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      Five amazing Premier League teams who got relegated, including 2003 West Ham side and Middlesbrough with Juninho

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      THE PREMIER LEAGUE season came to a dramatic close with an intense relegation scrap.Southampton were already doomed as they had plunged to the bottom of the English top flight after a rough campaign that saw them change three managers.
      Leicester were relegated just seven years after winning the Premier LeagueCredit: Getty
      It all came down to Everton, Leeds as well as Leicester and two of them were condemned to follow Saints to the Championship.
      All three of them carried a heavy legacy in the Prem, and so did Southampton.
      The Foxes, especially, were fighting for survival only seven years after they shocked the world and won the title in what will forever be remembered as the greatest underdog story in football history.
      At the end, Leicester couldn’t replicate any of the spark from 2016 and went down along with Leeds after Everton defeated Bournemouth 1-0.
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      Some of these teams may have felt too good to go down.
      Of course, such a thing does not exist – you are down there on merit.
      But, better teams have gone down in the past – as the below list shows…
      Newcastle – 2008-09
      THE 2008-09 season was an utter disaster for the Toon.
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      By the time they were relegated, Newcastle had seen FOUR different managers scrape together just seven wins.
      Kevin Keegan, Joe Kinnear, Chris Hughton and club legend Alan Shearer all took charge of the club.
      But it was Shearer – who vowed to keep the Magpies up – who oversaw the eventual and somewhat inevitable demise, finishing 18th just one point away from survival.
      For a team of Newcastle’s size and with a squad boasting Michael Owen, Damien Duff, Nicky Butt, Obafemi Martins, Jose Enrique, Joey Barton and Mark Viduka, playing in the Championship was utterly alien.
      They would go on to win the league and bounce straight back to the Premier League, but for a team that strong to go down was remarkable.
      Newcastle were relegated in 2008-09 despite their strong squadCredit: Action Images – Reuters
      Leeds – 2003-04
      MUCH like Newcastle, Leeds fell into the bracket of clubs ‘too big to go down’.
      But in 2004, the Elland Road giants slipped out of the top flight and wouldn’t return for 16 years – even slipping into League One for three seasons during that time.
      In 2003-04, Leeds won just eight matches en route to finishing 19th in the Prem, shipping a league-high 79 goals with the club in financial turmoil.
      The Yorkshire side had a strong squad, too – with the likes of Viduka, Paul Robinson, Nicky Barmby, Alan Smith, Aaron Lennon and James Milner on the books.
      Leeds were relegated in 2004, sparking a 16-year top-flight exileCredit: Getty
      West Ham – 2002-03
      EVEN the magic 40-point mark wasn’t enough for the Hammers in 2002-03.
      To this day, West Ham’s tally of 42 points that year is the highest for a relegated team.
      For context, the East London giants also secured 42 points in 2017-18.. and finished 13th.
      But for a team boasting Jermain Defoe, Paolo di Canio, Michael Carrick, Joe Cole, Les Ferdinand, David James, Trevor Sinclair and more to go down? Madness.
      Ultimately the star-studded squad finished two points adrift off 17th-placed Bolton.
      More bizarrely still, it took West Ham two attempts to break back into the big time, eventually scraping through the Championship play-offs despite finishing sixth.
      West Ham were relegated in 2002-03 despite racking up 42 pointsCredit: Getty
      Blackburn – 1998-99
      IN 1993-94, Blackburn won the Premier League trophy. In 1997-98, they finished sixth.
      And at the start of the 1998-99 season, they were being tipped to challenge for a second title, now under Roy Hodgson.
      Rovers boasted the likes of Duff, Stephane Henchoz, Chris Sutton, Kevin Davies, Tim Sherwood and Tim Flowers.
      Despite that, Blackburn finished the season in 19th after winning a woeful five games.
      Hodgson was sacked midway through the disastrous campaign with no player in the squad scoring more than five league goals.
      Blackburn had been tipped for a shot at the title in 1998-99 but were relegated insteadCredit: Getty
      Middlesbrough – 1996-97
      EVEN the heroics of Juninho and Fabrizio Ravanelli couldn’t save Boro in 1996-97.
      The Italian striker scored 31 times in all competitions – including an opening day hat-trick in a 3-3 draw against Liverpool – with the Brazilian midfield magician in full flow behind him.
      However, despite that, Middlesbrough slumped into the second tier after finishing two points shy of safety.
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      After a strong start to the season – winning three and losing just one of their first six games – Boro failed to win a single match between September 21 and December 26.
      Under player-manager Bryan Robson, Middlesbrough finished 19th, one point behind 18th-placed Sunderland and two adrift of Coventry and Southampton, who survived by the skin of their teeth.
      Middlesbrough were relegated in 1996-97 despite boasting Juninho in their teamCredit: Getty More

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      Luton star Tom Lockyer reveals he’s been given ‘all clear’ following heart surgery as he opens up on terrifying injury

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      TOM LOCKYER has revealed that he has been given the all-clear after his terrifying injury during the Championship Play-Off final.The Luton Town defender collapsed at Wembley Stadium during the match and was taken to hospital for treatment.
      Tom Lockyer has revealed he has been given the ‘all clear’ after his injury at WembleyCredit: SKY SPORTS
      He collapsed during the Championship Play-Off finalCredit: Getty
      Lockyer was conscious as he was stretchered off the pitch and watched his side beat Coventry from his hospital bed.
      In an interview with Sky Sports, he revealed that he had minor surgery and that the issue should “never happen again”.
      He said: “I’m doing well. It’s been a mad week or so. I had the all-clear yesterday [Monday] and I’m all good moving forward.
      “I was quite lucky. They knew straight away what it was and it wasn’t life-threatening. It was an atrial flutter, which is an irregular heartbeat, so my heart wasn’t responding as it should in those situations.
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      “It’s probably the least severe heart condition you could have and I had a little procedure on Wednesday [May 31] to correct that and it should never happen again.
      “It’s quite funny, really – I didn’t feel anything at all. I had a great chance with the header and got a little bit excited from that, thinking I’d scored at Wembley!
      “Then I was just running backwards, went really light-headed and my legs went really weak straightaway. I remember stumbling backwards.
      “I was told I was coming off as I’d collapsed and I was like ‘no, no I’m fine!’ I wondered why I was on the floor, so that’s when I realised and the emotions all went. When I went off on the stretcher, Rob [Edwards] came to me and said ‘don’t worry, we’ll win it for you’ and I was bawling my eyes out so couldn’t respond.”
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      He also admitted that he never felt like he was in danger and was just focused on being able to watch the game.
      Luckily for the defender, the club secretary was on hand with his phone so he could watch the game.
      He added: “The club secretary came down with my phone and I started watching the game on SkyGo!
      “I was thinking ‘this is no good for my heart!’ I watched the full game back afterwards and we were unbelievable in the first half, Coventry came in the second and it was a bit of a nothing extra time before 11 unbelievable penalties.
      Lockyer watched the remainder of the match from his hospital bedCredit: INSTAGRAM
      “If you score five penalties in a shootout you expect to win it, so for both teams to score five was amazing. When that last one got missed, it was sheer delight.
      “My old man took a photo, posted it and it went viral. Once my family saw I was fine and cracking jokes and whatnot, that put them at ease and, if anyone had concerns, hopefully that put it to rest.”
      As mentioned, Lockyer’s dad, Steve, posted the photo of him celebrating the moment that Luton clinched promotion to the Premier League.
      The snap was met by a lot of positivity and well-wishers hoping that Lockyer was okay after his fright.
      The Luton Town team also paid tribute to him during their celebrations back at Wembley as they held a shirt with his name on it in the air during the trophy lift.
      However, he did miss the team trip to Las Vegas as he required treatment, but he is more gutted about missing the celebration although he is excited about being a Premier League player.
      He said: “For me, it hasn’t sunk in yet what the lads have achieved. We had the dream to get promoted and it still doesn’t feel real. It’s amazing we have been able to do that and when it sinks in, maybe there will be a few more tears.
      “I can’t sit here and lie – it was hard to watch (the celebrations). To go through the gruelling season we’d just had to then miss out on the one big game and the celebrations at the end. “It was hard, it is hard, but you have to look at it from a health point of view. I would have missed a lot more to get that all-clear news.
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      “Looking back now, I know I didn’t, but I felt like I’d let the team down, let the boys down, so I couldn’t stop crying coming off that pitch, but I think it was a lot worse for everyone else watching. I’ve watched it back and it’s not a nice watch for myself.
      “To be honest, I felt as though I could have walked off the pitch, but the medics did their jobs and I can’t thank them enough.”
      His team-mates paid tribute to him during their celebrationsCredit: PA More

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      Wigan on brink of takeover as unnamed buyer agrees deal in principle with crisis club to start League One season on -8

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      WIGAN have agreed a deal in principal to be taken over, subject to EFL approval.The crisis club confirmed on their official website last night that an agreement had been struck with an unnamed buyer.
      Wigan are set to begin next season with an eight-point deductionCredit: PA
      Shaun Maloney’s side were relegated from the Championship this term amid financial woes.
      The Latics were deducted six points during the 2022-23 campaign for failing to pay players – and will begin next term in League One on minus eight points for similar infringements.
      In a statement from their current ownership group, Wigan chiefs confirmed: “A deal has been agreed in principle for the sale of Wigan Athletic Football Club to a prospective new buyer – subject to EFL approval.
      “The prospective new owners have committed to resolving all outstanding liabilities at the earliest opportunity.
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      “Further updates on this process will follow in due course.”
      Wigan were initially deducted four points for next season, with a further four suspended.
      To avoid the further four being deducted, Wigan were required to place 125 per cent of their forecast monthly wage bill into a nominated account by May 24.
      They failed to do so, however, citing late payments of international bank transfers.
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      Ahead of their latest points deduction, chairman Abdulrahman Al-Jasmi wrote on the club’s website: “I want to confirm that an eight-figure sum is currently being processed and is due to land in the club account imminently. This funding will also ensure financial stability for June and the 2023/24 season.
      “It is important to address the numerous late wage payments. As I have previously stated, I recognise this is totally unacceptable. Since Phoenix 2021 acquired Wigan Athletic in 2021, the ownership group will have invested over £30m into the club to date.
      “The inflated wage bill resulted in cash flow issues which meant we could not adhere to the Agreed Decision with the EFL in January. However, everything possible was done to ensure wages were paid.
      “Delays are a common occurrence with overseas transactions, but that is not and cannot be an excuse for late payments.”
      Former Tottenham and England defender Steven Caulker was among six first-team players to be released by Wigan upon the conclusion of the 2022-23 campaign. More

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      Former Premier League star receives threats against his children after tweet about Sheffield Wednesday

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      SHEFFIELD UNITED legend Paddy Kenny claims irate rival supporters have called him “threatening to blow my kids knee caps off”.The former goalkeeper, who once had his eyebrow bitten off in a curry house scrap, has been revelling in his old club’s promotion to the Premier League.
      Goalie David Stockdale and Barry Bannan celebrating Sheff Wed’s play-off win over BarnsleyCredit: Getty
      Blades legend Paddy Kenny has been involved in a Twitter exchange with the Owls goalieCredit: Twitter / @paddykenny17
      The 45-year-old was No.1 at Bramall Lane for eight years from 2010 and still remains a favourite with supporters.
      And he is never one to shy away from his love of the Blades and regularly winds-up their Steel City rivals Sheffield Wednesday – especially on Twitter.
      He firstly slammed them for blowing automatic promotion, but the Owls eventually got the job done on Monday.
      After an incredible record-breaking comeback against Peterborough, they then beat Barnsley in the League One play-off final at Wembley.
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      Jibes have been going back and forth between players from both clubs throughout both United and Wednesday’s promotion celebrations.
      Blades forward Rhian Brewster wound-up Owls supporters first, before Wednesday captain Barry Bannan labelled him “absolutely f***ing honking”.
      Kenny was also keen to get involved and has been enjoying a social media back and forth with Owls goalie David Stockdale, who was sub keeper for the Wembley triumph.
      Ex-Fulham and Brighton stopper Stockdale tweeted Kenny from the dressing-room after the final and, alongside a snap of himself in his kit with his medal and beer in hand, asked: “@paddykenny17 you around sheff tomorrow?”
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      Kenny replied: “TBF I didn’t even think you’d get a medal for sitting on the Judy Dench.”
      The two have continued the fun and games all week since, now things have been taken a step too far.
      Wednesday announced on Friday that 37-year-old Stockdale was leaving the club.
      Kenny was then out on the town last night and tweeted Stockdale a photo of himself enjoying a bevvy, captioning it with: “Fancy Sheffield tonight @stockogk1313.”
      He followed that up with another photo of himself with a bottle of Hooch.
      However, Kenny has now taken to Twitter to claim: “People calling my mobile and threatening to blow my kids knee caps off now that’s proper low and sums some people up, I’m all for banter but that’s crossed the line.”
      Stockdale replied to that tweet with: “Agreed. It’s all good humour in a great rivalry. Really not needed. Have a safe night Patrick.”
      That led to Kenny going back with: “You know it pal, people can’t take bants, do they not realise us keepers stick together.”
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      And even Wednesday ace Bannan responded as well, tweeting: “Shambles mate can’t have a bit of fun without it getting silly and over the line.”
      Which led to Kenny replying: “You know it pal, all I ever do is have banter never mean anything but that crosses the line, btw congrats.”
      Paddy Kenny played for Sheffield United for eight seasonsCredit: Action Images – Reuters More

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      Former Premier League stadium that fell into disrepair is now an Asda with poignant nod to disaster

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      THIS ground that graced the Premier League is now more supermarket than transfer market.Bolton spent 102 years at Burnden Park, and during that time they won four FA Cups as well as the Charity Shield until they moved in 1997 – two years before it was demolished.
      Bolton spent 102 years at former ground Burnden ParkCredit: Alamy
      Bolton’s former ground Burnden Park is now an Asda storeCredit: Bradley Ormesher – The Times
      Bolton’s Burnden Park has been an Asda ever since 2005Credit: Bradley Ormesher – The Times
      The historic ground, that at one time could fit a maximum of 70,000 spectators, was turned into an Asda in 2005 with photos of players and the stadium still visible above checkouts.
      This used to be a place that represented triumph and pride for Bolton.
      Burnden Park hosted the FA Cup final replay in 1901 when Tottenham defeated Sheffield United 3-1 – and was even the inspiration behind L.S Lowry’s £8million Going To The Match painting.
      It also held various national cycling championships as well as brass band contests.
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      But the stadium was also the site of a major tragedy in 1946 when 33 Bolton fans were crushed to death and 400 others were injured during an FA Cup quarter-final match against Stoke.
      The Railway End was simply a bank of earth with some stones for steps, and early in the game two barriers collapsed and the crowd fell forward, crushing those underneath.
      People spilled on the pitch and the game was halted twice with the referee told by the police there had been a fatality.
      The players then left the pitch while casualties were taken from the Railway End terrace.
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      But those who had died were placed along the touchline and covered in coats.
      Shockingly, less than half an hour later, the game restarted with the bodies still lying beside the pitch, separated from the players by a new sawdust touchline.
      A plaque paying tribute to the people who lost their lives in the fourth worst disaster in British football history – and worst at the time – was unveiled in 1992 by club legend Nat Lofthouse.
      This plaque can still be found inside the Asda.
      The stadium was also used to host cycling championships as well as footballCredit: Getty
      The old ground is six miles away from the current Bolton homeCredit: Getty
      One fan inspects a toilet up for auctionCredit: PA:Press Association
      Tragedy nearly hit Burnden Park again in May 1998 when a fire swept through the ground.
      Twelve years earlier, a section of the ground was sold off and a Normid superstore was built, covering half of one end in a bizarre look.
      Bolton’s last game at Burnden Park took place in April 1997 against Charlton with the Trotters winning 4-1 win, with icon John McGinlay scoring their final-ever goal at the ground.
      The club moved in 1997 to Reebok Stadium, which is now called the University of Bolton Stadium and will next season be known as the Toughsheet.
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      But the penalty spot was dug up from Burnden Park and planted at the new ground on Burnden Way while much of the stadium – including signs and even toilets as memorabilia – was auctioned off.
      The ground was left derelict and abandoned for two years while travellers lived in the car park before the demolition took place in 1999.
      Nathan Blake celebrates scoring against ChelseaCredit: PA:Press Association
      A plaque paying tribute to the disaster at Burnden Park can be seen inside the AsdaCredit: Bradley Ormesher – The Times
      33 supporters died at the FA Cup quarter-final in 1946Credit: John Gradwell
      Bolton played at the ground for 102 yearsCredit: Alamy
      L.S Lowry’s Going To The Match painting was based on Burnden Park More

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      Luton star Tom Lockyer set to be released from hospital after horror Wembley collapse

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      TOM LOCKYER has received a major boost after the Luton captain was told he will be discharged from hospital today – and be fit for pre-season training.Centre-back Lockyer, 28, collapsed and was carried off on a stretcher after just eight minutes of the Hatters’ Championship play-off final penalty shootout triumph over Coventry at Wembley last Saturday.
      Tom Lockyer is due to be discharged from hospital on ThursdayCredit:
      Luton’s captain is expected to be fit for pre-season training with the Premier League newboysCredit: Alamy
      The cause of his shock collapse has yet to be revealed.
      But Luton revealed Wales defender Lockyer has been given the green light to return home following tests at the Cavendish Clinic in London.
      Rob Edwards’ Premier League newsboys expect Lockyer – who was left out of Robert Page’s Wales squad on Tuesday for Euro 2024 qualifiers in June – will be available for pre-season training at Kenilworth Road next month (July).
      A Luton statement read: “We are so pleased that Tom will be allowed to leave hospital and return home on Thursday.
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      “He has been a frustrated patient, but has completed all the necessary medical tests and observations to be allowed home for a period of rest before the start of pre-season training, which he will be fit to take part in.
      “We would like to thank everyone for their messages of love and support for Locks, who has had a season to remember and proudly led the team out on Saturday, with his team-mates completing the job for him.
      “We can’t wait to see you back home at the Kenny with that trophy in your hands, Locks!”
      Luton’s public message hinted that Lockyer, who is out of contract this summer, is set to sign a new deal.
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      Lockyer joined the club from Charlton on a free transfer in 2020. More

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      Leeds eye Rob Edwards and Regis Le Bris as new manager while drawing Marcelo Bielsa-like long-term plan after relegation

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      LEEDS are keeping tabs on Luton boss Rob Edwards and Lorient manager Regis Le Bris as they target a quick return to the Premier League.The Whites were relegated to the Championship following a heartbreaking end to a turbulent campaign that saw them getting thrashed 4-1 by Tottenham at Elland Road.
      Leeds are keeping tabs on Luton boss Rob Edwards after his Championship triumphCredit: Rex
      Leeds are also interested in Lorient boss Regis Le Bris amid an impressive Ligue 1 seasonCredit: AFP
      But the Yorkshire giants are determined to turn a leaf with a long-term project, similar to the one they drew up once Marcelo Bielsa took over in 2018.
      Leeds will start by hiring a new manager to replace Sam Allardyce on a permanent basis.
      SunSport understand club chiefs have drawn up a shortlist of potential candidates, which includes Edwards and Le Bris.
      The Welsh tactician stood out this season after leading Luton to the Premier League by beating Coventry on penalties in a dramatic Championship play-off final.
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      Edwards led a fairytale campaign that saw Luton finishing third in the Championship before booking their place in England’s top flight for the first time since 1992.
      Le Bris has also shone bright in Ligue 1 during his first ever season as a senior manager.
      Lorient are currently 10th in the table under the French tactician and could climb up to ninth – that’s just 12 months after they barely avoided relegation under his predecessor.
      The Ligue 1 outfit’s former academy coach impressed with his attacking football that saw his team climbing to second place behind Paris Saint-Germain at some point throughout the campaign.
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      SunSport revealed that Leeds players want Allardyce to stay despite failing to keep them up.
      The likes of Brendan Rodgers and Steven Gerrard have also been previously mentioned as potential candidates.
      Rodgers and Gerrard are free agents after their departure from Leicester and Aston Villa respectively. More

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      Sheffield Wednesday ace Barry Bannan calls ex-Premier League star ‘absolutely f***ing honking’ in X-rated video

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      SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY star Barry Bannan told Rhian Brewster he was “absolutely f***ing honking” as he launched an X-rated blast at the striker.Brewster was caught on camera recently at Sheffield United’s promotion parade in the Steel City leading supporters in a derogatory chant about their neighbours.
      Barry Bannan has slammed a Sheffield United rival in a viral clipCredit: Twitter/@_The72
      The Sheffield Wednesday star called Rhian Brewster ‘absolutely f***ing honking’Credit: Getty
      The 23-year-old, a £23.5million signing from Liverpool in October 2020, and his team-mates are preparing for a return to the Premier League after United finished runners-up in the Championship.
      And as the squad and their fans partied, he grabbed the mic to lead them in a song by first asking: “What do you think of Wednesday?” 
      That led to a loud response of “s***” to which he followed up with: “What do you think of s***?”
      He then proceeded to sing “We hate Wednesday, we hate Wednesday” as the mass crowd followed suit.
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      Meanwhile, Wednesday and their supporters are still celebrating their first promotion in a decade after beating Barnsley at Wembley in the League One play-off final.
      The Owls took to the streets in Sheffield for an open-top bus parade through a sea of blue and white fans.
      And much-loved Bannan took the opportunity to hit back at Brewster after clips emerged of him joining the club’s fans for a celebration in and across town last night,
      The Scottish midfielder, 33, was handed the microphone in one venue, and as the crowd hushed, he said: “Rhian Brewster, you’re absolutely f***ing honking son.”
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      Brewster, who fired England to U17 World Cup success in 2017, bagged ten in 20 appearances during a loan spell in the Championship with Swansea to earn his move to United.
      But the former Liverpool ace has scored just five goals in 63 appearances for the Blades since.
      Meanwhile Bannan, who has been at Hillsborough since 2015, has further cemented his hero status amongst the club’s faithful with his outburst.
      The ace, who turned down several opportunities to leave after they were relegated in 2021, was lauded on social media.
      One fan tweeted: “Atta boy, my captain. Warra bloke.”
      Another said: “Loool. To be fair it’s poor that Brewster’s most notable contribution for £20million is on a microphone.”
      While another commented: “That’s my captain!” More