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      Fired-up Noel Gallagher says ‘that is mental’ to talkSPORT host during row over Sir Alex Ferguson and Pep Guardiola

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      NOEL GALLAGHER insists it would be “mental” to brand Pep Guardiola a failure if he doesn’t guide Manchester City to Champions League glory.The Spaniard came agonisingly close to steering City to success in Europe’s premier club competition in May 2021 – losing an all-Premier League final against Chelsea.
      Pep Guardiola and Sir Alex Ferguson are regarded as two of the best Prem managers everCredit: GETTY
      A fierce debate rose about the pair’s impact on the game on talkSPORT this weekCredit: GETTY
      Oasis legend Noel Gallagher claimed Fergie ‘never invented anything’Credit: GETTY
      Guardiola’s failure to lift the Champions League trophy with City’s vast millions at his disposal has many footy fans holding Manchester United legend Sir Alex Ferguson in higher regard than him – including footy pundit Andy Goldstein.
      That notion, however, rattled City fan Gallagher – who told talkSPORT: “Alex Ferguson never invented anything. Pep Guardiola changed football.”
      Goldstein was quick to point out Fergie’s legendary record, saying: “He has won the treble. He has 13 Premier League titles.”
      Oasis star Gallagher then, incorrectly, said: “He never did it in any other country, did he?”
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      Ferguson, of course, guided Aberdeen to three Scottish First Division titles and the European Cup Winner’s Cup, breaking the Old Firm duopoly.
      Gallagher, 55, then proceeded to downplay United’s Champions League triumphs in 1999 and 2008.
      He said: “Well, the greatest manager of all time, jammed two Champions League finals, one on penalties and one in injury time.”
      Goldstein then pointed out to Gallagher other than the 2021 final, that Guardiola hasn’t come close to winning the Champions League in over a decade.
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      He then asked: “For argument’s sake, if Guardiola leaves Man City without winning the Champions League, is he a failure?”
      Gallagher burst out into laughter as he said: “That is mental. Failure?
      “What are you talking about?
      “He has changed the way that football is played in this country. And probably every country he has ever been in.
      “Everyone plays out from the back, kids are doing it and they don’t even know what it means.
      “But they do it, because he does it. He is a tactical genius.”
      Manchester City will be back in action at the Etihad this evening for a Premier League title race six-pointer against current table toppers Arsenal. More

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      I won the Treble with Man Utd and a team-mate hid from Roy Keane for weeks after ‘getting him suspended for final’

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      A MANCHESTER UNITED legend has revealed how a Treble-winning team-mate hid from Roy Keane “after getting him suspended” for the Champions League Final.Sir Alex Ferguson’s side achieved icon status back in 1999 as they clinched the Premier League, FA Cup and the Champions League.
      Roy Keane was suspended for the 1999 Champions League finalCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      Team-mate Jesper Blomqvist hid from him after the booking that ruled him outCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      One of the standout displays of that season was in Europe in the semi-final second-leg as they took on a star-studded Juventus team.
      A 1-1 draw at Old Trafford made the Italians favourites back on home turf, and two early goals Filippo Inzaghi left United with everything to do.
      Captain Keane pulled one back with a header but he found himself receiving a yellow card just 33 minutes into the game – meaning that he would be suspended for the final should they get there.
      Despite that personal disappointment, the Republic of Ireland midfielder sucked it up and went on to produce an incredible display as the Red Devils went on to complete an incredible comeback and win 3-2 thanks to strikes from Dwight Yorke and Andy Cole.
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      That set-up the showdown with Bayern Munich, in which United came from behind again at the death to famously seal the Treble and lift the Champions League trophy due to goals from Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
      But recalling that night in Turin and Keane’s performance, ex-United left-back Denis Irwin said: “We were two goals down against one of the best teams we played against in that era and he pulled a rabbit out of the hat with a fantastic headed goal and then his performance was just fantastic.
      “They had an incredible midfield with Davids, Deschamps and Zidane, but Keaney took them all on that night and came out on top. He was just incredible and it was a tragedy that he couldn’t play in the final.”
      However, he also revealed how the winger playing in front of him was left majorly concerned about Keane’s backlash after it was his wayward pass that led to the now Sky Sports pundit’s booking.
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      Irwin added: “I remember Jesper Blomqvist was trying to avoid Keaney for a few weeks after that semi-final because it was his pass that led to the booking.
      “Roy had a word with him on the field at the time, but I think Jesper thought more would come.
      “A lot of the lads were wary of Roy and didn’t want to upset him, so poor Jesper probably feared what was coming to him.”
      Irish ace Irwin moved to United in 1990 and was undoubtedly one of Fergie’s greatest signings as he proved a snip at just £625,000 from Oldham.
      In 12 years at Old Trafford, he made 296 Premier League appearances and won seven league titles, as well as two FA Cup winner’s medals, a League Cup and the Champions league and European Cup Winners’ Cup.
      He was also an expert at both free-kicks and penalties, and he managed to score 22 league goals for the club throughout that period. 
      The now 57-year-old, who also won 56 caps for Ireland, left United for Wolves in 2002 and helped them to win promotion to the top-flight via the play-offs.
      He retired from playing at the end of the following campaign having made 75 league appearances for the Molineux outfit.
      Denis Irwin was one of Sir Alex Ferguson’s greatest signings at Old TraffordCredit: PA:Press Association More

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      Newcastle’s summer transfer warchest revealed with Eddie Howe having huge budget to splash on European adventure

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      EDDIE HOWE will have up to £150million to bolster his Newcastle squad this summer.The Toon are laying plans to prepare their squad for a Champions League campaign next season and are prepared to spend between £100-150million.
      Eddie Howe will be given big funds to strengthen this summerCredit: Rex
      Newcastle have been linked with a move for Kieran TierneyCredit: Alamy
      Newcastle are currently third following their 6-1 hammering of Tottenham on Sunday, six points clear of Spurs in fifth having played a game more.
      The Magpies have been planning for the summer with two separate budgets depending on where they end the season, with £150million the top end.
      With Champions League football looking more likely by the week, the higher end of the budget can now be considered.
      Howe is keen to add a defensive midfielder and a left-back ahead of the new campaign.
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      Brazilian Bruno Guimaraes has shone in the holding role this season, but the former Bournemouth manager would like to bring in a more natural defensive midfielder, allowing the 25-year-old to play further forward.
      Dan Burn has also impressed at left-back, but is a better option centrally with Arsenal’s Kieran Tierney being considered as a target.

      Elsewhere, Newcastle are looking to add to their attacking options with a winger who is able to cut inside and create problems for opposing defences.
      Bayer Levekusen’s French winger Moussa Diaby is a long-term target for the Toon and has nine goals and eight assists in 28 Bundesliga outings this season.
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      Furthermore, should they be able to stretch the budget far enough, Howe wants to add more cover at the back with a younger, right-sided centre-half.
      Both Burn and Sven Botman are left-footed defenders leaving Fabian Schar, 31, and Jamal Lascelles, 29, as the more comfortable options on the right. More

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      How Danny Welbeck sparked ‘crazy’ training ground bust-up on night before Man Utd’s Champions League win over Chelsea

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      DANNY WELBECK caused a “crazy” bust-up during Manchester United’s last training session before the 2008 Champions League Final.United legend Rio Ferdinand looked back at the Red Devils’ last European trophy and remembered the bad signs that preceded their big game in Russia.
      Danny Welbeck caused a training ground bust-up at Manchester UnitedCredit: AP:Associated Press
      Brighton star Welbeck scored a hat-trick in training before the 2008 Champions League FinalCredit: Getty
      United went on to win the Champions League after their ‘crazy’ argumentCredit: PA
      Ferdinand remembered the experienced players facing off against the young aces the night before their big clash with Chelsea at the Luzhniki Stadium.
      The experienced players were looking for a big morale boost but it all went south as current Brighton star Welbeck netted a hat-trick and delivered a major blow to the stars’ ego.
      That led to a major argument which “could not have gone any worse” for Sir Alex Ferguson’s side.
      Ferdinand told his FIVE show: “The night before, we used to play older team versus younger team.
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      “Welbeck scored a hat-trick. The night before the Luzhniki Stadium, he scored a hat-trick against us.
      “Big arguments on the pitch, everyone is going crazy. Wow that last session before the big Champions League final could not have gone any worse. Terrible.”
      However, United managed to overcome their training ground drama the next night.
      The Red Devils defeated Chelsea in a dramatic penalty shoot-out after a 1-1 draw.
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      Cristiano Ronaldo opened the scoring for the Manchester giants after 26 minutes.
      But Chelsea’s current interim manager Frank Lampard equalised for the West Londoners just before half-time.
      United went on to win 6-5 on penalties when John Terry’s disastrous slip saved Ronaldo’s blushes before sudden death.
      Then Edwin van der Sar denied Nicolas Anelka’s spot-kick to land the club’s third European title. More

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      Arsenal team plane bursts into flames on runway as pilot forced to abandon take off after terrifying engine blaze

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      A PLANE carrying the Arsenal women’s team burst into flames on a flight back to London after a Champions League match .Photos show flames shooting from one of the Boeing 737’s engines on the runway at Braunschweig Wolfsburg Airport in Germany.
      Photo shows the moment the Boeing 737’s engine caught fire during takeoffCredit: Gabriela Hansen / BILD
      Firefighters scramble to the aircraft after the engine infernoCredit: Gabriela Hansen / BILD
      Arsenal pose for a photo before the game against VfL WolfsburgCredit: Getty
      The 7.30pm flight was due to take off just a few hours after Arsenal secured a 2-2 draw against VfL Wolfsburg in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final.
      Witnesses say the plane – reportedly from a Maltese airline – was rocked by a loud bang just before it was about to take off last night.
      Horrified pilots saw the blaze and quickly stopped the plane on the tarmac and evacuated the passengers.
      An airport spokesman told German newspaper Bild a bird strike had caused the engine fire.
      The airport official added that nobody was hurt
      The players and Arsenal staff were put up in a nearby hotel overnight and flown back to London earlier today on a replacement plane.
      The airport is jointly owned by the car manufacturer Volkswagen Group which is based in Wolfsburg.
      The company uses the airfield as the home base for their own airline fleet operated under the Volkswagen Air Services brand.
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      Arsenal managed to claw back a 2-2 draw over Wolfsburg after conceding twice in the first 25 minutes.
      It sets up a key clash for the Gunners next Monday as they play the second leg at home at the Emirates Stadium in London.
      They could be propelled into the Women’s Champions League Final against either London rivals Chelsea or Spanish giants Barcelona.
      Barcelona hold a 1-0 aggregate lead over Chelsea after beating them on Saturday at Stamford Bridge.
      The Blues travel to Camp Nou on Thursday to settle the tie.
      Arsenal last won the competition in 2007 – when it was known as the Uefa Women’s Cup.
      That win is the last time an English club claimed victory in the tournament’s 22-year history.
      Barcelona won the title in 2021, but French side Lyon are the competition’s masters – having won the trophy eight times since 2011.
      Olympique however crashed out of these year’s competition in the quarters final as they were beaten on penalties by Chelsea.
      A spokesman for Arsenal said: “Our aircraft developed a technical issue prior to take-off in Germany on Sunday evening. 
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      “As a result, we remained in Wolfsburg overnight on Sunday before flying back to England on Monday afternoon.
      “We would like to thank the staff onboard the aircraft and on the ground at the airport for their assistance.”
      Stina Blackstenius celebrates with teammates after scoring the team’s second goalCredit: Getty More

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      Ancelotti tried to humiliate Chelsea with incredibly cheeky Sunday League tactic during Real Madrid Champions League win

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      CARLO ANCELOTTI admitted he tried to humiliate Chelsea with an incredibly cheeky Sunday League tactic.The Italian is widely regarded as one of the greatest managers of his generation.
      Carlo Ancelotti almost deployed a Sunday League tactic in the Champions LeagueCredit: AFP
      Fede Valverde stood close to Karim Benzema for kick-off
      But with four Champions League titles and winner’s medals in all of the top-five leagues, even Ancelotti is not immune from using techniques spotted on park pitches.
      When Real Madrid kicked off for the second half of last Tuesday’s Champions League quarter-final second leg at Stamford Bridge, Karim Benzema took the kick-off.
      But just a few yards back in his own half in the centre circle stood midfielder Fede Valverde.
      And Ancelotti revealed he was there to try and catch Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga out with a stunning long-range strike because the Spaniard often stands off his line.
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      Asked about the tactic by Marca, the Los Blancos chief openly said: “We have seen in recent games that Kepa at the beginning of the game was on the penalty spot.
      “We thought that with a long shot from Valverde, we could score.
      “We tried to work a lot on set pieces, less defensively because we defend in the zone.”
      In the end, Valverde did not give it a go and resisted the urge with the strike not on.
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      But the Uruguayan midfielder still had a major impact on the game, proving a constant threat and bursting through to set up Rodrygo’s second on the night to wrap up a 2-0 win.
      Valverde once apparently shook hands on a £2.6million transfer to Arsenal – even training with the first team – before getting snapped up by Real Madrid.
      However, he could face a lengthy ban after allegedly punching Villarreal star Alex Baena following reported sick comments about Valverde’s pregnant wife and unborn child.
      He wanted midfielder Fede Valverde to go for the spectacularCredit: Getty More

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      All hell breaks loose as riot police launch tear gas at warring fans after controversial refereeing at Olympiacos vs AEK

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      THE DERBY between Olympiacos and AEK Athens descended into chaos following a dramatic encounter marred by controversial refereeing.AEK won 3-1 at Georgios Karaiskakis in the Greek Superleague’s play-off round and effectively dethroned the reigning Greek champions, who are now third in the table and nine points away from the top.
      The derby between Olympiacos and AEK Athens descended into chaosCredit: https://www.reddit.com/r/soccer/comments/12x7o4f/the_aftermath_of_olympiakos_aek_last_night_in/
      Fans invaded the pitch and were dispersed by riot police who used tear gasCredit: https://www.reddit.com/r/soccer/comments/12x7o4f/the_aftermath_of_olympiakos_aek_last_night_in/
      All hell broke loose following Davide Massa’s final whistle as fans invaded the pitch and faced off with riot police, who launched tear gas to disperse the warring crowd.
      The incident took place at the same ground that could see Manchester City competing at on August 16.
      That is when the UEFA Super Cup takes place between the Champions League and Europa League winners.
      The dramatic scenes ensued following a tensed encounter between the rival clubs that saw Olympiacos protesting four of Massa’s calls.
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      The hosts were denied penalty in the first half when Domagoj Vida pushed Cedric Bakambu from behind inside the box shortly after AEK opened the scoring with Mijat Gacinovic after just seven minutes.
      Damian Szymanski then escaped a direct red card when he stepped on Mathieu Valbuena’s ankle from behind.
      The visitors were awarded a soft penalty in the second half when Vida fell under pressure from Oleg Reabciuk 26 minutes after Bakambu equalised for the Greek giants.
      Levi Garcia defeated Alexandros Paschalakis from the spot eight minutes before full-time.
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      AEK sealed the win in the first minute of stoppage time with Petros Mantalos’ beautiful finish.
      But Nordin Amrabat, who is the brother of Fiorentina and Morocco star Sofyan, fouled Reabciuk before delivering the assist.
      Olympiacos, who are owned by Nottingham Forest supremo Evangelos Marinakis, issued a fiery statement after full-time.
      The Piraeus outfit lashed out as they described the Greek football governing body EPO as “hoodlums”, the refereeing as “disgusting” and the Greek government as “incompetent”.
      Olympiacos’ statement read: “Today, even the blind saw what is happening in Greek football.
      “[Football’s] Fraudsters, hoodlums and outlaws have shown that they have no qualms. We told you that our fans’ patience is running out! They were very patient.
      “They deemed a penalty in a challenge that had no contact. They didn’t even check with VAR when there was a clear foul before AEK’s goal.
      “The whole of Greece was left disgusted. The hoodlums from EPO and the government’s incompetence to deal with them killed football!”
      AEK defeated Olympiacos 3-1 in a match marred by controversial refereeingCredit: https://www.reddit.com/r/soccer/comments/12x7o4f/the_aftermath_of_olympiakos_aek_last_night_in/ More

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      Rio Ferdinand was ‘so embarrassed’ after Man Utd fans’ ‘unheard of’ gesture during famous defeat

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      MANCHESTER UNITED legend Rio Ferdinand has admitted that he was “embarrassed” by the reception fans gave Ronaldo during the 2003 Champions League.Ferdinand starred for the Red Devils when they hosted Real Madrid in the second leg of the quarter-final 20 years ago.
      Ronaldo scored at Old Trafford and was applauded by Man UtdCredit: AFP
      Ferdinand has admitted that he was embarrassed by the reactionCredit: Youtube.com / FIVE
      Los Blancos went into the game with a 3-1 advantage over Sir Alex Ferguson’s side thanks to goals from Luis Figo and Raul at the Santiago Bernabeu.
      They added to that goal tally just 12 minutes into the second-leg clash at Old Trafford as Brazilian striker Ronaldo fired the ball into the bottom corner of Fabien Barthez’s goal.
      Despite United’s impressive fight back, which saw them earn a 4-3 victory on the night, Real Madrid progressed to the semi-finals thanks to Ronaldo’s now-iconic hat-trick.
      The Brazilian’s performance left the Old Trafford crowd in awe, so much so that he received an overwhelming round of applause from Man Utd fans while making his way over to the bench after being replaced by Santiago Solario.
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      However, the response from Man Utd fans left Ferdinand furious.
      The former England international told BT Sport: “A pleasure to be on the same pitch as the great man. But he’s getting a standing ovation, look.
      “The opposing striker is getting a standing ovation at our own ground. Unheard of. Nah, I was embarrassed, man. I was so embarrassed.
      “It’s [Ronaldo’s first] not a great goal. It ain’t. I don’t care. Zidane plays into Guti. What a run from Ronaldo.
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      “He’s running across there, he shoots an angle, he knows he can’t get away from me there. He knows he’s got to take it early.
      “Barthez, he can only go in the near post. I’ve got him where I want him, going away from goal. He can only go near post… Fabien? Fabien, man! Have you got Fabien’s number? Can we get it? We need to go back over this.
      “Let’s dissect this goal [the second]. He’s in the six-yard box. There’s no defender within touching distance. But I could have stopped it at the source. My fault, man. I take that. It was me. I take that.
      “We’re dropping off [for the third]. I’ve got to get up. I’ve got to squeeze the play a bit. But… Fabien, what are you doing?!”
      Real Madrid were eventually knocked out of the Champions League following a 4-3 defeat to Juventus on aggregate. More