AFTER a week filled with drama off the pitch, Real Madrid chief Florentino Perez maintains that the European Super League project is still alive.Meanwhile, we’ve got exclusive updates on Tottenham’s interest in Brendan Rodgers and transfer news from Arsenal, Man City and Chelsea.
Follow ALL of the latest updates below after an explosive week in the world of football…
YOU HAVE TO UNDER-STAN
Arsenal legend Thierry Henry has urged majority holder Stan Kroenke to listen to the fans and work on regaining the club’s identity.
Henry told The Daily Telegraph: “Fans always decide, as you saw with the ESL. You have to listen to the fans and I can understand why they protested.
“The ESL didn’t happen because of the fans. Not only me, you and the fans said it was wrong, they [the owners] also said it was wrong. They showed their hand and that was disappointing.
“I remember when I arrived, not the Tottenham fans or our rivals, but a lot of the time I used to hear: ‘My second team, if I had to pick one, is Arsenal’. Because of the history, the culture, the class, the family.
“But I don’t hear that or see that anymore and it pains me. We need to get that image back. We need our identity back”
FANS ARE BACK!
This year’s Carabao Cup final marks a special day for football as fans return to Wembley Stadium for the big game.
Spurs and City fans have been given 2,000 tickets each for this major encounter at the esteemed ground.
The remaining 4,000 tickets are split between other groups, such as the Brent residents and NHS staff.
A major move back to how things were before the coronavirus pandemic
GETTY IMAGES
GETTY IMAGES
LES MISERABLE
Luke Shaw’s new contract at Manchester United will raise doubts over Alex Telles’ future at Old Trafford.
Telles’ signing from Porto last summer furthered speculation that Shaw was on his way out of United.
According to the Daily Star, however, the Brazil international may be the one to leave Old Trafford following the England defender’s stunning comeback.
The 28-year-old is reportedly unhappy with his lack of game time and could force a move away from the Red Devils at the end of the campaign
FULL-TIME
It’s full-time at Elland Road with Manchester United and Leeds enduring a 0-0 draw.
United are still second in the Premier League table with 10 points separating them from rivals Manchester City at the top.
But Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men are enjoying a comfortable eight-point lead from third-placed Leicester.
Leeds have climbed up to ninth with six points separating them from seventh place, which usually leads to qualification for next season’s Europa League
CARABAO CUP FINAL XI
Manchester City and Tottenham are set to lock horns in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley Stadium.
The game kicks off at 4.30pm and this is how the two teams are going to line up.
Spurs star striker Harry Kane returns to the fold for this important game that could see the north Londoners winning their first piece of silverware since 2008.
Kevin de Bruyne also starts for Pep Guardiola’s men
𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗠 𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗦 ⚪️ Lloris (C), Aurier, Alderweireld, Dier, Reguilon, Højbjerg, Winks, Lo Celso, Lucas, Son, Kane.#CarabaoCupFinal ⚪️ #COYS pic.twitter.com/J88a3Jyehy— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) April 25, 2021
The boys going into battle! 💙XI | Steffen, Walker, Dias, Laporte, Cancelo, Fernandinho (C), Gundogan, De Bruyne, Mahrez, Foden, SterlingSUBS | Ederson, Ake, Jesus, Aguero, Zinchenko, Rodrigo, Bernardo, Torres, Mendy⚽️ @HaysWorldwide 🔷 #ManCity | https://t.co/axa0klD5re pic.twitter.com/H41AwZZNMp— Manchester City (@ManCity) April 25, 2021
COOL HAND LUKE
Manchester United ace Luke Shaw is set to be offered a new contract by the Manchester giants.
According to the Daily Star, Shaw will be handed a contract extension along with a pay-rise by United.
The left-back has been enjoying a tremendous comeback under manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer after falling down the pecking order during Jose Mourinho’s tenure at the Red Devils’ dugout.
The England international will earn £190,000 a week until the end of the 2025-26 season, something that would make him the sixth highest-paid player at Old Trafford
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NO WOE OF THE DYCHE
After Chris Wood’s first-half hat-trick catapulted Burnley up to 14th with a 4-0 win at Wolves, Clarets’ boss Sean Dyche insisted he never lost sleep over their lowly position.
Dyche said: “Our performances have been good. You don’t always get what you deserve but the details were good at both ends of the pitch.
“I don’t tend to worry too much. It’s a season’s work. It’s how you end up in the season and our focus has to be the next game.”
And of striker Wood, he added: “He keeps improving for me.
“Every now and again he eased off but when he plays strong like that he causes problems.”
BRIDGE SHUT-OUT
With Thomas Tuchel poised to earn Chelsea top-three finish, whilst also facing a Champions League semi-final with Real Madrid, here’s one stat to show how well Thiago Silva and Co have been performing at the back.
TRANSFER KOU
Bristol City striker Saikou Janneh is on the radar of Premier League new-boys Norwich as a group of clubs consider making a move this summer.
Janneh, 21, has caught the eye of the Canaries as boss Daniel Farke looks to piece together a squad capable of staying in the top flight next season.
But there is also competition from Brighton and fellow Championship promotion hopefuls Watford for the Gambian forward who has two years left on his current deal at Ashton Gate.
Bristol City boss Nigel Pearson is desperate to keep hold of the forward, who has climbed out of non-league to show his qualities in the professional game.
He enjoyed a successful loan at Torquay where he scored 16 goals in 28 appearances before a short-term move to Newport County this season was cut short by injury.
But Pearson believes there is much more to come at Ashton Gate for Janneh and has already brought him into his first team plans.
GLAZE OVER IT AND MOVE ON
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says the Glazers will not walk away from Manchester United after their Super League slapdown.
Hundreds of United fans protested outside Old Trafford on Saturday over the American owners’ involvement in the European Super League.
Solskjaer said: “I think the owners that signed up for this proposal have a job on their hands, of course they have.
“We’ve had an apology from Joel and that’s important. He’s told us how committed he is to helping us go forward.
“Unity and everyone coming together for one common goal is the best way forward.”
PLANE ANGER
Furious Manchester United fans flew a ‘#GlazersOut’ banner over Elland Road in protest against their owners.
The Red Devils made the trip to Leeds on Sunday afternoon to continue their long-standing rivalry.
And before kick-off a place went over the stadium with a sign calling for the American family to sell the club. It read: “2bn stolen #GlazersOut.”
Already unpopular among United supporters, the Glazers infuriated fans even further last week by being conspirators in the breakaway European Super League plot.
Joel, one of the co-chairmen, did apologise in a statement after the club’s dramatic U-turn.
But his brother and fellow co-chairman Avram refused to say sorry for his involvement. And then made no comment when quizzed if he would sell the club.
‘EARN IT’
Leeds fans have savaged Manchester United with a brutal banner outside Elland Road this afternoon.
The banner, which describes the Red Devils as ‘plastic’ and ‘shallow’, is in response to the failed attempt at creating a European Super League.
The banner reads: “ESL and MUFC – just a tactical, temporary withdrawal, we see! Until your PR agents and media can reframe a package and construct an acceptable narrative and plan for your greedy, selfish followers to push this through in two years’ time. We know who you are! We know you from old!
“Manchester United! Nonsense! What a joke! Find a new, more appropriate name! This was always coming, given the soulless, win at all costs, plastic, shallow, selfish, worthless money monster you have made of yourselves!
“MUFC have fed off and divided, not United, football and communities. You are killing football! Children should be encouraged to support their community and play fairly and not bully people by exclusion!
“The Leeds family is fully United with and in full support of and shoulder to shoulder with all true LFC, MCFC, AFC, THFC, and with the few remaining genuine MUFC and CFC fans, whose clubs have been hijacked by power monger and shallow weak-minded glory hunters! And together we’re fans United, we’ll never be divided! Earn it on the pitch! Football is for the fans!”
KICK-OFF!
Leeds 0 – 0 Man Utd
The players are off and underway at Elland Road.
And you can follow SunSport’s LIVE kick-by-kick match blog HERE.
FULL-TIME!
Wolves 0 – 4 Burnley
What a win for the Clarets.
Chris Wood’s first half hat-trick fired them out the blocks and Ashley Westwood’s strike five minutes from time put the cherry on the cake.
Surely that win spells safety for Sean Dyche’s men who move 14th on 36 points and nine points clear of 18th place Fulham.
Wolves stay 12th.
NO POG PROBLEM
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has left Paul Pogba on the bench against Leeds in order to manager his game time.
Dan James comes in to replace the Frenchman and the Norwegian admitted he has Thursday’s Europa League semi-final first-leg against Roma in mind.
HOPE FOR A WIN
Hope Powell says Brighton are looking to spoil Arsenal’s top-three hopes as Albion hunt for a third win against a WSL big gun.
And the Seagulls boss reckons the upturn in her side’s league form means they are unlikely to be underestimated by their top-flight rivals. Brighton, who are sixth and the only team to have beaten Chelsea this term, have won six of their last seven games across all competitions.
They are targeting another major scalp after defeating Man United who are battling Arsenal for Champions League qualification. And the Seagulls are yet to beat the Gunners since their arrival in the Women’s Super League in the 2018-19 season.
Powell, 54, said: “I think what Arsenal won’t do is take us for granted, which perhaps doesn’t help us. Historically they would beat us and I think there’ll be absolutely on it in this game.
“They want to secure a top-three spot to go into Europe, but what we’re trying to do is spoil their party as we would do with any team that we come up against. I think now, because of recent results, teams will make sure that they’re absolutely on it.
“And Arsenal will come at us and I’m sure they will play their strongest side. For us, that means a very tough game. And we will make it tough for them. We will do our utmost to be the best we can.”
WHO DUN IT?
Gary Lineker joked David Moyes was spotted with a box of matches after the fire alarm went off at the VAR HQ.
Alarm bells rang around Stockley Park just minutes before Wolves’ Premier League clash with Burnley. Players went out onto the field unaware of the drama in Hayes but unfortunately for many traditionalists, normal service was restored in time for kick-off.
When Lineker told viewers that VAR might not be functioning live on BBC, Danny Murphy joked: “That’s not good news, that’s phenomenal news.”
Lineker then quipped: “Rumours that David Moyes was seen outside with a box of matches are grossly exaggerated at this stage.”
Moyes was left raging on Saturday after Fabian Balbuena was essentially sent off for kicking a ball. The defender lumped the ball upfield but his follow-through caught Ben Chilwell who crashed to the turf in pain.
VAR looked at the incident and then advised referee Chris Kavanagh to take a look at the incident himself. Kavanagh then brandished a straight red card much to the disbelief of everybody watching Chelsea’s 1-0 victory.
TEAM NEWS IS IN!
Manchester United vs Leeds kicks-off at 2pm at Elland Road.
And this is how both teams will line up for the eagerly anticipated clash.
📋 Marcelo names an unchanged side to the one that drew against Liverpool, but Summerville and Greenwood feature on the bench— Leeds United (@LUFC) April 25, 2021
HALF-TIME!
Wolves 0 – 3 Burnley
Chris Wood’s first-half hat-trick fires the Clarets into a 3-0 lead at Molineux.
If the scores stay like this it will be a huge boost for Sean Dyche’s men in their race for safety and they will move to 14th.
Wolves’ season looks destined to end in the same mediocre fashion it has played out so far with Nuno Espirito Santo’s side rooted in 12th spot.
TELL ME MORENO
Manchester United target Pau Torres has been asking his teammates what it’s like to play for a big club – and one of them is Alberto Moreno.
The ex-Liverpool flop, who joined Torres at Villarreal in 2019, is one of three players to give the 24-year-old some much-needed advice.
Speaking to Spanish newspaper Sport, Torres said: “Players who have gone through important clubs, when they talk about an experience they have had, I like to listen to them, both Paco Alcacer and Raul Albiol or Alberto Moreno.
“They tell you things that you have not yet experienced and that you think you would like to experience.”
The Red Devils are said to be keen on signing the centre back, with reports suggesting a £52million bid may be imminent.
Real Madrid, however, are also believed to interested in the Spain international and may challenge the Premier League side for his signature.
JAN YOU BELIEVE IT – EXCLUSIVE
Bristol City striker Saikou Janneh is on the radar of Premier League new-boys Norwich as a group of clubs consider making a move this summer.
Janneh, 21, has caught the eye of the Canaries as boss Daniel Farke looks to piece together a squad capable of staying in the top flight next season.
But there is also competition from Brighton and fellow Championship promotion hopefuls Watford for the Gambian forward who has two years left on his current deal at Ashton Gate.
Bristol City boss Nigel Pearson is desperate to keep hold of the forward, who has climbed out of non-league to show his qualities in the professional game.
He enjoyed a successful loan at Torquay where he scored 16 goals in 28 appearances before a short-term move to Newport County this season was cut short by injury. But Pearson believes there is much more to come at Ashton Gate for Janneh and has already brought him into his first team plans.
Hertha Berlin and Bayer Leverkusen have also shown an interest as the German clubs look to scour the Championship for players with potential and a summer fight for his signature could be on.
Credit: Rex
RED-DY TO GO!
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is ready for a serious challenge at Leeds this afternoon.
Manchester United travel to Elland Road for the 2pm kick-off and the Norwegian warned his side they have to be prepared physically and mentally.
EK OF A PLAN
Spotify founder Daniel Ek is preparing a takeover bid to buy Arsenal, according to reports.
And Gunners owner Stan Kroenke may be open to selling the club for £2billion. Billionaire Ek, 38, announced on Friday he would be keen to purchase his beloved Gunners.
He tweeted: “As a kid growing up, I’ve cheered for Arsenal as long as I can remember. If KSE would like to sell Arsenal I’d be happy to throw my hat in the ring.”
And according to The Telegraph, it was not just a PR stunt but in fact, Swedish Ek is ready to enter negotiations with the view to submitting a formal offer.
Forbes estimate Ek is worth around £4.1bn after the entrepreneur successfully launched the music streaming platform in 2008. Kronke, 73, is chairman of Kroenke Sports & Entertainment and joined the Arsenal board in 2008, three years before becoming majority shareholder.
He was a key figure in the breakaway European Super League plans, named as a vice-chairman alongside Liverpool’s John Henry and Joel Glazer of Manchester United.
WAYNE LEFT ON BENCH – EXCLUSIVE
Wayne Rooney was consigned to the bench as he waited for his dinner with wife Coleen.
The Derby boss, 35, looked deep in thought while his other half, also 35, studied her phone.
The pair had popped out with their Pomeranian Pip to collect a food order from a café near their home in Prestbury, Cheshire.
It came as Wayne vowed to back Coleen ‘all the way’ in her Wagatha Christie court fight.
A source told The Sun Online last year: “Wayne and Coleen Rooney are stronger than ever after spending lockdown together.
“This is the longest time they have spent together uninterrupted since they got married, and Coleen has fallen in love with Wayne all over again. She says that she now remembers what a wonderful, caring companion he is – and an amazing dad to the boys.”
HONEST BERGER
Ann-Katrin Berger admits she is ‘quite critical’ of her shot-stopping heroics for Chelsea despite Emma Hayes hailing her efforts as world-class.
And the WSL ace who helped seal a Champions League semis spot for the Blues relishes seeing herself as an underdog. Berger’s breathtaking saves against Atletico Madrid and Wolfsburg helped Hayes’s side line up a clash over two legs with Bayern Munich.
The German giants and the WSL league leaders are battling for a place in the finals against PSG or Barcelona. But perfectionist Berger, 30, keeps an eye out for errors in performances that have won her praise from pundits.
The Kingsmeadow keeper told SunSport: “I couldn’t tell you which of my games is my best performance. Even in my best games, I find a mistake or something annoying.
“You would have to ask my goalkeeping coach that because I’m quite critical of myself. With the Atletico and Wolfsburg matches, I was just doing my job.
“I enjoy goalkeeping for Chelsea because I have a really good connection with the front four and midfield. It makes it so much easier for me to do my job And having the faith the defenders have given me, I think it’s the nicest feeling to get that trust you need to work.”
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