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      Roy Keane has stars in hysterics saying ‘you still call him Sir?’ after Neville reveals brutal Alex Ferguson punishment

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      ROY KEANE had his fellow co-presenters in stitches as he put down Gary Neville in response to Sir Alex Ferguson’s brutal punishment for the former right back.Neville was recounting the only time he’d lost to City on Sky Sports’ The Overlap.
      Roy Keane saw the funny side of Neville’s brutal treatmentCredit: The Overlap
      Jill Scott and Micah Richards saw the funny sideCredit: The Overlap
      Neville endured a torrid afternoon as United slumped to a 3-1 defeat against City at Maine Road in 2002.
      He recounted how in the build-up to the game he had boasted to the press that he had never lost a derby.
      He was also captaining the side because of a Roy Keane injury.
      But he made a costly mistake with the score level at 1-1 which allowed City forward Shaun Goater to score the first of two goals that afternoon.
      READ MORE ON MAN UTD
      City would go on to win the derby 3-1.
      It was the last Manchester derby at Maine Road before City moved to the Commonwealth Stadium, which is now named The Etihad.
      Neville recounted the brutal punishment handed down to him by Fergie, saying: “He was quite vicious at times, the boss.
      “So he sent me out for the second half and suddenly, I think after three or four minutes he subbed me off after half time.
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      “So I had to walk off with obviously all the crowd… Oh my God.”
      To which Keane interrupted: “And you still call him sir?” and shook his head.
      The other members of the Overlap episode, Micah Richards and Jill Scott erupted into laughter at Keane’s quip.
      Neville said that the moment was so brutal that he went home and drank to forget the incident.
      Neville said: “I got bottles of beer and sat at home on my own in Bolton and just drank.”
      The former right back said he was frozen out for 10 days after the Goater incident which included being left out of a Champions League clash with Bayer Leverkusen.
      The overlap team also discussed tomorrow’s FA Cup final.
      For United fans, their motivation to stop City from emulating their 1999 treble success is almost stronger than their motivation to actually lift the cup.
      In their two meetings this season, both sides won their home matches.
      City thrashed United 6-3 at home in a game that included an Erling Haaland hat-trick.
      But United got the better of City in January in a 2-1 win through goals courtesy of star men Marcus Rashford and Bruno Fernandes.
      Roy Keane said: “Yeah, I am worried for United in a sense again with the squad and type of players they’ve got.”
      Read More on The Sun
      But he offered some hope for United fans in saying: “But United in Rashford and Bruno Fernandes do have players that can hurt City if City are just off or let them off the hook.”
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      Ex-FA Cup final stadium that once hosted Usain Bolt now abandoned and left to rot while covered in fox poo

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      A FORMER FA Cup final venue that also hosted Usain Bolt is now an abandoned stadium covered in fox poo.The National Sports Centre at Crystal Palace opened in 1964 in Crystal Palace Park, the same site where the Cup final was held between 1895 and 1914.
      The Crystal Palace National Sports Centre has been left to rotCredit: The Times
      The FA Cup Final, with this snap from 1912, was played on the same venue from 1895 to 1915Credit: Hulton Picture Company
      Holes fill the spot on the track where Usain Bolt lined up to raceCredit: The Times
      The stands have been left covered in animal pooCredit: The Times
      The large sports centre and outdoor athletics stadium which had a 19,000 capacity ground hosted the London Grand Prix for over a decade before it was switched to the Olympic Stadium in 2012.
      Jamaican Olympic legend Bolt was one of the star names to have competed there in the past – but now the site has fallen into disrepair since its closure in November 2020.
      A report by The Times highlighted the shocking decline, although they report how The Mayor of London has committed millions to refurbishing the decaying National Sports Centre.
      The South London complex was closed in November 2022 over emergency safety concerns.
      READ MORE SPORT NEWS
      Concrete pillars holding up the floodlights were discovered to have been unsafe. 
      Although they have since been removed, the Olympic-sized swimming and diving pool there have remained closed since March 2020.
      Now after years of leakages on the indoor running track, which hosted its last grand prix in 2011, the outside stands are covered in bird, fox and rat excrement.
      And the start line where Bolt once lined-up to race is now peppered with holes. 
      Most read in Sport
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      Former British sprinter Donovan Reid now works as an athletics coach and has used the stadium for 30 years, and he says it has been “managed to disrepair”.
      He told BBC: “To categorise it as a bit of a mess, is like saying the pandemic was a cold. It’s more than a bit of a mess.
      “We would love it if work to make it safe can be done and then they can start its development.
      “What we don’t want is for someone to shut it down completely.
      “I have young athletes who I believe can make the Commonwealth, Olympic and World teams and their training is being stifled.”
      However, a glimmer of hope has now appeared for the historic venue after Sadiq Khan “authorised a sum said to be in single-figure millions to be spent over the next 12 months” on repairing the outdoor and indoor running tracks.
      And that figure will also lead to installing replacement floodlighting and upgrading other facilities, such as the main fitness gym.
      Khan said: “Crystal Palace National Sports Centre is a historic and much-loved sporting and community facility where many UK sporting stars have started their careers and trained, but which is in need of major investment and refurbishment.
      Read More on The Sun
      “I am completely committed to this once-in-a-generation redevelopment of the site which will secure its future for decades to come. While work continues apace on our vision for the long-term future of the centre, I am delighted to announce that we intend to make a number of early improvements that we hope will make a huge difference to users of the centre.
      “Over the coming months, we will continue to work closely with key stakeholders — including sporting bodies and wider community groups — to deliver an outstanding venue that our capital and our country can be proud of.”
      Jamaican legend (second left) pictured in 2009 at the Aviva London Grand Prix at Crystal Palace National Sports CentreCredit: PA:Press Association
      The stadium was closed in 2020 but has been promised funding to help restore itCredit: The Times
      The stadium has rusting fences and weeds growing between paving stonesCredit: Alex Terrell More

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      Neville reveals Sir Alex Ferguson ‘went mad’ at Man Utd legend for swapping shirts with City star after humiliating loss

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      GARY NEVILLE has recalled the moment Sir Alex Ferguson “snapped” in the Manchester United dressing room following a derby defeat to Manchester City.United had suffered a 3-1 loss to their local rivals when the outburst occurred at Maine Road in 2002.
      Van Nistelrooy’s actions led to an outburst from FergusonCredit: PA:Press Association
      Ferguson ‘snapped’ in the dressing roomCredit: AP:Associated Press

      Following the full-time whistle, the Red Devils retreated to their dressing room while City celebrated on the pitch.
      However, Dutch striker Ruud van Nistelrooy walked through the door dressed in Blue after agreeing to swap shirts with a rival player.
      Ferguson was subsequently furious, leading to an extraordinary outburst in the dressing room.
      When speaking about the incident on an episode of The Overlap, former Man Utd defender Neville said: “So at the end of that game, I think it came out after, Ruud van Nistelrooy swapped shirts.
      Read More on Man Utd
      “Somebody asked to swap shirts with Ruud. Do you remember it (Roy Keane)? Who was it that asked to swap shirts with Ruud? 
      “And he swapped shirts and walked into the dressing room with a Manchester City shirt on his (chest). I mean, all hell broke loose. He snapped!
      “And basically, ‘None of you ever, ever, swap one of my shirts ever again’, pointing towards the City shirt.
      “He went absolutely mad. Crazy. It went quiet.”
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      Man Utd are set to face Man City once again this weekend in the FA Cup final.
      Pep Guardiola’s side will look to keep their treble hopes alive with a win over the Red Devils.
      Meanwhile, Erik ten Hag is hoping to lead his team to their second piece of silverware. More

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      Man Utd boost as Pep Guardiola reveals early FA Cup final line-up news and key Man City star WON’T play

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      PEP GUARDIOLA says he will stick with his cup keeper Stefan Ortega for Saturday’s showdown with Manchester United.The German has played in all the FA Cup matches this season but Ederson is very much the No1 at the Etihad.
      Pep has confirmed his No.1 will not start the final.Credit: Reuters
      Stefan Ortega will start the matchCredit: Getty
      And even though the treble is up for grabs over the next week for Manchester City, the manager has vowed to stick with him.
      Some fans may consider it a gamble with so much at stake but the former Barcelona coach believes it is the right decision.
      Guardiola said: “Stefan’s going to play yeah. It’s always like that, even in Barcelona, the keeper who has played FA Cup will start.”

      Pep’s policy came back to haunt him last season as a blunder by stand in Zack Steffen gifted Liverpool a goal in last season’s semi-final.
      READ MORE ON MAN UTD
      The only time he has veered from it was in 2019 when Ederson started the 6-0 win over Watford – but that was partly because understudy Claudio Bravo was injured.
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      Meanwhile Guardiola confirmed that Kevin de Bruyne, Jack Grealish and Ruben Dias all trained well despite being rested in the final days of the season.
      He said: “They trained well in last two days. There are no concerns. The squad are more or less fine.”
      No 1 Ederson will have to make do with a place on the benchCredit: AFP More

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      Man Utd star Varane reveals how to stop Erling Haaland in FA Cup clash as he vows to knock Pep off his perch AGAIN

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      RAPHAEL VARANE has vowed to stop Erling Haaland in his tracks and ruin Manchester City’s treble dreams at the same time.With 52 goals in 51 games Haaland enters his first FA Cup final as the most feared striker on the planet.
      Manchester United star Raphael Varane has found the way to stop Erling HaalandCredit: Rex
      Manchester City superstar Haaland will face Varane in the FA Cup FinalCredit: PA
      But United centre-back Varane insists the key to stopping him is breaking his connection with Kevin De Bruyne by pressing high up.
      Varane said: “The connection especially with De Bruyne because they have a connection, we try to cut that connection.
      “We try to stop them earlier and not at the end because sometimes it’s too late. We know we have to be strong as a team.
      “Obviously he is one of the very good players they have, but they are strong as a team and we have to respond not to the individual but more to the collective.”
      Read More on Man Utd
      While City will be favourites to add the FA Cup to their league title ahead of going to the Champions League final in Istanbul, Varane is insistent United can topple Pep Guardiola’s side.
      After all they have already won 2-1 at home to get revenge for the 6-3 drubbing at The Etihad this season.
      He said: “I think we know we are able to beat any team. We showed that this season. We know we can beat them but we know they are a good team.
      “The approach, we have to learn from the games we played against them and we need a great performance.
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      “We have to be consistent for 90 minutes because we know that everything can change in a few seconds.
      “They are very complete. They can score from set-plays, from a possession game and from a transition game.
      “We know we have to stop them as a team and collectively as a group.”
      Varane, 30, knows what it takes to knock Pep off his perch.
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      When he joined Real Madrid in 2011 Guardiola’s Barcelona had just won two Champions Leagues and three successive LaLigas.
      In Varane’s first season the title was wrestled back to the Santiago Bernabeu, and Guardiola quit the Nou Camp.
      It was one of three LaLigas centre-back Varane won and he would also go on to win four European Cups with the Spanish giants.
      Now he wants to take the power back in England too.
      Varane said: “I learned a lot from that period in Madrid. It was my first step at the top level.
      “I learned how to fight, develop that winning mentality.
      “We grew as a team and as a club during that period. I learned a lot and it was very helpful for me.”

      Varane has brought a calm assuredness to United in a successful second season with the club following his £41million transfer.
      He says the pressure of playing for Real has taught him how to handle life with United.
      He said: “Even when it’s difficult, we know how important Manchester United are around the world.
      “There’s a lot of pressure, so when the results are not good you have to stay calm and composed.”
      He has certainly helped to bring a belief and winning mentality to United this season that will be needed in that bid to topple City.
      Not just this weekend in the FA Cup Final but next season in the League.
      United only briefly flirted with a title challenge this season, but a third-placed finish and two domestic Cup Finals showed real signs of progress.
      When he is asked if there is a fear factor about facing City this weekend he looks visibly perplexed.
      “Fear?” He said. “No. Why?”
      “Every game is a challenge, and I like to challenge myself, like to challenge other teams too as a group as a team and the most important thing is to believe.
      “I like to face big challenges, especially when something looks impossible, it’s when I feel OK.
      “That expectation to do something impossible, what looks impossible; when the challenge is big I feel more motivation.
      “City is a team that creates the most chances in a game, and that game in the first half [when Man Utd beat City 2-1 at Old Trafford] was very good.
      “So we have to do this performance to win the Cup and obviously if we have one chance we have to score; so we have to be efficient.”
      A serial winner, with a World Cup to his name as well, the French international would love to add the FA Cup to his CV after the Carabao success earlier in the season.
      Read More on The Sun
      He said: “I wanted to come to England to feel these types of emotions.
      “The FA Cup is huge here in England, I have a big respect for the fans and we have a good connection so I know how important this competition – this game – is to them.”
      Ex-Real Madrid star Varane has history with Manchester City boss Pep GuardiolaCredit: PA
      Varane and Haaland have already faced off in the Premier LeagueCredit: Sunday Times More

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      Former FA Cup final site that once hosted Usain Bolt now abandoned and left to rot while covered in fox poo

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      A FORMER FA Cup final venue that also hosted Usain Bolt is now an abandoned stadium covered in fox poo.The National Sports Centre at Crystal Palace opened in 1964 in Crystal Palace Park, the same site where the Cup final was held between 1895 and 1914.
      The Crystal Palace National Sports Centre has been left to rotCredit: The Times
      The FA Cup Final, with this snap from 1912, was played on the same venue from 1895 to 1915Credit: Hulton Picture Company
      Holes fill the spot on the track where Usain Bolt lined up to raceCredit: The Times
      The stands have been left covered in animal pooCredit: The Times
      The large sports centre and outdoor athletics stadium which had a 19,000 capacity ground hosted the London Grand Prix for over a decade before it was switched to the Olympic Stadium in 2012.
      Jamaican Olympic legend Bolt was one of the star names to have competed there in the past – but now the site has fallen into disrepair since its closure in November 2020.
      A report by The Times highlighted the shocking decline, although they report how The Mayor of London has committed millions to refurbishing the decaying National Sports Centre.
      The South London complex was closed in November 2022 over emergency safety concerns.
      READ MORE SPORT NEWS
      Concrete pillars holding up the floodlights were discovered to have been unsafe. 
      Although they have since been removed, the Olympic-sized swimming and diving pool there have remained closed since March 2020.
      Now after years of leakages on the indoor running track, which hosted its last grand prix in 2011, the outside stands are covered in bird, fox and rat excrement.
      And the start line where Bolt once lined-up to race is now peppered with holes. 
      Most read in Athletics
      CASINO SPECIAL – BEST ONLINE CASINOS FOR 2023
      Former British sprinter Donovan Reid now works as an athletics coach and has used the stadium for 30 years, and he says it has been “managed to disrepair”.
      He told BBC: “To categorise it as a bit of a mess, is like saying the pandemic was a cold. It’s more than a bit of a mess.
      “We would love it if work to make it safe can be done and then they can start its development.
      “What we don’t want is for someone to shut it down completely.
      “I have young athletes who I believe can make the Commonwealth, Olympic and World teams and their training is being stifled.”
      However, a glimmer of hope has now appeared for the historic venue after Sadiq Khan “authorised a sum said to be in single-figure millions to be spent over the next 12 months” on repairing the outdoor and indoor running tracks.
      And that figure will also lead to installing replacement floodlighting and upgrading other facilities, such as the main fitness gym.
      Khan said: “Crystal Palace National Sports Centre is a historic and much-loved sporting and community facility where many UK sporting stars have started their careers and trained, but which is in need of major investment and refurbishment.
      Read More on The Sun
      “I am completely committed to this once-in-a-generation redevelopment of the site which will secure its future for decades to come. While work continues apace on our vision for the long-term future of the centre, I am delighted to announce that we intend to make a number of early improvements that we hope will make a huge difference to users of the centre.
      “Over the coming months, we will continue to work closely with key stakeholders — including sporting bodies and wider community groups — to deliver an outstanding venue that our capital and our country can be proud of.”
      Jamaican legend (second left) pictured in 2009 at the Aviva London Grand Prix at Crystal Palace National Sports CentreCredit: PA:Press Association
      The stadium was closed in 2020 but has been promised funding to help restore itCredit: The Times More

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      Play Dream Team Single Game Survivor alongside Saturday’s FA Cup final – £2000+ prize pot!

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      Manchester City continue their quest for a historic treble this weekend when they take on Manchester United at Wembley in a blockbuster FA Cup final.Pep Guardiola’s side, who recently retained their Premier League crown, will undoubtedly start as favourites but the Red Devils will be supremely motivated to spoil their neighbours’ party.
      And let’s not forget, Erik ten Hag and his men have already lifted a trophy at the home of English football this season – they beat Newcastle in the Carabao Cup final at the end of February.
      To celebrate this weekend’s marquee fixture, we’re running a special edition of Single Game Survivor with a prize pot of £2,000+ up for grabs!

      PLAY SINGLE GAME SURVIVOR NOW! £5 ENTRY FOR OUR FA CUP FINAL SPECIAL – £2,000+ PRIZE POT

      Credit: DREAM TEAM
      What is Single Game Survivor?
      Single Game Survivor takes its inspiration from our Classic Survivor Game.
      In Classic Survivor, you pick a Premier League team to win each week. They win, you survive; they don’t, you’re out.
      And it’s exactly the same principle with Single Game Survivor (or SGS as it’s more snappily known), except that in this game you submit predictions relating to specific match events.
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      Get your predictions right as the game goes along and you’ll survive; but get them wrong and you’re out.
      The pleasant twist? You get two lives to play with!
      How do you make picks in SGS?
      Ahead of the FA Cup final, we’ll serve up some questions for you to consider. Such as:

      Which team will score first?
      Which of these four players will have a shot on target first?

      And so on.
      Win these mini-battles to keep yourself alive!
      Credit: DREAM TEAM
      How do I win money in SGS?
      Now for the good bit.
      You get two chances to win in SGS, with the first cash prize coming if you survive until half-time.
      If your sharp football instincts help you survive until full-time, you take a share of the prize pot that remains.
      Why should I play SGS?
      QUICK MONEY With our two chances to make money – half-time and full-time – you might win money in just 45 minutes!
      TWO LIVES You get not one, but two lives as you chase down the cash!
      BEAT THE REST Test your knowledge against our thousands-strong community
      LIVE EXPERIENCE See your rivals eliminated and the prize pool increase during the match
      What’s the best way to follow SGS?
      Follow along live with us!
      Sign-in to your account and track all the key moments via our live tracker to see how they affect you and your rivals.
      You’ll also be able to see how the cash pot rises as players get knocked out!
      Good Luck!
      Read More on The Sun
      To celebrate this weekend’s marquee fixture, we’re running a special edition of Single Game Survivor with a prize pot of £2,000+ up for grabs!

      PLAY SINGLE GAME SURVIVOR NOW! £5 ENTRY FOR OUR FA CUP FINAL SPECIAL – £2,000+ PRIZE POT More

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      Man Utd go for blue suits for FA Cup final clash vs City.. just weeks after Fergie’s stinging criticism of white outfits

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      MANCHESTER UNITED showed off their swanky blue suits ahead of Saturday’s FA Cup Final.United take on rivals Manchester City at Wembley and are determined to deny them the chance of emulating their historic Treble triumph from 1999.
      Manchester United star Alejandro Garnacho posed with the club’s new threads
      Casemiro posed in Manchester United’s new suit by Paul Smith
      Aaron Wan-Bissaka and his Manchester United team-mates will don the suits at the FA Cup Final
      But no matter what happens on the pitch, the Red Devils will certainly be arriving to the capital in style.
      Erik ten Hag’s men posed for photos in their smart new Paul Smith-designed outfits.

      Casemiro, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Alejandro Garnacho were pictured in their new threads.
      This comes after legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson’s couldn’t resist a dig at Liverpool’s iconic white suits in a recent rugby pep talk.
      Read More on Man Utd
      The Reds’ ‘Spice Boys’, including the likes of Steve McManaman, Robbie Fowler and Jamie Redknapp, infamously wore the all-white Armani outfits for the 1996 Cup Final, which they 1-0 thanks to Eric Cantona’s winner.
      And Fergie showed he is in no mood to let fans forget that fashion faux pas any time soon as he spoke to Sale Sharks before their Premiership rugby final with Saracens.
      Ferguson said: “You don’t want to lose on Saturday and I wish you all the best.
      “The thing is, I’m telling you, don’t wear a white suit for Christ’s sake!”
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      But it seems like Ferguson is satisfied with United’s suits ahead of the important final.
      After all, Paul Smith has been kitting out the Red Devils’ stars since 2008 when Fergie was still in charge.
      Manchester United legend Sir Alex Ferguson slammed Liverpool’s white suits from 1996Credit: PA
      Liverpool lost to Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United in the 1996 FA Cup FinalCredit: Getty More