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      Man Utd legend Jaap Stam lauds Erik ten Hag’s tactical tweaks with Lisandro Martinez thriving in new set-up

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      JAAP STAM believes Erik ten Hag’s tinkering of Manchester United has proved instrumental in the club’s upturn of form.And the Red Devils legend has also praised Lisandro Martinez for his recent dazzling displays after being critical of the defender earlier in the season.
      Manchester United icon Jaap Stam has heaped praise on Erik ten Hag and Lisandro MartinezCredit: AP:Associated Press
      Ten Hag’s Red Devils side have won their last four Premier League matchesCredit: Getty
      Martinez has started all six top-flight matches following his summer switch from AjaxCredit: Getty
      Following Brentford’s 4-0 victory against United last month where the Argentine ace was hauled off at half-time, Stam warned Ten Hag he may need to drop the player to avoid conceding goals.
      But the Dutch gaffer kept his faith in the ex-Ajax centre-back, where he has partnered him up alongside Raphael Varane instead of skipper Harry Maguire.
      Ten Hag has also changed up his tactics in the middle of the pitch, where he now plays two holding midfielders as opposed to just one.
      Speaking exclusively to SunSport on behalf of bet365, Stam was asked what has changed for Martinez with United conceding just twice from their last four games.
      READ MORE ON MAN UTD
      He answered: “Him and Varane have been doing well. After the Brentford game, they’ve been playing together and there’s a connection between the two, they feel what the other one is doing.
      “So automatically, things are now a lot simpler than how it was before. 
      “I know Martinez from over in Holland, of course the first starts he made and I know his mentality in what he’s trying to do.
      “You can see the player is making a change too in how to approach a game, how to go into the battles, the one-v-one’s and what he needs to bring to game, which is a very positive thing.
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      “Importantly for him and also the whole squad was that they changed their setup.
      “Instead of using the one holding defender, they go to two with [Scott] McTominay and [Christian] Eriksen and Bruno [Fernandes] as a No10, which is very important for when they lose the ball.
      “But also when they go into a block, defensively having two players to shield you works better. 
      “The work rate of the team is better than before and you can see players running back, tracking back and they’re very compact now.
      “You can see that the opposition find it very difficult to pass through the lines to create opportunities. Arsenal did it a couple of times, but in the end, they didn’t manage to make the final pass to score. 
      We’re now seeing how the manager wants them to play and the philosophy so it’s not always easy, he’s done well to turn it aroundJaap StamOn Man Utd
      “So, in general the team are doing quite well defensively, but there will always be teams who have the quality to play through it.
      “Sometimes it will go wrong, but that’s part and parcel of being a manager and planning for it.”
      Stam, who has also expressed his fear that Cristiano Ronaldo may “become a problem” at United, then commented on United’s stunning turnaround, where he remarked: “It’s been very impressive.
      “It’s good for the manager and very important for the team to make a change, especially after a start like that.
      “The first two games, losing, not getting the results they wanted, it’s very important to turn things around as quickly as they have done.
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      “We’re now seeing how the manager wants them to play and the philosophy so it’s not always easy, he’s done well to turn it around and make changes within the team.
      “We’ve also seen slight changes in the style of play and personnel, and they’ve seen the benefits of that in getting results.” More

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      Cristiano Ronaldo could become Man Utd ‘problem’ despite nailing cheerleading role on bench at Arsenal, fears Stam

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      MANCHESTER UNITED legend Jaap Stam fears Cristiano Ronaldo may “become a problem” due to his new role under Erik ten Hag.The 37-year-old has started just once from six Premier League games this season, with the striker yet to get on the score sheet.
      Cristiano Ronaldo has been named on the Manchester United bench for the last four gamesCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
      Ronaldo is yet to open his account for the new season despite featuring in all six matchesCredit: Reuters
      Jaap Stam is unsure whether Ronaldo ‘will be a problem’ for United if his situation doesn’t changeCredit: AP
      His rustiness was there for all to see when he messed up a skill move twice in the warm-up before Sunday’s 3-1 win over Arsenal.
      Despite failing to secure a move away from Old Trafford in the summer, Ronaldo was all smiles when Antony broke the deadlock against the Gunners.
      Fans also praised the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner for his leadership as he encouraged his team-mates after Bukayo Saka equalised.
      Commenting on the Portugal international, former centre-back Stam has declared that while he looks to be having a positive influence, he is not sure how long Ronaldo will be happy for.
      READ MORE ON MAN UTD
      Speaking exclusively to SunSport on behalf of bet365 about Ronaldo’s role under Ten Hag, Stam said: “I don’t know if he will become a problem.
      “I think Cristiano is a fantastic player. He’s still a quality player, great goal scorer.
      “He came in after pre-season not being fit enough and the manager’s making decisions, using players who are fit and ready to start.
      “Also, in terms of how he wants to play and the intensity of player, but Ronaldo is a player who wants to play every game.
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      “I don’t think he’s the type of player who has his quality and has achieved what he has on the pitch to be happy sitting on the bench, so he’s going to show himself and push the others to perform. 
      “Having someone like him around is great for the squad and the manager.
      “I was at the game against Arsenal and from the sidelines it looks like Ronaldo is having a positive influence on the players from the bench, before the game, during it, more or less now he’s settled with his role and how the team are doing. 
      “I can’t believe he’s agreeing with the role he has now and is happy with it.
      “A player of his stature and how he is as a man, he’ll be knocking on the manager’s door. He’s a great professional so eventually he’ll get his goals for the team.”
      Stam then went on to state he views Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes as being the two main leaders in United’s dressing room as he failed to mention club captain Harry Maguire.
      He remarked: “If you look at the team, it looks like Bruno is one of the leaders.
      “You’re still looking at Ronaldo too in terms of how he’s acting – he’s got a positive reaction when you see him on the pitch talking to players, giving confidence to players.
      “With his quality, his experience and how people look at him, how players look at him, he’s still a very important figure in the dressing room as well and being positive to the score, and helping them out even when he’s not playing. I think Bruno is trying to do so. 
      “Even youngsters like our new players – like [Lisandro] Martinez coming in, and talking to players, and trying to bring confidence to players, and [Christian] Eriksen.
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      “I don’t know if he’s a natural leader as well, he’s got the experience of course.
      “If you look at potential leaders for now, I would say that Bruno and Ronaldo are the two who have got a lot of influence in the dressing room.” More

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      Rooneys bank £3.7million from sale of 5-bed mansion dubbed Wayne’s World

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      THE Rooneys have banked £3.7million from the sale of their former home dubbed Wayne’s World.Wayne and Coleen bought the plot for £1.5million in 2005 and knocked down a 1930s home to make way for a five-bedroom mansion.
      The Rooneys have banked £3.7million from the sale of their former home dubbed Wayne’s WorldCredit: Getty
      Wayne and Coleen’s mansion in Prestbury, CheshireCredit: Ray Bradbury
      The couple, both 36, quietly put it on the market earlier this year.
      According to Land Registry documents, it sold for £3.7million in May — five months after they moved into a £20million six-bed mega-mansion 30 miles away in the Cheshire countryside.
      A source said: “They were sad to sell it but their new house is so amazing they had no reason to keep it.”
      Their old three-storey home, in Prestbury, Cheshire, boasts a pool, gym, spa bath and cinema.
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      It has a five-a-side football pitch where Wayne enjoyed kickabouts with sons Kai, 12, Klay, eight, Kit, six, and four-year-old Cass.
      The house sits in a secluded lane and is protected by an imposing perimeter fence and CCTV cameras linked to a 24-hour security team.
      Ex-England football captain Wayne is living in the US — where he is manager at D.C. United.
      Meanwhile Coleen has stayed in the UK with their boys.
      Most read in Football
      A source said: ‘They were sad to sell it but their new house is so amazing they had no reason to keep it’Credit: Getty Images – Getty More

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      West Ham failed with measly £1m late loan transfer bid for Bayer Leverkusen defender Odilon Kossounou

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      WEST HAM made a low bid for Bayer Leverkusen centre half Odilon Kossounou before the transfer window shut.Hammers moved for the Ivory Coast defender who has fallen out of favour a year after a major move to the Bundesliga.
      West Ham failed in a late loan bid for Odilon KossounouCredit: Getty
      However David Moyes’ money men only came up with £1million in a loan fee.
      Leverkusen wanted more from West Ham and would have been more interested in a guaranteed buy at a big price.
      The 21-year-old defender signed for the Bundesliga side for £20m last summer.
      But he has started just one league game this season.
      Read More In Football
      Kossounou played 34 times in total last season, and has been capped 15 times by his country.
      Meanwhile, West Ham will try to tie down Harrison Ashby on a deal after blocking moves to Leeds United and Newcastle.
      Ashby was initially being allowed to go after stalling on new terms.
      But that was stopped when Ben Johnson picked up an injury.
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      Leeds fancied Ashby strongly and are expected to return.
      Although the Newcastle interest could die as it was a replacement for Emil Krafth who is out for the season. More

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      Stoke boss Alex Neil plans transfer raid for Leicester keeper Daniel Iversen after failing to sign him for Sunderland

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      STOKE CITY’S new boss Alex Neil has his sights on Leicester City keeper Daniel Iversen.Neil had the great Dane at Preston on loan and wanted him at Sunderland.
      Alex Neil wants to sign Leicester keeper Daniel IversenCredit: Reuters
      But the new Stoke boss missed out in the last window when he was still at the Stadium of Light.
      However, Neil is going to push his money men to invest in Iversen.
      And he may have a chance with the player if he is stuck as second choice with the Foxes.
      Iversen, 25, has played just one game for Leicester.
      Read More In Football
      That being the Carabao Cup triumph over Stockport last month.
      But he impressed during 18 months on loan at Preston, some of which was during Neil’s time in charge.
      Meanwhile, Dean Holden found out the hard way that football can be a hard business as he was sacked by old coaching school buddy Alex Neil.
      Holden took caretaker charge of Stoke City and won his only game but within hours he was axed.
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      That game being an excellent 1-0 win away at Blackburn.
      Ironically Holden had been on the same coaching course as Neil at the famous SFA headquarters in Largs. More

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      Liverpool’s transfer swoop for Spanish starlet Stefan Bajcetic was smart business and left Man Utd and Chelsea red-faced

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      LIVERPOOL’S new Spanish starlet Stefan Bajcetic is looking like a smart capture – and leaving Manchester United and Chelsea with red faces.The Kop babe has been on Jurgen Klopp’s bench already.
      Manchester United and Chelsea were both admirers of Stefan Bajcetic, who was snapped up by LiverpoolCredit: Alamy
      But the reason he joined the club a year ago is down to their willingness to take a chance on landing him as a kid.
      Bajcetic joined Liverpool just before the new post Brexit rules came in and it could be one of the most well-timed transfers ever.
      Both United and Chelsea had been tracking the top talent for months.
      Although both sides decided against pursuing a move because of fears he would not be allowed into the country.
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      Bajcetic was given a 21 minute runout by Klopp in Liverpool’s 9-0 rout against Bournemouth.
      The 17-year-old has also played twice for the U21s this season.
      Meanwhile, Liverpool left back James Norris is wanted by Huddersfield Town – after they failed in a deadline deal.
      The Kop kid has impressed in the U21s.
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      He even trained with the first team last week.
      That led to the Terriers were told to wait.
      The 19-year-old has played six times for the U21s this season. More

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      England ace Phil Foden flirted with reality TV star Holly Burns before beach bust-up with girlfriend

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      MAN City and England ace Phil Foden flirted online with a reality TV star just weeks before a bust-up with his girlfriend.The star, 22, “liked” an Instagram picture of social media influencer Holly Burns showing off her curves in her undies in March.
      England star Phil Foden liked an Instagram picture of reality TV star Holly BurnsCredit: instagram
      Phil Foden’s girlfriend Rebecca Cooke reacted angrily on holiday after looking at his phoneCredit: instagram
      We revealed Foden’s girlfriend Rebecca Cooke swore at him in a bust-up after looking at his phone on holiday in June.
      She barked: “Do you think I’m a d***head?” before walking out of a posh Corfu beach club in front of stunned holidaymakers.
      Furious Rebecca, the mum of Phil’s two kids, told him: “We can’t take you anywhere, this always happens.”
      Rebecca, also 22, had earlier grabbed Phil’s mobile while he was in the sea.
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      He did not respond when she began fuming at him, and she shouted: “Tell her ‘n’ all.”
      Weeks earlier, Premier League ace Phil engaged online with Holly, who appeared on ITV2 dating show The Cabins.
      The snap shows her lying down in PJs paired with the raunchy underwear.
      A source said: “Holly is a stunning girl and obviously gets interest from a lot of people.
      Most read in The Sun
      It was just a bit of innocent flirting online — it wasn’t anything more than that.”
      Sasha Attwood — girlfriend of Phil’s City teammate Jack Grealish — is also among Holly’s followers.
      She has liked a string of her pics and left a comment calling Holly “pretty”.
      The Corfu incident was not the first time Phil has landed himself in trouble.
      He was sent home in disgrace from an England trip to Iceland in 2020 after inviting two women to his room with then-teammate Mason Greenwood.
      Reality star Holly Burns works as an air hostess for TUICredit: instagram
      Holly, a blogger and make-up artist, also works as an air hostess for TUI.
      She has 119,000 Instagram followers and regularly shares bikini snaps in exotic locations.
      Speaking before she went on The Cabins, she said had not joined the Mile High Club — because the “toilets are disgusting”.
      Holly, from Staffordshire, was paired with Will McGregor on the show, which sees singletons spend 24 hours with a potential lover in a log cabin, but they did not form a relationship.
      She said: “It’s not the sort of person I want to be involved with.
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      “I want to be with someone who works on a building site down the road that no one knows about. It’s just less hassle.”
      However, they remained in touch and after the show aired said the door was not closed on a possible romance.
      Holly says she wants a partner who is not famousCredit: instagram
      Mum to Foden’s two children Rebecca Cooke was furious with him on holiday
      The Manchester City midfielder is set to represent England at the World CupCredit: Getty More

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      Love cheat Ryan Giggs’ aunt wrote poem warning team to ‘lock up your WAGS’

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      SERIAL love cheat Ryan Giggs’s aunt wrote a poem to Wales’s footballers warning them to “lock up your WAGS” when he became national team boss.Joanna Wilson, 61 — the sister of Giggs’s dad, Danny — said she penned it because her nephew, who had an eight-year affair with his sister-in-law, had an eye for the ladies.
      Ryan Giggs’ aunt Joanna Wilson warned Wales stars about his reputationCredit: Athena
      The assault case against Ryan Giggs collapsed this week after the jury failed to return a verdictCredit: PP.
      The retired teacher, whose side of the family have not forgiven Giggs for the fling with younger brother Rhodri’s wife, Natasha, said: “He’s been a dirty dog for years.”
      Joanna sent her jokey ode to the footballers, including Gareth Bale, when Giggs became Wales boss in 2018.
      It stresses his love of brunettes, and reads: “If your WAG’s tall and slim with long brown hair, you’d better watch out, you’d better beware.
      “Giggsy’s got the top job, it’s not just hype, so lock up your WAG, she’s just his type.”
      READ MORE RYAN GIGGS
      Mum-of-two Joanna, of Cardiff, said: “The team already knew.
      “He’s had the reputation as a love cheat for ages. One player got back to say, ‘You’re right’.
      “There are no boundaries with chasing girls for him. He can’t help himself.”
      During his trial, Giggs, 48, admitted he had never been faithful to a partner and couldn’t resist women.
      If your WAG’s tall and slim with long brown hair,You’d better watch out, you’d better beware,Giggsy’s got the top job, it’s not just hype,So lock up your WAG, she’s just his type.Joanna Wilson’s poem
      Most read in The Sun
      A jury failed to reach verdicts of allegations he assaulted Kate Greville, 38, and controlled or coerced her over three years.
      She said he cheated on her with “ten or 12 women”.
      Giggs also denied assaulting her sister, Emma, at the same time as Kate at his home in Worsley, Gtr Manchester, in November 2020.
      At the hearing, it emerged Giggs had also written poetry, describing his todger as a “totem pole” in a ditty to Kate.
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      Judge Hilary Manley told the Manchester crown court jury that Giggs had not been on trial for being “serially unfaithful”.
      He will find out this week if he faces a retrial.
      It’s a write letdownBy Susan Elkin, Literary expert
      I’M afraid Joanne’s poetry is more non-league than Premier league.
      Her couplets are rhythmically quite neat — although “he” would sit better than “Giggsy” and her punctuation is eccentric. If properly edited, it could feel snappy.
      But her offering is still better than Ryan’s effort. That clumsy “totem pole” clincher . . . really? More