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      Watch former Premier League bad-boy Nile Ranger’s dramatic extra-time winner as seventh-tier Kettering stun Northampton

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      NILE RANGER headed the extra-time winner as seventh-tier Kettering stunned League One Northampton to make the FA Cup second round.Ranger, 33, once pocketed £10,000-a-week and says he could have been as good as Erling Haaland – but instead ended up unemployed after stints in jail.Nile Ranger headed in against Northampton Town in the FA CupCredit: bbcHis goal gave Kettering Town a huge upset in the historic competitionCredit: bbcHe was handed a career lifeline by Southern League Premier Central side Kettering last month.And he made an instant impact with a towering header to stun their more illustrious local rivals.Cobblers star Connor Johnson had netted in the first-half own goal to hand Kettering the lead before Luca Miller levelled to send the game to extra time.Thrilled Ranger said: “It’s special, especially where we’re coming from.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”Obviously our tier of football is quite low, so coming to Northampton, it’s a derby as well. Look what it means to the fans. It’s a lot.”I’m trying to be humble. I’m getting old now.”Obviously, I went down a level to show everyone I’m still hungry. It feels good for myself as well.”Ranger rose highest to head home the winner in the 92nd minute at the Sixfields Stadium.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSHe is not the only former Premier League star at Kettering with Gary Hooper and Marvin Sordell both also on the books.The result was a huge scalp for Kettering and Northampton are four divisions higher than the Southern League Premier Division Central side.Meet non-league star with longest throw in football who plans to put it to good use in FA Cup giant killingRanger was over the moon after scoringCredit: PAGainsborough will be the lowest-ranked side in tonight’s FA Cup second-round draw after a penalty shoot-out victory following a 4-4 draw with eighth-tier Hesnesford.The Northern Premier League strugglers recovered from 3-0 down to force extra-time with an added time leveller from Will Lancaster.Seventh-tier Trinity fell behind again before levelling — then won 5-4 on penalties to reach the second round for the first time in 72 years.Gainsborough boss Russ Wilcox said: “I’ve never been involved in anything like that. In the penalty shoot-out we had three chances to win it and three chances to lose it.”And National League strugglers Wealdstone pulled off a shock by winning 1-0 at League Two Grimsby with Alex Reid’s 90th-minute strike.The striker said: “The gaffer said show respect but believe in yourselves.”Oldham overcame the one-division gap to League Two Tranmere to beat Rovers 2-1 at Prenton Park.National League Dagenham also beat League Two opposition with Dion Pereira’s second-half penalty clinching a 1-0 win at Crewe.Daggers boss Ben Strevens said: “It’s an amazing day for us. The scenes at the end are what we do it for.”Seventh-tier Harborough are in the second round for the first time after a 4-1 win at National League South Tonbridge.FA Cup first round results Here are all of the results from the FA Cup first round…Notts County 5-1 Alfreton TownTamworth 1-0 HuddersfieldTonbridge 1-4 Harborough Town Worthing 0-2 Morecambe Burton Albion 1-0 Scarborough AthleticSolihull Moors 3-0 Maidstone UnitedGillingham 0-2 BlackpoolReading 2-0 FleetwoodNewport County 2-4 Peterborough Barrow 0-1 DoncasterWoking 0-1 Cambridge UnitedStockport 2-1 Forest Green RoversBristol Rovers 3-1 Weston-super-MareRochdale 3-4 BromleyWalsall 2-1 BoltonPort Vale 1-3 BarnsleyExeter City 5-3 BarnetSwindon Town 2-1 ColchesterWycombe 3-2 York CityChesterfield 3-1 HorshamSouthend 3-4 CharltonMaidenhead 1-2 Crawley TownBrackley Town 0(5)-(4)0 Braintree TownCrewe Alexandre 0-1 Dagenham and RedbridgeBradford City 3-1 Aldershot TownCarlisle 0-2 Wigan AthleticTranmere 1-2 OldhamStevenage 1(5)-(4)1 GuiseleyGrimsby Town 0-1 Wealdstone Salford City 2-1 ShrewsburyRotherham 1-3 CheltenhamRuchall Olympic 0-2 Accrington StanleyHednesford Town 4(4)-(5)4 Gainsborough TrinityNorthampton Town 1-2 Kettering TownStill to playMK Dons v AFC WimbledonSutton United v Birmingham CityCurzon Ashton v Mansfield TownBoreham Wood v Leyton OrientHarrogate Town v WrexhamChesham United v Lincoln CityPaul Malone gave the Southern League Premier Central side the lead before Ben Stephens (two) and Danny Forbes sealed it.Northern Premier League Guiseley gave League One Stevenage a scare before finally going out on penalties.Will Longbottom’s equaliser for the non league outfit made it 1-1 but keeper Murphy Cooper made two saves to help win the shoot-out 5-4.Maidstone’s hopes of another memorable Cup run ended with a 3-0 defeat at Solihull Moors.READ MORE SUN STORIESJosh Magennis scored a hat-trick for Exeter in the League One side’s 5-3 win over National League Barnet.And National League North outfit Rushall Olympic finished with ten men with Luke Benbow sent off for two bookings as they were beaten 2-0 at home by League Two Accrington. More

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      Aston Villa to give Morgan Rogers bumper new deal after stunning form despite being one of Prem’s LOWEST-PAID players

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      MORGAN ROGERS is in talks over a new deal with Aston Villa.The attacking midfielder, 22, has made a huge impression, despite only signing from Middlesbrough in January.Morgan Rogers is in talks over a new deal with Aston VillaCredit: RexBoss Unai Emery said: “Yes, we want to extend his contract — already he’s progressing a lot.“But I want more from him and I think he can do that. What’s most important is that we want to extend his contract. We want him to be here for a long time.“A player like him, young, with the potential and talent he has, to exploit that is another challenge for me.”Rogers is on wages of around £20,000-per-week, making him one of Villa’s lowest paid regular starters.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLBut with two goals and three assists in 12 games he looks to be rewarded with a new deal. Villa – who qualified for the Champions League under Emery last season – sit fourth in the table with only one game lost in nine. And their manager is feeling the pressures of the back of such a breakthrough campaign. Emery said: “I am feeling an increase in our standards, being demanding and being something we want.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS“We are trying as well to get these demands, being comfortable and feeling in a good position when we are keeping this level in the table in the Premier League or Champions League.“It’s really fantastic to try to feel something in our demands increasing, and getting it. It can never feel like something negative, like pressure damaging us.“We want to feel something comfortable and really happy and keeping the same level in our demands, and more and more trying to get even better.”Aston Villa hothead Jhon Duran rages as he’s subbed moments after scoring and kicks back of team-mate’s chair More

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      Captaincy options for Gameweek 10: Should gaffers target Mohamed Salah’s Anfield double header?

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      WITH Saturday’s 11am deadline drawing near, Dream Team managers need to choose a captain (and vice captain) for Gameweek 10.There are many, many gaffers who prefer to keep the armband on Erling Haaland (£8.9m) regardless of the fixtures and it’s difficult to argue with that approach given he averages 12 points-per-game this season.However, could it be that Mohamed Salah (£7.4m) is actually the better option for the coming Gameweek?Home comfortsCredit: Dream TeamManchester City are due to travel to Bournemouth and Sporting CP amid an injury crisis; Pep Guardiola claimed he had just 13 players available after his side’s midweek defeat to Tottenham in the Carabao Cup.The champions have a flawless record against the Cherries but Andoni Iraola’s side knocked off Arsenal in their last home game and held Aston Villa to a draw last weekend.And it’s a bad time to visit the Portuguese champions as Ruben Amorim’s side have won all nine of their league games this season and remain undefeated in the Champions League.Haaland is a prolific goalscorer who could easily make a mockery of this double header but with many of his providers sidelined it might be an opportune moment to captain somebody else.Haaland has a habit of punishing his doubtersCredit: GettyThis is not to say Salah has exceedingly favourable fixtures.Liverpool are due to face Brighton again after their 3-2 win in the Carabao Cup on the south coast, only this time on home soil. The Seagulls are currently sixth in the table and are not to be underestimated but they tend to concede their fair share of goals and an injury to Lewis Dunk might render them more vulnerable than usual.Most read in FootballArne Slot’s troops will then host Bayer Leverkusen on Tuesday night.The defending Bundesliga champions represent tough opposition but they’re not the all-conquering underdogs they were last season – they’ve failed to win half their league games this term and are already five points behind Bayern Munich and RB Leipzig.Score PredictorPlay Score Predictor with Dream Team this season!FREE to play£250 weekly prizePredict scores of five selected Premier League fixtures and earn points for accuracyMost points wins weekly cash prizePLAY NOWWhat Salah has over Haaland is the luxury of back-to-back home games.Liverpool boast such a strong record at Anfield and their Egyptian No11 remains the most potent threat – he’s racked up 133 points via eight goals and seven assists across the first nine Gameweeks of the season.The temptation to back Salah in back-to-back home games is strongCredit: GettyElsewhere, Bukayo Saka (£6.8m) is the most transferred-in player ahead of Gameweek 10 following his return to fitness and some Dream Team bosses may be tempted to strap the armband to Dream Team’s top midfielder.However, like Haaland, Arsenal’s No7 faces back-to-back away games in the form of Newcastle and Inter.The Magpies aren’t at their best right now but still those match-ups aren’t overly appealing.Last week, we suggested Bryan Mbeumo as a strong captaincy choice for those who wanted to go against the grain.Gaffers who took the risk were rewarded with a whopping 25-point return (doubled to 50!) from Brentford’s talisman.WildcardCredit: RexThis week, how about Alejandro Garnacho (£3.9m) as a left-field skipper?READ MORE SUN STORIESManchester United’s 20-year-old winger banked 20 points in Gameweek 9 and registered the most shots on target among midfield assets this season.The Red Devils will host Chelsea and PAOK in Gameweek 10 and if Garnacho starts both fixtures he could thrive again.BetMGM sign up offerBetMGM: Get £40 in free bets — HERE**New cust only. 7 days to opt in by placing a £10 qualifying bet at 1/1 (2.0) odds or greater to receive 4x Free Bets: 1 x £10 horse racing, 1 x £10 Bet Builder, 1 x £10 Acca and 1 x £10 football. 7 day expiry. Exclusions apply. Stake not returned. 18+. T&Cs apply.Commercial content notice: Taking one of the bookmaker offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. 18+. T&Cs apply. gambleaware.org More

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      Arsenal face fixture chaos with ‘no obvious date’ to play crunch Carabao Cup quarter-final vs Crystal Palace

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      ARSENAL are facing a nightmare fixture pile up in December after being drawn against Crystal Palace in the League Cup.Mikel Arteta’s side progressed into the quarter-finals of the competition after beating Preston 3-0 on Wednesday.Arsenal have been left with a huge fixture headache in DecemberCredit: GettyThey are due to host Crystal Palace in the League Cup quarter-final but the two day turnaround for Palace could mean the game changes dateCredit: RexHowever, that is set to cause club chiefs a huge headache due to a major scheduling issue involving them and the women’s team.The Emirates tie against Crystal Palace is due to be played on either Tuesday 17 or Wednesday 18 in December.It came with Palace being due to play Brighton on Monday, December 16, though this fixture has since been moved to Sunday at 2pm with Bournemouth v West Ham now filling the Monday evening slot.Holding the clash on Wednesday is not possible due to Arsenal Women facing Bayern Munich in the Champions League at the Emirates.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLLogically this would leave Thursday as the obvious solution.However, the two-day turnaround is far from ideal, with Palace due to host Arsenal on Saturday, December 21 in the evening clash, also leaving Friday out of the question.It would be possible to host the Palace game on Wednesday, December 18 if the women’s game could be moved.Arsenal Women play all of their European home games and eight of their 11 home games in the Women’s Super League at the Emirates, with tickets for the Bayern game on sale since September 28.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSBut Boreham Wood’s Meadow Park, where the women’s team used to play their home games, does not meet Uefa stadium regulations.However, one possible solution could be Arsenal agreeing to a stunning VENUE SWAP with Palace. ‘Watching Arsenal is like watching Netflix… you always have to wait for the next season’, says Man Utd legendThere has been a precedent in the League Cup this season to move fixtures to another stadium.Newcastle’s third round fixture with Wimbledon was switched from Plough Lane to St. James’ Park after floods caused a sinkhole to form in the middle of the pitch.Manchester City faced a similar problem to Arsenal earlier this season when they faced Watford in the third round.They were due to meet on the Wednesday, but local rivals Manchester United were already playing at home that night and the two teams can’t play at the same time.Pep Guardiola’s side were offered the chance to play away at Vicarage Road or switch dates to Tuesday or Thursday, which left them with less of a turnaround for either the League Cup game or Prem clash.They ultimately opted to play on the Tuesday just 48 hours after their 2-2 draw with Arsenal, and emerged with a 2-1 win over Watford at the Etihad.Speaking of the dilemma at the time, Guardiola said: “I prefer to play at home than go to London because this way our fans can watch this lovely, adorable team at home.“That’s why I decided to play on Tuesday. If we had said Thursday we wouldn’t have time to recover to go to Newcastle.“Hopefully we can select two teams and be fit and have no injuries but everyone knows the schedule will be tight this season.”On fixture congestion, he had previously said: “The week is seven days. We cannot create eight days a week or nine days a week.”It means the EFL could, based on precedent, offer Arteta’s side the chance to swap the venue of the League Cup clash from the Emirates to Selhurst Park to allow it to then be played on Wednesday and give Arsenal appropriate rest days between their league games.READ MORE SUN STORIESThe ultimate decision over the date of the game is in the hands of the EFL.It is understood the organisation are currently consulting all the relevant stakeholders on the timings and broadcast arrangements for each of the four quarter-finals.A Wednesday clash is not possible due to Arsenal women playing at the Emirates in the Champions LeagueCredit: AlamyArsenal ratings vs PrestonARSENAL cruised through their Carabao Cup tie at Preston.The Gunners won 3-0 to set up a home tie against Crystal Palace in the next round.Sun Sport’s Sam Dymond reveals who has done enough to feature in the quarter final – and who might be a bit worried.Tommy Setford – 6A clean sheet on debut for the teenager. After a quiet first half, he looked nervous when put under pressure by Preston’s forward.Jurrien Timber – 7Really looking the part in the Arsenal defence after injury. His crosses caused chaos before being replaced at half-timeWilliam Saliba – 7Settled back into the side after suspension, and was rarely troubled on a night where he continually swept up possession.Jakub Kiwior – 8Partnered Saliba admirably in defence, but showed his attacking worth by providing two assists.Oleksandr Zinchenko – 7A solid display before his removal on the hour, perhaps with one eye on the weekend.Jorginho – 7Kept things moving in midfield, and even showed off some sublime skill when the opportunity arose.Mikel Merino – 7A much more confident performance from the Spaniard following his goal on Sunday. Combined well with Martinelli and Nwaneri during the opening 45 minutes.Ethan Nwaneri – 9Serenaded by the Arsenal fans as ‘one of their own’, this talented teenager once again excited Gooners everywhere.The scorer of one sublime strike, he came so close to bagging a second goal too.Raheem Sterling – 7The Carabao Cup king did everything but score. Perhaps let down by his decision making, he’s looking more at home at Arsenal than he ever did at Chelsea.Gabriel Jesus – 8Constantly alive to the ball inside the box, he was rewarded with a first goal since January to get the scoring underway.Gabriel Martinelli – 8Often Arsenal’s biggest attacking threat with his direct running and ability to beat defenders. Replaced after taking a couple of heavy knocks.SubsThomas Partey – 6Replaced Timber at the break and once again did the job asked of him with few complaints.Kai Havertz – 8Scored a superb header shortly after his arrival as a half-time sub, and was an imposing figure in both penalty areas.Bukayo Saka – 6More minutes in the legs for the Arsenal star as he continues the recovery from his hamstring injury.Myles Lewis-Skelly – 6Misplaced a couple of passes after his introduction, but fits in well among the first-team squad.Ayden Heaven – 6Offered a glimpse of genuine pace as he made his senior debut for the final ten minutes. More

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      I watched Liverpool’s Istanbul miracle alone in hotel room when I could’ve been in the squad – it’s my worst memory

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      A FORMER Liverpool star has revealed the club’s Champions League miracle in Istanbul is his “worst memory”.Stephane Henchoz spent six years at Anfield but left the club just months before the triumph.Stephane Henchoz left Liverpool in January 2005Credit: AlamyJust months later the club would go on to win the Champions LeagueCredit: GettyHenchoz, 50, joined Liverpool in 1999 from Blackburn Rovers and made 135 appearances in the Premier League for the club.He fell down the pecking order after Rafa Benitez was appointed as manager in 2004.In that season, Henchoz was in the final year of his deal at Anfield and opted to leave the club midway through the season.The defender landed a move to Scottish giants Celtic but little did he know his decision would cost him a Champions League winners’ medal.READ MORE ON SPORTLiverpool pulled off a miracle as they came from 3-0 down to beat AC Milan on penalties to win the tournament.While speaking at the launch of Ladbrokes’ “Gaffer of all Accas”, he said: “The Champions League final, in Istanbul, in 2005 is probably the worst memory of my career. “When Rafa Benitez took over, I still had a year left on my contract, and I wasn’t playing. I think I was on the bench a couple of times, but nothing more than that.”Most of the time, I was in the stands for the games. The team wasn’t doing so well in the league; I think we were seventh or eighth in the table, and we scraped through the first stages of the Champions League, with Steven Gerrard’s incredible last-minute goal against Olympiacos…Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS”So, when the draw was made for the Last 16, I could see that our potential route after Bayer Leverkusen was a quarter-final against Juventus.”They were the force in Italy, and everybody – myself included – thought we had no chance; that it was going to be the end of the road for us in Europe.Ex-Liverpool star John Arne Riise shows what he is made of on the training pitch “I never thought for one second that we would end up in the Champions League final, and so in January, I wanted to go and play more football, so I took the opportunity to go up to Celtic, under Martin O’Neill. “From Scotland, I was obviously following what Liverpool were doing in the Champions League… they beat Leverkusen, and then they beat Juventus, then we had the semi-final victory over Chelsea, and we were in the final, against AC Milan.”When Liverpool played that final, I was actually alone, in Glasgow, watching that game in my hotel room.”‘Like a Hollywood movie’Henchoz has insisted that he was “pleased” for Liverpool but admitted he was left asking himself questions over his exit.He added: “Like every Liverpool fan, I thought the first-half was terrible. 3-0 down against an AC Milan side who were just so much better… I never thought the comeback was on.”The only thing I thought was possible was just that the team could make sure they didn’t get beat 5-0 or 6-0, and get humiliated in front of the whole world. And then we had that incredible second-half. This extraordinary comeback.”The penalty shootout… it was just like a Hollywood movie, with a happy ending for Liverpool. Who would have played me in that Hollywood movie, sat in that hotel room? I don’t know! A poor guy…”Obviously, in a way, I was so pleased for the club, and for my teammates, but I can tell you now, that was not a nice moment for me. You’re just thinking ‘why? Why did I choose to come to Celtic?'”I know that I wouldn’t have started the game; I’m fairly sure of that, although you never know in football.””But maybe I would have been on the bench… making the squad. You know, and then I’d have been celebrating on that night, with the lads.”It’s one of the biggest regrets in my career. Sometimes you make the wrong choices, and that was mine.”Henchoz did win a trophy that season as he was a part of the Celtic side that lifted the Scottish Cup.READ MORE SUN STORIESHowever, he only stayed in Scotland for a short stint as he returned to England after his six-month contract ended.The defender signed for Wigan Athletic and then returned to Blackburn before retiring in October 2008.He joined Celtic on a six-month contract in 2005Credit: News Group Newspapers LtdHe finished his career with spells at Wigan Athletic and Blackburn RoversCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd More

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      Throwback picture shows defender Ruben Amorim watching in horror as Jonny Evans scores AGAINST him for Man Utd

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      RUBEN AMORIM is closing in on becoming the next permanent boss of Manchester United.Reports suggest the Red Devils are willing to pay the 39-year-old’s £8.3million release clause from Sporting CP to appoint him as their replacement for Erik ten Hag, who was sacked on Monday.A stunning throwback picture of Ruben Amorim has emerged of him playing against Man Utd at Old TraffordCredit: GettyThe picture shows Jonny Evans scoring the equaliser against Braga as United came from 2-0 down to win 3-2 in 2012Credit: AFPHowever, the ex-midfielder – dubbed the Special One 2.0 – actually shared the pitch with three players he will be coaching at Old Trafford.The first of these is former Benfica team-mate Victor Lindelof, whom he shared the pitch with just three times as the Swede was coming through the ranks.The second was ex-Tottenham star Christian Eriksen, who he faced with Benfica in the Europa League as he saw the Dane score in the second leg of the last-16 tie.The third star is actually returned Man Utd hero Jonny Evans.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAmorim and Evans, now 36, lined up on opposite sides during a Champions League group stage clash between United and Braga at Old Trafford in 2012.The Portuguese side had gotten off to a perfect start on the night, going 2-0 up inside 20 minutes through Alan, though Javier Hernandez halved the deficit five minutes later.The hosts dominated proceedings, and Sir Alex Ferguson’s side found an equaliser in the 62nd minute as Evans bundled a goal home from a corner.And a picture from that night of Evans celebrating with Amorim with his hands behind his head in horror has resurfaced in light of the managerial links now associating United and the Portuguese manager.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSHernandez struck the decisive winner in the 75th minute to seal a remarkable comeback win for United.Amorim himself was subbed out of the game after 80 minutes.Watch Sporting Lisbon fan reveal how you’ve been pronouncing incoming Man Utd manger Ruben Amorim’s name all wrongSpeaking about his links to the Man Utd job following Sporting’s 3-1 win over Nacional in the Portuguese League Cup on Tuesday, Amorim said: “Manchester United is interested. But it’s my choice. Until everything is decided, we won’t be making any noise.”I have nothing useful to say. I will take on whatever I want to do, as I have always done. I’m not going to talk about my contract, it’s a matter between me and Sporting.”In the meantime, Ruud van Nistelrooy will take interim charge of the United squad for their League Cup clash against Leicester tonight, while he may also be in charge for Sunday’s game against Chelsea.Amorim was forced to retire from football at the age of 32 in 2014 due to a career-ending ACL injury.’I was expecting this’ – What Ruben Amorim said about Man Utd job linksRUBEN AMORIM has responded to being linked with a move to Manchester United.The Sporting Lisbon coach, 39, is reportedly closing in on a deal worth £8million to become Erik ten Hag’s successor.Just hours after Ten Hag’s dismissed on Monday morning, it emerged Man Utd chiefs were in talks with Amorim as they zero in on the Sporting boss.But the ex-Braga coach remained tight-lipped on negotiations when quizzed by the media.He said: “I was already expecting this question [about Man Utd].“Obviously I’m not going to talk about the future, because otherwise I’ll always have to comment.”I’m very proud to be Sporting coach, that’s all.”He then went down the path of coaching, attending a course at the Faculty of Human Kinetics, University of Lisbon with lectures led by Jose Mourinho alongside seven-time Primeira Liga winner Antonio Veloso.He later completed an internship under Mourinho while the Special One was at United, and Amorim has cited the three-time Premier League winner as an idol and a “reference point” in his coaching.While he has played down the comparisons, calling Mourinho “unique”, Amorim’s demeanour has been compared to his old master.Assuming all goes to plan and he does move to United, Amorim is reportedly likely to stick to his 3-4-3 system.READ MORE SUN STORIESHe has won the Portuguese league twice with Sporting since taking charge in 2020, ending a 19-year duopoly of Benfica and Porto dominance.When previously managing Braga, he had also led to the club’s first win over Porto for 65 years.Ruben Amorim is ‘Mourinho 2.0’ who turned Sporting from ‘walking dead’ into Portuguese champs… he can revive Man UtdWHEN Ruben Amorim took charge of Sporting Lisbon in March 2020, one club official compared their situation to the “walking dead”, writes Jordan Davies.Optimism and hope was at an all-time low.But the Amorim-effect was almost instantaneous, guiding the Portuguese sleeping giants to their first league title for 19 years in 2020/21, losing just once and only conceding 20 goals.Since then, Sporting have lifted another league title in 2023/24 – as well as two League Cups – and currently sit top with nine wins from nine this term.He may be young, but Amorim already has an eye for rebuilding and revitalising fallen super powers with his infectious charisma and intense tactical philosophy that hardly ever wavers. The “walking dead” at Manchester United must be praying for a similar sort of revival.And they may just get it from one of the most talented young coaches on the continent – a man accustomed to breathing new life back into crumbling institutions such as Old Trafford.Amorim has spent the last decade dreaming of one day gracing England’s Premier League, such was his admiration for an ex-United boss in Jose Mourinho growing up.Often nicknamed ‘Mourinho 2.0’, Amorim spent a week with his coaching idol in an internship capacity at United’s Carrington training base in 2018, going on to cite him as his “reference point”.United should not be expecting a mini-Mourinho, as Amorim said himself: “Mourinho is one of a kind. There won’t be another Mourinho. Mourinho is unique.”And yet, you cannot help but compare the two.For all the mismanagement in the Old Trafford hot seats over the years, this would be a real get – finally a slap in the face United’s Prem rivals have no answer for. More

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      Ballon d’Or chief explains to Real Madrid why Vinicius Jr didn’t win as star misses out on whopping bonus from club

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      BALLON D’OR chief Vincent Garcia has explained why Vinicius Jr missed out on the award.The Real Madrid star finished as the runner-up to Manchester City midfielder Rodri in the running.Vinicius Jr missed out on winning the Ballon d’OrCredit: GettyManchester City star Rodri claimed the prize on Monday eveningCredit: APLos Blancos were left fuming with the Brazilian’s snub and released a blunt 52-word statement in response.The LaLiga giants claimed that the organisation and Uefa “do not respect” the club.The club also refused to attend the event in Paris due to their anger over the result.However, Garcia has now explained one reason why Vinicius Jr may have missed out on the top price.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLHe believes the success of Real’s Jude Bellingham and Dani Carvajal may have cost the Brazilian.His argument is that the votes that the 2nd and 4th placed stars would have received votes instead of Vinicius Jr.He said: “Obviously, Vinicius surely suffered from the presence of Bellingham and Carvajal in the top five because, mathematically, that took away some points from him.”This also sums up Real Madrid’s season, which took between three and four players, and the judges shared their decisions with them, which benefited Rodri.”Most read in FootballThe split of votes for Real players allowed for more room for Rodri to be named the winner.CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSGarcia added: “We were very clear with them [Real Madrid] and with all the other clubs.”This year, the winner and the prizewinner were not going to be notified.Emi Martinez and his stunning Wag are booed mercilessly at Ballon d’Or ceremony by France fans Ballon d’Or 2024 results1: Rodri, Man City and Spain2: Vinicius Jr, Real Madrid and Brazil3: Jude Bellingham, Real Madrid and England4: Dani Carvajal, Real Madrid and Spain5: Erling Haaland, Man City and Norway6: Kylian Mbappe, Real Madrid and France7: Lautaro Martinz, Inter Milan and Argentina8: Lamine Yamal, Barcelona and Spain9: Toni Kroos, Real Madrid and Germany10: Harry Kane, Bayern Munich and England11: Phil Foden, Man City and England12: Florian Wirtz, Bayer Leverkusen and Germany13: Dani Olmo, Barcelona and Spain14: Ademola Lookman, Atalanta and Nigeria15: Nico Williams, Athletic Bilbao and Spain16: Granit Xhaka, Bayer Leverkusen and Switzerland17: Federico Valverde, Real Madrid and Uruguay18: Emi Martinez, Aston Villa and Argentina19: Martin Odegaard, Arsenal and Norway20: Hakan Calhanoglu, Inter Milan and Turkey21: Bukayo Saka, Arsenal and England22: Antonio Rudiger, Real Madrid and Germany23: Ruben Dias, Man City and Portugal24: William Saliba, Arsenal and France25: Cole Palmer, Chelsea and England26: Declan Rice, Arsenal and England27: Vitinha, PSG and Portugal28: Alejandro Grimaldo, Bayer Leverkusen and Spain29: Mats Hummels, Roma and Germany30: Artem Dovbyk, Roma and Ukraine”I thought that everyone had accepted but at the last minute, I don’t know why, they wanted to change the rule.”When Real Madrid made its decision, I’m not sure that there wasn’t some disappointment.”As a result of Rodri winning the Ballon d’Or, Vinicius Jr missed out on a cash reward from Real.The winger would have been handed a bonus of £833,000 from his club if he had won the award.Vinicius Jr would have also been the first Brazilian to lay his hands on the individual trophy since 2007, when Kaka won it.He has spoken out since the snub and claimed that he will be a winner in the future.He wrote on X: “‘I’ll do it 10x if I have to. They’re not ready.”READ MORE SUN STORIESDue to Real’s boycott of the event it left one award uncollected.Last season’s Champions League winners were not able to collect their Club of the Year award.All winners of the Ballon d’Or this century2024: Rodri, Man City and Spain2023: Lionel Messi, Inter Miami and Argentina2022: Karim Benzema, Real Madrid and France2021: Lionel Messi, PSG and Argentina2020: Not Awarded2019: Lionel Messi, Barcelona and Argentina2018: Luka Modric, Real Madrid and Croatia2017: Cristiano Ronaldo, Real Madrid and Portugal2016: Cristiano Ronaldo, Real Madrid and Portugal2015: Lionel Messi, Barcelona and Argentina2014: Cristiano Ronaldo, Real Madrid and Portugal2013: Cristiano Ronaldo, Real Madrid and Portugal2012: Lionel Messi, Barcelona and Argentina2011: Lionel Messi, Barcelona and Argentina2010: Lionel Messi, Barcelona and Argentina2009: Lionel Messi, Barcelona and Argentina2008: Cristiano Ronaldo, Man Utd and Portugal2007: Kaka, AC Milan and Brazil2006: Fabio Cannavaro, Real Madrid and Italy2005: Ronaldinho, Barcelona and Brazil2004: Andriy Shevchenko, AC Milan and Ukraine2003: Pavel Nedved, Juventus and Czechia2002: Ronaldo Nazario, Real Madrid and Brazil2001: Michael Owen, Liverpool and England2000: Luis Figo, Real Madrid and Portugal More

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      Ballon d’Or in awkward moment as Real Madrid leave award UNCOLLECTED with boycott confirmed

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      BALLON D’OR were forced into an awkward moment as Real Madrid failed to collect their award.The Spanish giants were named Club of the Year after winning LaLiga and the Champions League.Real Madrid left their award uncollectedCredit: ReutersBut not a single club representative was present as Real Madrid boycotted the awards ceremony, with an awkward silence in the room as host Didier Drogba read out their name as winners.He added: “Congratulations to them,” before moving on swiftly.Real Madrid boycotted the show Vinicius Jr missed out on the top prize to Rodri.The winger was amongst the favourites to win the Ballon d’Or following an impressive campaign in which he scored 24 goals and registered 11 assists.But Vinicius Jr was not even in attendance to see his rival walk on stage to collect the prize, nor were any of his team-mates or coach Carlo Ancelotti, who failed to collect his Coach of the Year gong.Drogba said in response to his absence: “I’m disappointed my former coach is unable to be here to collect the award.”Real Madrid President Florentino Perez is reportedly furious Vinicius has been overlooked.The club also believe they are “not respected” – convinced that if not Vinicius Jr, then Dani Carvajal should win the award.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSAnother Real star Jude Bellingham finished third in the voting.A Real Madrid player last won the Ballon d’Or in 2022 when Karim Benzema was named the world’s best player.Incredible video shows how Ballon d’Or is made and it’s blowing fans’ minds as they ask ‘why does it feel so weird?’ More