Europa League

FANS have brandished Manchester United as a “joke of a club” after hundreds of Rangers supporters swarmed the home end.The two clubs faced off in a Battle of Britain Europa League clash at Old Trafford which the hosts edged to a 2-1 victory.Rangers fans managed to get into the home sections at Old TraffordCredit: GettyHundreds were singing in the concourse of the stadiumCredit: xMan United fans were left fuming on social mediaCredit: xFootage emerged on social media of Rangers fans chanting for their team in the home sections of the stadium’s concourse.One clip showed Red Devils fans trying to get past a large group of away supporters singing together.Fans have reacted furiously on social media at Man United for allowing the error to happen.One posted: “Rangers Fans in Man United sections. F*****g pathetic from the club.”READ MORE ON FOOTBALLA second wrote: “This is what you call home invasion.”A third commented: “Man United is just crumbling day by day.”A fourth said: “Such a joke of a club.”Another added: “It never ends with this institution.”Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSJack Butland started the match for Rangers on his return to Old Trafford.It was his first appearance since being hospitalised for a “serious internal bleed” earlier this month.Man Utd player ratings: Bruno Fernandes captain fantastic in last-gasp win but Harry Maguire asleep in dreadful cameoMarcus Rashford watched the game from the stands as he continues to be left out the squad by manager Ruben Amorim.An own-goal from Butland gave the hosts the lead in the second half as he punched the ball into his own net.Cyriel Dessers fired in a brilliant equaliser, which looked to have earned Rangers a well-fought point.However, Bruno Fernandes scored a dramatic winner to hand a crucial three points to Amorim’s side.Meanwhile, the club has also admitted that it is at risk of breaching PSR rules.Man United penned a shock letter to fan groups and insisted on cost-cutting, which could lead to ticket prices increasing.United at risk of breaching PSRHere is the letter sent to fan groups admitting that Manchester United is at risk of breaching PSR…“As previously communicated, we are, however, currently making a significant loss each year – totalling over £300 million in the past three years.”This is not sustainable and if we do not act now we are in danger of failing to comply with PSR/FFP [financial fair play] requirements in future years and significantly impacting our ability to compete on the pitch.“We will get back to a cash positive position as soon as possible and we will have to make some difficult choices to get there.”That has included a significant reduction to our workforce as well as cuts across many areas of spend across our club.“None of this has been easy, but we believe it is essential to restoring financial sustainability to the club which will underpin us as we work to get back to the top of English and European football.“We do not expect fans to make up all the current shortfall – but we do need to look at our ticketing strategy to ensure we are charging the right amount, and offering the right discounts, across our products for our fans.” More

JACK BUTLAND returned to the Rangers line-up to face his former club Manchester United for the first time since suffering an internal bleed.The goalkeeper has spent the last few weeks on the sidelines and has missed the last six games.Jack Butland returned to start against Man Utd after weeks out injuredCredit: GettyButland played with some medical covering on his thighCredit: GettyBut he returned to play for Rangers for their trip to Old Trafford – but was on the wrong end of a 2-1 defeat.Butland was also at fault for United’s opener when he punched the ball into his own net.It is the first time Butland has played against United since leaving the club in 2023.Butland, 31, was rushed to hospital on New Year’s Day after suffering an internal bleed in his thigh.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLHe was kept in overnight for observation before being released the next day.The keeper returned to training last week wearing protective padding on his right thigh.The Rangers doctor kept a close eye on him during his warm up but there didn’t seem to be any causes for concern.He was then passed fit to play at Old Trafford with Rangers bidding to qualify from the first phase of the Europa League.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSThe Scottish side began the day just inside the automatic qualification spots but a win for Tottenham and FCSB, and their own defeat, meant they dropped out.Man Utd are still yet to lose in the competition this season.Why Glazers ‘feared a mutiny from Man Utd stars’ as reason club never visits US city on pre-season tour revealed Last time out in Europe Rangers drew 2-2 at home with Tottenham. More

ANGE POSTECOGLOU began his big week well enough, thanks to an explosive start and a rocket from skipper Son Heung-min.Despite being woken up at 2am by fireworks let off outside their hotel by cheeky home fans, Spurs raced into a two-goal lead through James Maddison and Son.James Maddison opened the scoring for SpursCredit: ReutersMaddison has been in and out of the side in recent weeksCredit: ReutersSon Heung-min netted the second goal of the matchCredit: EPAAnton Stach grabbed one back for the hosts in the second halfCredit: GettyThe spark started to fizzle out though with hosts Hoffenheim missing a number of big chances, and having a penalty overturned, before netting through Anton Stach.At that point you feared another collapse from confidence-sapped Spurs.But then up stepped Son to crash home a blistering drive into the far corner.Sub David Mokwa did ensure a nervy finish with a late header but the visitors hung on.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLIt put Tottenham, who were missing FOURTEEN players through injury and ineligibility, on the brink of automatic qualification for the knockouts.A point at home to Swedish side Elfsborg should be enough to secure a top-eight spot and avoid a pesky play-off in February.But more importantly it kicked off a pivotal seven days for under-pressure Postecoglou, whose injury-hit side have slumped to 15th in the league and are pinning all their hopes on the cups.Spurs were so short of players that they only named eight out of a possible 12 subs, including two goalkeepers and six teenagers.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSThey were 1-0 up inside two minutes when Maddison cleverly controlled Pedro Porro’s high ball with one touch and dispatched in past keeper Oliver Baumann with the other.Son, Porro and Richarlison, making just his second start this term due to his own personal injury woe, went close with shots.Ange Postecoglou’s press conference interrupted by coughing fit amid Tottenham crisis Son grabbed his second of the night in the second halfCredit: GettyDavid Mokwa scored late on for HoffenheimCredit: GettyThen on 22 minutes, the former doubled the lead to give Spurs some breathing room.Once again Maddison was involved, clipping a ball through which Son controlled on his chest, just about, before firing a shot which looped up off Pavel Kaderbek and bounced into the net.It was the most comfortable Tottenham had looked in ages as they bossed the opening 25 minutes – though Hoffenheim were poor.But this would not be Spurs this season without some jeopardy and they were lucky when their hosts squandered three good chances before the break.Two fell to striker Max Moerstedt but he could not beat Europa League debutant Brandon Austin, who also saved well from Bayern Munich-bound Tom Bischof.The hosts piled on the pressure after the break, with ex-Leicester man Andrej Kramaric heading onto the crossbar.Veteran Kramaric then thought he was about to take a penalty after one was given when Austin appeared to clatter Moerstedt with his fist when trying to punch away a cross.But as the Croat waited to take the spot-kick, ref Morten Krogh was called to his touchline monitor to have a second look – and found that Austin had made contact with the ball first.Hoffenheim shook off the disappointment and within minutes did have a goal back as Stach turned home David Jurasek’s cross.Son looked to have killed it off with a vintage strike, going round Kevin Akpoguma with a drop of the shoulder and belting the ball into the far corner.READ MORE SUN STORIESBut nothing is coming easy for Spurs right now.And when Mokwa headed home with two minutes to go, it was a matter of hanging on, which they just about did, much to Postecoglou’s relief. More

TOTTENHAM stars were woken up at 2am by a firework display ahead of their crunch Europa League clash against Hoffenheim.Ange Postecoglou’s beleaguered side are in Germany tonight looking to move out of the playoff positions and into the top eight.Tottenham stars were woken up by loud fireworks set off outside their hotel at 2amCredit: GettyThe noises came as Ange Postecoglou’s men prepare to face HoffenheimCredit: APSpurs’ continental form has seen them win three of their six games so far.And victory tonight will go a long way to sealing a spot in the next stage without having to go through a play-off.However, any Tottenham stars hoping for a good night’s sleep beforehand were left disappointed.As Spurs snored into the early hours, cheeky Hoffenheim fans decided to let off a loud fireworks display outside their team hotel.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe explosive noises and dazzling colours started at 2am, according to the Mail.And they did not let up for a whole five minutes.It saw many members of Spurs’ travelling party rudely woken up.And some may now need a nap before kick-off to ensure they are in top condition for the game against Hoffenheim.Most read in Europa LeagueJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSTottenham’s dismal Premier League form means it is likely to be a difficult task away from home.But Hoffenheim are also in a similar pickle domestically.Ange Postecoglou’s press conference interrupted by coughing fit amid Tottenham crisis They lie 18th in the Bundesliga, just three points above the drop zone, after winning only four of their 18 games this season.Unfortunately for Spurs, one of those victories came in their last match on Saturday — a 3-1 win at Holstein Kiel.There will also be a familiar face leading the line for Hoffenheim in former Leicester striker Andrej Kramaric, who netted four times in 20 games for the Foxes between 2015 and 2016. More

ANGE POSTECOGLOU saw the funny side as his press conference was interrupted by a coughing fit.The Tottenham boss, 59, faced the media ahead of his side’s Europa League trip to Hoffenheim.Ange Postecoglou saw the funny side of his team’s injury crisisThe Aussie has 11 senior players missing with injuryCredit: ReutersSpurs are set to face the Bundesliga strugglers without several key men available.Guglielmo Vicario, Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven, Destiny Udogie, Pape Matar Sarr, Yves Bissouma, Brennan Johnson, Wilson Odobert, Timo Werner and Dominic Solanke are all unavailable due to injury.While Antonin Kinsky, Sergio Reguilon, Yang Min-hyeok and Djed Spence cannot feature as they are not registered in Tottenham’s 25-man Europa League squad.Despite Spurs’ woes, Postecoglou was still able to see the funny side of the situation.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLDuring his press conference, the German translator present briefly paused mid-sentence as he began coughing.This led Postecoglou to quip: “We’ve lost the translator as well, even my translator is injured.”Tottenham have plunged to 15th in the Premier League table, with their Aussie boss coming under fire following Sunday’s 3-2 defeat at Everton.They go into this evening’s match ninth in the Europa League league phase – needing to secure a top eight finish to secure automatic progression to the round of 16, thus avoiding two extra matches.Most read in FootballSUN BINGO GET £50 BONUS & 50 FREE SPINS TODAYPostecoglou revealed that he hopes Bissouma and Sarr can return in time for Sunday’s Prem clash with Leicester.He then gave an update on Van de Ven and Romero, saying: “Cuti (Romero) and Micky van de Ven are probably the closest of the long-term injuries to come back next. The rise and fall of Ange Postecoglou as Spurs boss”It was good that Cuti trained with the team today, we didn’t do too much, so he was able to join in.”Hopefully over the next week to 10 days, they are both back in training.”He then added on Romero: “Cristian is training, yes, but he’s not travelled, he’s not playing – it’s probably another week to 10 days for him.”Bentancur has travelled and could feature for the first time since his worrying head injury suffered against Liverpool earlier this month. More