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      Man Utd owners Joel Glazer and Jim Ratcliffe to hold crisis meeting just hours after Ten Hag’s must-win game vs Villa

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      MANCHESTER UNITED’S hierarchy are scheduled to meet up just 48 hours after the crunch clash with Aston Villa, reports suggest.It comes amid growing uncertainty surrounding manager Erik ten Hag’s position at the club.Man Utd’s hierarchy including Sir Jim Ratcliffe are set to hold a meeting on TuesdayCredit: GettyClub chiefs including Sir Dave Brailsford, Omar Berrada, Dan Ashworth and Jason Wilcox will be in attendanceCredit: GettyCo-chairman Joel Glazer will also be flying in from the US for the London meetingCredit: GettyIt comes 48 hours after Man Utd’s game will Aston Villa, though it is not yet clear whether Erik ten Hag’s future is on the agendaCredit: ReutersTen Hag had the Porto and Aston Villa games to convince bosses he was the right manager to lead the team forward.The Red Devils drew 3-3 at Porto on Thursday, and will face Unai Emery’s Villans at Villa Park in a do-or-die clash tomorrow.And two days later, United’s executive committee are set to hold a meeting in London, according to The Athletic.This committee is comprised of the club’s newly-appointed decision makers; Omar Berrarda, Dan Ashworth and Jason Wilcox, as well as Ineos chiefs Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Sir Dave Brailsford.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLCo-chairman Joel Glazer will also be in attendance after flying in from the United States, while United’s chief financial officer Roger Bell and chief operating officer Collette Roche will also be present.There is also scheduled to be a stop closer to home in Manchester as well.However, it is not yet clear whether the club’s performance on the pitch will be an item on the agenda.Ratcliffe now owns 27.7 per cent of Man Utd, which he paid £1.3billion for earlier this year.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSThe Glazer family own 41.3 per cent, with the rest of the shares being held by private investors.Ten Hag was handed a contract extension in July before being backed with a new set of coaches and recruitment that included his former players.Porto vs Man Utd player ratings But with results currently failing to justify that decision, Ten Hag’s position may be in some peril without immediate improvement.It is understood that Ratcliffe will be in attendance at Villa Park on Sunday ahead of the meeting.The British billionaire failed to publicly back Ten Hag earlier this week, saying the decision over his future was “not my call”.Speaking to BBC Sport, he said: “I like Erik. I think he’s a very good coach but at the end of the day it’s not my call.”It’s the management team that’s running Manchester United that have to decide how we best run the team in many different respects.”But that team that’s running Manchester United has only been together since June or July. “They weren’t there in January, February, March or April – [CEO] Omar [Berrada], [sporting director] Dan Ashworth – they only arrived in July.”They’ve only been there… you can count it in weeks almost – they’ve not been there a long time, so they need to take stock and make some sensible decisions.Manchester United executive committeeCo-chairman – Joel GlazerMinority owner – Sir Jim RatcliffeHead of sport Ineos – Sir Dave BrailsfordCEO – Omar BerradaSporting director – Dan AshworthTechnical director – Jason WilcoxCFO – Roger BellCOO – Collette Roche”Our objective is very clear – we want to take Manchester United back to where it should be, and it’s not there yet, obviously – that’s very clear.”The ultimate decision will lay in the hands of a three-person ownership committee of Ratcliffe, Brailsford and Glazer.However, it will come based on the recommendation of those working more intimately at the club, including chief executive Berrada, sporting director Ashworth and technical director Wilcox.READ MORE SUN STORIESMan Utd have won just three of their opening nine games in all competitions this season and sit 13th in the Premier League.Other managers linked include Gareth Southgate and Thomas Tuchel, while it’s been reported that Inter Milan manager Simone Inzaghi has rejected an offer.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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      Why is Bruno Fernandes playing after being sent off against Tottenham and Porto?

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      BRUNO FERNANDES was sent off twice in just FIVE days this week as he received red cards against Tottenham and Porto.The Manchester United skipper saw red in the 3-0 thrashing last Sunday – but the Red Devils skipper is still eligible to play against Aston Villa this coming Sunday.Bruno Fernandes was sent off against Tottenham and then PortoCredit: GettyFernandes, 30, was shown his first red card in 242 matches, the first of his entire United career.And usual circumstances would see the Portuguese icon miss his next three consecutive Premier League matches for the Red Devils.However, Fernandes is part of United’s travelling squad to face Aston Villa in what is a mammoth Premier League encounterSunSport can explain why that is below.Read more on Bruno FernandesWhy is Bruno Fernandes playing after being sent off against Tottenham?Bruno Fernandes is eligible to play for Manchester United after being sent off against Tottenham as his red card has now been overturned.A statement read: “Bruno Fernandes will be available for Man Utd’s next three games following a successful claim of wrongful dismissal.”The midfielder was sent off for serious foul play during the Premier League match against Tottenham.”This news is sure to come as a relief for Fernandes, who raged against the decision at full-time on Sunday.Most read in FootballIt was initially a huge blow for the Red Devils as Fernandes was due to miss the next THREE Premier League games.Why did Bruno Fernandes get sent off against Tottenham?United’s captain got shown a straight red at Old Trafford following a clumsy challenge on James Maddison.Fernandes appeared to slip as he aimed to win the ball.And he ended up making contact with Maddison’s leg, with ref Chris Kavanagh almost immediately showing Fernandes red before being backed up by VAR.Pundits were adamant the challenge only deserved a yellow card at best.Bruno Fernandes committed a clumsy challenge on James MaddisonWhat games was Bruno Fernandes set to miss?Bruno Fernandes would have missed three huge games for Manchester United.Aston Villa vs Manchester United – Sunday, October 6Manchester United vs Brentford – Saturday, October 19West Ham vs Manchester United – Sunday, October 27Will Bruno Fernandes be banned from playing in the Europa League?The United skipper was then sent off AGAIN in Portugal for a high boot. However, unlike his Premier League appeal, Bruno Fernandes WILL be banned for one European game.READ MORE SUN STORIESThat’s because he received two yellow cards, which cannot be appealed against. He will miss the trip to Turkey when United play former manager Jose Mourinho and Fenerbahce. More

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      ‘Peace has broken out’ in Chelsea’s boardroom civil war as Boehly and Eghbali poach new managing director from Liverpool

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      THE relationship between Chelsea owners Behdad Eghbali and Todd Boehly may have healed in recent weeks, claims a former Premier League chief.Eghbali and Boehly were at loggerheads over the summer and wanted to buy each other out.Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali were spotted sitting next to each other at a recent matchCredit: RexThe professional relationship is said to have gotten so poor that the duo could not work together.Eghbali’s Clearlake Capital owns 61.5 per cent of the Blues, while Boehly and allies possess 38.5 per cent.Despite him being the minority shareholder, all major decisions over the summer required Boehly’s sign off, much to Eghbali’s ire.In recent weeks, however, the boardroom civil war appears to have mellowed.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLBoehly and Eghbali were spotted sitting next to each other at Chelsea’s 3-0 win over West Ham on September 21.Then four days later, the Mirror reported that the Blues had poached David Beeston from Liverpool to be their new managing director.Former Everton and Aston Villa executive Keith Wyness believes that Beeston’s appointment could prove to be significant in the power struggle between Boehly and Eghbali.The Scot, 66, told Football Insider: “Just a few weeks ago, we spoke about how Clearlake and Boehly were at each other’s throats.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSChelsea have appointed former Liverpool executive David BeestonCredit: YouTube / Huron UniversityKeith Wyness has had his say on Chelsea’s power struggleCredit: Getty – Contributor”That seems to have thawed. It’s amazing what a few wins can do, not just in the dressing room but in the boardroom.”It does seem that peace has broken out. They will have known that it was a bad look, and hopefully, they’ve sorted things out.”Chelsea’s player ratings against GentOn Beeston’s arrival, Wyness added: “I don’t know whether there is still a control battle, but I’d imagine both parties would have to agree to bring a new executive into the fold.”They’d both have to give Beeston their backing. There is a lot still to be done at Chelsea.”The free-scoring Blues have won their last five games on the bounce in all competitions.Enzo Maresca’s side are fourth in the Premier League table, and are the top scoring team in the league with 15 goals from just six games.Tomorrow they host Nottingham Forest at Stamford Bridge, following their 4-2 European success over Gent on Thursday night.I really don’t think we can compete with City or ArsenalEnzo MarescaAhead of the contest, Maresca sought to play down expectations of his side this season, despite their promising start.The Italian, 44, said: “I really don’t think we can compete with City or Arsenal.”I really don’t think that because we are not ready. The reason is that City has worked with the same manager for nine years and Arsenal for five years. If you want to compete for big things you need that time.READ MORE SUN STORIES“After Arsenal beat PSG they asked Luis Enrique and he said the same thing that Arsenal have had the same manager for five years and them only a year-and-a-half.”Imagine us, only three months… so it’s a huge difference. So I am really convinced we cannot compete with those clubs.” More

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      Man Utd fans prepare for ‘unholy conversations’ as Scott McTominay takes just 25 seconds to score for Napoli again

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      SCOTT MCTOMINAY continued his brilliant start to life in Italy by bagging his first Serie A goal last night.The former Manchester United midfielder has had Italian fans purring since completing his £25million Napoli switch.Scott McTominay fired Napoli into an early leadCredit: RexThe Scotland international is loving life in ItalyCredit: RexHis performance in Napoli’s 0-0 draw with Juventus last month earned rave reviews.He then opened his account in the Coppa Italia by scoring in his side’s 5-0 win over Palermo.Last night, McTominay took just 25 seconds to give Napoli the lead against Como.The 6ft 4in powerhouse brilliantly controlled Romelu Lukaku’s pass before rifling the ball into the bottom corner.READ MORE MAN UTD NEWSAntonio Conte’s side went on to win 3-1 courtesy of further goals by Lukaku and David Neres, with Gabriel Strefezza netting for the visitors.The win saw Napoli extend their lead at the top of Serie A to four points, although Juventus do possess a game in hand.In recent weeks, Conte has ditched his famous 3-5-2 system to implement a 4-2-3-1.Rather than fielding McTominay as a deep-lying midfielder, the former Chelsea and Tottenham boss has deployed him as a No10, encouraging him to get into the box whenever possible.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSThe Scotland international is in magnificent form, having also scored for his country in matches against Poland and Portugal last month.Seeing McTominay’s performances, several Man Utd fans had their say on social media.Man Utd ‘only do stupid things & kill stars, someone should be arrested’, rants journalist amid McTominay’s red-hot formOne wrote: “McTominay being a key player to his first league title in his debut season after leaving United is going to cause unholy conversations.”To which a second replied: “I’m here for it as much as it hurts my soul.”A third joked: “Giving Scott McTominay to Antonio Conte is the equivalent to giving Oppenheimer a science book. It could be the end of the world as we know it.”Another added: “Every player starts balling the moment they leave Man U.” More

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      Premier League cult villain Neal Maupay laughs at being sent off for Marseille with two bookings in three minutes

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      NEAL MAUPAY was sent off after receiving two bookings in just three minutes last night.The former Brentford and Everton forward, 28, was handed just his second start of the season as Marseille took on Angers at Stade Velodrome.Neal Maupay laughed as he was sent offThe striker, 28, received a second yellow for this late challengeAhead of the game, players were greeted onto the pitch by an incredible tifo display celebrating Marseille’s 125th birthday.And the occasion may have gotten to ex-Prem prankster Maupay, who was heading in for an early bath within half an hour.The feisty affair had its first flashpoint in the 22nd minute, when visiting star Lilian Raolisoa lunged in on Marseille defender Ullises Garcia.This prompted fury among Marseille’s ranks, with Maupay one of the most vocal in trying to get Raolisoa sent off.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSFollowing a VAR check Maupay would get his wish, with Raolisoa eventually shown a red card in the 26th minute.Moments later, Maupay was also in the referee’s book.Then on the half hour mark he joined Raolisoa in being sent off, receiving a second yellow for a late challenge by the halfway line.As he received his marching orders, Maupay risked the further wrath of Marseille fans by smiling and laughing.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSHe then shook his head as he made his way off the pitch.The match proceeded 10 vs 10 for an hour, with Marseille stumbling against their newly promoted opponents.Embarrassing footage emerges of Premier League star Neal Maupay falling over in lift while in just swimming trunksNorwich loanee Jonathan Rowe gave Roberto De Zerbi’s side the lead on 51 minutes.The England Under-21 international followed up his amazing last minute winner at Lyon a fortnight ago by converting in the box against Angers following a neat turn.Marseille’s lead would last barely three minutes, with Farid El Melali grabbing a spectacular equaliser – converting a brilliant free-kick beyond keeper Geronimo Rulli.The result leaves De Zerbi’s men third in the Ligue 1 table, two points behind both Monaco and Paris Saint-Germain.Monaco face a tricky trip to Rennes this evening, before PSG round off the weekend’s Ligue 1 action at Nice on Sunday night.Maupay will be suspended when Marseille travel to Montpellier after the international break.The Frenchman has scored once this season in Ligue 1, an effort in his side’s 2-0 win over Nice last month.Prior to leaving England, Maupay developed a reputation as something of a cult villain.Last season he was involved in a social media war with James Maddison, after mimicking the midfielder’s darts celebration during Brentford’s 3-2 defeat at Tottenham.He was also booked while not even on the pitch against Chelsea after kicking the ball away as he warmed up as a substitute, stopping the Blues taking a free-kick.READ MORE SUN STORIESDuring his Brighton days, Maupay bagged a late winner against Arsenal, having argued with Bernd Leno as the then-Gunners keeper was taken off on a stretcher.He then enraged Matteo Guendouzi at the final whistle, with the Frenchman grabbing his compatriot Maupay by the throat after what turned out to be his final game for Arsenal.Maupay was involved in a spat with Matteo Guendouzi in 2020Credit: Getty More

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      Football could be forced to adopt US-style transfer system with game becoming Wild West after Lassana Diarra ruling

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      FOOTBALL has always believed it did not have to follow the American model.But if the ramifications of the latest European Court ruling on the game are as claimed by the man who broke the system in the 1990s, we could be entering the Wild West.Lassana Diarra’s beef with Fifa’s rules could lead to the end of the current transfer systemCredit: GettyFootball could be entering a US-styled Wild West after the latest European Court rulingCredit: GettyFor players, it will be like walking into the casinos in Las Vegas with a massive pile of chips but knowing they have already been dealt a winning hand on a loaded table.Jean-Louis Dupont was the lawyer who beat Uefa over the treatment of Belgian player Jean-Marc Bosman.That landmark judgement meant clubs could no longer demand a fee for a player who was out of contract.But the secondary repercussions was the end of the “three plus two” rule demanding that clubs fielded a minimum quota of homegrown stars, turning European club football into a continent without borders.Read More on FootballAnd even if former Chelsea ace Lassana Diarra’s beef with Fifa’s rules was about his right to walk away from Lokomotiv Moscow when they stopped paying him in 2014, the final outcome could well be the end of the current transfer system.The ruling of the five senior Judges in the Luxembourg-based Court said: “The rules in question impede the free movement of footballers wishing to develop their activity by going to work for a new club.“Those rules impose considerable legal risks, potentially very high financial risks as well as major sporting risks on those players and clubs wishing to employ them.”No wonder a crowing Dupont claimed a “total victory”, adding that the Court had “severely censured the structurally illegal actions of the current regulations”.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSMore critically, he predicted: “This paves the way for a modernisation of governance, in particular through the use of collective bargaining between employees and employers.”And that was always Dupont’s end-game as he allied himself with the international players’ union Fifpro to take on Fifa.Transfer fees could be scrapped in biggest change to football in 30 years after landmark court case brought against Fifa If clubs cannot demand transfer fees for players who are under contract, then it is all about the package they are offered.Either their current club puts so much on the table, with US-style ten-year contracts including massive £100million-plus loyalty bonuses for seeing out the deal, that the player wants to stay.Or they simply jump when a higher bidder knocks on the door. And whichever is the outcome, the players and their agents win. Of course, Dupont would say that. He is not averse to exaggeration.On the other side, Fifa attempted to downplay its significance, claiming this was a very narrow ruling with no wider implications.Transfer fees scrapped Q&A: How landmark ruling could mean NFL-style trades and stars suing for millionsFORMER Chelsea, Arsenal and Portsmouth midfielder Lassana Diarra has won his landmark case at the European Court of Justice.SunSport’s Martin Lipton explains what it was all about – and what it might mean for the future of football…What was the case about?Diarra argued Fifa’s transfer rules were illegal after the world body backed Lokomotiv Moscow’s claim that he had broken his contract by refusing to train with them.Is that it?No. Belgian club Charleroi wanted to sign Diarra but were told they would have to pay the money he was fined by Moscow, while Fifa refused to issue an International Transfer Certificate unless they coughed up.Okay, so what does the ruling mean?Theoretically players will have the right to break their contracts and switch clubs without a fee changing hands – just like any employee in any other industry.Hang on – does that mean the END of transfer fees?Potentially, yes. Although players would have to want to move.We would basically end up with a US-style “collective bargaining” model where players would be free to move within transfer windows without impunity.Clubs might be able to “trade” players – swap deals – but with no extra cash changing hands.Is everybody agreed about this?Absolutely not. Fifa claimed the ruling “only puts in question two paragraphs of two articles” of its transfer regulations.Yet the Judges said the current rules were “prohibited” under EU law and “anti-competitive” as they “limit the freedom of action” of players to change employer.Read SunSport’s full Q&A with football on the brink of the biggest shake-up in 30 years…A spokesman said: “Fifa is satisfied that the legality of key principles of the transfer system have been re-confirmed.“The ruling only puts in question two paragraphs of two articles of the Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players.” Transfers could changeFifa insiders are pointing fingers at Fifpro, asking what the union hopes to gain.They do, though, concede the world body should have intervened to grant the International Transfer Certificate which would have allowed Diarra to join Belgian side Charleroi after his fall-out with Moscow and must now rewrite that aspect of its rulebook.Likewise, the rules that meant Charleroi would have been liable to pay Diarra’s fine from Moscow will also have to go.Yet many fear this could be a case of shutting the stable door after the entire herd has bolted.There are also concerns that the consequences will go way beyond the initial scope of the case.The judges did rule, specifically, that a “certain degree of stability in the squads of all professional football clubs” was a good thing during a season.They implicitly backed the current transfer registration windows that mean players can only move in the summer and in January.Likewise, if a club can be found, unquestionably, to have “incited” a player to walk out on a rival, then a sanction might be appropriate.Good luck in getting hold of those WhatsApp messages.READ MORE SUN STORIESBut with the current regulations now deemed to have breached EU law, the very fabric of the transfer rulebook will be in question.And nobody can be sure where it will end up. More

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      Man City ask for Premier League season to be DELAYED as Pep Guardiola escalates fixture pile-up row

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      MANCHESTER CITY are on collision course with the Premier League again — after the champs’ plea for a DELAYED start to next season was rejected.City wanted their first two games of the 2025-26 season postponed to help them recover from playing in Fifa’s expanded four-week summer Club World Cup in America.Pep Guardiola weighed on Manchester City’s fixture pile-up row with the Premier LeagueCredit: GettyPlayers’ unions are worried about the Club World Cup causing burnoutCredit: ReutersBut City boss Pep Guardiola declared: “In the end, the Premier League has not allowed us to postpone the first two games for our recovery. Thank you so much!”The final of the revamped 32-team tournament, which also features Chelsea, takes place on July 13 — less than a month before the start of the next Prem season.Asked if he felt stars would be exhausted after the tournament, Guardiola added: “It’s going to happen for sure. It depends if we’re in the last stages of the FA Cup.“I don’t know if we will play more games than our Treble year before the States.”Read More on FootballRelations between City and Prem chiefs are already strained after the club were charged with 115 breaches of the League’s financial rules. City deny all the charges.Guardiola added: “For the first and second games, the club asked the Premier League to postpone them one, two or three weeks.“That would be one or two more weeks of holiday after the Club World Cup. But it’s absolutely not allowed.“The Premier League say ‘yes’ to us? Absolutely not.”Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSThe Prem have yet to comment but sources indicated there were only initial, informal discussions — and no formal request from City.Prem boss Richard Masters is aware of the challenges domestic leagues will face as a result of Fifa’s expanded calendar.Pep Guardiola breaks silence on Phil Foden situation after fans’ conspiracy theory over England star’s absence Players’ unions, worried about burnout, have taken legal action against Fifa over the Club World Cup.And City’s crocked ace Rodri warned players were ready to strike to protect their welfare.Fifa chief Gianni Infantino insists the tournament will go ahead as planned.Guardiola’s City contract is up next summer, so he may not be around to see it — but he believes it will only become clear then how tired players are.He said: “They won’t postpone these games, so that will be the moment of, ‘Oh, what do we do?’“I don’t have an answer right now. We will see how the players are, the schedule, then we are going to decide.” More

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      Mikel Arteta ready to play set-piece mind games with ex-Gunner Aaron Ramsdale ahead of Arsenal return

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      MIKEL ARTETA has warned ex-Arsenal keeper Aaron Ramsdale to expect set-piece MIND GAMES ahead of his North London return.Ramsdale plays at the Emirates today for the first time since swapping the Gunners for Southampton in a £25m deal this summer – ending his three-year stint.Aaron Ramsdale has endured a tough start to life at SouthamptonCredit: ReutersMikel Arteta axed Ramsdale for new No.1 David RayaCredit: GettyArsenal may be forced to create some new corner routines against RamsdaleCredit: AlamyAnd he is now able to give Russell Martin’s Saints the lowdown on his old side’s potent set-piece routines that have produced 45 goals in all competitions, excluding penalties, since July 2021 – the most in Europe’s top five leagues.Asked if Arsenal need to adapt with this in mind, Arteta said: “Probably.“Maybe we tell [Ramsdale] that we will adapt something but then do the same thing so he thinks we’re going to adapt it! So, there’s maybe going to be some mind games.“I’m sure that they will have discussed that. It’s not the first time that we have played against a player that was in our camp, it’s natural that it happens.read more arsenal“So, we need to have the capacity to understand and continue to do our things.”Signed from Sheffield United for £30m in August 2021, Ramsdale, 26, was Arsenal’s No.1 for two terms before being axed by last season’s new arrival David Raya from Brentford.Raya, 29, has since proven himself to be one of the best keepers in the Premier League, winning the Golden Glove last campaign with 16 clean sheets and was awarded August’s Save of the Month.Meanwhile, Ramsdale has so far conceded 10 goals in four outings for relegation-battling Southampton and was left out of Lee Carsley’s recent England squad.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSBut Arteta admits it was “hard” to let Ramsdale leave. The Spaniard added: “I am grateful for what he did. When we signed him there was a lot of noise around him.“We helped to create the environment he needed because we believed in his potential. He showed it and won the respect and admiration of all of us.Arsenal set to play Champions League decider in half-empty stadium with tiny away allocation thanks to little-known rule “And then the circumstances changed because this is elite sport and can happen. It was difficult to deal with that situation in a natural way and we decided to part ways.“He decided he wanted to take another step in his career. I called him straight away after I got the news. He was really happy.“He’s a player that we loved a lot, very charismatic and he really put his fingerprints here at the club in the way that he was. It will be very good to see him.”Ramsdale has revealed his main motivation for leaving title-chasing Arsenal was to stop sitting on the bench, even if that means missing out on future silverware.He explained: “If I was sitting on the bench, winning a trophy wouldn’t have meant that much to me.”I just wanted to play football. As a kid I wanted to play football to play, not to just sit on a bench. Getting out and playing was my aim.“So, I’m lucky I found myself here at Southampton.”Ramsdale has also put to bed any rumours that there were any bad feelings between himself and his replacement Raya – even if being picked up by cameras during games annoyed him.Ramsdale said: “It used to do my head in coming off the pitch and then my wife would say you were on TV five times today.“After [Raya] made a save or a goal went in and [the camera] would pan to me on the bench. I do think the story was bigger than what it needed to be.Ramsdale and Raya were battling against each other for a starting spotCredit: Reuters“It put pressure on David at times as well. I did an interview with David Seaman after my new contract. I said I wanted to emulate him an be there for eight to 10 years.“A couple of months later I was out of the team. I tried my hardest to dislodge David but I do think now the rewards are showing.“He’s started the season incredibly well. He was actually the first person to text me from Arsenal after my move here.“He was great and he was top. Like I say he’s made some big, big saves this season and kept them in some games. Just desperate he doesn’t have one of those games [today].”Ramsdale has defended Saints boss Martin’s style of play – one that sees the club with one point from six games in lowly 19th.During their 3-1 defeat to Bournemouth on Monday, Southampton had 60 per cent possession but just three shots on target.Ramsdale said: “Martin is top. His enthusiasm, the way he wants to play, the way he wants to do things – he’s going to stick by it.“He’s not going to change because other people say he needs to.”Arteta has also come out in defence of Martin’s approach, having seen this style help Southampton go 25 games unbeaten on their way to Prem promotion last term.Arteta argued: “I understand what [Martin] wants to do and why he does it.“It is very difficult to coach it and, at the level that he has done it, to perform, it was a joy to watch [in the Championship].“You need a lot of courage and I love that. When he was winning a lot of games nobody was talking about that and when you lose it is too much.READ MORE SUN STORIES“They’ve been very unlucky not to have many more points because there were moments in the game where they have far better than the opponents.”Arsenal are unlikely to have Jurrien Timber [muscular] and Ben White [groin] at their disposal, while skipper Martin Odegaard [ankle] and Oleksandr Zinchenko [calf] remain out until after the international break. More