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      Former Man Utd star Juan Mata makes history with move into MLS as he takes major step towards career after playing

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      JUAN MATA has made history after announcing a stunning move to join the ownership group of Major League Soccer side San Diego FC.The former Manchester United and Chelsea star currently plays for A-League club Western Sydney Wanderers, where he has been since September.Juan Mata has joined the ownership group of San Diego FCMata currently plays for Western Sydney Wanderers in the A-LeagueCredit: RexHowever, the 36-year-old has now taken to social media to announce he would be investing into America’s newest top flight franchise who will be joining the league in 2025 as the 30th club.A statement on his Instagram said: “Really happy to announce that I’m a partner at the newest and most special franchise in the MLS!”The club’s own announcement on the move also revealed how the Spaniard has made history by becoming the first active player to hold an ownership stake in Major League Soccer.Mata is now also in illustrious company with Inter Miami owner David Beckham as only the second international player to be involved in MLS ownership, according to the club.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe Spaniard added: “Joining San Diego FC as a partner is an exciting opportunity to help build something truly special in a city and league that are experiencing incredible growth.”The commitment of both this Club and Right to Dream to community impact, excellence, and a vision for long-term success aligns perfectly with my own values. “I look forward to contributing my experience and passion for the game and working alongside everyone here to build a Club that inspires both on and off the pitch.”San Diego’s first ever competitive match will take place at the 35,000-capacity Snapdragon Stadium against five-time MLS winners LA Galaxy on March 1 2025.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSThe club statement described Mata as a “widely respected humanitarian” and mentioned his charitable schemes such as the Common Goal initiative which sees players pledge one per cent of their salary to social causes.He is also an active collaborator and partner of Right to Dream, and has visited RTD’s Academy in Egypt and Denmark.Hirving Lozano surprises San Diego FC in visit to his new MLS club after being left off Mexico’s Copa America rosterSan Diego chairman Sir Mohamed Mansour said: “Juan has been an active and long-term supporter of Right to Dream, and he shares our values of wanting to use football to deliver long-term social impact and change. “As one of the most successful footballers of his generation, winning the World Cup, European Championship and UEFA Champions League, among many other titles, he is a serial winner, and in San Diego, we are committed to building a winning team for the long term.”The playmaker starred in England for 11 years with Chelsea and Man Utd.He spent two-and-a-half years with the Blues where he won the Champions League, Europa League and FA Cup.Mata then played for the Red Devils from January 2014 to summer 2022, winning the Europa League, FA Cup and League Cup.After leaving Man Utd, Mata joined Galatasaray, where he won the league before leaving to join Japanese side Vissel Kobe, where he also won the league.Meanwhile – having started his career with Real Oviedo – prior to arriving in the Premier League he won the Copa del Rey with Valencia.READ MORE SUN STORIESOn an international level, Mata won the 2010 World Cup and 2012 European Championship and was also a European Champion in both the Under-19 and Under-21 categories.His various business ventures away from football have helped him cultivate a reported net worth of £66million, and it seems club ownership could be up his street when he eventually retires.Stars signed up for San DiegoSAN DIEGO will be Major League Soccer’s 30th franchise team, but who will they have playing for them? Only a handful are on the books so far, but there are names you may recognise…Hirving Lozano – Mexican winger is joining from PSV in January. He is a title winner with the Dutch club and Italian side Napoli and has 70 international appearances under his belt.Marcus Ingvartsen – One-time Dane international has proven to be a prolific goalscorer for Nordsjaelland with 53 goals in 134 games.Alex Mighten – Nottingham Forest academy product is joining from the Premier League side after signing a deal in the summer, but is currently on loan with Nordsjaelland.Jeppe Tverskov – Third star associated with Nordsjaelland, the defensive midfielder only joined the club from Danish rivals Odense BK in 2023. He is a Superliga veteran with more than 220 appearances to his name.Paddy McNair – Man Utd academy star is joining the MLS side from West Brom. Now 29 years old, it will be his first transfer outside of England after spending most of his career with Middlesbrough. McNair won the FA Cup with United in 2016 and won the Under-21 Premier League twice. More

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      Spanish derby clash abandoned after stand COLLAPSES following goal celebration in shocking scenes

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      A SELL-OUT Spanish derby was abandoned after barriers collapsed in shocking scenes as players and fans celebrated a goal.Sant Andreu supporters crashed out onto the grass in front of their shocked heroes in the fourth-tier clash at Catalan rivals CE Europa.Supporters tumbled onto the pitch in the Catalan derbyThe barriers couldn’t take the pressure as Sant Andreu fans celebrated a goalThe match was suspended before it became clear it had to be called offWhizkid Marc Jurado had slipped home his second strike to put the visitors 5-3 up in the 49th minutePlayers rushed to rejoice in the corner but many suddenly dashed to help when they saw a huge section of fencing behind the goal break.Fans were pulled away – before the referee suspended the match in what Europa said was an attempt “to resolve the situation”.But officials soon decided the only option was to call the game off.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSEuropa posted that the match was abandoned as ” the safety of the visiting fans cannot be guaranteed”.Sant Andreu confirmed “many” of their fans had “fallen onto the playing field”.But the club added, gratefully, only “minor injuries” had been suffered.Sant Andreu had earlier suggested: “The remaining 40 [minutes] will probably have to be played on another day. Thank you very much for the support.”Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSHowever, it’s unclear how Spanish football chiefs will deal with the situation.The frightening incident came after a goal-fest between two Barcelona-based clubs battling for a play-off spot.Roy Keane in heartfelt tribute to future son-in-law Taylor Harwood-Bellis after ‘bittersweet’ England goal vs Ireland_1However, it became clear all was not right behind the goal as the barriers began to ripple.The fencing then gave away, sparking concern from players and officials as some fans seemed trapped on the ground.But thankfully it appears no-one was seriously hurt.Fans reacted on social media with relief and amazement.”The field was packed,” said one, while another called the scenes “craziness”. More

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      Fifth place in Premier League set to get Champions League football as England lead way in Uefa coefficient table

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      ENGLAND remain in pole position for an extra Champions League place next term – despite the Prem’s worst European week of the season.Liverpool were the only Champions League side to taste victory, with Manchester City, Arsenal and Aston Villa all slipping to defeats.Liverpool’s dominance in the Champions League has helped England to the top of the national rankingsCredit: AlamyChelsea are also dominating the Conference LeagueCredit: GettySpurs then lost for the first time in their Europa League campaign at Galatasaray, although Manchester United and Chelsea recorded home victories.But since the start of the new league phase in September, the Prem sides have won 18 matches – more than any other nation – and lost the fewest, those four defeats this week.Italy and Germany, both with eight teams in Europe at the start of the season, have won 16 and 15 respectively, with 13 Spanish victories and 11 for French sides.The Bundesliga and La Liga sides have lost 11 matches, with Leipzig pointless from four Champions League fixtures and all four Spanish sides in the senior competition having lost at least one game.Read More in FootballIt leaves England top of the pile at the half-way stage of the initial phase, with a current coefficient score of 9.428, when the points gained by the Prem’s teams are divided by the seven competitors.Portugal, who only have two teams in Uefa’s biggest competition, are next with a score of 9.2, followed by last season’s top two, Italy – on 8.75 – and Germany, with 8.375.France, on 8.071, are fifth, ahead of Spain – 7.857 – and the Czech Republic.Uefa’s revamp means the two nations with the highest score at the end of the season will earn an extra berth in the Champions League next term.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSEngland currently top the UEFA nations tableAll teams earn two points for a win and one for a draw but their club and national tally is also boosted by bonus points accrued through the three competitions.Each of the 36 clubs in the Champions League starts with six bonus points, with the possibility of earning up to six more if they finish top of the eight-game table, although there are no pre-competition bonuses for either the Europa or Conference Leagues.SunSport’s Charlie Wyett runs the rule over England’s squad after two players are given first call-upThe top eight sides in all three competitions at the end of the first stage – the Conference League, with just six matches, ends before Christmas but there are two match rounds in each of the others in January – automatically make the last 16 knockout stage.Teams ranked ninth to 24th are then drawn in a knock-out round to join them.Currently, all seven Prem sides are on course to qualify for the knock-out stage, with Liverpool top of the Champions League standings, Villa eighth, City 10th and the Gunners in 12th.In the Europa League, Spurs slipped from second to seventh with United now up to 15th, while Chelsea are romping away at the top of the Conference standings.While things are almost certain to change, if all clubs finished in their current positions, England would extend their lead by picking up a 4.036 in bonus coefficients, taking the Prem tally to 13.464.That would give England an advantage of fractionally under two full points – the equivalent of eight team wins – over Italy, swap places with Portugal, ahead of France, Germany and Spain.Ruben Amorim leaves Sporting on a highBy Charlie WyettRUBEN AMORIM would have preferred to leave Lisbon in a blaze of glory after winning a third Primeira Liga title.Yet football does not work like that. And in what was surely his final game before taking charge of Manchester United, Amorim prepared to say his goodbyes at a half-empty Estadio Jose Alvalade in a League Cup quarter-final against Nacional.Sporting won 3-1 thanks to  second-half goals by captain  Morten Hjulmand and Viktor Gyokeres, who scored two.Luis Esteves pulled back for Madeira-based Nacional.The stadium  will be a good deal more lively on Tuesday when Manchester City are here for  a Champions League match — although Amorim should by then have his feet firmly under his desk at Old Trafford.Liverpool and Aston Villa were both interested in Europe’s most sought-after coach. Even City could have been a possible destination post-Pep Guardiola.Yet the United job is one Amorim, 39,  could not turn  down — even if not everyone saw it that way at Sporting last night.There is clearly a huge split in the Portuguese club’s fan base over their coach leaving at this stage of the season with many believing he should have seen the job through.Yet Amorim, along with the three-man coaching team who are expected to follow him, leaves a club in a much better state than when he arrived here in 2020.Inside the stadium, there was applause — albeit muted — when his name was read out before the game along with the line-ups.And there did not appear to be any jeers when Amorim shuffled out from the tunnel awkwardly towards the dugout.So, while his departure is hard to take for some, none of the fans will forget his legacy.This is a club which is back as the dominant force in Portugal. Even this term, Sporting have won their first nine league games, scoring 30 goals and conceding just two.They are also eighth in the Champions League table, which is one hell of an effort.In contrast, Lisbon was not exactly hit by League Cup fever last night.Amorim made lots of changes, which saw Sporting’s star man Gyokeres, the former Coventry striker, start on the bench.There was, however, a first appearance in six weeks for former Tottenham winger Marcus Edwards. He is certainly one player who has been transformed by Amorim since arriving at the club from Vitoria in 2022 and will be sorry to see the coach leave.While he changed his team, Amorim stuck with his tried and trusted formation of a back three.It will certainly be something Manchester United’s fans will have to get used to over the  coming months.But looking at the Premier League table, none of them will be complaining about the change. More

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      Watch Europa League side’s ‘worst kick-off in history’ as they concede SEVEN SECONDS after restart

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      FANS are dubbing it the “worst kick-off in history” after a Europa League side conceded just seven seconds after kick-off in the second half.The bizarre incident happened in the group stage clash between FC Midtjylland and FC Steaua Bucharest on Thursday.FCSB scored just seven seconds into the second half after Daniel Birligea forced a defensive errorThe striker simply tapped the ball into an empty netCredit: APBucharest midfielder Florin Tanase put the hosts ahead within the opening 20 minutes in Romania.But it was striker Daniel Birligea’s goal, which sealed the win, that will live long in the memory after he capitalised on a terrible kick-off error from Midtjylland.The ball was passed back to goalkeeper Elias Rafn Olafsson from the centre-circle at the restart.Olafsson’s attempted clearance was blocked by Birligea who ran straight through on goal.Read More in FootballThe striker simply tapped the ball straight into an empty net from a few yards out.The goal went in on 45mins 07secs.Fans were left in disbelief, with one person taking to social media to write: “This might be the WORST kick-off in history…”Another commented: “What coach actually gives the ok to starting the game like this? Madness.”Most read in Europa LeagueFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSA third said: “Back to the goalie from kick off deserves this happening.”While a fourth simply wrote: “What on earth.”Eight of the greatest players to never win the Ballon d’Or despite their incredible careersFCSB went on to win the match 2-0, leaving them eighth in the Europa League group stage table.Meanwhile, Midtjylland are down in 13th. More

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      Heartwarming moment PAOK star asks Paul Scholes to sign his shirt live on TV after defeat to Man Utd

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      MANCHESTER UNITED legend Paul Scholes was asked for an autograph from a PAOK ace after Thursday’s Europa League game at Old Trafford.United finally won their first European fixture in over a year when they beat the reigning Greek champions 2-0 thanks to a brace by Amad Diallo.Manchester United legend Paul Scholes took part in a heartwarming moment after the PAOK gamePAOK ace Magomed Ozdoev asked Man Utd great Scholes for an autograph on his shirtScholes, 49, seemed pleased with the result and his night got even better at full-time when he took part in a heartwarming moment with one of the opposition players.PAOK ace Magomed Ozdoev approached the legendary midfielder at pitchside as he prepared to go live on air for his post-match analysis of the game.And Ozdoev, 32, asked the former England international to sign his shirt for his father who is a big fan.Of course the United great happily obliged, and even shared a cheeky joke on camera as he looked back at that beautiful moment of sportsmanship.Read More on Man UtdScholes told TNT Sports: “He [Ozdoev] did [ask for an autograph].”I wasn’t sure he’d remember me, it was such a long time ago. “But he asked one for his dad, so I obliged. I think I spelled it right as well.”United hadn’t won a game in Europe since last year on October 24 in the Champions League when they beat Copenhagen 1-0 at Old Trafford.Most read in FootballSince then, the Red Devils had amassed a miserable record of two losses and four draws in six matches.The Manchester giants are now 15th in the League Phase table with three points separating them from the top eight and automatic qualification for the Last 16 of the Europa League.’That is so disrespectful’ says fans as Alejandro Garnacho snaps back in altercation with Man Utd fanThis was Ruud van Nistelrooy’s final European match in charge of Man Utd as interim boss as new manager Ruben Amorim will be taking over on Monday when he leaves Sporting Lisbon. More

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      Man Utd player ratings: Amad by far the best player and HAS to start in league but Dalot needs to concentrate more

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      AMAD DIALLO sent the message that he should be in the starting XI loud and clear to Ruud van Nistelrooy and incoming boss Ruben Amorim.The 22-year-old was a bright spark in an otherwise largely laboured performance from Manchester United as they beat PAOK 2-0.Amad Diallo was superb as Man Utd laboured to a 2-0 win over PAOKCredit: PAUnited started slowly in the Europa League tie before managing to squeeze out a first win in European competition for over a year.It was a low-key first half at Old Trafford.But after the break Amad made the difference for the Red Devils as his lopping header across the box ended up finding the far side of the goal net, before he won the ball back high and curled a shot into the same corner.Here’s how SunSport’s Phil Thomas rated the United players on Van Nistelrooy’s penultimate game as interim manager. READ MORE IN FOOTBALLANDRE ONANA – 6One great tipover to keep out a Camara half-volley. But any other stops were pretty routine. NOUSSAIR MAZRAOUI – 6Another solid, if unspectacular, display. An increasingly dependable presence by the week.  Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSVICTOR LINDELOF – 6Flat-footed once in the first half, but rarely flustered thereafter. Started a few attacks as well. ‘That is so disrespectful’ says fans as Alejandro Garnacho snaps back in altercation with Man Utd fanJONNY EVANS – 6Wise old head at the back.But lucky to get away with going AWOL for one second half chance. DIOGO DALOT – 4 Diogo Dalot did not have his finest game with some shoddy defendingCredit: GettyUsually reliable, but shoddy with so much of what he did, and his delivery wasn’t great either.  Surprising he wasn’t hooked earlier. CASEMIRO – 6Starting point for most of what United did going forward. Although that wasn’t a great deal to be honest. MANUEL UGARTE – 5Still far from the midfield general United hoped. Distribution disappointing too. No shock when subbed off. AMAD – 8 (STAR MAN)Amad has made a case to start at the weekendCredit: AFPLivewire runs, impressive closing down, the crucial opening goal…and a stunning second. United’s best player by some distance. BRUNO FERNANDES – 7Knocked some marvellous passes, always looking to create. At least someone was! ALEJANDRO GARNACHO – 6Close with one header and a couple of decent runs, but all in all a quiet night. Hooked. READ MORE SUN STORIESRASMUS HOJLUND – 5Rasmus Hojlund was largely on the periphery of the gameCredit: PAOne early header aside, little to work with apart from chasing hopeful balls. No clear sights of goal, either. SUBSRashford (for Garnacho 64) 6Eriksen (for Ugarte 64) 6Martinez (for Dalot 64)  6Mount (for Amad 81) 6Zirkzee (for Hojlund 90) N/A More

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      ‘That is so disrespectful’ say fans as Alejandro Garnacho snaps back in altercation with Man Utd fan

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      ALEJANDRO GARNACHO was involved in an altercation with a fan before Manchester United’s Europa League clash with PAOK.The 20-year-old was named in the starting XI for the clash by interim boss Ruud van Nistelrooy, marking the third game in a row he has started under the Dutchman.Alejandro Garnacho greeted fans before Man Utd v PAOK but was heckled by a fanGarnacho quipped back after the fan’s ‘disrespectful’ commentsHowever, while greeting fans outside of Old Trafford before the game, the Argentine was involved in a disagreement with one fan.Garnacho generated criticism for his performance in the 1-1 draw with Chelsea on Sunday.And one fan saw fit to voice that opinion as Garnacho interacted with fans.The fan could be heard saying: “Garnacho, you’ve got to pass better today, yeah please?READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”Pass better today, score a goal, and work on your first touch as well.”After signing his autograph for another fan, he was then seen turning to the fan and saying: “Why are you not playing?”He then walked away and towards the entrance of the ground.Reacting to the clip on social media, fans did not agree with the decision to voice their opinion there and then.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSOne fan said: “That’s rude from the fan.”A second said: “This is so disrespectful to Garnacho.”Man Utd wonderkid Ethan Wheatley does Viktor Gyokeres’ ‘secret’ celebration in 6-0 Uefa Youth League thrashing A third added: “Idc (I don’t care) if you like someone or not sometimes you gotta show some respect, embarrassing.”Another said: “Nah this is too far.”Garnacho has six goals and four assists in all competitions from 16 games this season, making him the team’s top scorer.He is one of six outfield United players to have played more than 1,000 minutes so far this season. More

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      Galatasaray 3 Tottenham 2: Postecoglou pays price for much-changed side as Turkish giants go top of Europa League table

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      VICTOR OSIMHEN’S move to Galatasaray was one of the stranger moves of the transfer window.Osimhen? Eh? The world-class striker for Napoli? Shouldn’t he be joining the best of the best in Europe?Ange Postecoglou watched on as his Spurs team were taught a lesson by GalatasarayCredit: RexVictor Osimhen bagged a brace as the Turkish side got the better of an inexperienced Spurs teamCredit: EPA19-year-old striker Will Lankshear was sent off in the second halfCredit: ReutersRather than, with respect, a move to the Turkish league which, according to Fenerbahce boss Jose Mourinho, nobody watches?Seeing Osimhen rip apart Ange Postecoglou’s injury-hit Tottenham in the first half here, it only reinforced that view over his curious loan switch to Istanbul.The Nigerian centre-forward had two goals by half-time and could have had six overall were it not for a number of fine saves from Fraser Forster.It was too much for a Spurs backline shorn of the crocked Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven to cope with.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThey were not helped either by Yunus Akgun rifling in a bullet of a shot to give the hosts the lead.There was a brief reprieve when 19-year-old Will Lankshear netted his first professional goal by finishing off a quality move to level things up.But then even the teenager’s night was spoiled when he was sent off for two yellow cards inside seven second-half minutes.Sub Dominic Solanke’s backheeled finish to give the ten men hope, but in the end Osimhen proved the difference.Most read in Champions LeagueYunus Akgun scored a stunning goal to open the scoringCredit: ReutersFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSThis was always going to be Tottenham’s toughest test of the Europa League ‘league’ phase.And with three wins out of three already on the board, it felt like a bit of a free hit.Chelsea fans LOVE Eden Hazard’s reaction as Blues legend is pranked by barber with Tottenham shirtA chance for “growth”, as Postecoglou might put it, for his young side to experience.There were no ‘Welcome to Hell’ banners in the stands, as Manchester United were greeted with in Galatasaray’s old stadium in 1993.But Postecoglou’s team were treated to deafening whistles every time they were in possession.Honestly, it was so loud, that if it was anything like the noise at Besiktas when the played RB Leipzig in 2017, you could understand why Spurs loanee Timo Werner, playing for RB the German visitors at the time, asked for earplugs during the match.Werner was one of six players missing through either injury or illness for Postecoglou.It meant back-ups Radu Dragusin and Ben Davies started at centre-back and, boy, did they have a challenge on their hands.Not just with Osimhen, though he was every bit as dangerous as expected, but also with the evergreen Dries MertensStill going strong at 37, the Belgian was threading through balls at will and had a hand in all three Galatasaray goals.The hosts made a blistering start when Akgun let fly from just outside the box.It was a rocket of a strike that Forster could do little about, despite getting a hand to it.Spurs looked to be wilting in the atmosphere, frequently giving the ball away.But then, out of nowhere, they were level on 18 minutes and it was a goal of real quality.Will Lankshear scored his first goal for Spurs to level the scoresCredit: GettyVersatile Archie Gray clipped a delightful ball over the defence which Brennan Johnson volleyed back across for Lankshear to turn into the net.It was a landmark moment for the 19-year-old, who was released by Spurs’ arch-rivals Arsenal aged 16, and on only his second appearance.Lankshear and Gray were two of three teenagers in Postecoglou’s starting line-up, plus Lucas Bergvall, while there were another three on the bench.One of those was attacker Luca Williams-Barnett, who only turned 16 on October 1 and was due to be in school on Thursday until his club pulled him out for this fixture.It would be a tad harsh to say the rest of the half felt like men against boys, but Galatasaray’s experience and quality certainly took hold.Forster denied Osimhen twice with two good stops but could do nothing about the ex-Napoli man’s excellent first-time finish when seizing on a Mertens pass for his first.Nor could the ex-Southampton man prevent a clever volley from Osimhen back across him to make it 3-1.There were more fine stops from Forster to deny Osimhen and a host of Galatasaray players after the break, leaving home fans baffled as to how they had not scored five or six.Even more so when Spurs were reduced to ten men, after Lankshear was booked for a stray elbow and then again shortly after for a trip on ex-Norwich man Gabriel Sara.The youngster looked gutted as he walked off the pitch.But £65million striker Solanke, who came on shortly afterwards, made an instant impact by flicking home Pedro Porro’s cross.It was hard to believe given the amount of chances the hosts had had, but Spurs suddenly sensed a leveller might actually be possible.READ MORE SUN STORIESThey had a decent chance for it too when sub Pape Sarr could have sent Dejan Kulusevski through but his pass was poor – leaving Postecoglou raging on the touchline.Galatasaray were somehow hanging towards the end, but ultimately they got the win – thanks to the world-class centre-forward they are lucky enough to have.Lankshear was sent off in the early stages of the second halfCredit: RexVictor Osimhen bagged a brace to put Galatasary out in frontCredit: GettyDominic Solanke’s second half goal wasn’t enough to earn Spurs a pointCredit: Reuters More