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      Man City vs Chelsea LIVE SCORE – FA Cup semi-final: Erling Haaland NOT in City squad as Enzo returns for Blues – updates

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      MANCHESTER CITY take on Chelsea in the semi-final of the FA Cup TODAY.And the headline team news from Wembley is that Erling Haaland is NOT in the City squad.Pep Guardiola’s side can no longer match last season’s Treble following their Champions League exit to Real Madrid on Wednesday night.City will still be eyeing a Double this campaign with the Manchester outfit in Pole position for the Premier League title and two wins away from back-to-back FA Cup triumphs.Mauricio Pochettino will be hoping his side can salvage Chelsea’s season after failing to find consistency in their performances.
      Kick-off time: 5.15pm BST
      TV channel/ FREE live stream: BBC One/BBC iPlayer
      Man City starting line-up: Ortega Moreno, Walker, Stones, Akanji, Ake, Rodri, De Bruyne, Bernardo, Foden, Grealish, Alvarez
      Chelsea starting line-up: Petrovic; Gusto, Chalobah, Silva, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Madueke, Palmer, Gallagher; Jackson
      BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERFollow ALL of the latest updates from Wembley below…How do we see it?

      Copy linkCopiedOther options
      They’re not really short of options when it comes to goals, anyway.
      Phil Foden the standout player this season and those goal numbers certainly suggest that.
      Julian Alvarez gets his turn from the start here and there’s goals in their midfield too.

      Copy linkCopiedHaaland mystery
      “He has a little injury. It’s not serious but he couldn’t play today.”
      That was the update from Pep Guardiola before this one.
      Copy linkCopiedLatest odds
      Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City are favourites to win this tie in normal time.
      There will be plenty taking the value in Chelsea, just shy of 5/1….
      BetMGM latest odds:

      Man City 8/15
      Draw 33/10
      Chelsea 24/5

      Copy linkCopiedSetting the scene
      The fans are piling into Wembley and the atmosphere is already building terrifically.
      A little under half an hour until kick off as the players are put through their paces in the warm-up ahead of kick-off.

      Copy linkCopiedMan in the middle
      The FA’s best referee, Michael Oliver takes charge of this one.
      The 39-year-old has refereed 30 games far this season, showing 121 yellow cards and five red cards.
      David Coote is on VAR. Hopefully we don’t hear much from VAR tonight, though….
      Copy linkCopiedOur picks
      We’ve had a go at picking out a PickYourPunt selection with Betfred for this game.
      As well as that, the bookmaker is offering £50 in free bets to new customers too!
      Our PickYourPunt is a cool 28/1 and we’ve given reasons why for each pick too.

      Copy linkCopiedNumbers to back it
      And the numbers back up what Pep Guardiola has said.
      Palmer’s four goals earlier this week taking him to 20 in the league this season – joint with former team-mate Erling Haaland. And in less shots, too.
      As well as the goals, he’s contributed 9 assists to Haaland’s five, with more than 3x the touches and passes of the Norwegian.

      Copy linkCopiedCole reality
      Pep Guardiola admits Cole Palmer has been the “decisive player of the season” after being forced to sell him to Chelsea.
      But the Manchester City boss insists the England midfielder asked to leave the Etihad for TWO YEARS before he finally got his £40million move to Stamford Bridge last summer.
      And Guardiola confessed: “He said he wanted to leave. What could we do? He was asking for two seasons to leave and I said, ‘No, stay’.
      “I also said in pre-season he should stay because Riyad Mahrez had gone, but he said, ‘No, I want to leave’.
      “So after two seasons what could I say?
      “Playing at his current level is exceptional. He is an incredible threat. Everyone knows it.”

      Copy linkCopiedSo far this season
      These two have met twice already in the Premier League this season.
      And both games finished all square.
      A sensational game at Stamford Bridge ended 4-4 when Cole Palmer scored a late, late penalty.
      While Rodri bagged an 83rd minute equaliser when the sides met at the Etihad in February.
      Copy linkCopiedPoch preview
      Mauricio Pochettino isn’t expecting a wounded animal when City face his Chelsea side this evening.
      He said: “From our point of view, we are going to compete against Manchester City. If you ask me about their situation, I can give my opinion, but we are not talking about that. We are going to compete against them.
      “Today we were preparing, doing meetings, about the Manchester City that played against Real Madrid, that played against us in the Premier League.
      “We are not talking about playing one or playing another. For me, the strength of Manchester City is that they keep the same idea and the same philosophy.”
      Copy linkCopiedSubstitutes
      Man City: Ederson, Dias, Kovacic, Doku, Gomez, Gvardiol, Nunes, Bobb, Lewis
      CHELSEA: Bettinelli, Badiashile, Disasi, Gilchrist, Chilwell, Chukwuemeka, Mudryk, Sterling, Washington

      Copy linkCopiedChelsea team news
      No major surprises as Mauricio Pochettino names his Chelsea team for the semi final.
      Enzo Fernandez takes his place beside Moises Caicedo in the Blues midfield.
      CHELSEA XI: Petrovic, Guston, Chalobah, Silva, Cucurella, Caicedo, Enzo, Gallagher, Madueke, Palmer, Jackson
      Copy linkCopiedMan City team news
      Pep Guardiola names his team for this afternoon’s semi final.
      Kyle Walker captains the side and is included despite playing in midweek on return from injury.
      MAN CITY XI: Ortega, Walker, Stones, Akanji, Ake, Rodri, De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva, Foden, Grealish, Alvarez
      Copy linkCopiedTeam news is in!
      And the reports were right – there’s NO Erling Haaland!
      Copy linkCopiedBlues here
      The Chelsea squad arrived a while ago and have walked the Wembley pitch in preparation ahead of warm-ups.
      The squad making time to say hello to each kid, buzzing to meet their heroes on their big day.

      Copy linkCopiedKick off time
      It’s a 5.15pm kick off at Wembley tonight.
      And we’ll go the distance tonight, should we need it.
      And if we get half the drama of the Scottish Cup semi final earlier, we’re in for a treat.
      Celtic drew 3-3 with Aberdeen, with ex-City stopper JOE HART missing a penalty in the shootout to win it for the Hoops.
      Before being the hero in a 6-5 shootout win.
      Copy linkCopiedBounce back
      Pep Guardiola has called on his City stars to forget the heartbreak of midweek and react this afternoon.
      He said: “We don’t have another option and don’t want to feel sorry for ourselves.
      “We performed at our best but were not able to win against Madrid.
      “What next? We don’t have time to reflect. We reflect in the summertime. Football, you compete to win but most of the time you lose games.”
      Copy linkCopiedCityzens arriving
      Here is the City team who arrived a short time ago, with Kevin de Bruyne involved.
      The players took time to shake the hands with the mascot youngsters who gathered inside Wembley.
      Team news will be on the way shortly.

      Copy linkCopiedEarly team News
      And it’s big team news. Reports claim there is no Erling Haaland in the Manchester City squad this afternoon in a massive blow to the Sky Blues.
      Kevin de Bruyne is fit to be involved and is here with the City team. Whether he’s fit enough to start remains to be seen.
      Chelsea should have Raheem Sterling, Enzo Fernandez and Axel Disasi back in their side having missed the game on Monday.
      Copy linkCopiedSemi Saturday
      Good afternoon and welcome to a huge afternoon in the English football calendar with the first of the FA Cup semi finals this weekend.
      And it’s a belter too with Manchester City and Chelsea doing battle for a spot in the showpiece event at the end of the season.
      City will still be reeling from being dumped out of the Champions League in midweek and need a reaction here.
      While Chelsea come here in their best form of the season, highlighted by the SIX goals scored in that demolition of Everton on Monday night.
      It’s poised to be a great occasion.
      Copy linkCopied More

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      Former Man Utd and Coventry star, 54, now a daytime TV presenter who invented new musical instrument

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      FORMER Manchester United, England and Coventry striker Dion Dublin is the inventor of a new musical instrument.The now 54-year-old shot to stardom in the 1990s and 2000s due to his goalscoring exploits.Ex-Premier League striker Dion Dublin is now known for his TV workCredit: GettyHe won a league title with Manchester United during his playing careerCredit: GettyHe was prolific at CoventryCredit: GettyThe former striker was snapped up from Cambridge United by Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United in 1992 and he collected a Premier League title winners’ medal there.But it was after joining Coventry City that he really started to find his rhythm as he scored 61 times in the top-flight for them and won the first of his four England caps.Dublin went on to enjoy similar success at Aston Villa after his 1998 transfer and would later play for Millwall, Leicester City and Celtic.The star then had two years at Norwich City before hanging up his boots in 2008 aged 39.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLSince then he has arguably become an even bigger face than during his playing days after embarking on a career in the media.He stayed involved in the beautiful game by working as a football pundit for various broadcasters including Sky Sports and the BBC.Dublin was also a contestant on BBC’s Celebrity Master Chef in 2021 but is now best-known for his role as presenter on hit show Homes Under the Hammer, where he has starred since 2015.However, Dublin also has another huge passion – music.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSThe ex-England striker has also invented his own musical instrumentCredit: GettyHe’s handy in the kitchen, having starred on Master ChefCredit: BBCHe’s perhaps now best known for being a presenter on Homes Under The HammerCredit: BBCAnd the much-loved ace even created his own percussion instrument, and after years of perfecting his design, he finally unveiled  The Dube for fellow musicians to buy.On its official website, its description says: “The Dube is a unique percussion instrument, created by Dion Dublin.Dion Dublin reveals a hidden surprise at a terraced house in Stoke on Trent on Homes Under the Hammer“A stylish cube percussion instrument which comes in four sizes and can be totally customised in colour schemes and tones.“It’s ideal for musicians, in schools, even DJ sets, the list is endless.“World renowned musicians and drummers including Courtney Pine & Thomas Lang to name but two have trialled and used the Dube and recommended it.”The price to buy it ranges from £117 to £320 depending on the size and each model also has a different unique sound.While telling Vice about how he came up with the idea, Dublin said: “It’s a little bit strange. I didn’t know this before but I’ve always been a percussionist, tapping what I can tap, making rhythms, making music.“One day I decided to go to a hardware store – I picked up six pieces of wood, a hammer and nails, and built a box.“It probably sounded useless at the time but it’s taken me to where I am today, and it’s been well received from drummers and percussionists like Josh Devine from One Direction and Robbie Williams’ drummer.READ MORE SUN STORIES“I think percussion’s just been lying dormant in me for some time, and my musical aspirations have been unlocked now I have the time.“I’m passionate about getting  The Dube out there. Once it’s just kicked that door down,  The Dube will take off, and I won’t stop, I’ll keep pursuing it. I know there’s a market for it.”DION DUBLINHere’s how his football career panned out…
      League apps:
      615
      League goals:
      183
      England caps:
      4
      Clubs:
      Cambridge United, Barnet, Wycombe, Man Utd, Coventry, Aston Villa, Millwall, Leicester, Celtic, Norwich
      Honours:
      Premier League title (1993), Charity Shield (1994), Third Division title (1991), Intertoto Cup (2001), Scottish Premiership title (2006), Scottish League Cup (2006) More

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      BBC in major broadcasting change for Euro 2024 with England games affected

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      ALAN SHEARER revealed he will be co-commentating during England’s matches at Euro 2024 this summer.This marks a massive change by the BBC as Shearer wasn’t part of the channel’s commentary team during Euro 2020 and instead worked as a pundit.Alan Shearer will be co-commentating England’s Euro 2024 gamesCredit: GettyHowever, the 53-year-old, who amassed 30 goals in 63 caps with the Three Lions, appears to have jumped the gun during the latest episode of The Rest is Football podcast.The Newcastle legend joined Gary Lineker as well as Micah Richards and the trio were asked to rank their various TV roles of presenter, pundit, commentator and co-commentator from hardest to easiest.That led to yet another hilarious banter segment that seems to have set the scene for BBC’s coverage of the Euros.Each TV personality issued various different responses but Richards insisted co-commentators need to work mostly on instinct.Read More on FootballThat was when Shearer quipped: “Does that mean I will be getting hammered for doing the co-comms in the England games in the Euros?”Richards jokingly responded: “100 per cent.”And Lineker added: “I must say, you have actually been pretty good so far.”But that obviously could go wrong…”Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERThat was when the whole panel, including Shearer, laughed their socks off.The Premier League record goalscorer mostly conducts studio punditry but has experience on commentary.Alan Shearer congratulates Ireland star Sammie Szmodics after reaching 30-goal landmark for Blackburn RoversAnd now it seems like the legendary striker will be calling the action during England’s bid of winning their first trophy since the 1966 World Cup.The BBC are yet to announce their presenter and punditry lineup for the Euros.Shearer will be covering England’s bid of winning their first trophy since 1966 More

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      Wayne Rooney ‘courted’ for new job as Man Utd legend nears four months unemployed

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      WAYNE ROONEY is tipped to become a key Euro 2024 pundit for the BBC.It follows main presenter Gary Lineker accepting his fellow England legend’s apology for missing his Match of the Day debut last Saturday.Wayne Rooney was ‘gutted’ to miss MOTD but could get a Beeb reprieveCredit: ReutersEx-Manchester United striker Rooney was sacked just 15 games into his last job in January, a nightmare spell in charge of Birmingham City.That plunged his managerial career into doubt as it came straight after a mediocre 15-month reign at MLS side DC United.The 120-cap former Three Lions skipper, 38, says he has dreamed of working on MOTD “since I was little”.So he was “gutted” when a “painful back injury” on a family holiday stopped him making his debut on the iconic weekend football show of action and opinion.READ MORE TOP STORIESMOTD host Lineker took Rooney’s explanation well – one big reason why the door is expected to open again soon for the ex-Derby chief at the Beeb.It’s understood the broadcaster believe the Evertonian’s playing pedigree, especially his ups and downs at major international tournaments, would give their Euros coverage extra credibility with viewers.Rooney has also already shown he is prepared to give frank views – including recent comments on Red Devils’ frontman Marcus Rashford.The academy product, 26, has hit out at criticism of his performances and insisted he is as committed to his hometown club as ever.Most read in FootballBut Rooney told Premier League productions: “You wonder, is his best option to move away from the club and have a fresh start? But he is a Manchester lad.”He has had a very difficult season. We all know he has got the ability and got all the attributes to be a top world-class player.Man Utd icon Wayne Rooney calls Twitch streamer AngryGinge a ‘ginger c’ during EA Sports FC live stream”That’s the frustrating thing. Last season, he went and scored a lot of goals. But this season, he hasn’t kicked on.”He doesn’t look happy when he is playing.”However, Rooney did add: “I would love to see him get his career back on track at the club, go on to score goals and try to help the club win trophies. But he certainly has had a difficult season.” More

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      I was a Premier League star who played more than 500 games – but now I’m a COP armed with gun & driving fast cars

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      A PREMIER League star who has more than 500 games under his belt is now an armed cop who enforces the law.The 54-year-old made a half-century of appearances for five different English clubs across his career from 1995 to 2008.A former Premier League star has left football behind for a life as a copCredit: News Group Newspapers LtdThe Dutch former star now spends his days solving crimes and catching crooksCredit: YouTubeThe defender competing for the ball against Thierry Henry back in 2004Credit: GettyBut the Dutch footballer has since returned back to his native country as a police officer specialising in forensics.The ex-Prem defender now spends his time catching crooks instead of chasing down strikers.Arjan de Zeeuw, who is best known in England for his spell at Wigan Athletic, has even claimed that his new job is filled with “fast cars and guns”.In a 2020 podcast hosted by his former Latics team-mate Emmerson Boyce, De Zeeuw revealed that he is now living a “boys’ dream”. Read More in FootballHe said: “I still work with the Dutch police force, believe it not as an inspector, or detective as you call it.”Having a medical degree, my first idea was to become a doctor, but at the time the Dutch police were looking for people with higher education to do a fast-track course into the police force.”It sounded a little bit like a boys’ dream – being in fast cars and having a gun and all that stuff and I realised it was still going to take me a long time to become a doctor, whereas it was a much quicker route into the police force.”He continued: “I realised that I loved playing football so much that I didn’t not want to play it and be on the side of the pitch all the time.Most read in Football”I realised I didn’t want to be on the football pitch not playing football, so I thought no, I’m not going to do all the badges and go into management.”I’m just going to get completely out of football altogether.”De Zeeuw hung up his boots in 2009 with ADO ’20 after making a mere 12 appearances. I’m a former Premier League striker but now I’m a COP – I spend my days solving crimes & catching crooksHis stint at Coventry City the year before didn’t quite pan out due to nagging injuries preventing him from securing a regular spot in the Championship side.De Zeeuw is also still into football and manages Vitesse 22 in the Dutch non-league.Back in 2005 he earned a stunning tribute from the then-British Prime Minister Tony Blair.Newcastle fan Blair went on the BBC’s Football Focus to pick out three Prem players – England striker Teddy Sheringham, Fulham stylist Steed Malbranque and De Zeeuw.Blair lasted another two years as PM while the Dutchman carried on playing until 2009, bowing out after a season with Dutch side ADO’20.And Blair said of him: “He’s really strong, never gives up. I could do with him at the whips’ office!”However, before starting his playing career, he completed a degree in medical science, which he is now putting to use in his investigative work.Police work is like football, it’s still very much a team effort.”Arjan De Zeuuw, 54In 2014, he told BBC Sport: “I was looking at something else other than football.”I’ve been in football that long and I thought I just need to look at the world a bit more.”So I tried to get back into my medical studies and I bumped into a friend of mine who was a detective in Alkmaar, where we are now.”Arjan continued: “It’s challenging. The good thing is it’s like football, it’s still very much a team effort.”You’ll hardly ever solve a crime on your own.”However, despite leaving the beautiful game behind as a career, he’s still joined up with the force’s team, who he generously described as “energetic”.He joked: “You have to be careful for your legs with these.”On top of that, he plays for the police’s national team, who qualified for the European final that year.Discussing how his footie skills have kept up, he chuckled: “I’m lacking a bit of speed and a little bit of touch, but the competitive edge is still there.”It’s possible he was just being modest though as he also recalled how his training came in handy when chasing down a suspect.READ MORE SUN STORIESThe ex-Prem defender outlasted him for stamina and made the arrest.He laughed: “I had enough pace to keep up.”Former football stars with interesting jobs
      Mathieu Flamini
      Arsenal’s combative midfielder Flamini, 40, went from pro footballer to environmental entrepreneur as co-founder of GF Biochemicals.
      The company is estimated to be worth £21billion thanks to its ability to mass-produce levulinic acid, which is a fuel made from plant waste that can be used in the creation of plastics.
      Asamoah Gyan
      Better known for his stunning 51-goal haul for Ghana than his two-year spell at Sunderland, the World Cup semi-finalist is on course for a very comfortable retirement.
      Gyan’s business ventures in airlines, real estate, bottled water, boxing promotion, petrol stations and rice and noodles means his net worth is about £17million.
      Robbie Fowler
      Liverpool’s goalscoring legend hung up his shooting boots seven years ago but had already been building a sustainable income away from football long before then.
      He is involved in horse-racing and has owned a sports promotion company since the 1990s.
      But real estate is where Fowler shines as he reportedly owns more than 100 properties and has a net worth of more than £30m.
      Thomas Gravesen
      The Danish hardman delighted Everton fans with his take-no-prisoners approach on the pitch but stopped playing at the age of 32.
      He went on to amass a tidy fortune through clever investments and then boosted his pot up to £100m through poker winnings in Las Vegas. 
      Gravesen, 48, now works back in Denmark as a TV pundit.

      De Zeuuw says he still enjoys playing football from time to timeCredit: BBCDe Zeuuw made over 500 appearances for five different English clubs between 1995 and 2008Credit: Getty More

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      Arsenal legend Keown had to ask how to pronounce Premier League manager’s name on MOTD leaving studio in disbelief

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      MARTIN KEOWN left Gary Lineker and Micah Richards “corpsing” after asking how to pronounce a manager’s name on Match of the Day.Arsenal icon Keown, 57, joined Lineker and Richards in the BBC studio for Saturday’s edition of Match of the Day.Martin Keown had the Match of the Day Studio in stitches with a question he asked Micah RichardsCredit: GettyGary Lineker explained how Keown asking Richards how to say ‘Nuno’ had them ‘corpsing’Credit: BBC However, a funny behind-the-scenes tale was revealed by Lineker and Richards on the Rest is Football podcast.Lineker, 63, explained how Keown had turned to Richards, 35, to check the pronunciation of Nuno Espirito Santo before analysing the 2-2 draw between Nottingham Forest and Wolves.The former Leicester, Tottenham and Barcelona ace said: “I was trying to help Martin Keown because you know what Martin is like. We had a giggle. Martin’s wonderful, I love him to bits. “But he does get a little nervous when it comes to his pronunciation of various names and he does tend to ask you quite a lot of times how you say everybody’s name. Including Nuno.”READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThis sparked Alan Shearer – who was also appearing with Lineker and Richards on the fan favourite podcast – into laughter.He continued: “Just before his analysis he’s turned to Micah and he went, ‘It’s Nu-no isn’t it, Nu-no?’ And Micah’s gone, ‘Yes course it is’.”And then Micah and myself were corpsing and Martin was doing his analysis over the pictures but Micah and myself could not look at each other because we were both gone.”Nobody would have known at home because we were out of vision but Micah had to look completely the other way.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKER”He was looking one way and I had to look completely the other way and funnily enough it was towards the monitor that had The Masters golf on… “But we were both absolutely in hysterics and thankfully it was a long piece of analysis so by the end of it we had managed to get a grip of each other.”Arsenal’s top targets in the summer transfer windowA perplexed Shearer asked: “What else could it f***ing be other than Nu-no?”With Lineker replying through laughter: “That’s exactly the point. I don’t know. Could it have been Nun-o. It was so funny. I was just wondering whether you were going yo come back from it Micah.”Richards added: “Honestly I was gone… There’s obviously various cameras in the studio. “But luckily when we came out it was to a back shot and then a single of Martin. If it had come to a three-shot there I would’ve been in big trouble.”Because if people see me laughing we’d have to address it. It was madness.”Keown will not have been much happier on Sunday after seeing Arsenal lose 2-0 to Aston Villa at home and squander their chance to go back to the top of the Premier League table. More

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      Wayne Rooney pulls out of Match of the Day debut as Man Utd legend picks up ‘painful back injury on holiday’

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      WAYNE ROONEY was forced to pull out of his Match of the Day debut after picking up a ‘painful back injury on holiday.The Man Utd legend, 38, was set to appear on the iconic BBC show as a pundit on Saturday night.Wayne Rooney had to pull out of an appearance on Match of the Day because of injuryCredit: GettyHowever, he was forced to cancel after the misfortune.He revealed the ailment in an apologetic message on X.Rooney wrote: “Gutted not to be making my debut on the iconic @BBCMOTD show tonight, it’s something I have wanted to do since I was little.”Unfortunately I have sustained a painful back injury during a holiday with my family but I look forward to being part of the team in the near future. Good luck to @GaryLineker and the guys for tonights show and see you soon.”Read more Man Utd newsRegular host Lineker was instead joined by Martin Keown and Micah Richards in the studio.Meanwhile, Rooney has questioned Marcus Rashford’s future at Old Trafford.Rashford, 26, has endured a difficult season with the Red DevilsRooney believes Rashford may need to leave the Red Devils in order to return to his best.Most read in FootballThe ex-United striker told Premier League productions: “He has had a very difficult season. We all know he has got the ability and got all the attributes to be a top world-class player.”That’s the frustrating thing. Last season, he went and scored a lot of goals. But this season, he hasn’t kicked on.Watch Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag storm out of press conference after Bournemouth drawCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS”He doesn’t look happy when he is playing.”You wonder, is his best option to move away from the club and have a fresh start? But he is a Manchester lad.”I would love to see him get his career back on track at the club, go on to score goals and try to help the club win trophies. But he certainly has had a difficult season.”However, Rashford currently looks nailed on to stay at Old Trafford after a PSG insider told SunSport that the French club have no interest in luring the England star. More

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      Former Liverpool star Danny Murphy opens up on cocaine addiction after retiring before finding his way as BBC pundit

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      DANNY MURPHY has opened up on suffering with a cocaine addiction after retiring from football.The former Liverpool, Tottenham and England star, 47, hung up his boots after a stint with Blackburn in 2013.Danny Murphy opened up about his addictionCredit: Ben Heath podcastThe midfielder earned nine England capsCredit: News Group Newspapers LtdMurphy played for Liverpool between 1997 and 2004Credit: PA:Press AssociationMurphy has gone on to become a successful pundit with the BBC and can regularly be seen on Match of the Day.Immediately after ending his playing career, however, Murphy struggled with addiction.Appearing on the Ben Heath Podcast, he bravely revealed: “I initially dabbled in certain things to get the odd buzz and high.”I think it was an accumulation of things so I needed some escapism from reality. And reality was facing up to problems.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”This financial problem, tax bill, relationship. How do I deal with problems when I don’t play football?”When you play football, the adrenaline and dopamine keep you forward thinking and energetic irrelevant of the other issues. These issues become huge without football.”I had a spell on cocaine and smoking some weed. The drink, I could live without it. I wasn’t an alcoholic. I could sit in a house with alcohol and not drink it.”For a while I was (addicted to cocaine), yeah. I got to the point where I thought I couldn’t do things without it. Which was nonsense, of course I could.Most read in FootballDanny Murphy’s careerFormer midfielder enjoyed success in playing and broadcasting

      Danny Murphy had a successful football career, making over 600 appearances and scoring more than 100 goals.
      He played for several clubs including Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur, and Fulham.
      He also earned 9 caps for the England national team.
      He won multiple trophies including the FA Cup and Uefa Cup with Liverpool.
      After retiring from playing, Murphy transitioned into a career in sports broadcasting.
      Playing career:
      Crewe Alexandra – 1993-1997134 games, 27 goals
      Liverpool – 1997-2004249 games, 44 goals
      Crewe Alexandra – 1999 (loan)16 games, one goal
      Charlton Athletic – 2004-200664 games, 10 goals
      Tottenham Hotspur – 2006-200729 games, one goal
      Fulham – 2007-2012211 games, 29 goals
      Blackburn Rovers – 2012-201335 games, two goals

      “You manage it initially, you do it once a week, twice a week, do it an extra third day and eventually it builds up.”The escapism is what I was after and I got it for a while but then it grabs hold of you.”‘What’s he got in his hand?’ – Gary Neville baffled to find out what Ian Wright carries with him as a pundit on live TVIn addition to Match of the Day, Murphy has also worked as a pundit for talkSPORT.After opening up on his cocaine battle, he spoke of how he went to therapy to combat his addiction.He continued: “You get some help and start understanding behaviours and patterns.”When I got help, I put myself around people who have been through it. I did a bit of therapy and group work.’IT’S MADE ME A BETTER PERSON'”Therapy was good. You’ve got to be in, you’ve got to be prepared to go deep and not everyone is because you’ve got to be in for an emotional rollercoaster in therapy.”Not everyone is especially if you’ve had a traumatic life. And it’s made me a better person.”It’s made me a much better dad. I’m a better son, brother and I think I’ll be a better partner and more considerate to those who have been struggling in life. I’ve got a desire to be better now.”Where to go for helpAddiction is a common problem, but help is available – here are some the charities on hand for support:
      FRANK
      Helpline open 24/7: 0300 123 6600
      ADDACTION
      For help finding a service or to Instant chat
      Change, Grow, Live
      Help for anyone with drug and alcohol issues.
      Dedicated help for people under 25.
      SANE
      Mental health support line: 0300 304 7000
      Action on Addiction
      Rehab and community addiction treatment
      0300 330 0659
      DrugFAM
      Helpline open 9am-9pm, 7 days a week
      0300 888 3853

      In 2021, Murphy admitted that retirement hit him like a “sledgehammer”.He wrote in the Mail: “I enjoyed the first couple of years after retirement in 2013, playing golf, doing media work and taking family holidays.”But what happened afterwards hit me like a sledgehammer.I indulged in drink, drugs and gamblingDanny Murphy”The realisation I wouldn’t play football again, combined with the loss of most of my savings, left me suffering from depression, something I was in denial about at the time.”During the dark days, which lasted 12 months, I indulged in drink, drugs and gambling.READ MORE SUN STORIES”My marriage broke down, I fell out with my brothers and friends and became really isolated.”It was a horrendous place until a mix of professional therapy and support from loved ones helped me back.”Murphy played over 400 times in the Premier LeagueCredit: Getty More