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      Real Madrid ‘sound out William Saliba’s entourage over world record fee to sign Arsenal star’ in shock transfer

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      ARSENAL defender William Saliba has reportedly emerged as a top transfer target for Real Madrid.The Frenchman has firmly established himself as one of Europe’s top defenders over the last two years.Real Madrid reportedly want to sign William SalibaCredit: GettyAnd his impressive form has attracted interest from some Champions League rivals.Spanish outlet SPORT claims Real Madrid could launch a bid to sign him at the end of the season.But they will likely have to fork out at least £83million for him – which would be a world record fee for a defender.The report also claims Real Madrid chiefs sounded out Saliba’s entourage and received a positive response.Read More in FootballSaliba currently has two-and-a-half years remaining on his Arsenal contract.But last month he gave Mikel Arteta a boost by pledging his long-term future to the Gunners.He insisted: “I feel at home here.”I signed for the club five years ago but it’s only my third season and I’m enjoying everything — the players, staff and fans.”Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSAsked if could envisage staying at the Emirates for a long time, the Frenchman replied: “Yeah, of course.”Saliba is not the only man on Real Madrid’s radar.Arteta looks back on his five years managing Arsenal Los Blancos are also pushing to sign Liverpool full-back Trent Alexander-Arnold.The Reds turned down an approach from the La Liga giants on Tuesday.But Alexander-Arnold is now free to speak to Real Madrid officials about a potential summer move because he is within the final six months of his contract.Earlier this week, reports in Spain suggested Real are confident he will join at the end of the season. More

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      Liverpool REJECT Real Madrid bid for Trent Alexander-Arnold in January swoop with star set for free transfer in summer

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      LIVERPOOL have rejected an audacious swoop from Real Madrid for Trent Alexander-Arnold.The England full-back is out of contract on Merseyside in the summer. Liverpool have rejected Real Madrid’s January approach for Trent Alexander-ArnoldCredit: GettyAlexander-Arnold came through the youth setup at Liverpool and has been with the club since 2006. He could leave on a free transfer in the summer unless he pens a new contract and can start talks with European clubs from January 1.The 26-year-old has yet to indicate if he wishes to leave his boyhood clue for a fresh challenge.But that hasn’t stopped Madrid from targeting the Three Lions star for a shock move in January. READ MORE ON FOOTBALLThe offer for Alexander-Arnold from Real was a “club-to-club approach rather than a formal offer,” according to the Daily Mail.It was “rejected” out of hand by Liverpool, who hold a “desire” to keep Trent on the books. Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti is keen to sign a new right-back to bolster his injury-hit squad.Dani Carvajal looks set to miss the remainder of the season for the reigning La Liga champions, who trail rivals Atletico by one point at the summit. Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSMadrid have aggressively pursued free transfers in recent seasons, offering lucrative contracts to tempt stars to the Bernabeu.David Alaba, Antonio Rudiger and most recently Kylian Mbappe were all signed this way. Fans hail ‘agent Jude Bellingham’ as England star is spotted with Real Madrid transfer target in nightclubEarlier this week, reports in Spain suggested Real were confident Alexander-Arnold will join at the end of the season.They wanted to secure a deal in January given their injuries, but they accept a summer transfer if it is the only option.Alexander-Arnold has played 332 times for Liverpool since making his debut almost a decade ago. He has won the Premier League, Champions League, the FA Cup, two League Cups and a Club World Cup with the club. Liverpool, who currently lead the Prem title race, could also lose both Mo Salah and Virgil van Dijk to free transfers in the summer.Both players are out of contract in May and are yet to sign a fresh deal. More

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      Newcastle ready to cash in on Kieran Trippier in January transfer as Saudi owners look to balance books

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      KIERAN TRIPPIER is poised for a Newcastle exit this month as the club’s Saudi owners look to balance the books.The former England full-back is one of the Toon’s highest earners and the club’s hierarchy are ready to cash in on the 34-year-old as they look to stick by Premier League Profit and Sustainability Rules.Kieran Trippier could be set to leave Newcastle in the January transfer windowCredit: GettyTrippier, who won the Spanish title with Atletico Madrid before joining Newcastle in 2021, is believed to be open to another move abroad.Clubs in Spain, Italy and Turkey have all registered interest in the set-piece specialist who won 54 England caps before retiring from international duty after last summer’s Euros.The right-back has started the last two matches for Eddie Howe’s resurgent side, including Monday’s 2-0 win at Manchester United.But he had previously been short of game time, with Howe preferring England youngster Tino Livramento at right-back.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLLivramento, 22, has made 18 appearances in the Premier League this season, solidifying his spot as first-choice.The former Chelsea prospect arrived at St James’ Park in 2023 after completing a transfer worth up to £40million.Trippier still has 18 months to run on his £200,000-per-week contract and the Toon would hope to recoup around half of the £15m they paid Atletico for his services in January 2021.Trippier was the Saudis’ first signing and became a key figure as they qualified for the Champions League and reached the League Cup Final in 2023, often skippering the Magpies.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSHowe would prefer to keep Trippier but the club hierarchy want to inject fresh blood and need to comply with PSR.A move abroad, rather than to a Premier League rival, would suit both club and player.Kieran Trippier’s Shocking Marital StrugglesTrippier’s career has been a stellar one – having played in a Champions League Final for Spurs and a Euros Final for England, while he is one of only three Englishmen to have scored in a World Cup semi-final, alongside Bobby Charlton and Gary Lineker.Meanwhile, star striker Alexander Isak is also being linked with a move away from St James’ Park.The Swedish international is a target of both Arsenal and Chelsea.However, Newcastle are desperate to keep hold of Isak and would demand at least £150m.Who are these famous footballers? More

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      Jamie Carragher reveals his 2025 predictions including title winner and how long it will take Amorim to fix Man Utd

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      JAMIE CARRAGHER believes only an injury crisis can stop Liverpool from winning the Premier League title. The Sky pundit has backed his former team to pip Arsenal to top spot in May. Jamie Carragher has given his predictions for 2025 across the world of footballCredit: AlamyArne Slot’s Liverpool are setting the pace in the Premier LeagueCredit: GettyCarragher spent his entire 17-year career with Liverpool, appearing over 500 times for the club. The 46-year-old never lifted the Premier League trophy during his time at Anfield.But he believes Arne Slot’s juggernaut are all but unstoppable this season, fresh from another thumping win on the road against West Ham. Writing in The Telegraph, Carragher claims “Chelsea are not quite ready to become champions.”READ MORE ON FOOTBALLHe goes on to predict that “Liverpool will pip Arsenal into second place.”Carragher adds: “My only worry for Liverpool is if they pick up injuries to their big players. “If they can avoid them, they will be difficult to catch.”The former England defender also believes Manchester City will put their recent dismal form behind them and finish fourth.Most read in FootballPep Guardiola’s men won just their second game in 14 matches against Leicester on Sunday. FOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSOn the other side of Manchester, Carragher is not convinced Ruben Amorim’s Man Utd revolution is yet to get out of the planning stage.The Portuguese coach has seen his team win just four times in 10 games, along with five defeats. Gary Neville throws DRINK over Carragher after Liverpool blow Newcastle lead as fans say ‘he was gonna go for him there’Carragher said: “Ruben Amorim has a bigger job with a blank canvas.”He will need more time and patience, especially in getting underperforming players on big contracts out of the club. “What is happening at United right now is to be expected – a few good results mixed with reminders as to why they needed a new coach.”Despite United’s woes on and off the field, Carragher is convinced Amorim is the right man for the job.Carragher believes Ruben Amorim will come good at UnitedCredit: PAMan Utd ratings vs WolvesBy Ken LawrenceWOLVES landed a shock Boxing Day knockout as Manchester United’s struggles continued.The 2-0 defeat means Ruben Amorim has won just two of the seven Premier League games he has taken charge of.United find themselves 14th in the table and today were not helped by Bruno Fernandes’ red card and Andre Onana letting one in direct from a corner.Here is how SunSport rated the performances…ANDRE ONANA: 4He needed to make an agile save from Jorgen Strand Larsen in the first half, but badly misjudged the flight of Cunha’s corner for the opening goal – his claim that he was obstructed by Matt Doherty was rejected.LENY YORO: 5Recalled but booked after only four minutes for a foul on Cunha, so he was walking on eggshells and was tested by Wolves throughout. Subbed just after the hour mark.HARRY MAGUIRE: 6The England defender did his best to keep United in the game when they were under pressure for long periods – at least he helped to stem the tide until the dying seconds and had a header on target in stoppage time.LISANDRO MARTINEZ: 6Teamed up well with Maguire to stop Wolves from winning this more easily, he stood his ground and produced some important challenges in the latter stages before Wolves caught him on the break with the last action of the game.NOUSSAIR MAZRAOUI: 5Tenacious and determined, but was one of several players given a torrid time by the best player on the pitch – Cunha.MANUEL UGARTE: 5Dispossesed too easily at times, struggled against a lively Wolves attack and was eventually taken off as one of Amorim’s subs following Fernandes’ red card.KOBBIE MAINOO: 5Looked a threat early on, created some good openings, but he was booked after the break as United looked short on ideas. Faded and was subbed.DIOGO DALOT: 6Brought a tremendous save from Jose Sa in the first half in what was a rare bright spot for United – but he had no major influence on a poor team display.AMAD DIALLO: 5Lacked awareness of his team-mates sometimes and looked a shadow of the player who turned the Manchester derby around less than two weeks ago.BRUNO FERNANDES: 3Sent off early in the second half for a second yellow after a challenge on Nelson Semedo, but the captain had cut a frustrated figure before that.RASMUS HOJLUND: 5Became visibly annoyed at times at a lack of service from his team-mates, he had no joy up front and was subbed with 10 minutes left.SUBSCasemiro (for Mainoo, 63 mins): 6Christian Eriksen (for Ugate, 63 mins): 6Antony (for Yoro, 63 mins): 6Alejandro Garnacho (for Amad, 79 mins): 5Joshua Zirkzee (for Hojlund, 79 mins): 5He reckons the Red Devils will be a “better, more consistent team by December 2025, especially when Amorim has a full pre-season and new players to implement his ideas.”Carragher was also asked to name his Champions League winner – but hedged his bets.The 2005 winner believes either Inter Milan, Bayern Munich, Liverpool or Real Madrid will lift Big Ears come May. He added: “No one wants to draw Real in the knockout phase because it does not matter how poorly they are playing, they always find a way to get through.”Bayern also look good and are always in contention by the latter stages. READ MORE SUN STORIES”And then, of course, there is Liverpool, who have a 100 per cent win record so far. “They are the four sides everyone else will want to avoid.” More

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      Everton 0 Nottingham Forest 2: Red hot visitors keep European charge going thanks to goals from Wood and Gibbs-White

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      THE RISE and rise of Nuno Espirito Santo’s side just got more spectacular thanks to fine strikes from Chris Wood and Morgan Gibbs-White.Their goals produced a Nottingham Forest record – the first time in the Premier League era that they have won five games in a row.Nottingham Forest picked up their fifth consecutive victory against EvertonCredit: ReutersChris Wood opened the scoring for Forest in the first halfCredit: GettyMorgan Gibbs-White sealed the three points for ForestCredit: ReutersForest lost Murillo to an injury during the pre-match warm-upCredit: AlamyThe Tricky Trees also occupy a stunning second place in the table.The surprise team of the season might not still be there by the end of the night but even getting that high halfway through the season remains a massive testament to the way Nuno has made them very real Champions League candidates.He had to deal with what looked like a major blow after defensive rock Murillo was forced to pull out in the warm up.Winger Ramon Sosa replaced him with midfielder Nico Williams dropping to left-back in a rebuild back-four.Read More on FootballBut no problem. Forest’s players are a proper unit, composed, hardworking and, above all, believers.And no supporter of the club would be surprised if Nuno were to walk across the River Trent.The reincarnation of Brian Clough he may not be but still, that’s how much those fans believe in him too in his bid to bring back the glory days of “Ol Big Head.”The rear guard that actually suffered from the start was Everton’s – no thanks to sloppy work from the midfield ahead of them – and they never got over it.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSJames Tarkowski picked up an eighth-minute yellow card for flying through Sosa after losing control of the ball then twice lost Wood, the Kiwi firing wide from decent positions both times.But even in those opening moments it was clear the big striker fancied his chances and in the 15th minute he proved it.Aina shows off his left foot declaring, ‘It’s still hot!!!’Once again the home side lost the ball in a failed attacking scramble and Gibbs-White didn’t hesitate.He went instant and long, finding Wood with a 40-yard pass but if that part of the move was basic what followed was poetic.The striker headed sideways to Anthony Elanga who replied in kind as Jordan Pickford dashed off his line and clipped a right-footed volley perfectly over the advancing England No1.That was his 11th strike of the season and the numbers looked good in a different way too.Forest scored first 14 times in this campaign before arriving at Goodison Park and won nine of those games.They absolutely deserved to be ahead, too against a Sean Dyche side that other than a brief early spurt from the electric Iliman Ndiaye had started flat and formless.Forest eyeing European qualificationTheir approach will have mystified home fans given that the Toffees should have been on something of a high after navigating their way to three successive draws against Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City.The Merseysiders had lost only one of their last seven games and Dyche attempted to perk them up further by replacing Dominic Calvert-Lewin – no goals in 13 straight games – with Armando Broja.Yet in his first start the bustling Albania international, on loan from Chelsea, became a bit like the striker dumped to the bench – a passenger looking on as his team-mates struggled to put a footprint on the game.Forest spent the first half showing exactly why making it to the Champions League is now much more than a dream no Tricky Trees fan would have had at the start of the campaign.They may not be the prettiest team to watch, although that Wood goal was a stunner.But Nuno has them organised, sure of themselves and they can break brilliantly.Everton bereft of ideasThat loss of Murillo in the warm-up didn’t disturb them nor did the absence of skipper Ryan Yates.Meanwhile Dyche’s players, the resourceful Ndiaye apart, just try to grind their way through games with little or no art.They were completely bereft of ideas during a first half that really only underlined that new owners The Friedkin Group have to come up with some transfer dosh next month to bring in badly-needed new inspiration.Dyche replaced Jack Harrison, one of those guilty of ceding possession, for another winger in Jesper Lindstrom but his side looked no less desperate.And Jarrad Branthwaite got very lucky in the 54th minute.He dived into a challenge on Gibbs-White, wearing the armband with Yates suspended, and while the centre-half missed connection with his left leg he clattered into the playmaker with his right.Defensive woesThe fact that he got some of the ball prompted referee Tony Harrington to brandish only a yellow but the defender will still have breathed a sigh of relief.No such luck for his manager Dyche as Gibbs-White produced the killer blow and while his 61st minute finish was impeccable it came only as a result of more tawdry work by the Toffees.Abdoulaye Doucoure mindlessly gifted Elanga possession 30 yards out and the former Manchester United attacker immediately found Wood on the edge of the box.He despatched rapidly across to Gibbs-White who coolly side-stepped a desperate bid for salvation from Doucoure to leave Pickford for dead from ten yards.It could have got worse for the keeper too after he spilled a shot from Sosa before saving his blushes with a double save.READ MORE SUN STORIESBut it was never going to get any better for him and his team that took 81 minutes to get a shot on target.They simply got lost amongst those Tricky Trees.Nottingham Forest’s European dream remains aliveCredit: Alamy More

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      Man Utd staring £10million black hole in the face as Sir Jim Ratcliffe slashes £40k donation to charity helping legends

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      MANCHESTER UNITED are set to lose out on £10m in expected income if they continue on their current trajectory.The Red Devils are in dire form and currently languishing in 14th place in the Premier League.Manchester United’s current form could see them miss out on £10mCredit: AlamyRuben Amorim is yet to turn things around on the pitch with a third consecutive defeat on Thursday leaving United some 12 points off fourth placed Nottingham Forest.It now looks extremely unlikely that Man Utd will qualify for the Champions League this season, a failure that could have a huge impact on the club’s finances.According to The Times, United’s contract with kit manufacturer Adidas contains a penalty clause that sees them lose out on £10MILLION for every season they fail to qualify for Europe’s elite competition.That hefty loss would be coupled with huge amount of losses in broadcasting and match-day income too.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLUnited are already flirting with breaching Financial Fair Play (FFP_ regulations and have undergone a number of cost-cutting measures since the arrival of Ineos chief Sir Jim Ratcliffe.Sun Sport exclusively revealed Ratcliffe and the club cut funding to the Association of Former Manchester United Players, a charity set up in 1985 o help footballers from bygone eras who earned nothing like the megabucks of today’s superstars.While Ratcliffe’s other cost-cutting measures have included cancelling senior staff members’ credit cards, stopping staff from using private cars and even asking Man City if they could give United players a lift to the Ballon d’Or in their private jet.Manchester United do have measures in place to try and offset failure to qualify for the Champions League.Most read in FootballSir Jim Ratcliffe has been putting cost-cutting measures in place at Old TraffordCredit: PABEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSThe club’s annual report says that players salaries change based off their participation in Europe or not.It reads: “Failure to qualify for the Champions League would result in a material reduction in revenue for each season in which our men’s first team did not participate.Ruben Amorim admits he’s in danger of losing Man Utd job if results don’t improve with fans ‘tired’ of disastrous slump “To help mitigate this impact, the majority of playing contracts for our men’s first team include step-ups in remuneration which are contingent on participation in the group stage of the Champions League.”Former Everton chairman Keith Wyness has claimed that United are close to the line with Profit and Sustainability rules (PSR) and FFP.Speaking to Football Insider, Wyness said: “Yes, they are now right on that line for PSR.“The interesting thing is that we know they are on the New York Stock Exchange. If there is a material risk of them breaching PSR, that will have to be declared to the market.“I’m very intrigued by that situation. They’ve had a very poor start to the season.“If they’re not going to make Champions League next year, unless Amorim can bring a big resurrection in the second half of this season, then that will also add PSR pressure.“They’re in a risky situation, so Amorim needs to deliver the goods. There’s pressure on him from day one.”United have to change their on-the-pitch fortunes in order to rescue their financial situation.READ MORE SUN STORIESFor Amorim and his low-on-confidence squad that continues on Monday with a tricky clash against an in-form Newcastle United side.Things don’t get any easier from there either with games against Liverpool, Arsenal and Brighton all on the horizon.United face a tricky run of fixtures More

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      It may be too late for protesters concerned about World Cup 2034 in Saudi thanks to Fifa ‘emperor’ Gianni Infantino

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      THE magical effect of Gulf State money has transformed the Premier League.It will take a while to discover whether these riches will continue.Gianni Infantino operates like an emperor in footballCredit: EPANeither of the two clubs which have hugely benefited, Manchester City and Newcastle, are blowing our socks off so far this season.Pep Guardiola’s City, it is fair to say, have disappointed their fans so far — but not for long, I am sure.Toon lie close to City in mid-table which must be no more than acceptable to Eddie Howe, his players and the masses on the Tyne.There is further heat for the pair over whether any football club should be financed by a state.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLA Parliamentary Bill is in the pipeline.At a debate I attended at the House of Lords last week, Lord Scriven made his view clear: “There is a specific issue with the Gulf states.“If people are potentially put to death for being gay in a state, would that debar a state entity or an individual in that government from owning an English club? It is a clear question.”One which like so many others, was not answered. Apparently, a letter answering the question will be put in the “library”.Most read in FootballI hope it doesn’t have to wait as long to get his letter as it has taken the Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy to reply to the Prem clubs she invited in to discuss the Bill.We’ve been waiting five months and counting…Fans baffled as Donald Trump sends bizarre video message to pal ‘Jonny’ Infantino before Fifa Club World Cup drawSimilar funding will be responsible for the 2034 Saudi World Cup, having dodged inspection by the 211 national federations. Or anyone else bar the press and campaigners.Critics point out that hundreds, possibly thousands, of workers died building stadiums for the 2022 World Cup in fellow oil state Qatar.The deaths were barely reported at the time.It may be too late for protestors concerned at this return to a Middle East autocracy because Fifa president Gianni Infantino wrapped up the process before they could make a full case.Infantino bizarrely said he felt “gay, African and disabled” before Qatar and also told women to “pick the right battles”, so he was hardly going to think about the treatment of the fairer sex when awarding the World Cup.Amnesty International reports women “continue to face discrimination in law, inheritance, marriage, divorce and child custody”.But women have been battling for decades against this sort of nonsense, so we won’t be relying on Infantino to fight any corners for us.I’m sure neither City nor Newcastle regard Fifa’s practices as their affair.The Prem already have strict rules about spending on transfers and soon new directives will cover what can be spent on players’ wages.Ownership is, rightly, open to investment from companies all over the world.Nearly half of top-flight teams are ultimately controlled by American investors, as well as by Chinese, Pakistan, Thai, Greek and even English!All of these owners are multi-millionaires and have boardrooms.The oil states have only Arab royalty.Infantino’s behaviour is open to question.Clearly, he likes to operate as an emperor, altering the fixture list in open warfare with Uefa.His Club World Cup intrudes on the close season and relegates the Champions League to a runner-up in importance.Plus, any possibility of an open competition for the 2034 enlarged World Cup has been shut tight.Infantino, a lawyer by trade, knows just how to get his own way and pay.When he was elected Fifa president unopposed in 2023, his annual salary with bonuses was raised by 33 per cent to more than £5million a year.And, as a Swiss-Italian, he now lives in Florida and pays no taxes there.Although some countries, notably Germany, asked questions, he will remain president until 2027 when he is likely to stand again for a further four years.READ MORE SUN STORIESThe new Club World Cup will take place in 11 stadiums for a month next summer in the US.Chelsea and City are our entrants on the basis of Champions League success. Good luck to them. And readers for the coming year. More

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      England’s so-called elite would welcome an escape to a Euro Super League as their time ruling the Prem’s now over

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      THERE’S a reason why the idea of a European super league has been floated again.And a reason why England’s wealthiest clubs won’t be running a mile from the plan.Manchester United were humiliated against BournemouthCredit: RexThe Cherries ripped the Red Devils apart 3-0 at Old TraffordCredit: GettyPep Guardiola has overseen an incredible run at Manchester CityCredit: PAThe Cityzens have lost nine of their last 12 gamesCredit: GettyBarcelona and Real Madrid are backing the latest edition of the Super League schemeCredit: GettyThat reason is: Manchester United 0 Bournemouth 3.The fact the ‘smallest’ club in the Premier League can crush England’s largest club on their own turf, not just in one fluke result but in two consecutive seasons, is definitive proof anything can happen in the world’s richest domestic competition.Bournemouth, Nottingham Forest and Fulham were promoted together in 2022 and all sit in the top half of the table because they have enough cash, and competence, to assemble squads with at least two very decent players in every position.Brighton and Brentford also sit above United, approaching the halfway point of the season.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLWhich torpedoes the idea of the ‘rich getting rich and the poor getting poorer’. Because, in the Premier League, there is no poor.Real Madrid and Barcelona — who are backing the latest Super League scheme — are deeply envious of the Premier League because it’s basically bloody brilliant.United and the rest of the traditional English elite are tempted by a super league because they can no longer guarantee themselves European football — and because it would offer them more money to distance themselves from those well-run upstart clubs.On Sunday, I landed after a seven-hour flight from the Middle East, during which five Premier League games had been played.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSTwo of the results — Tottenham 3 Liverpool 6, as well as Bournemouth’s latest drubbing of United — made me laugh out loud.And yet it’s not even all that surprising any more.Unify League explained after European Super League launches again in new format Ange Postecoglou’s Spurs haven’t had what you’d have once called a single bog-standard, easily predictable result, either positive or negative, in any domestic match since they beat Brentford 3-1 on September 21.Perhaps the 4-1 win over West Ham in October — but even that was the crushing of a local rival, involving a comeback, a red card and a mass brawl.And it’s not just Spurs, of course.A few weeks ago, I predicted, half-jokingly, that there might not be  Champions League football in Manchester next season for the first time in 30 years.Now there is nothing vaguely funny about that statement. In fact, it’s entirely likely.City’s phenomenal meltdown — one win and nine defeats from 12 games in all competitions — has been analysed until the cows come home.But if Real, Barca or any other European powerhouse had suffered similar issues to Pep Guardiola’s side — key injuries and a squad which has aged in fast-forward — their results wouldn’t have been nearly as bad because there’d have been a comfy win or two to pick up.Which would avert the complete confidence collapse  City have suffered.Instead, City lost to Bournemouth and Brighton and was drawn to Crystal Palace. Because they are all decent teams.Before City’s horror run, their previous three league games were single-goal victories over Fulham, Wolves and Southampton.Fulham had a superior ‘expected goals’ count to City at the Etihad. It took a controversial 95th-minute winner to defeat Wolves.Guardiola caused much amusement at the time by praising Russell Martin’s Saints to the hilt after City’s 1-0 home win.Pep wasn’t being patronising. He was being serious.He knew that even the bottom team could visit the champions and cause serious problems.So even City’s 12-game run does not represent such a sudden fall off a cliff edge. It was coming — because the Premier League is too bloody brilliant.United’s crisis has been dragging on for 11 years but the depths of their fall couldn’t be replicated by the richest clubs in Spain, Germany, Italy, France or anywhere else.In 55 league games since the start of last season, United have a goal difference of -2.A decade or so ago, England’s leading clubs were protected against such failures by a Champions League income which gave them a substantial and meaningful wealth gap over the smaller clubs.That has now been negated. The Premier League is so wealthy, so competitive, that the biggest clubs need a bigger cushion to protect themselves from their own failings.In Europe’s other major leagues, that buffer still exists. But Real, Barca and other major Continental clubs know that, as the global fascination with the Premier League grows, the more gloriously unpredictable it becomes.And so, another imaginary super league.This one, laughably called the Unify League because the ‘Ripping Everything To Shreds League’ would sound too obvious, and it would supposedly be based on merit with promotion and relegation and no automatic membership for the elite.Which makes it more palatable than the previous imaginary European super league – which England’s erstwhile ‘Big Six’ all signed up to.The 96-team Unify League would consist of a Star League, a Gold League, a Blue League and a Union League — making it sound as if the whole thing has been concocted by a bored nine-year-old boy in his bedroom.And yet it is backed by Real chief Florentino Perez, substantially more powerful than a bored nine-year-old boy in his bedroom.It has been dreamt up out of fear and envy by those who can’t hack the fact that the Premier League is so bloody brilliant.READ MORE SUN STORIESAnd at some point, whether in this decade or the next, one of these imaginary European super leagues — perhaps a worldwide super league involving the Saudis and others — will come to fruition.So, for now, enjoy Tottenham’s lunacy, relish City’s meltdown and savour United’s prolonged crisis. Because the Premier League, in all its current glory, is too good to last. More