Hendo was named captain of Liverpool in 2015 after Steven Gerrard’s departure.He lifted the Champions League trophy in 2019 – after the Reds defeated Tottenham 2-0.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSBut it was a year later that he went down in Liverpool legend as he skippered Jurgen Klopp’s side to their first domestic title in over 30 years.After 492 appearances for the Reds, Henderson chose to join the Saudi revolution on an outrageous £700k-a-week deal.Watch Ivan Toney score first goals since Saudi Arabia transfer as £400,000-a-week striker sends reminder to Lee CarsleyBut his stay at Al-Ettifaq lasted less than six months after he terminated his contract with the club to join Dutch giants Ajax.He said at the time: “It was very much a football decision.”Of course I’ve got to make the decision be for me about what’s best for me and my family as well.”I think a lot of people would probably like us to sit here and criticise the Saudi league and everything that went along with that, but that certainly wasn’t the case and that’s something that I’m not going to do.”I’ve got full respect for the league, for any fans of the club, for the people over there who really made us feel welcome. But unfortunately these things in life sometimes just don’t work out in football and in life in general.” More

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      Gary Lineker breaks silence on speculation over his future as Match of the Day host as he jokes ‘it’s my last show’

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      GARY Lineker has broken his silence on speculation over his future as host of Match of the Day – 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.”Match of the Day host Gary Lineker opened up tonight’s show with a joke about his futureCredit: BBCLineker couldn’t help but laugh at his gag after days of speculationCredit: BBCHe has hosted the show since 1999 and is now its longest-serving presenterCredit: Pixel8000It comes after reports in the last few days have been circulating online saying that this evening 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.read more in Gary LinekerHe 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.Most read in FootballIt 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.Gary Lineker reveals how his views on Match of the Day can sometimes get him into trouble 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).Lineker has hosted the BBC show since 1999 and is now its longest-serving presenterCredit: Getty More

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      Mikel Arteta spotted checking his ‘dark arts’ notepad with THREE main principles during Arsenal’s win over Southampton

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      MIKEL ARTETA was spotted checking his “dark arts” notepad which included THREE key principles to beating Southampton.Arsenal secured a 3-1 home win against the Premier League’s basement boys on Saturday to keep his side hot on the tails of Man City and Liverpool.Mikel Arteta was spotted checking his ‘dark arts’ notepad on SaturdayCredit: RexThe tactical instructions paid off as Arsenal beat Southampton 3-1Credit: RexThe Gunners came from behind to secure all three points thanks to strikes from Kai Havertz, Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka.And Arsenal have now won their last four in all competitions while remaining unbeaten.However, Arteta may have to rethink his tactics for the next match at Bournemouth.The Spaniard loves to make scribbles on tactical plans before and during matches.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAnd unfortunately for Arteta, his latest notes were caught in broad daylight at the Emirates.One piece of paper, with a red header and footer, appeared to show positions on the field with various instructions.However, it was difficult to make out what exactly it said, with the black ink written on the other side.Yet another note was clearer to see.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSAnd it appeared to outline Arteta’s three “principles” to beating Southampton.The first note read: “Force AR 6 yard.”Arsenal player ratings vs SouthamptonOne piece of paper was hard to decipherThe other showed several instructions, including one that may have targeted Aaron RamsdaleCredit: Dave Shopland/REX/ShutterstockIt is unclear what exactly this meant.But it could be interpreted as instructions to make Saints goalie and former Arsenal star Aaron Ramsdale play on the edge of his six-yard box.Arteta’s next two “principles” were harder to gauge due to his fingers blocking the final words.One read: “Force our…”And the second added: “Avoid switch…”Below, there was another section to Arteta’s masterplan.One note said: “Throw ins. Who takes it?”While the second said “right” before being cut off by Arteta’s fingers.After the game, the Spaniard praised his Arsenal players for their resilient performance.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.He said: “Saka has the capacity to change and decide games.“If we want to be at the top, sometimes players have to create those moments and he’s done that again.“What he is doing at his age is unbelievable — and when the team needs him. That’s what defines a top player.”On Havertz, Arteta added: “He wants more. He’s not satisfied. There is still another level from him.“He’s surrounded by incredible players but something has changed in him. You really sense that confidence in him.READ MORE SUN STORIES“Now he’s putting it in games and he’s winning matches, which is great. He’s an attacking midfielder, he’s a nine, you don’t know where he is.“That’s his football brain. His focus is, ‘I’m going to win the game, I’m going do it’.”Meet the Arsenal Wags from Strictly star to a flight attendantTolami Benson – partner of Bukayo SakaBenson and Saka have kept information on their relationship largely quiet.They do not appear on each others Instagram pages but she was seen speaking to Saka at the 2022 World Cup.Helene Spilling – partner of Martin OdegaardA professional dancer from Norway who rose to fame in the country’s version of Strictly Come Dancing, the pair were first spotted together at the Football Awards in March 2023. Sophie Weber – partner of Kai HavertzWeber works as a model and social media influencer and is the most high profile member of the group on online with almost 400,000 followers on Instagram.They are childhood sweethearts having grown up in the same neighbourhood.Milly White – partner of Ben WhiteThe couple got engaged in 2022 before tying the knot officially in May last year. They have matching “I love you tattoos” on their wrists. Milly White works as a model.Laura Trossard Hilven – partner of Leandro TrossardThe pair met in 2014 before getting married in 2019.They have two sons together, Thiago and Amadeo.Lauren Fryer – partner of Declan RiceLauren Fryer and Declan Rice have been together since 2015. She tends to keep a lower profile compared to some of Arsenal’s other Wags but is no less stunning.She sadly deleted all pictures on her Instagram after suffering horrific abuse by vile trolls.Georgina Ramsdale – partner of Aaron RamsdaleGeorgina Ramsdale works as a flight attendant.The couple got married last June after the Arsenal star proposed in 2022. They originally met in 2019. More