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    Tottenham vs AZ Alkmaar: Get £40 in free bets and bonuses to spend with BetMGM

    TOTTENHAM’S 100% Europa League record is on the line on Thursday when AZ Alkmaar head to north London on Thursday.Bookmakers BetMGM are offering brand new customers a cool £40 in free bets when you register an account and stake a tenner on the European encounter.Find The Sun’s betting publishing principles hereHow to claim..BetMGM £40 welcome bonusVisit the BetMGM website HERE*Select SPORTS OFFER on the websiteRegister a new account – No Promo Code necessaryOpt in for this promotion by depositing and placing at least £10 on football at odds of Evens or greaterOnce that’s settled – win or lose – your account will be credited with £40 in free betsTottenham vs AZ Alkmaar: Get £40 in free bets — claim yours here*Not got a BetMGM account? No problem!This offer is just for you, and it’s incredibly easy to claim!Simply register a new account, deposit and stake a minimum of £10 on football at odds of Evens (1/1) or greater. This must be done within seven days of opening your account with the bookmaker.Once that’s settled – win or lose – your account will be credited with £40 in free bets!Tottenham vs AZ Alkmaar: Get £40 in free bets — claim yours 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.Remember to gamble responsiblyA responsible gambler is someone who:Establishes time and monetary limits before playingOnly gambles with money they can afford to loseNever chase their lossesDoesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry, or depressedGamcare – www.gamcare.org.ukGamble Aware – www.gambleaware.orgFind our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.For help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or go to www.gamstop.co.uk More

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    I couldn’t believe my eyes as I watched Mourinho’s Man Utd meltdown – but he’s still Special and can prove it vs Ten Hag

    WITH his arms outstretched, holding the Europa League aloft, Jose Mourinho took the acclaim of Manchester United’s faithful.The date was May 24, 2017. The venue was the Friends Arena, Stockholm.Mourinho with the Community Shield in 2016Credit: Getty – ContributorHe won the League Cup the same seasonCredit: AFP or licensorsMourinho ended 2017 winning the Europa LeagueCredit: PAAt that moment — more than any other in the turbulent 11 years since Sir Alex Ferguson retired — it really did feel like Manchester United were back.They had faced a young Ajax team who were tipped to showcase the future with their short passing and high pressing against a man some were beginning to write off.Mourinho out thought his opposite number Peter Bosz who, after the final whistle, would bemoan the tactics United had employed.They were simple. If they want to press high and pass short we’ll whack it over them onto the head of Marouane Fellaini and he’ll lay it off to Marcus Rashford and go from there.READ MORE IN football It worked a treat, Paul Pogba and Henrikh Mkhitaryan getting the goals in a 2-0 win.Not long after, in a conversation with former chairman Martin Edwards, he said that the club really believed they were on to something special with Mourinho.He had already bagged the League Cup that season in what is still probably the most exciting final the new Wembley has seen as United beat Southampton 3-2.Foreign coaches tend to hold a lot more store by the Community Shield, or Super Cups as they are called abroad, so Mourinho was happy to claim a treble as he got his players to hold up three fingers at the final whistle in Stockholm.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSOn the team plane on the way home he was pictured laughing and joking with Pogba, the player who helped lead to his demise less than two years later.At the start of that season Mourinho was being written off as a United boss after a 1-0 away loss to Feyenoord sandwiched between defeats to Manchester City and Watford.Jose Mourinho booked after putting his laptop in front of TV camera to highlight referee’s wrong decisionYet it had been on the eve of that Feyenoord clash late at night outside a hotel in Rotterdam that Mourinho was returning from dinner with his staff and happened across three of us in the Manchester press pack.Asked for a chat, he came over and explained, off the record, what he was having to do to unpick the Louis van Gaal football to create his own brand.His football brand that was a step up from the drudgery under Van Gaal although not always popular with the United faithful.But they liked him, and the fact he won, he gave United standing again, an image, they felt big.True that first Premier League season did not go well as they came sixth. Asked for a chat, he came over and explained, off the record, what he was having to do to unpick the Louis van Gaal football to create his own brand.But he had worked out late in the campaign the Europa League would provide the easier route back into the Champions League and cleverly rotated his squad accordingly.The following season he boasted it was one his greatest-ever achievements to lead United to Premier League runners-up spot behind City.He would deny the neighbours claiming the title on derby day as the Red Devils came back from 2-0 down at the Etihad to win 3-2.It was Pogba’s only good game. It is often forgotten that Mourinho also led the Red Devils to an FA Cup final that season going down 1-0 to Chelsea in the final.So it was all heading in the right direction as the season ended. Then came the summer in LA and we all realised something was not right.In a building at their training base in UCLA he was asked an innocent question as to whether he thought he had the squad to now go a step further and challenge for the title.He replied: “I cannot answer that question.” Eyebrows were raised.Later in the tour he would be seen in the foyer of a stadium snarling down the phone ‘it’s s**t, s**t’. Uh-oh.It seems an unsuccessful pursuit of Harry Maguire was part of it but his relationship with executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward was fracturing.Nobody wanted this all to unravel but the unravelling had started.He refused to engage in the traditional on-tour relaxed interview with the English media that every United boss has done. And saw criticism and injustice which was not there.The meltdown continued after a 3-0 home loss to Spurs he demanded ‘respect, respect respect’ from the media because he had won three titles.By the club’s Champions League exit to Valencia, he was questioning whether United had a ‘football heritage’ in Europe. Later in the tour he would be seen in the foyer of a stadium snarling down the phone ‘it’s s**t, s**t’. Uh-oh.Less than a week later, after a 3-1 defeat at Liverpool he was gone.“How on earth did it get to that point?” I asked Woodward later. He suggested if I had had to work with Mourinho, I would have known.He has never been easy. But as he sits in his Four Seasons’ suite on the banks of the Bosphorus tonight he will be planning to bring down his former club in the Europa League.There are already murmurings of unrest at his new club Fenerbahce.But United and Erik ten Hag know he is the man for the big occasion. READ MORE SUN STORIESHe has only lost five times against United as the opposition manager. He remains special.In years to come United fans may look back and realise that — for two years under him — it was special, too.Ten Hag’s five worst defeatsERIK TEN HAG has suffered some heavy defeats during his tenure as Manchester United manager.5. Copenhagen 4-3 Man Utd, November 2023The damaging defeat saw the Red Devils dumped out of the Champions League.4. Man Utd 0-3 Bournemouth, December 2023It was the first time the Cherries had ever won at Old Trafford with the players being booed off.3. Brentford 4-0 Man Utd, August 2022Perhaps a sign of things to come, in Ten Hag’s second Premier League game, his side was dismantled by the Bees.2. Crystal Palace 4-0 Man Utd, May 2024The heavy defeat to the Eagles saw the Dutchman edge ever closer to the sack.1. Liverpool 7-0 Man Utd, March 2023Man Utd were embarrassed at the hands of their bitter rivals as they crumbled at Anfield as it was the club’s worst defeat in 92 years. More

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    Man Utd promote £1million prodigy to first team ahead of Fenerbahce clash as fans say ‘Ten Hag is planning wonders’

    MANCHESTER UNITED wonderkid Sekou Kone is training with the first-team ahead of the clash with Fenerbahce.The Red Devils travel to Turkey to face Jose Mourinho’s side in the Europa League on Thursday.Selou Kone has been training with Man Utd’s first-teamCredit: manutd.comErik ten Hag will not be able to play Kone against FenerbahceCredit: GettyAnd ahead of the game, Erik ten Hag has promoted Kone from the youth-team.But the teenage sensation will have to wait for his debut as he is NOT eligible for selection after being left out Man Utd’s Europa League squad. However, he is able to play Premier League games and in Europe post-January if he is chosen when Ten Hag can change his squad.Other youngsters Harry Amass, Amir Ibragimov, Sam Mather, Ethan Ennis, Ruben Curley, and Habeeb Ogunneye have also reportedly been training with the first-team.READ MORE ON MAN UTDKone, 18, joined for £1million in the summer from Malian outfit Guidars.The midfielder, who has been dubbed “the next Yaya Toure”, caught the eye of Man Utd scouts at the Under-17s World Cup last year.He helped Mali finish third at the tournament, with his performances attracting the likes of Wolves, Crystal Palace, Ajax and RB Salzburg.The boss has a midfield selection headache to deal with as Bruno Fernandes is suspended after picking up a red card in the 3-3 draw with Porto.Most read in Europa LeagueFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSMeanwhile, the likes of Kobbie Mainoo, Mason Mount, Toby Collyer and Dan Gore are all out injured.Since joining Man Utd in August, Kone has not yet played a game for the club’s Under-21s.Inside Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s plans to replace Old Trafford with a ‘Wembley of the North’He has instead been given extra time to settle into life in Manchester.But fans are hoping he makes his debut soon, with one saying: “Erik is planning to do wonders with the youngsters.”Another added: “Him and Mainoo in midfield, scary for our rivals.”Man Utd player ratings vs BrentfordBy Neil CustisMANCHESTER UNITED produced a rousing comeback to beat Brentford at Old Trafford.Goals by Alejandro Garnacho and Rasmus Hojlund cancelled out Ethan Pinnock’s first-half opener.The Red Devils’ win will ease pressure on beleaguered boss Erik ten Hag, who this week defiantly blasted reports that he is on the verge of the sack.On a crucial afternoon for Ten Hag and Co, here’s how SunSport rated each United performer.ANDRE ONANA – 6Did not have much to do for a lot of the game but pulled out a good first-half save to deny Christian Norgaard.DIOGO DALOT – 6Good display from right-back and almost capped it with a goal when he stormed forward only to have his effort beaten away by Mark Flekken.MATTHIJS DE LIGT – 6At the centre of the controversy in first-half injury time as he had to leave the field with a bleeding head wound when Brentford scored from a corner. He was already looking suspect, as was the bandage that was put on his head early in the game in the first place.JONNY EVANS – 7Continuing an amazing end to his career at Old Trafford. Man of the Match last time out in the goalless draw at Aston Villa and looked solid again. Great ovation when he came off towards the end.LISANDRO MARTINEZ – 7Shifted to an unaccustomed left-back spot but without problems and was particularly good getting forward down the flank.CHRISTIAN ERIKSEN – 6Chosen alongside Casemiro instead of new buy Manuel Ugarte who was on the bench again, but struggled to get into this game although he was involved for Hojlund’s goal. Thankful for the referee’s whistle in the first period calling play back for a foul after missing a sitter.CASEMIRO – 5Looked like he was off in the summer but back in the team although looking to be missing a yard and often beaten to the ball.MARCUS RASHFORD – 7Does not operate as well on the right but Garnacho was so good down the left. Highlight of his first half was an incredible crossfield ball from right to left to set up Garnacho. Then in the second he provided the assist for Garnacho’s leveller.BRUNO FERNANDES – 7Tried to orchestrate something from midfield but looked a frustrated figure in the first period. Then he showed his class after the break with that great little flick to set up Hojlund for his goal.ALEJANDRO GARNACHO – 8Had an all action first half after switching from the right to the left but wasted too many chances. Made up for it in the second with a fine finish from Rashford’s cross in a Man of the Match performance.RASMUS HOJLUND – 7After getting one in Porto to open his season’s account he is now off and running with his first league goal of the campaign. A cool, clever chipped little finish it was too. The hope will be that starts a much needed run of goals but he needs to see more of the ball.SUBSTITUTESJoshua Zirkzee (for Hojlund, 74) – 5Strange change to make after Hojlund had just scored. His replacement fluffed the one half chance he had.Victor Lindelof (for Evans, 89) – 6A change that largely gave the fans a chance to acclaim Evans’ performance.Manuel Ugarte (for Casemiro, 88) – 6A change that probably should have come earlier. More

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    Man Utd face tricky task even Sir Alex Ferguson couldn’t pull off with only one Red Devils manager doing it in 20 years

    MANCHESTER UNITED face a tricky task when they take on Fenerbahce in the Europa League.The Red Devils will face a familiar foe as former manager Jose Mourinho is now in charge of the Turkish side.Sir Alex Ferguson never managed an away win over Jose MourinhoCredit: APThe Portuguese boss has only lost one home game against Man UnitedCredit: PAOle Gunnar Solskjaer got the better of Mourinho in 2021Credit: AFPThe two sides will face off on Thursday evening at the Şükrü Saracoğlu in Turkey.Man United have faced away games against a Mourinho side 11 times in the last two decades.The Portuguese manager can boast an almost impeccable record against the Red Devils.Only once has a Man United side ended on the winning side in an away fixture against Mourinho.READ MORE ON MAN UTDThat was in 2021, when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer masterminded a 3-1 win over Spurs.The Norweigian is the only Man United boss to manage the feat ahead of the likes of Sir Alex Ferguson, David Moyes, Louis van Gaal and Erik ten Hag.Ferguson had seven attempts to beat Mourinho away from Old Trafford but failed each time.He was beaten by Mourinho’s Porto side in 2004 in the Champions League and by the boss’ Chelsea team in that year and in 2006.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSThe Scot was held to draws on four other occasions before it was Moyes’ turn.The former West Ham manager only had one shot at beating Mourinho but lost 3-1 to his Chelsea side at Stamford Bridge in 2014.What Sir Alex Ferguson ruthlessly told Man Utd stars after Aguero’s iconic goal won Man City the Premier League The Special One also beat Van Gaal in his one opportunity as the Red Devils lost 1-0 in 2015.Solskjaer faced Mourinho twice while he was at Tottenham and drew the first away meeting 1-1 in 2020 before getting the win the following year.Fenerbahce appointed Mourinho as manager in June, and he has only lost one of his six home matches.That defeat came in a 3-1 loss to arch-rivals Galatasaray in September.Mourinho spent just over two seasons as Manchester United’s manager during the spell when the club failed to beat him away from home.During his time at Old Trafford, he oversaw the club reach a record 40 home games in a row unbeaten.The Red Devils only lost a total of nine games out of 63 under Mourinho at home. More

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    Man Utd draw up ‘Battle of Britain’ plans in desperate bid to avoid repeat of Galatasaray ticketing fiasco

    MANCHESTER UNITED have drawn up plans for the ‘Battle of Britain’ three months ahead of the fixture.And the Red Devils are desperate to avoid a repeat of the ticketing fiasco from when they faced Galatasaray.Rangers take on Manchester United at Old Trafford in JanuaryCredit: GettyUnited were pitted against Scottish giants Rangers in this season’s Europa League.The two sides will face off at Old Trafford on January 23.But the hosts are already figuring out who will be able to attend. Last season, approximately 2,000 Galatasaray fans managed to buy tickets in the home end of Old Trafford to cheer on their Turkish heroes in the Champions League. READ MORE MAN UTD NEWSAnd not only would a repeat of the embarrassing scenes be humiliating for United – but could also pose a serious safety risk if rival fans clash in the stands.As a result, United have taken drastic measures to ensure only their genuine fans are in the seats reserved for home supporters.According to the Daily Mail, the club will only make tickets available to purchase to those who were registered members before the Europa League draw was made. The fixture has been categorised as “high risk”.Most read in Europa LeagueFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSAnd that will also see the club in constant communication with local authorities on how to police the game. United’s clash with Rangers is their penultimate of the new league phase in Europe this term – finishing with a trip to Romania to face Steaua Bucuresti on January 30.Man Utd’s Brentford Comeback: Player Ratings Ten Hag: Mourinho is the exampleBy NEIL CUSTISERIK TEN HAG has hailed Jose Mourinho as an example for managers as he prepares to face him in Istanbul in the Europa League on Thursday.Mourinho, now manager of Fenerbahce, added to his already impressive trophy haul with the League Cup and Europe League in his time at Manchester United.Indeed that triumph in Stockholm in 2017 over Ajax was the last trophy United won back in 2017 until Ten Hag took charge and won the Carabao Cup and FA Cup in the last two seasons.Now the pair clash in Istanbul and United boss Ten Hag was full of praise for one of his predecessors at Old Trafford.Ten Hag said: “It’s a big game for both of us.”I really enjoy facing him and playing against him. He has always good teams, he is a winner – he has won so many trophies – I think he is an example for many, many managers.”Ten Hag has been the most successful manager alongside Mourinho since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013.Still, he remains under pressure with United sitting below mid-table.Ten Hag acknowledges that what happens now is all important.He said: “It is football, you have to live for now.“What happened is in the past, you have to prove yourself every day, you have to prove yourself every season so we have to go for it.”We are in the start of the season and we will see where we end but our target is to win a trophy again.”The pressure was eased on Ten Hag with a comeback victory against Brentford on Saturday with 21-year-old Rasmus Hojlund grabbing the second-half winner.Ten Hag said: “He will always score. What is important is he is keeping fit.”He picked up so many injuries in the first season and when he stays fit, he will score goals because that is proved in his stats.”Erik ten Hag’s struggles in European football have continued this term.They kicked off this season’s campaign with a 1-1 draw at home to FC Twente.They then needed an injury-time Harry Maguire header to salvage a 3-3 stalemate at Porto – despite leading 2-0 after just 20 minutes. United head to the hostile Sukru Saracoglu Stadium on Thursday where they take on Fenerbahce, managed by Jose Mourinho. The Turkish side beat Union Saint-Gilloise in their opener before also being forced to settle for a point with a 1-1 result against Twente. Galatasaray fans managed to get home tickets at Old Trafford last yearCredit: Getty More

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    Jose Mourinho’s struggling Fenerbahce consumed by ‘unhappiness and hopelessness’ ahead of Man Utd clash in Europa League

    FENERBAHCE have been consumed by “unhappiness and hopelessness” under new boss Jose Mourinho’s steerage.The Turkish giants are winlesss in October as Mourinho gears up to face his former side Man Utd for their Europa League clash in Istanbul on Thursday.Fenerbahce have been consumed by “unhappiness” under Jose Mourinho, according to a club legendThe Turkish club are winless in October a Man Utd head to Istanbul on ThursdayFenerbahce were expected to mount a title challenge when they recruited serial winner Mourinho, who was axed by Roma in the summer – but things aren’t exactly going to plan.The Super Lig side find themselves fourth and eight points behind leaders Galatasaray after twice throwing away the lead in their 2-2 draw with Samsunspor on Sunday.And now club legend Volkan Demirel has provided a damning verdict on Fenerbahce’s dip in form.Demirel told Turkish outlet Fanatik: “Right now, this Fenerbahce team is mixed with unhappiness and hopelessness. READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS”Why the unhappiness? Because of the environment they are in. Why the hopelessness?”We were all expecting something. We were expecting it from Mourinho, we were expecting it from the transfers that were made. “We were saying let’s see after the international break, but nothing has changed at the moment, but it will obviously continue like this. “We waited to see if we could see a change, a variability, but it didn’t happen.Most read in FootballMan Utd head to Turkey on the back of a 2-1 win over Brentford at Old TraffordFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS”We have not seen any changes in the game designs of the matches played at home and away.  Or if you are leading 2-1, will Fenerbahce play a seven-man defence? A big question mark.”Fenerbahce brought in former Newcastle star Allan Saint-Maximin on loan from Al-Ahli as well as ex-Man Utd loanee Sofyan Amrabat as they spent £40.8million this summer.Jose Mourinho booked after putting his laptop in front of TV camera to highlight referee’s wrong decisionThe former Chelsea boss made headlines last week after ripping up ex-Rangers forward Ryan Kent’s contract in the 16th month of his four-year-deal.But there’s absolutely no suggestions Mourinho’s job could be in danger, with Fenerbahce winning five of their opening eight league games.Thursday’s game is a big one for Erik ten Hag as well, with many believing a defeat to Mourinho would be too much for fans to bear.The Man Utd boss is winless in the Europa League this season, having drawn 1-1 with Dutch side Twente at Old Trafford and crawling back to 3-3 away at Porto.In fact, in his last 10 European games Ten Hag has won just once, which came against Copenhagen in the group stage of last season’s Champions League. More

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    Repulsed fans say ‘it’s still overpriced’ as 85p lard bread with onion at Europa League side goes viral

    FOOTBALL scran enthusiasts might not be too eager to pay a visit to one Europa League side.It comes after a less-than-appetizing meal at Ferencvaros went viral on social media.Football scran enthusiasts were left stunned at a piece of lard breadCredit: Twitter/@SportScranA photo of a piece of lard bread at the Hungarian side caught the attention of fans for all the wrong reason.The picture showed a piece of “greasy” white bread looking moist in the middle and a meagre amount of red onion, with nothing else to support it.Social media users were taken aback by the item, and that was before mentioning the 85p – or 580 Hungarian Forint – price tag associated with it.One shocked fan said: “Even in England that s*** is overpriced.”READ MORE IN FOOTBALLA second said: “This would be good immediately after experiencing a heartbreak.”Specsavers official account said: “This brought tears to our eyes.”Another said: “That would leave you Hungary…”A fifth said: “This would literally make you in tears.”Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSTottenham fans had the chance to try this dish during their recent visit to Budapest in the Europa League.But even as the image seemed to suggest some Spurs fans may have been left wanting, there was no wanting for a better result.England ratings: Angel Gomes is the runaway success of Lee Carsley era but Cole Palmer is anonymousAnge Postecoglou’s side collected a 2-1 win on the road to maintain their 100 per cent start.Pape Matar Sarr and Brennan Johnson were both on target for the visitors. More

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    Bruno Fernandes takes swipe at Man Utd as he reveals he prefers playing for Portugal and the food is better

    BRUNO FERNANDES has suggested that he prefers playing for Portugal over Manchester United.The 30-year-old admitted today that United’s current situation is “not positive”.Bruno Fernandes has suggested he prefers playing for PortugalCredit: EPAThe midfielder has endured a difficult start to the season with UnitedCredit: GettyThe Red Devils currently sit 14th in the Premier League table with just eight points from seven games.They have also managed just two points from two in the Europa League.And the situation was made worse last week when club captain Fernandes received a red card against Porto.Amid the ongoing chaos at Old Trafford, the midfielder now considers international duty with Portugal a nice break away.READ MORE ON MAN UTDHe said: “It’s not a positive moment. We’re not winning games and the national team space is completely different.”I’ve felt very at ease, the dynamics are very good. I’m in my country, I speak my language and I have better food. I have demonstrated a good level in the national team.”It’s a space where I feel good and I feel like I can enjoy my football at a very high level, due to the dynamics we have and the quality I have at my side.”Fernandes went on to add: “It’s about improving as soon as I get there [Manchester].Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS”Making the goals appear again because I’m a midfielder that scores a lot of goals and has over the years always shown a very high level of goals.”I have to live up to those expectations and to my standards. What I’ve been doing is not at all what I want for this season because I haven’t scored at the club yet.Bruno Fernandes rages in live TV interview after being SENT OFF for first time in Man Utd career vs Tottenham”I hope that once I get there, I can score and help my club get back to winning ways and be at a good level.”Man Utd next face Brentford in the Premier League after the international break. More