More stories

  • in

    I sold Lamine Yamal trading card for a life-changing amount – my wife doesn’t think it’s a silly hobby now

    SPORTS trading cards may seem like a silly hobby to some, but for those who know what they are looking for it is becoming a life-changing industry.And that was exactly what happened to Aaron Morgan after he packed a rare Lamine Yamal 2023/24 Topps Chrome UCC SuperFractor.Aaron Morgan found an incredibly rare Lamine Yamal cardCredit: Aaron MorganHe then sold it for £80,000Credit: Aaron MorganAaron, from Melbourne, Australia, had booked himself a £147 ($300 Australian dollars) spot for a Topps Chrome box break with Trident Collectables.But the 35-year-old electrician, who has always been a keen card collector after starting out with Pokemon cards, ended up pulling out a huge Yamal Topps card.The card was graded as a gem mint 10 by the Professional Sports Authenticator before it went to sale with Godlin auctions.Aaron actually missed the opening of the card because he was sleeping due to the time difference, but said he was flooded with messages when he woke up.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLSpeaking exclusively to SunSport, he said: “And I didn’t actually watch it live, I was asleep in bed.”Yeah, well, my first thought when I woke up with all the messages, I was like, I don’t know, they didn’t actually tell me what the card was.”So I had to go back and watch it. “And then I saw the card and I was like, OK, that’s a pretty expensive card, but I had no idea what it would be worth.”Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSAaron admitted he was expecting the card to sell for just under £10,000 ($20,000 AUD).He then revealed he turned down offers of £12,000 ($25,000) and £32,000 ($65,000) before committing the card to auction.I went to the UK’s biggest football trading card show – watch how to spot value in your collectionsAnd that leap of faith was rewarded as the card bidding was up to nearly £50,000 ($100,000 AUD) after only a few days.The winning bid saw the card sell for a staggering £80,000 ($103,000 USD – $163,000 AUD).Aaron’s wife had actually taken more of an interest in the cards despite originally not thinking much of the hobby.On her reaction, Aaron said: “Well, she doesn’t think it’s a silly little hobby now. So that’s pretty good.”She was wrapped, she was like you’re kidding? And then she was watching the auction and she’d come in to tell me there’s been another bid and I wasn’t even watching it.”Aaron revealed his previous record for selling sports trading cards was a relatively humble £5,000 ($10,000 AUD) on a triple order of Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez.On his plans for the money, Aaron said: “No I haven’t spent any of the money yet, (I will) probably on buying more cards.”But no, me and my partner are currently looking for a house. So it’s going to go a long way and we can probably get an extra bedroom on the house.”It should be nice because property is pretty expensive in Australia at the moment.”The sports trading card industry is in the middle of a massive surge in growth.In 2023 it was estimated the industry was worth around £34billion and would grow to around £78bn by 2027.Aaron added: “Well I’m glad I started collecting now, it’s great for the hobby. You can see the excitement and it’s not just one age, one gender, one anything, anyone can collect these cards.Aaron’s impressive card collection includes more Yamal rookie cardsCredit: Aaron MorganHe is also collecting baseball cards and banking on the players’ future successCredit: Aaron MorganAaron said he is glad he is collecting now with the sports trading card industry set to grow to £78billion in 2027Credit: Aaron Morgan”In the US they are like $30. So you can just go into a shop that sells cards, buy a box for $30 and then you can change your life, and it’s just fun as well.”As well as football and Pokemon cards, Aaron is also a keen collector of cards from baseball, basketball and Formula 1, revealing he reckons he has more than 5,000 cards in his collection at home.On cards he is keeping an eye on, he said: “So I’ve collected a lot of baseball rookies. “A lot of Wembys (Victor Wembanyama). So I’m banking on them having a great career…”I’ve been buying a lot of Jason Dominguez at the moment.”He was a rookie last year, so I’m hoping when the baseball season starts up he’s going to have a good year because I think he’s a pretty good player.”Also I’m still collecting Lamine Yamal rookies. “They’re not as crazy as the one I sold, but I’ve got a nice image variation from Topps Merlin product that is numbered to 25 and I sent it to PSA and it got a gem mint 10.”Asides from cards, Aaron and his wife also like to collect F1 memorabilia, with his wife being a huge fan of George Russell – even buying a signed photo and VIP helmet with a written message from the Mercedes driver given out at Silverstone. While Aaron and his wife are keeping the Yamal money to one side for their future home, they will be attending the season opening F1 Grand Prix in Melbourne.Aaron also revealed he will be in attendance at CollectFest, a festival for all collectables, taking place in the summer which is expecting as many as 10,000 fans to turn up.London has its own version of CollectFest, the London Card Show, which takes place at Sandown Racecourse in Surrey.READ MORE SUN STORIESCards from various series, including Yu-Gi-Oh! and Magic: The Gathering can also be sold for incredible sums.A rare Jackie Robinson rookie card is in line to be sold for more than £310,000 next week after hitting auction.The collection includes F1 cars models, helmets and cardsCredit: Aaron MorganAaron has around 5,000 cards in his collectionCredit: Aaron MorganHe and his wife also have a number of other collectablesCredit: Aaron MorganAaron started collecting when he was very youngCredit: Aaron Morgan More

  • in

    I’m a Man Utd fan refusing to cut my hair until they win five games… I never expected it to last this long

    THE wacky world of the internet has seen an explosion of fan channels giving their view on the state of their respective teams.But it has also given rise to some bizarre challenges, dares and bets, though one Manchester United fan may have gotten himself into more than he bargained for.Frank Ilett runs The United Strand fan channelCredit: INSTAGRAM @theunitedstrandFrank is refusing to cut his hair again until Man Utd win five games in a rowCredit: INSTAGRAM @theunitedstrandBut after starting on October 5, Frank is now five months into his challengeCredit: INSTAGRAM @theunitedstrandAnd Man Utd are struggling to win back to back games, let alone five in a rowCredit: GettyFrank Ilett, 28, runs the social media channel The United Strand.The page started up back on October 5 when Frank decided to commit to a challenge that would see him not cut his hair again until Man Utd won five games in a row.Frank believed this run would only last a few months at most considering the last time Man Utd had won five in a row was in January to February 2024.However, 149 days later it does not even appear to be remotely close to being finished after a dreadful run of form under Ruben Amorim.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAnd Frank has admitted he might have overestimated his chances.Speaking exclusively to SunSport about what inspired the challenge, Frank said: “Well, it was just for a bit of fun, really, to be honest. It was literally just I don’t really know why, I just went for it.”I saw this guy doing it with, I think, an NFL team or something like that. And he was doing three matches in a row.”But I remember thinking, oh, that’s quite a funny thing and thinking, oh, yeah, you know, obviously I’m a Man Utd fan. Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS”I think maybe there might be some interest there because it’s, you know, it’s Man Utd they’re obviously a massive club and worldwide kind of club as well, not just one only Americans care about.”So, yeah, I so I thought I saw that. And then I thought about it for a little while. And then I just suddenly was like, I’m just going to do it.’That’s why I’m the manager’ – Ruben Amorim hits back at Wayne Rooney as Man Utd boss aims to win Premier League”I just think it’s fun. I think that, you know, it’s a painful time to be a Man Utd fan at the moment and just wanted to spread some humour, really…”Did I imagine it would go on for this long? No, no, no.”So I thought I thought it would go on for a few months. When I first started it, I don’t know why, but I just went for it and I didn’t really give much thought to it at all, really.”And then it was only once it kind of started to get into it. I started to kind of go, OK, how long is this really going to go on for?”I started in October and I checked. I was like, hang on a minute, when did Man Utd last do this? So I checked and it was January – February 2024, so not that long ago.”Now it’s a year ago, but at the time in October I was thinking, you know it’s not a crazy thing that hasn’t happened in a few years or something. That gave me a bit of hope.”I looked at the kind of fixtures coming up and stuff and there were some fixtures in January which looked very winnable and I was thinking that’s when it’s going to end.”And, you know, and then there was a cup game that was added into that as well which kind of made it easier. And we lost the game, which meant February games were kind of easy. “Now we’ve gone past that point and now I’m just hoping for the best and seeing what happens. I wouldn’t be surprised if it goes until next season now.”Frank, who has lived in Spain with his girlfriend for the past year, admits he flirted with the idea of doing a three-game streak instead of five, but thought it would be “too easy”.He said: “Well, that was the thing. I thought about doing three and then I, stupidly, thought to myself, ‘Oh that seems a bit too easy’. Frank admits he thought the challenge would be over by early 2025Credit: INSTAGRAM @theunitedstrandBut he now expects the challenge to last into next seasonCredit: INSTAGRAM @theunitedstrand”So I thought I’ll go for five, you know to make it a bit more of a challenge. But little did I know how challenging that was going to be.”Frank told us he used to have long hair in his early 20s so it was not a totally alien feeling to him, but admits it is a “lot more effort” to maintain it now.He added: “You can see my hair like it goes out, not down. So yeah, it’s hard to kind of maintain a little bit, but, you know, just part of it, part of the challenge, I suppose.”Man Utd are languishing in the bottom half of the Premier League table and are looking increasingly unlikely to play any part in European competitions next season.With their penalty shootout defeat to Fulham in the FA Cup fifth round on Sunday, the Red Devils only realistic hope of playing in Europe next season will be them winning the Europa League.However, Frank is refusing to place the blame on Amorim, instead believing it is the club’s owners, including minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the Glazers, who are mostly to blame for the mess the club finds itself in.Frank said: “I think I speak for a lot of Man Utd fans where, [it feels like] it’s basically the same as the Glazers in charge, which I think a lot of people expected as well, to be honest.”I don’t think anyone really expected that much because, yeah, it just hasn’t gone well. All of the decisions are just ridiculous. “I mean, you know, like the thing recently about closing the canteen and to save a million pounds a year when there’s people that make that in a month at the club that don’t even play that often.”Like, was it £55-65million they paid for Mason Mount? I mean, I can’t even remember when he last played. And I can’t remember when he played consecutive games. That’s for sure as well.Man Utd ratings vs FulhamMANCHESTER UNITED crashed out the FA Cup on penalties against Fulham.Victor Lindelof and Joshua Zirkzee had poor spot-kicks saved as the Red Devils slipped to their sixth home defeat under Ruben Amorim.Fulham broke the deadlock on the stroke of half-time with a well-worked corner.Antonee Robinson darted to the near post and flicked it onto Calvin Bassey who directed his header into the bottom corner brilliantly.Just as United’s frustrations were brewing, Bruno Fernandes was the saviour yet again.He picked up Diogo Dalot’s perfect cut back and fired it beyond the stretch of Bernd Leno.United had chances towards the end of the second-half, with subs Alejandro Garnacho and Chido Obi unable to finish.There was nothing to separate the sides in extra-time and penalties were needed.Despite well-taken kicks from Fernandes, Diogo Dalot and Casemiro, Lindelof and Zirkzee woefully fired directly at Fulham hero Leno.But which Man Utd players could hold their heads up and which flopped?Here, SunSport’s Ken Lawrence reveals his player ratings.”And yes, so when you, you know, there’s I know that to be fair, that wasn’t Ineos but it’s a similar thing where you need to kind of get rid of players like that and get in kind of fresh faces, fresh legs. “Instead of, you know, worrying about a million pounds that it costs to feed all the staff and keep everyone happy at the club.”Frank says his main goal of the challenge is to bring some joy to a painful situation.The United Strand channel – a nod to popular fan channel The United Stand, which Frank says he has watched for a few years – has exploded in popularity to now have more than 60,000 followers on Instagram.Originally Frank was aiming to reach 10,000 followers by the end of 2025, but saw that goal achieved by last December, while hitting 20,000 by the middle of January.The number of viewers, both United and rival fans, has seen the challenge viewed more than 35million times over the last 90 days alone.Frank is even aware of some United stars past and present being aware of his hairy situation, including Denis Irwin, academy star Ethan Wheatley, British boxer Frazer Clarke and tennis star Jamie Murray.He said: “Every time I get any followers I’m still surprised by it. I can’t believe there are so many people interested. “I was looking at my analytics the other day and I’ve had 35million views in the last 90 days, and when I think that many people have actually seen my face it does feel a bit weird.”But I’m happy people have kind of connected with it in a positive way, like everyone seems to just be having a laugh with it with me. It’s nice to bring some joy to people.”READ MORE SUN STORIESIn terms of future plans, Frank says he would love to arrange some fan meet-ups in the future.Meanwhile, he has also admitted he would be open to doing a similar challenge, possibly with hair and beard, while he also wants to grow his YouTube channel and visit every LaLiga stadium.Frank told SunSport his channel had reached more than 35 million views in the last 90 daysCredit: INSTAGRAM @theunitedstrandFrank says his main goal is to spread some joy during a painful moment for Man Utd fansCredit: INSTAGRAM @theunitedstrandHe says he has been told club legends like Denis Irwin know about the challengeCredit: AlamyOther major sports stars like boxer Frazer Clarke are also keeping an eye on the challengeCredit: Getty More

  • in

    Inside notorious ‘meat market’ Milan club where Kyle Walker ended up with two brunettes ‘who looked like wife Annie’

    THE young dark-haired Italian woman squeezed her ample cleavage together and poured a shot of Don Julio tequila down the crevice.Her scantily clad pal, wearing a tight fitting and sparkly mini dress, crouched in front of her and lapped up every last drop of the high end booze as it dripped down her front.A dark-haired woman carries a sparkler on the dance floor of notorious night club Tocqueville 13A scantily-dressed woman carries alcohol with a bottle sparklerKyle Walker was pictured leaving Tocqueville 13, Milan’s hedonistic late night hot spot with two brunettesCredit: BackGridWalker treated the women to the club’s £5,000 Super VIP extravaganceCredit: BackGridReggaeton music boomed in the background as hundreds of revellers took to the dance floor.Welcome to Tocqueville 13, Milan’s hedonistic late night hot spot where the city’s wealthy footballers flock.This is the club where England and Man City footballer Kyle Walker ended up in the early hours of last Wednesday with two brunette women – described as lookalikes of his wife Annie.It’s 25 Euros entry for men and 10 Euros cheaper for women, so as to attract more of the fairer sex to the venue.READ MORE ON KYLE WALKERThe nightclub has built a reputation as a “meat-market” – a place where men are on the hunt for women.And as I survey the dance floor, it’s easy to see how men can find a suitor amid the thick fog machine haze that fills the air.The club’s Instagram page is crammed with images of scantily clad women writhing on the dance floor, and DJs spinning hip-hop, reggaeton and afrobeat music.The venue itself, which is spread over two floors and closes at 5am, has built a reputation for hedonistic late night partying.Most read in FootballOn social media revellers can be seen crossing the dance floor waving magnum bottles of Moet & Chandon champagne or Don Julio tequila, with bottle sparklers attached.A nightclub source told Sun Online: “Tocqueville 13 is notorious for footballers, basketballers and wealthy Milano men because it’s filled with hot women. Kyle Walker’s football agent at centre of drugs raid as cops uncover over 90 cannabis plants DAYS after AC Milan deal“Men can go there and splash their cash and are sure to end up with a woman on their arm.“The club doesn’t open until 11.30pm so is very much a late night spot and by the time it closes the sun is coming up.”And if you buy a table you are almost guaranteed to be surrounded by attractive young women.”The club has a “VIP Privè” area where a table and a premium bottle of booze can cost up to 1,500 (£1,237) Euros based on where you want to sit.According to the VIP menu the most expensive bottle of champagne available is a giant three litre Dom Perignon Luminous Jeroboam at 7,000 Euros (£5,774) or a six litre Moët & Chandon Mathusalem Bright Light at 3,000 Euros (£2,474).And to add a little excitement to your night, revellers can snap up a 1.75 litre bottle of Case Azul Reposado Tequila for 2,000 Euros (£1,649).Kyle, 34, was seen with his arm around one of the dark-haired womenCredit: BackGridThe nightclub has built a reputation as a ‘meat-market’ – a place where men are on the hunt for womenMen can go there and splash their cash and are sure to end up with a woman on their arm, a source revealedThe club doesn’t open until 11.30pm so is very much a late night spotCredit: BackGrid More

  • in

    Inside Kyle Walker’s night with 2 party girls in Milan day after wife flew home – & group’s whopping bar bill revealed

    FOOTIE love rat Kyle Walker hits the town with two party girls — 24 hours after wife Annie flew home to England.The Three Lions and AC Milan ace, 34, got touchy-feely with the Annie lookalikes at a hotel bar and club until around 2am.Kyle Walker hit the town with two party girls — 24 hours after wife Annie flew home to EnglandCredit: BackGridThe love rat got touchy-feely with the Annie lookalikes at a hotel bar and club until around 2amCredit: BackGridHe treated the pair to £5,300 Super VIP extravagance at the Italian city’s star-studded Tocqueville 13Credit: BackGridWalker has found a new club — whisking the two girls to the nightspot a day after his wife and boys ­jetted back to England.The Man City ace, on loan at AC Milan, enjoyed a £5,300 Super VIP extravagance with the pair at the Italian city’s star-studded Tocqueville 13.Sources at the nightclub say the group partied into the early hours.Earlier Kyle was seen with his arm around one of the dark-haired women, both lookalikes of wife Annie, as they left a hotel bar to go to the club at 2am. Read More on SportOur exclusive photos show Kyle, who was wearing his wedding ring, appearing to touch one woman’s hair as she flicks it back flirtatiously.At Tocqueville, the £150,000-a-week England defender’s group spent £2,474 on a table at the heart of the club. They paid £1,200 for a magnum of Dom Perignon champagne and £1,600 for a 1.75-litre bottle of Clase Azul Reposado tequila.Sources say the group partied until 4am, although Kyle left before then. Most read in FootballOne said: “Kyle made sure he got one of the best tables for him and the girls and didn’t hold back. He played it cool in terms of ­dancing — but seemed to have a great time.”A day earlier, on Monday, Kyle, Annie and their four boys were seen shopping in Milan.Kyle Walker’s wife Annie Kilner set to get £750k to star in Celeb Big Brother – but only if bosses agree to strict ruleKyle and Annie, currently going through a divorce, were seen leaving the Prada shop at tourist hotspot Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II.She and the boys are thought to have flown back to the UK that evening.The following night, on Tuesday, Kyle, currently sidelined by injury, went to the Casa Cipriani Hotel where he arrived at 10.45pm.The hotel offers £1,000-a-night suites and a private members’ restaurant and bar, the Living Room, which was packed with celebrities for Milan Fashion Week including Hollywood star Leonardo DiCaprio and his Italian girlfriend Vittoria Ceretti.Kyle, in blue trousers, white Prada T-shirt, a striped cardigan and baseball cap, is understood to have met the two women inside the Living Room, which has live entertainment and DJ sets.The women were seen giggling as they left the Living Room at around 2am on Wednesday.Kyle ushered them into an electric BMW iX7 which was driven two miles to Tocqueville 13. The women were dressed elegantly, with one in a white fur coat and the other a long burgundy coat.An onlooker said: “The women looked at ease in Kyle’s company, sticking close by his side.“It appeared as if they had spent a good few hours together, they were laughing and joking as Kyle’s driver collected keys at the valet.“At one point one woman flicked back her long brown hair and Kyle reached over to touch it.“He then had his arm around the woman’s waist. He looked like the cat that got the cream.An onlooker said: ‘The women looked at ease in Kyle’s company, sticking close by his side’Credit: BackGridThe women were dressed elegantly, with one in a white fur coat and the other a long burgundy coatCredit: BackGridThe onlooker said: ‘At one point one woman flicked back her long brown hair and Kyle reached over to touch it’Credit: BackGridA day earlier, on Monday, Kyle, Annie and their four boys were seen shopping in MilanCredit: BackGrid“Kyle was obviously having a good time, but whatever the situation, it doesn’t look good when Annie had just flown home following a family get-together.”Tocqueville 13’s Instagram page is crammed with images of scantily clad women writhing on the dance floor, and that night was dubbed ICON, with DJs spinning hip-hop, reggaeton and afrobeat music.The venue, which is spread over two floors and closes at 5am, has built a reputation for hedonistic late-night partying.On social media, revellers can be seen crossing the dance floor waving magnum bottles of Moët & Chandon champagne with bottle sparklers attached.Another Milan nightlife source said: “Tocqueville 13 is notorious for footballers, basketballers and wealthy Milano men because it’s filled with hot women.“They can go there and splash their cash and are sure to end up with a woman on their arm.Walker joined AC Milan on loan in the January transfer windowCredit: GettyThe love rat fathered two kids while still married to Annie with ex Lauryn Goodman“The club doesn’t open until 11.30pm so is very much a late-night spot and by the time it closes the sun is coming up.”Kyle’s two companions were spotted together the next day, later on Wednesday, wearing sunglasses, outside the swish Portrait Hotel.Sources close to Kyle said the women were friends of a man — his Italian agent — he was having ­dinner with in the private members’ club at Casa Cipriani Hotel and were sitting on a nearby table. The source said they were later joined by other people known to Kyle’s agent when they moved on to the club.They insisted Kyle didn’t drink any alcohol and left the club earlier than the others.Kyle joined AC Milan on loan in the January transfer window after asking Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola if he could leave for a new challenge.WHAT HE ORDERED£1,600 1.75l Reposado Tequila£1,200 magnum of Dom Perignon£2,474 for VIP tableKyle and wife Annie married in 2021 and have four sons — Roman, 12, Riaan, nine, Reign, seven and baby Rezon, born last April.The star has been at the centre of a love spat between Annie and his ex Lauryn Goodman, 34, with whom he fathered two kids while still married to Annie.After confessing to fathering the second child with Lauryn, Kyle was kicked out of the family home in December 2023.Annie, heavily pregnant at the time, vowed it was the last straw after several previous scandals and filed for divorce in August.In an exclusive interview with The Sun, the footie ace apologised and begged for forgiveness, vowing to clean up his act.Despite the strains placed on her relationship with Kyle, Annie brought the kids over to Italy to watch their dad’s AC Milan debut.Last month she whisked her kids to Dubai during half-term. While there they enjoyed a night out with the Rooneys, before flying to Milan to see Kyle again.Since his move Kyle has been staying in a suite at a five-star hotel in Milan.The right-back played through a muscular problem to his left thigh when AC Milan were knocked out of the Champions League by Feyenoord on February 18.READ MORE SUN STORIESHe has missed games against Torino and Bologna and was said to be unlikely to feature in tonight’s match against Lazio.Annie, who ditched her wedding ring weeks ago, was seen out in Cheshire on Friday.Big-time player to dad of 6 By RYAN PARRYKYLE Walker’s complex lovelife began in 2019 when he and sweetheart Annie Kilner briefly split.He had a fling with influencer Lauryn Goodman and she gave birth to son Kairo in April 2020.Kyle and Annie reconciled and wed in 2021. In 2023 Lauryn said she was pregnant again. Daughter Kinara was born in August.At Christmas 2023 Lauryn texted Annie to say Kyle was the dad.He apologised in a Sun exclusive in January 2024.That April Annie gave birth to fourth son Rezon.She filed for divorce from the ace last October. More

  • in

    Chelsea legend John Terry to start new podcast – and lines up controversial first guest

    EX-football star John Terry is to launch a podcast — and is eyeing Jose Mourinho as his first guest.The Chelsea ace, 44, plans to invite his former manager to help kick off his new football-based discussion show.Former Chelsea star John Terry is planning to start a podcast and invite Jose Mourinho on as a guestCredit: PA:Press AssociationA source said: “John is excited and has told friends there can only be one person as the first guest — and that is Jose Mourinho.”It could see him go head to head in the charts with his former England pal Rio Ferdinand, who also has a weekly podcast.The defenders fell out after Terry was accused of racially abusing Rio’s brother Anton in 2011. Terry, who was acquitted in court, also slept with teammate Wayne Bridge’s girlfriend.READ MORE ON JOHN TERRYOur source said: “John has seen a lot of players do their own podcasts and thinks he will have a lot of appeal. “He’s a controversial character for some of his decisions on and off the pitch but isn’t afraid of tackling tough subjects. “It’s likely his show will have a strong Chelsea focus but he’ll go into other areas.”Terry won a string of domestic and European titles at Chelsea, plus 78 England caps. Most read in FootballHe was contacted for comment. Jose Mourinho launches new side hustle alongside Fenerbahce job as John Terry vows to be first customer John Terry believes his podcast could hold a lot of appeal as he is not afraid to tackle tough subjectsCredit: AFP or licensors More

  • in

    Sir Dave Brailsford questioning what he’s got himself into as he realises true extent of Man Utd disaster

    SIR JIM RATCLIFFE can make all the cuts he wants — and the latest involves Manchester United’s training-ground canteen.It is understood that lunch for all but first-team players has been reduced to soup and sandwiches — and that includes coaches and analysts.Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s right hand man Sir Dave Brailsford is wondering what he has got himself intoCredit: PAThe Ineos chiefs want to bin off many of Man Utd’s flops, but no one will take themCredit: ReutersThings have gone from bad to worse since Ratcliffe took charge just over a year agoCredit: GettyMeanwhile, this month’s FA Youth Cup 5–1 quarter-final win over Chelsea, which traditionally would have been staged at Old Trafford, was played at Leigh Sports Village for a saving of £8,000.But the cuts he cannot make concern the majority of the rabble that saved a point at Everton but almost no pride despite coming back from a two-goal deficit created by Beto and Abdoulaye Doucoure.Manager Ruben Amorim has already declared he is in charge of “the worst” team in United’s history.But against a resurgent Toffees outfit inspired by former Red Devils boss David Moyes and almost certainly denied a 93rd-minute penalty victory by a VAR call that Ratcliffe’s No 2 Sir Dave Brailsford might describe as a ‘marginal gain’, this was the worst of the worst.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLBruno Fernandes and Manuel Ugarte produced stunners to earn a point but United, before Moyes was sacked 11 years ago, were never this bad.Plan A for Ratcliffe would be to dump most of them, if nothing else to save salary costs.Because you would not get back even half of the staggering near-£500million transfer outlay on Saturday’s awful starting side.But why would Casemiro, aged 33 and playing like a midfield OAP, go?Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSHe is on £350,000 a week and has just declared that he wants to stay until his contract runs out at the end of next season.Of course he would say that. No sane club is going to touch this burnt-out wreck of a midfielder who once gloried in five Champions Leagues triumphs with Real Madrid.Former Premier League referee Mark Halsey gives verdict on Everton’s overturned penalty against Man UtdNot even the moneymen of the Saudi Pro League would go anywhere near paying him that kind of cash — and he surely knows it.Striker Rasmus Hojlund cost an initial £64m and he can trouser £85,000 a week until 2028.He has not hit the net in 16 straight appearances, is completely out of his depth, and even a League One team might doubt paying him even £5,000 a week.The list of so–called stars earning money as ridiculous as that spot-kick intervention by VAR Matt Donohue and referee Andy Madley’s TV-replay-change-of-mind goes on and on.If any player illustrates the financial hold that Amorim’s crop of pretenders have over the club, then that is surely centre-back Harry Maguire.He, along with Matthijs de Ligt, was guilty of pulling down Ashley Young for what should have been a stitched-on penalty.Man Utd ratings vs EvertonMANCHESTER UNITED fought back from two goals down to draw against Everton at Goodison ParkThe Red Devils were slammed as “embarrassing” by Rio Ferdinand after failing 2-0 down in the first half.But they fought back late on thanks to a stunning Bruno Fernandes free-kick and volley from Manuel Ugarte, who bagged his first goal since his summer arrival from PSG.Amorim’s men were then lucky to escape a penalty in the final moments after VAR overturned the decision.SunSport’s Ken Lawrence has given his ratings of the Manchester United team…Andre Onana – 7United needed him with his game-head on, and his 93rd-minute stop saved a point.Noussair Mazraoui 69′ – 4Looked seriously uncomfortable on the right side of the back three – forced there because of a defensive injury crisisHarry Maguire – 4Out-jumped by Doucoure as the midfielder grabbed Everton’s second and was generally all over the place.Matthijs de Ligt – 4Nowhere for Beto’s opener, completely missing attempted clearance and got away with a 93rd-minute penalty call.Diogo Dalot – 5At least shows willing. Which is more than could be said for some of his team mates at Goodison.Manuel Ugarte – 7Spent most of the game stranded in United’s midfield morass but salvation came with a brilliant strike.Casemiro 62′ – 2The Brazilian is beginning to look like the world’s oldest 32-year-old —he’s become a genuine irrelevance.Patrick Dorgu – 6Made a determined start down the left flank but that enthusiasm was slowly but surely sucked out of him.Bruno Fernandes – 8His free kick was genuine class and once he was dropped deeper started controlling the game.Joshua Zirkzee – 4At £36.5M you would expect an element of ball control but the Dutchman used as a joint No 10 just looks lost.Rasmus Hojlund 69′ – 3Not so much a desperate Dane, more a despairing one although it would help if he had some support.Subs:Alejandro Garnacho 62′ – 7Injected some desperately needed pace and passion. Leny Yoro 69′ – 6Should have been on much earlier.Chido Obi-Martin 69′ – 5The 17-year-old has a presence for sure.But in 2023, he refused to reduce his weekly wage after West Ham bid £20m for him.The former captain is on a one–year extension handed to him last month and is paid £195,000 a week.But Maguire, 31, would have been gone 18 months ago — except United refused to stump up the £15m he is understood to have wanted for leaving.Ratcliffe, who invested £1.03billion to take over the running of the football side of the club a year ago, must be wondering what he got himself into.SunSport understands Brailsford is now asking that very question.For there is no Plan B and Amorim is seemingly hell-bent on destroying his reputation for the sake of a 3–4–3 point of principle.United are not in a relegation crisis now but, with this lot, they will be next season.They owe £1bn, Amorim knows that if he wants to buy he must sell first — good luck with that — and, worst of all, under Ratcliffe’s leadership the club is facing an identity crisis.Moyes, sacked as United boss in 2014, will soon be able to indulge himself at a far different club to the semi-skint one he first left for Old Trafford.The new 52,888-seater Bramley-Moore Dock stadium will bring in an extra £80m a year, while new owners The Friedkin Group are worth £10bn and Everton are debt-free.READ MORE SUN STORIESThis summer, Moyes will be buying big while his former club are stuck with a collection of expensive fakes they cannot sell.The irony of all that will surely amuse him, even if he was spitting feathers following the penalty debacle that probably cost him a fifth Prem win in six games. More

  • in

    Major blow to Tyson Fury as boxing legend’s property company is struck off

    TYSON Fury’s property company has been struck off because he failed to file any accounts.It is the latest blow for boxing’s Gypsy King, 36, who quit the ring for the fifth time in January, following his defeat to Oleksandr Usyk.Tyson Fury’s property company has been struck off because he failed to file any accountsCredit: PAThe former heavyweight champ, who was listed as sole director of GreenwayBalmoral Ltd, has submitted no paperwork since it was set up in January 2023, Companies House documents reveal.He was hit with a fine and warned last December that his real estate business would be struck off the register within two months unless objections were raised. It was dissolved last week via a compulsory strike-off action.A source said: “Questions over Tyson’s future remain after he suddenly quit the ring in January. read more on tyson fury “Clearly his future isn’t in property development.“His legion of fans are eager to see what he’ll do next.” Under the law, a company director can be personally fined for not filing accounts on time.The penalty is £1,500 for the first year and it doubles for the second.Most read in BoxingThe purpose of Tyson’s company was described as “buying and selling of own real estate” and “letting and operating of own or leased real estate”.Fury lives in a £1.7million home in Morecambe, Lancs, owns a £1million home in Cheshire, which dad John lives in, and has another £550,000 house in Lancaster.Tyson Fury called ‘daft as a brush’ by Paris as pair work out at gym Latest accounts from June 2024 show his other registered company, Tyson Fury Ltd, soared in value from £52million to £82million in the year to September 2023.Tyson announced his latest retirement last month, stating: “It’s been a blast.”But there is speculation he may return for a long-awaited show down with Anthony Joshua.Fury quit the ring for the fifth time in JanuaryCredit: GettyUnlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme – Sun Club. More

  • in

    Lobster added to injury time at Premier League game when it put waitress in hospital

    A LOBSTER added to injury time at a Premier League game when it put a waitress in hospital.It set off the worker’s allergy to shellfish, including crayfish, as she served customers at Liverpool’s stadium.A lobster added to injury time at a Premier League game when it put a waitress in hospitalCredit: Getty – ContributorDespite taking medication before her shift, her reaction was so severe an ambulance was called.The waitress was given an Epipen injection but had to be taken to hospital for more shots of adrenaline. The incident during a 1-1 draw with Wolves last March was one of 31 at Premier League grounds logged with the Health and Safety Executive last season.Others included a Man City fan who fractured his skull celebrating a 2-0 win at Spurs. Read More on SportHe crashed on to concrete when he leapt up to grab a flag above him and it came away.A celebrating Nottingham Forest fan needed 12 stitches in his calf after cutting himself on an upturned seat.And a drunk West Ham fan broke a leg tumbling from a handrail last March. The incidents are logged if the injured person needs at least seven days off work.Most read in Football More