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      Inside Man Utd’s £2bn stadium dilemma as plot to build biggest ground in UK will destroy or revive iconic Old Trafford

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      MANCHESTER UNITED are one of the biggest clubs in the world, steeped in history and tradition.But in order to progress, tradition may have to make way and that could mean DESTROYING Old Trafford.Manchester United could knock down Old Trafford to build a new stadiumCredit: APA leaky roof has epitomised the problems with the ground and the clubCredit: GettyJim Ratcliffe has drawn up a task force to explore plans for a new stadiumCredit: GettyMan Utd have played at Old Trafford for 114 yearsCredit: AlamyThe ground has fallen into disrepair in recent years with its leaky roof a physical symbol of United’s troubles on the pitch.It is now no league title for 11 years for England’s most successful club, who have been overtaken on and off the pitch – including by neighbours Manchester City.Jim Ratcliffe arrived at the club earlier this year determined to address both issues, despite being given only a “football operations” remit.He made big changes quickly after taking over, bringing in the likes of Dan Ashworth (who he later sacked), Omar Berrada and Jean-Claude Blanc to improve United’s recruitment, while also sacking Erik ten Hag and hiring Ruben Amorim.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLAmidst much change on the pitch, Ratcliffe has is also addressing the critical issue of redeveloping Old Trafford.He has appointed a task force that includes Gary Neville and Manchester mayor Andy Burnham to decide how to make this grand old club fit for the new football landscape.Why now?Old Trafford may be the biggest club stadium in the land but it is showing signs of wear and tear.It has stood in one form or another for 114 YEARS but is no longer fit for purpose with increasing demand for tickets and a roof that leaks huge amounts of water whenever there is heavy rain in Manchester.Most read in SportBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSThe Glazers have been accused of allowing the stadium to rot, with patchy and tired paintwork, cramped concourses and limited drink options – with Wifi only a recent introduction.Neville has described the ground as “second rate”, with City and Tottenham far advanced in terms of their hospitality packages.Man Utd fans launch foul-mouthed protest at Sir Jim Ratcliffe and call him a ‘c—‘ over ticket price decisionThe last time major renovation works took place was 2006, when 8,000 seats were put in place through the addition of a second tier to both the north-west and north-east quadrants of the ground.Since then Arsenal have moved into the Emirates, Spurs into the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, West Ham into the London Stadium, Brentford into the Gtech Community Stadium, while Anfield, Craven Cottage and the Etihad have been transformed by upgrades.Everton are about to move into a shiny new ground next season while Newcastle, Crystal Palace, Bournemouth and Aston Villa are exploring ways to expand their stadiums too.It’s time for Manchester United to catch up, with Old Trafford’s decline so severe it won’t be one of the UK and Ireland’s host stadiums for Euro 2028.Old Trafford is the biggest club stadium in the UKWhat’s the plan?Option One – Build a new stadiumManchester United have given themselves two options – renovate Old Trafford or build a totally new venue. It’s a huge dilemma.Ratcliffe has a vision for a new stadium dubbed ‘Wembley of the North’, and his preferred option is to build a 100,000-seater stadium on nearby land used by a rail freight company.There was talk of keeping the current stadium alongside a new one, but reducing its capacity to 30,000, making it an ideal venue for United’s Women’s team and various youth sides.However the plans for two separate stadia have been canned and Old Trafford would be knocked down to make way for a 100,000 capacity, state-of-the-art arena on land behind the Stretford End.This option may involve cutting off the Stretford End to finish the build, meaning some fans may be temporarily unable to attend games, but club executives are exploring options to avoid this.The regeneration project is estimated to cost £2billion, which will see a new stadium built alongside shops, restaurants and entertainment spaces, as well as improved transport links.Drawing on inspiration from SoFi stadium in LA, Ineos want to create a year-round destination on the 400,000 square metres of land United owns around Old Trafford.United hoped to secure government funding for the project, and could offer in return a huge boost to the local economy, with Oxford Economics predicting a £7.3b boost.They predict “92,000 new jobs, more than 17,000 new homes and an additional 1.8 million visitors per year.”Man Utd could build a state-of-the-art stadiumCredit: CanvaThe new arena could seat 100,000 fansCredit: CanvaIneos envision a ‘Wembley of the North’Credit: CanvaThe project could cost £2billionCredit: CanvaMan Utd could draw inspiration from the SoFi Stadium in LACredit: GettyArchitects have created a sprawling sport complexsCredit: Getty Images – GettyThe stadium itself hosts 70,000 fansCredit: GettyOption Two – Renovate existing stadiumThe alternative is to renovate the existing structure, which would see the Old Trafford stands expanded.The plans would focus on redevelopment of the Sir Bobby Charlton stand, also known as the South Stand, but would mean some fans may be forced to miss games during construction work.This option proposes a plan to expand Old Trafford from its current 74,310 capacity to 87,000, similar to how Liverpool have recently increased Anfield by around 10,000 seats.By expanding Old Trafford United would get to continue their history of playing at the ground for more than 100 years, which could prove popular amongst fans, while also helping to keep up with increasing demand – 177,000 fans are currently on the season ticket waiting list.Man Utd could expand the Bobby Charlton StandMan Utd own 100 acres around Old TraffordWhich option will they pick/what are the challenges?The biggest problem with staying at the current site is that expansion is limited.The railway line that runs behind the Bobby Charlton Stand is a key freight line connecting Liverpool to Manchester.The club hope a station could be added to the line, replacing the Trafford Halt stop that was last used in December 2017.The Bobby Charlton Stand is now dwarfed by the other three stands but has limited space behind it because of the railway line.However Mayor Burnham proposes a solution that could see the line moved.He said: “There’s a freight terminal right behind Old Trafford, which means freight trains (need to) come through Piccadilly and Oxford Road.“Here is the opportunity to take it away from Old Trafford and put it into Port Salford or Parkside, a scheme in development in Wigan, and then Manchester United have an easier space to use with regards to the redevelopment.“This is not about public money being used improperly. It’s a win-win opportunity.”But even if stands are expanded, there is plenty more work to do with regard to fixing leaks and improving hospitality, and such work could take a considerable amount of time.And though it would cost a lot less, with initial calculations estimating a £1.2bn spend, United would have to play elsewhere during the project and likely have to ground share with City – which would mean a loss in revenue.What can fans expect from a new Old Trafford?Neville, who is part of the task force headed by Lord Coe, wants a ‘Man Utd World’ akin to Disneyland that will see not only the stadium improved, but the surrounding area as well.Ratcliffe appears to be leaning towards that plan too, with the new ground to be built adjacent to the current stadium.It could boast a huge single-tiered stand – akin to Tottenham’s South Stand or Borussia Dortmund’s Yellow Wall, helping to make it the biggest stadium in the country.Real Madrid have laid the blueprint of what the new Old Trafford could look like – a structure that is dazzling on the eye, but possibly with a glass exterior rather than the Bernabeu’s metal facade.It could even boast a permanently-closed roof, never seen before in the UK, though there are a number of designs to choose from including an arch over the roof.Giant LED screens, potentially wrapping around the inside of the stadium as they do at the SoFi Stadium in LA, would almost certainly be a feature. That would be a huge upgrade on Old Trafford, which is one of few Premier League stadiums not to provide a single screen for fans.Neville and Burnham both envision big things, with the former United player wanting the area to “wow” visitors.The former right-back said: “What I want to see is a world of Manchester United around that stadium – of opportunity, hope and belief.“It sounds Disneyfied, but I don’t mean a theme park. I mean where people visit that area and think, ‘Wow’.“In five, six or seven years, I want United to have the best stadium and training ground in the world, plus doing the right things on the football side.“That will come again and we’re patient.”Burnham is also eyeing a big transformation, and wants to make Old Trafford the best destination in world football.He said: “If we achieve the extent of our ambition, I believe this will be the world’s premiere football destination. “We hope it’s the best football stadium in the world, which brings benefits to residents around it.”Man Utd could draw on inspiration from the Tottenham Hotspur StadiumCredit: CanvaThe new Old Trafford could even boast a unique roofCredit: CanvaThe project would see the entire area undergo a regenerationCredit: CanvaReal Madrid transformed the Bernabeu and gave it a metal lookCredit: AlamyMan Utd could look to replicate Tottenham’s South StandCredit: GettyBorussia Dortmund’s Yellow Wall is also the envy of clubsCredit: Getty – ContributorWho will build it?Architects Foster & Partners are the favourites to take on the project.They provide a wealth of experience and a star-studded catalogue that includes several iconic London buildings, including City Hall and the British Museum.The firm redeveloped Wembley into the state-of-the-art arena it is today, proving they know how to maintain history and tradition when it comes to football stadiums.The Wembley arch is a sight to behold and the architects could look to give Old Trafford an iconic look, as their previous designs have shown they can think outside the box.Recently completed works in the UK include the Battersea Power Station Gardens and 50 Electric Avenue, also part of the complex which has rejuvenated the Battersea area – leading to 22m visitors since its opening in October 2022. Other stunning works include the Zayed National Museum in the UAE and Techo International Airport in Cambodia.Gary Neville has mooted a ‘Man Utd World’ akin to DisneylandCredit: CanvaThe architects could look to replicate the existing style of Old TraffordCredit: CanvaMan Utd want Old Trafford to be the premier football destinationCredit: CanvaIs it worth it?The project could cost £2bn and financing could prove an issue, with Ratcliffe himself only said to be worth £12bn – and that was before he bought into United.But increased capacity and better hospitality packages will see matchday revenue increase sharply, with some estimates predicting a rise from £136m to £200m a year.New shops and restaurants would also likely have to pay rent to the club, while United could even own the stores outright, meaning they would have a steady source of income from the site even when games are not being played.In terms of Ratcliffe and his role in the club, a move could boost his waning popularity with a survey finding 52 per cent of season ticket holders are in favour of a move, while 31 per cent want a redevelopment of the current ground.It would also be a huge boost for Manchester and make it a hub of football in England, potentially bringing with it 92,000 new jobs, more than 17,000 new homes and an extra 1.8million visitors per year.Stadium timeline?United bosses will not make a decision on which plan they carry out until summer 2025.It is thought that once an option is chosen, there is likely to be a lengthy ‘Design Consultation’ which could last up to two years before the building work will commence.That means stadium construction is not likely to start until at least the end of the 2027/28 season, with the new stadium unlikely to be completed before 2032.The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium took three years to construct, and like Old Trafford that was on the site of White Hart Lane, so United fans could expect a similar timeline.But it might not fit in with with Ratcliffe’s ‘Project 150’ – to celebrate the club’s 150th anniversary by winning the league by 2028.Ratcliffe said after his investment was completed: “It’s not a 10-year plan.“The fans would run out of patience if it was a 10-year plan. But it’s certainly a three-year plan to get there.“To think that we’re going to be playing football as good as Manchester City played against Real Madrid last season by next year is not sensible.“And if we give people false expectations, then they will get disappointed. So the key thing is our trajectory, so that people can see that we’re making progress.“I think it’s the club’s 150-year anniversary in 2028… if our trajectory is leading to a very good place in that sort of timeframe then we’d be very happy with that.“Because it’s not easy to turn Manchester United into the world’s best football team.READ MORE SUN STORIES“The ultimate target for Manchester United — and it’s always going to be thus, really — is that we should be challenging for the Premier League and challenging for the Champions League.“It’s one of the biggest clubs in the world.” More

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      ‘B******s’ – Alan Shearer left red-faced and fuming after botching question about his OWN career

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      ALAN SHEARER hilariously botched a question about his OWN CAREER during a Betfair quiz.The Premier League’s all-time leading goalscorer had his knowledge about his iconic career put to the test in Betfair’s special Christmas Quizzing… Only Bettor quiz.Alan Shearer had his knowledge on his career put to the test in Betfair’s special Christmas Quizzing… Only Bettor quizCredit: BETFAIRShearer was asked about his sole goal in Blackburn’s 1995/96 Champions League campaignCredit: BETFAIRThe retired striker blew a gasket after he responded with the wrong answerCredit: BETFAIRThe former Blackburn Rovers, Newcastle United, Southampton and England hitman took on Betfair’s team of racing experts, which included Rachael Blackmore, Paul Nicholls and Sky Sports’ Vanessa Ryle.Shearer made a blistering start along with team-mates Alan McInally and Sky Sports’ Abigail Davies.But his memory slowly started to fail him, much to the amusement of the rival team.And he blew a gasket after incorrectly responding to a question about his sole Champions League strike for Rovers, who he won the Prem with in the 1994/95 season.READ MORE ON SHEARERThe BBC pundit guessed that he found the back of the net against Dutch side Heerenveen in Rovers’ sole campaign in Europe’s elite club competition.The goal in question, however, came against Norwegian giants Rosenberg.After realising his gaffe, a frustrated Shearer shouted: “B******s.”The Betfair quiz was hosted by Kevin Hatchard, who oversaw five rounds of sporting trivia.Most read in SportBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSAlan Shearer won the Premier League with Blackburn Rovers in the 1994/95 seasonCredit: GETTYBetfair ambassador Shearer said: “There’s nothing like a good quiz at Christmas.”And it was great to captain the team for Betfair’s Christmas Quizzing… Only Bettor.Alan Shearer in the dark on Gary Lineker’s MOTD replacement, but reveals why he doesn’t want to know who’s coming in”I won’t spoil it for people who are going to watch, but some of those questions were a lot tougher than we thought they would be.”Fair play to the Betfair racing team too, they know their stuff.”Watch Alan Shearer vs Rachael Blackmore in @Betfair’s Christmas Quizzing… Only Bettor, streamed live at 6pm today. More

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      Dele Alli announces Everton exit in emotional post as he reveals ‘things haven’t worked out as we all would have hoped’

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      DELE ALLI has emotionally announced his departure from Everton.The former Tottenham and England star’s contract with the Toffees expired in the summer but he continued to train with the club.Dele Alli has announced his departure from EvertonCredit: PAThe 28-year-old’s contract with the Merseysiders expired in the summerCredit: GETTYHe continued training with the Toffees but will move on to pastures new next yearCredit: GETTYBut he won’t be penning a new deal with the Merseysiders, revealing on Instagram that he’s currently looking for “some exciting opportunities”.He wrote: “As widely published this week, 2025 may set me on a new path with some exciting opportunities.”Before any of that happens it’s very important for me to make clear how grateful I am of all the fans, staff and players at Everton FC for the support they have given me.”It’s been an incredibly tough journey trying to put the final pieces together to regain match fitness.READ MORE ON EVERTON”And I cannot thank the Everton staff enough for the hard work they have put into this process.”Unfortunately, things haven’t worked out as we all would have hoped and I think it’s the right time for me to turn a new page.”I want to wish everyone at this amazing club the very best of luck and, hopefully, we will see each other again soon.”Alli, who hasn’t played a competitive match in TWO YEARS, joined Everton in January 2020 but was soon shipped out to Besiktas on loan.Most read in SportDele Alli leaves Goodison Park having made just 13 appearances for the clubCredit: PAHe leaves Goodison Park having made a mere 13 appearances.Alli bravely opened up on his mental health struggles in an April interview with Gary Neville, in which he revealed he became addicted to sleeping pills.Dele Alli hailed for opening up on mental health battles as Everton star joins Monday Night Football panelHe said: “Now is the right time for me to tell people what’s been going on.”It’s tough to talk about because it’s something I’ve hid for a long time. “I’m scared to talk about it.”When I came back from Turkey I found out I needed an operation I was in a bad place mentally and I decided to go to a modern-day rehab facility for mental health.”They deal with addiction and trauma. I felt it was time for me.”You can’t be told to go there – you have to know and make the decision yourself or it’s not going to work.”I was caught in a bad cycle and things that were doing me harm.” More

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      Man Utd considering LOAN deal for Marcus Rashford in January to avoid situation turning toxic

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      MANCHESTER UNITED are considering sanctioning a loan deal in January for Marcus Rashford as the toxic fallout of his recent comments grow.Insiders at Old Trafford fear the situation is fast becoming untenable and that the only solution may be to get the England striker “out of the picture” for a while.Man Utd are considering sanctioning a loan deal in January for Marcus RashfordCredit: EPAManchester United fans and a Marcus Rashford banner v Tottenham HotspurCredit: TNT SportUnited would not loan Rashford to a Premier League rival – ruling out any chance of a switch to Arsenal or Chelsea, who have both reportedly been interested in strikers to boost their firepower.But several clubs in Spain, France and Germany are monitoring the situation and could be interested in giving Rashford an escape-route from his Utd hell.SunSport understands the last 48 hours have caused a huge amount of unrest inside the club.New manager Ruben Amorim spent most of his pre-match press conference against Spurs dealing with questions on Rashford.READ MORE IN footballHe was then pressed on it again after the game, and is likely to be asked in the build up to United’s next game against Bournemouth on Sunday.Amorim said: “We are better with Marcus Rashford, that is simple, and we will try different things to push Marcus to the best levels he showed in the past.”This kind of club needs big talent and he’s a big talent, so he just needs to perform at the highest level and that is my focus. I just want to help Marcus.”Nothing has changed. We believe in Marcus. Marcus is a player of Manchester United, so there’s no change.” Most read in FootballWhy Rashford joining Arsenal is perfect fitBy Martin LiptonMARCUS RASHFORD is at a crossroads.But now the England star has to make the biggest choice he has ever faced – does he care about cash, or about his career?Rashford’s shock admission that he is “ready for a new challenge” after some two decades under the Manchester United umbrella has altered the dynamic around his future.That Rashford might not fit the blueprint of Ruben Amorim – who has now responded to Rashford’s comments – was not exactly a surprise.The Portuguese coach prefers a 3-4-3 formation but appears to have settled on Rasmus Hojlund as his starting central striker and wants two “narrow” inside forwards, with the width coming from the wing-backs.Rashford has always wanted to play through the middle but is often at his best exploiting spaces out wide – and that skillset does not necessarily suit the way Amorim wants to play.Even so, going public with his evident dissatisfaction at being bombed entirely from the squad for the Manchester derby was a major move, even if he vowed there would be “no hard feelings” if he does leave his boyhood club.In truth, Rashford has been leaving United almost from the moment he signed that new £325,000 per week contract in 2023.Something was broken in his connection to the club. His form dropped, his threat dissipated, his issues with the hierarchy deepened.When Erik ten Hag dropped him for hosting a birthday party after a derby defeat, and he later pulled a sickie to miss the FA Cup game with Newport, it felt even then that the writing was on the wall.The facts suggest the love affair has ended. After scoring 30 in all competitions to earn that new deal, he has scored just 15 in the 18 months since it was signed.Amorim’s arrival seems merely to have accelerated what was increasingly inevitable.Now, though, it is up to Rashford to determine what his future will bring.If it is only about the money, then his options might be somewhat limited.It is hard to see a Prem rival coughing up the same £16.9m annual salary – although Rashford’s comments have probably knocked £20m-plus off any transfer fee, even next month.But Real Madrid have their fill of big-money strikers and Barcelona’s budget remains restricted by La Liga financial controls.In Europe, then, that probably leaves PSG – but a move to a one-club league.Or, in the wider world, he could follow the likes of Ivan Toney, Cristiano Ronaldo, Roberto Firmino and Co and head to the Saudi desert.Lucrative, yep. Certainly a different environment – and that may be exactly what Rashford both wants and needs. But the football? Not in a million years.What Rashford needs, above all, is to be able to play for trophies and showcase his talents.There is no better stage than the Premier League – which has far more global eyeballs on it than any other domestic competition.And in that Premier League there is one club crying out for a goalscoring No 9, especially if he can also play down the left channel to balance out the side and widen its threat.Rashford has always been more Longsight than London.Yet Arsenal, and Mikel Arteta, might be the perfect fit.The Gunners’ lack of a proper scorer is one of the major factors many fans feel has hurt their title challenge this year.Gabriel Jesus has never been a natural finisher, while Kai Havertz is still a converted midfielder.And while the link-up between Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka makes their right flank deadly, faith in Gabriel Martinelli on the left is waning.There have not been too many who succeeded at Arsenal after leaving United – although Danny Welbeck was not a flop.Rashford has all the attributes to change that history, if he can reproduce what everybody knows is inside him.And by breaking free, giving himself the chance to start all over, Rashford can make a point to Amorim that will resonate for a very long time.CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSIt comes after Rashford sensationally told journalist Henry Winter: “For me, personally, I think I’m ready for a new challenge and the next steps.”Although Amorim has said Rashford is a part of the squad and could have a future at the club, it’s widely accepted now that he will leave in a permanent deal at the end of the season.Ruben Amorim responds to Marcus Rashford’s Man Utd transfer bombshell about wanting ‘new challenge’ Until then a loan-move would help cool the heat around the situation, as well as giving Rashford the chance to put himself in the shop window.Rashford and his advisors know a mega-money deal will be on offer from Saudi Arabia.But the player isn’t thought to be interested in such a move as he still believes his best years are ahead of him.He’s also told pals he still believes he can force his way back into the England squad, where Thomas Tuchel will soon face the task of finding a long-term replacement for ageing skipper Harry Kane.Although a Premier League switch can’t be ruled out, those close to Rashford think he prefers the idea of a total reset by switching to a foreign club where he can look to rebuild his career.Ruben Amorim has said Rashford is a part of the squad and could have a future at the clubCredit: Getty More

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      Jamie Vardy ‘teaching himself insults in rival centre-backs’ native language’ to insult them during games

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      WIND-UP merchant Jamie Vardy teaches himself insults in rival centre-backs’ native tongue to throw them off their game.Vardy turns 38 on January 11 and is unquestionably one of the most iconic strikers in Premier Leaguehistory.Jamie Vardy reportedly researches foreign insults to troll defenders withVardy is well known for his hilariously wild antics on the pitchA new documentary about Vardy’s incredible journey from non-league footballer to Premier League champion will be available on Netflix next year, according to The Telegraph.In it, it’s revealed that Vardy teaches himself choice insults in the native language of the centre-backs tasked with marking him.Viewers will also see him amusing himself by booting footballs at the club’s training ground windows before a morning session.Vardy, who clearly puts a lot of research into his game, is well known for trolling rival players and fans alike.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe 37-year-old striker is part of footballing folklore for his role in the Foxes’ astonishing 2016 Premier League title win.But his wild antics and mocking tactics have been as consistent as his goals.Vardy is also known to still continue his pre-match routine of three cans of Red Bull, a cheese and ham omelette and a double espresso.We may never see a repeat of this rags-to-riches story. Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSVardy rather incredibly was playing non-league football until 2011 when he was already 24 years old.Swapping to Fleetwood Town he smashed in 34 goals in 42 games before Leicester paid possibly the best value £1million ever seen in football.Leicester stars party in nightclub next to ‘Enzo I miss you’ sign hours after Chelsea loss on night before Cooper sackedHe now ranks 15th on the Prem’s all-time scoring charts with 142 goals, surpassing new boss Ruud van Nistelrooy’s tally at Man Utd. And he’s added six more this season, with Leicester, who are 14th, flirting with relegation back down to the Championship come May.One of those goals came on his Prem return against Tottenham in August.Vardy showed off his Premier League title win to Spurs fans during his top-flight return in AugustHe then motioned the number zero to the away endIt saw him brutally mock the away end when he was substituted during their 1-1 draw, having scored the crucial equaliser after being spotted downing a can of Red Bull at the break.Vardy first pointed at the Prem badge on the sleeve of his shirt and raised one finger to indicate his title win.He then pointed his finger in the direction of the Spurs fans and motioned the number zero.Many also remember when the ex-England international dished it out with an Eagle celebration to Crystal Palace fans in the 2017-2018 season. More

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      Netflix to stream Women’s World Cup in 2027 and 2031 as Fifa release details of ‘historic’ deal

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      NETFLIX has agreed a historic deal to broadcast the next Women’s World Cup in the United States.The global streaming giant has also been granted the rights to the 2031 tournament.Netflix has secured the rights for the 2027 and 2031 Women’s World CupsCredit: GettyEngland narrowly missed out on the title in 2023Credit: PAAn official statement from FIFA read: “The historic deal will provide US-based fans with unparalleled access to every match live and to immersive coverage, including star-studded studio shows in what is set to be an unprecedented celebration of the women’s game.”Major tournaments such as the World Cup are traditionally broadcast on free-to-air public networks in order to maximise audience reach.However, FIFA president Gianni Infantino previously criticised broadcasters – especially in Europe – for undervaluing the right to broadcast the 2023 Women’s World Cup.On Friday, Infantino said: “This agreement sends a strong message about the real value of the FIFA Women’s World Cup and the global women’s game.”Read More in FootballFIFA will likely use the Netflix deal to drive talks with European broadcasters.ITV and the BBC have shared the rights to the tournament in recent years.Meanwhile, FOX broadcast the World Cup across the US last year.The 2027 tournament will take place in Brazil from June to July and is set to involve 32 teams.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSSpain are the reigning champions, having defeated England in the 2023 final.Netflix dipped into live sports last month by showcasing the blockbuster boxing bout between YouTuber Jake Paul and heavyweight legend Mike Tyson at the AT&T Stadium in Texas.BREAKING: England fans spot Lucy Bronze’s ‘top tier s***housery’ before Spain miss penalty in Women’s World Cup finalThe streaming service is also set to broadcast live NFL games on Christmas day. More

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      Glam footballer Madelene Wright gives fans a Christmas treat as a sexy elf in stockings and suspenders

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      MADELENE WRIGHT got into the Christmas spirit as she left fans feeling festive.The footballer is no stranger to dazzling posts on her Instagram page.Madelene Wright stunned fans in a Christmas outfitCredit: INSTAGRAM @madelene_wrightShe has 321,000 followers on InstagramCredit: X @WrightMadelene_And her latest snap added some winter sparkle to the recipe.Taking to her Instagram story, Madelene was seen wearing a sexy elf outfit while standing next to a Christmas tree.Madelene, 26, was seen in a green top and bottom set complete with red suspenders.She was also seen wearing thigh-high red and white socks.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThis completed the tree which possessed a huge red bow at the top.Meanwhile, red and silver baubles were scattered across the branches alongside lights, acorns and Christmas crackers.Madelene left Leyton Orient in the summer. Her joining the O’s had signalled a return to the beautiful game following a four-year hiatus.Most read in FootballBut while she is now without a club, she makes money through her Instagram and OnlyFans pages.The former Charlton women’s star has 321,000 followers on Instagram.Glamorous footballer Madelene Wright puts on busty display in black bikini and bathrobeInside Madelene’s glamorous life as influencer, footballer and OnlyFans star…Wright lives a glamourous lifestyleShe often wows her fans with raunchy picturesCredit: InstagramMadelene has over 300k followers on InstagramCredit: Instagram @madelene_wrightShe recently celebrated her 25th birthdayCredit: Instagram / @madelene_wrightThe football also has an OnlyFans accountCredit: Instagram / @madelene_wrightShe claimed to have made over £500,000 from the platformCredit: Instagram @madelene_wrightThe footballer has recently signed for Leyton OrientCredit: Instagram/@madelene_wrightShe has continued her OnlyFansCredit: twitter @MaddieMadeleneShe often dresses in revealing outfitsCredit: InstagramMadelene used to play for CharltonCredit: Instagram @Madelene_Wright More

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      Inside Mikel Arteta’s five years at Arsenal as boss celebrates anniversary – now pressure is on to win major silverware

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      TO understand the rise of Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal, you must first remember the fall of Unai Emery.Hired as Arsene Wenger’s replacement in May 2018, Emery’s tenure showed early glimpses of hope, reaching the Europa League final and narrowly missing out on the top four.Mikel Arteta returned to Arsenal five years agoCredit: GettyThe Spaniard won the FA Cup shortly after arrivingCredit: APBut he was sacked on November 29, 2019 after a seven-game winless run – at the time the club’s worst since 1992 – leaving behind a mess that would take years to be fixed.The culture was toxic. The dressing room was divided. Big-money flops lacked motivation. The recruitment strategy was non-existent.Rumours some players were openly mocking Emery’s thick Basque accent and poor grasp of English never went away.On December 20, 2019, in came Arteta – a 39-year-old former Arsenal player raised by Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy and moulded by Pep Guardiola as an assistant at Manchester City.Read More in FootballArteta had witnessed first-hand the problems just five days earlier, in the away dug-out as City romped to a 3-0 Prem win at a half-empty and miserably flat Emirates against a woeful Arsenal under interim boss Freddie Ljungberg.He would later say about that game: “I saw what was going on and I felt sad. It wasn’t only the performance, it was the atmosphere and energy that worried me a little bit. So, let me help.”Five years on, and Arteta has done more than that. Arsenal are a club reborn, revitalised, reinvented – considered a Prem titan again and competing with the very best in Europe once more – even if they are still chasing their first top flight title for 20 years.But perhaps more impressively, Arteta rebuilt a crumbling culture from the ground up, brick by brick, with his non-negotiables and emphatic, obsessive desire for perfection on and off the pitch.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSArteta replaced Unai Emery, who was sacked by the GunnersCredit: APDuring that process, experienced pros were brutally axed in favour of young, hungry stars, both from the academy and in the transfer market, who continue to follow Arteta to the ends of the earth.Skipper Martin Odegaard joined permanently from Real Madrid in the summer of 2021 after a six-month loan spell. He said: “We were struggling a little bit with a lot of noise around the club.Arsenal player ratings: Gabriel Jesus resurrects Gunners career with three fine finishes but Sterling still yet to shine“We didn’t perform as well as a club like Arsenal should, but I believed so much in the project after speaking to him and speaking to the club and seeing everything that was going on around here.“He just gets everyone to work together and in the same direction, it’s unbelievable.”Mikel Merino – who signed this summer – revealed: “Mikel is a coach who speaks with players every single day, there’s not a single detail in training sessions that he doesn’t take a look at.”And Hale End product Myles Lewis-Skelly added: “It’s incredible the culture he’s built within the team, you can sense around the ground the energy’s always high and positive vibes.”The journey has not been smooth, but for a manager so young, Arteta had a knack of making the right calls at the right time – most of them caught on camera in their All Or Nothing Amazon documentary in the 2021/22 campaign.Bad eggs like Matteo Guendouzi, Sokratis, Mesut Ozil and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang were ousted and shamed – the latter a ballsy move considering the Gabon star was his captain.It did not solve everything. Bust-ups were snapped on the documentary, including Alexandre Lacazette and Cedric Soares having a tussle in training.Arteta has his fingerprints all over the training ground, from the length and colour of the grass to the slogans donning any available wall space.Yet Arteta himself is understood to enjoy confrontation. He recently admitted he wants to feel “uncomfortable” under the gaze of the owners Stan and Josh Kroenke, and did not always agree with former sporting director Edu on transfer targets.He has also surrounded himself with assistants who are NOT ‘yes men’, the likes of set-piece coach Nicolas Jover and 29-year-old youngster Carlos Cuesta.But Arteta also likes control at a football club, something he gained when his title was changed from head coach to manager in September 2020, and has made himself a strong voice in the recruitment team in charge of replacing Edu in the coming months.Unlike more experienced managers, Arteta is heavily involved in training sessions, often laughing in joking with players as he takes part in heated rondos, on one occasion even nut-megging Odegaard before running off to celebrate.Make no mistake, however, the intensity of these sessions have become infamous. Just weeks into joining the club, Merino commented: “I have never seen anything like it”.That is partly down to his obsessive nature. Arteta has his fingerprints all over the training ground, from the length and colour of the grass to the slogans donning any available wall space.In their inside training dome at London Colney – one that has just been ripped up and replaced to fit Arteta’s requirements – one of the walls reads: ‘Set-pieces win matches’.There is also a slick new paint job in the press conference room at Colney – now with all-black walls and a new air conditioning unit after suggesting it would get too hot on occasion.Arteta likes the colour black – it was his favoured kit in the 2022/23 campaign because he wanted his players to look and feel more intimidating during away games.The Emirates has felt the Arteta-effect for that very reason. The Spaniard was desperate for a club anthem to rev up the atmosphere, eventually picking out Louis Dunford’s ‘North London Forever’ hit.Mikel Arteta at ArsenalTotal matches – 256Wins – 155Draws – 41Losses – 60Trophies:1x FA Cup2x Community ShieldArteta has also been instrumental in pre-match inspirational videos to feature on the big screens before big matches.But there are different sides to a man often so focused and serious on camera – a man Bayer Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso called a “competitive monster” this summer after a pre-season clash.Arteta is devilish. He admitted to reporters he often toys with the truth when it comes to revealing team news before games in press conferences.He explained: “I am not going to lie to you, but if I don’t want to tell you, I will keep you guessing.”There have also been incidents where Arteta has deliberately had injured or unavailable players walk off the team bus in full kit with the squad for added mystery until the very last moment.The devil is in the detail, suggesting this month he wants Arsenal to be the “kings of everything”.Arteta will try anything to gain an extra edge, using props like lightbulbs and giant dominos, getting his players to squeeze lemons and hiring undercover waiters as football tricksters and pickpockets during team meetings.Arteta is devilish. He admitted to reporters he often toys with the truth when it comes to revealing team news before games in press conferences.In November 2021, before a trip to Anfield to face Liverpool, he played ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ on speakers by the training pitches to acclimatise his men.They went on to lose the game 4-0, one that Arteta learned a big lesson from. A dug-out clash with Jurgen Klopp inspired a response from the home fans, coinciding with Liverpool taking the lead and Arsenal crumbling in the second half.Despite his often frantic touchline appearance, Arteta has that game in his head at all times, notably at the Battle of the Etihad this term – refusing to react when Erling Haaland told him to “stay humble” at the end of the feisty 2-2 draw.So, what could the next five years bring?He has expressed a fanciful desire to one day field a starting XI with 11 academy players. So far, he has three in Bukayo Saka, Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly.But he remains an open book as a coach and person, currently in a WhatsApp group chat with figures from other sports like former England rugby boss Eddie Jones and New Zealand head coach Scott Robertson.Knowing Arteta, he will already have the future painstakingly mapped out, starting of course with winning major silverware sooner rather than later, as well as leaving the shadow of mentor Guardiola behind him on his quest for top flight domination.The Spaniard this week insisted that he has won three major trophies with Arsenal as opposed to just the FA Cup – if you include two Community Shields.But now is the time to go for more.Arsenal have narrowly missed out on the Premier League title for the last two yearsCredit: ReutersThe Gunners have spent the last two years edging closer and closer to the Prem title, with only Man City standing in their way.It was always expected that Arteta would be the cream that rises to the top when Guardiola leaves England.But despite signing on for at least another year, Guardiola finds himself in uncharted territory – with City spiralling in a run of poor form.Arsenal should, in theory, be right up there, leading the title race.But they are now behind both Liverpool and Chelsea.If the Gunners don’t win the Premier League this season – and if City fall short – it will be considered a huge missed opportunity for Arteta.Furthermore, a Champions League run is also crucial.Arsenal are on the verge of securing automatic qualification to the knockouts.But historically, they have rarely lasted too long in those when it comes to European football.READ MORE SUN STORIESNow is time for Arteta and Arsenal to push on and prove they can win trophies.Otherwise, he might not get another five years.How to stop Arsenal at cornersArsenal have turned into a prolific team when it comes to scoring from corners.The Gunners have now scored 22 goals from them since the start of last season – seven more than their nearest rival Manchester City and eight more than Premier League leaders Liverpool.Two of them came against Manchester United – Jurrien Timber and William Saliba netting in the second half to earn Mikel Arteta’s men a vital win as they chase down Arne Slot’s Reds.Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka were the architects with their deliveries, and each now have seven set-piece assists since the start of the 2023/24 campaign – more than any other player.United legend Dimitar Berbatov joked Arsenal are the new Stoke City of the top flight – a side under Tony Pulis who terrorised the so-called “bigger clubs” with set-piece mastery.Here are four ways to stop Arteta’s side at corners More