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      Jose Mourinho: I like Ruben Amorim as a person and as a manager.. incoming Man Utd boss can coach any club in any league

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      JOSE MOURINHO has spoken glowingly about Ruben Amorim who looks poised to become the next Manchester United manager.Sporting Lisbon boss Amorim, 39, is in advanced talks to succeed Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford.Jose Mourinho has spoken very positively about Ruben AmorimCredit: GettyAmorim worked an internship under Jose Mourinho at Manchester UnitedCredit: Twitter @Mourinho_XtraEarlier this year he was linked with the Liverpool and West Ham jobs – and even flew to London amid talks of him taking over from David Moyes.And when he was being touted as The Hammers’ next coach in May, Mourinho, who gave Amorim an internship during his time at Man Utd, praised the Portuguese manager. Speaking to Mais Futebol, he said: “It’s also a question I shouldn’t answer, but what can I tell you? I like him [Amorim] as a person, I like him as a coach.”I think he has the conditions to be able to coach in any league and he has the conditions to be able to coach in any club.READ MORE ON MAN UTD”But he’s in a good league and he’s in a big club.”The decision is his and it will be up to the clubs that want him or not, to convince him with more or less arguments.”What is clear from my side is that I like the person and I like the coach.”Amorim took his first managerial role at Portuguese side Casa Pia just months after working under Mourinho in 2018.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS’I was expecting this’ – What Ruben Amorim said about Man Utd job linksRUBEN AMORIM has responded to being linked with a move to Manchester United.The Sporting Lisbon coach, 39, is reportedly closing in on a deal worth £8million to become Erik ten Hag’s successor.Just hours after Ten Hag’s dismissed on Monday morning, it emerged Man Utd chiefs were in talks with Amorim as they zero in on the Sporting boss.But the ex-Braga coach remained tight-lipped on negotiations when quizzed by the media.He said: “I was already expecting this question [about Man Utd].“Obviously I’m not going to talk about the future, because otherwise I’ll always have to comment.”I’m very proud to be Sporting coach, that’s all.”He went on to coach Braga and then joined Sporting in 2020 – where he has gone on to win two league titles and two cups.When compared to Mourinho earlier this year, Amorim said: “Don’t compare me to Mourinho. There will never be another Mourinho.”How ‘Mourinho 2.0’ Ruben Amorim can revive Man Utd after being overlooked by Liverpool in summerInterim boss Ruud van Nistelrooy will be in charge of Man Utd’s Carabao Cup tie against Leicester at Old Trafford on Wednesday night.However, Amorim could be at the helm as soon as Sunday’s Premier League clash at home to Chelsea.It is understood Man Utd will pay Sporting in the region of £8million to bring him to the club.When asked about the job during a press conference on Monday, he said: “I was already expecting this question and obviously I’m not going to talk about the future, because otherwise I’ll always have to comment.”I’m very proud to be Sporting coach, that’s all.” More

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      Ruben Amorim to Man Utd updates – Red Devils set to pay £8.3m for Sporting manager with appointment all-but confirmed

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      SPORTING have confirmed that Manchester United will pay Ruben Amorim’s £8.3m release clause to replace Erik ten Hag as the club’s manager.It comes after former manager Ten Hag was sacked on Monday morning following the Red Devils’ poor start to the 2024/25 Premier League season.NEXT MAN UTD MANAGER LATEST ODDSFollow our live blog below…Amor of the same Ruben Amorim already has experience of getting the better of some of the Premier League’s top managers.The Sporting Lisbon boss appears to be in pole position to replace Erik ten Hag in the Old Trafford hot-seat, after the Dutchman was sacked on Monday.Amorim may have never managed in the Premier League, but his tactics have already come up trumps against some of the division’s best managers.Most notably, his Sporting side saw off Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal in the Europa League last 16 in 2023.Sporting knocked the Gunners out of Europe with some intelligent tactics that pushed Arteta’s side to the limit and ultimately knocked them out on penalties.Amorim’s side managed a draw in both fixtures, a 2-2 game at home and a 1-1 effort at the Emirates.Copy linkCopied’Here we go’ Man Utd are set to pay Ruben Amorim’s €10m (£8.3m) Sporting Lisbon exit clause. According to Fabrizio Romano, Sporting confirmed formal communications with Amorim to be appointed United manager. The manager is already on board to take over at Old Trafford. Copy linkCopiedMor changeRuben Amorim could ring the changes at Manchester United if he is hired for the top job.Amorim has favoured a 3-4-3 formation while at Sporting Lisbon which could suit the club’s defensive options.And here is how SunSport reckons United could line up under Amorim.Copy linkCopiedMour to learnRuben Amorim had an internship at Man Utd under Jose Mourinho in 2018.He has previously cited the Special One as his “reference point” in coaching.He has played down any comparisons between the pair, saying of his idol: “Mourinho is one of a kind. There won’t be another Mourinho. Mourinho is unique.”Copy linkCopiedMore from Pep He said on Ten Hag: “I wish him all the best, he and his family, and of course he’s going to come back stronger. “He knows, I know, everybody knows: our job depends on the results. The results are not good enough.“I’m saying that, and even myself, I’m not an exception. If the results are not good, there isn’t anything that can sustain it… “Our job, unfortunately, is as simple as that: you have to get results.“If you are [there] because you are handsome, or because you [speak well], or have good relationships with the hierarchies, forget about it. “I have an incredible relationship with my hierarchy, but if I didn’t get results, I wouldn’t be here. This is a business, and when you become a manager, you have to know it.”Credit: ReutersCopy linkCopiedPep talkPep Guardiola has spoken out following Erik ten Hag’s sacking.He said: “Always I feel sorry for managers, you know? He’s lost his position, so I’m so sorry for him. “I have a good, I think incredible relationship [with him]. I think he represented Manchester United at the highest level in terms of behaviours, of course.“Our job as managers is one of the few jobs – in all the jobs in the world – where people are expecting to be sacked. People are expecting you don’t have a job.“I don’t see architects or doctors or teachers or anything… The people deciding [their futures don’t say]: ‘Get out.’ It’s only us. It’s our job, we have to accept it.”Copy linkCopiedAm your manRuben Amorim’s potential move to Old Trafford could pave the way for a top striker to join United.Once settled in to his job, the 39-year-old could attempt to lure Sporting forward Viktor Gyokeres to Manchester.The Sweden international has been heavily linked with a move to the Premier League in recent months.Arsenal, Manchester City and Chelsea have all expressed an interest in signing the former Coventry star.But Amorim’s presence could attract him to Old Trafford instead.Copy linkCopiedFamily tiesRuben Amorim’s brother in law Antero was famously the former Sporting Director at PSG – and was a Man Utd target – before the Red Devils switched their attention to Dan Ashworth.He was responsible for the most expensive transfer ever – bringing Neymar to the Ligue 1 giants in a record-breaking £198million from Barcelona.Antero also managed to convince Kylian Mbappe to snub Real Madrid, when he moved from Monaco.While Dani Alves, who was fielding several offers from Premier League clubs, was persuaded that his future belonged in the French capital in 2017.Before his tenure at PSG, Antero modernised Porto’s academy and introduced handball and basketball to the organisation.Copy linkCopiedCareer in numbersHere is Ruben Amorim’s career stats as both a player and manager.Copy linkCopiedLess is AmorMan Utd will get Ruben Amorim out of his Sporting Lisbon contract for £16.5million less than other clubs would have to pay thanks to a shock clause, according to reports.The 39-year-old has reportedly verbally agreed to join Man Utd and is already deep in talks.Amorim’s deal at Sporting expires in 2026 – yet reports state he was planning to quit at the end of this season.Newspaper A Bola claims he has three different release clauses in his contract.Another Portuguese club would have to pay £25m for his services – while that figure drops to £17m for sides outside his homeland.But there is also supposedly a “sharks” agreement that makes it easier for Europe’s elite to afford him.The clause allows clubs like Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Barcelona, Juventus, Liverpool, Manchester City and United to activate Amorim’s release for just £8.5m.That means Sir Jim Ratcliffe is getting his man for £16.5m less than the other clubs like Porto or Benfica have to pay.Copy linkCopiedWhat a Hag-gle Erik ten Hag’s final glory at Manchester United might have not happened if he had persisted with his originally planned tactics in the FA Cup final.Ten Hag, 54, was kept in the position by new bosses Ineos over the summer after winning the FA Cup final against Manchester City, courtesy of goals from Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo.However, the result of that game could have turned out very different.That is because, according to The Independent, Ten Hag’s original plan was to go “toe-to-toe” against the league champions.And only after hours of debate led by then-technical director Darren Fletcher – who has since become one of Ten Hag’s coaching staff after Jason Wilcox joined – Ten Hag relented.The tactical tweaks he made prior to the game worked as a treat, as the 4-4-2 shape helped United defend against Pep Guardiola’s side and gave United the ability to be dangerous on the counter.Reports at the time suggested that Ten Hag had also listened to the advice of Wilcox to use Bruno Fernandes as a False 9 for the final, which yielded the captain an assist for the winner.Copy linkCopiedBest of alive Ruben Amorim looks set to be the manager appointed as the new boss of Manchester United following the sacking of Erik ten Hag.The Sporting CP head coach will inherit a squad that sits 14th in the Premier League and 21st in the Europa League table.However, that is not to say he will come into a total mess at Old Trafford, with a talented squad with a number of bright young talents set to be at his disposal.The summer’s transfers under new bosses Ineos also appear to fit like a glove for Amorim’s style of play.The addition of a new defensive midfielder in Manuel Ugarte and two centre-backs in Matthijs de Ligt and Leny Yoro have bolstered particularly weak areas of the squad from last season.But problems have persisted over the summer, and Amorim, 39, will need to have a checklist of items on his agenda if he takes up the Red Devils mantle – as his idol Jose Mourinho once did.Copy linkCopiedAmorim €100m man Viktor Gyokeres enjoyed a prolific campaign with Sporting Lisbon last season, scoring 43 goals in 50 appearances.The 26-year-old has carried that impressive form over to this term with 14 goals in the same number of outings.And, just last month, Amorim insisted Gyokeres is worth at least £83MILLION.He said: “Viktor is a great player, and I believe he is worth €100 million.”Particularly, Sporting, along with president Frederico Varandas and sporting director Hugo Viana, believes he is worth that amount.”Therefore, that is the price; anyone wanting to sign him will have to pay €100 million.”Credit: ReutersCopy linkCopiedNumbers don’t lie Here is how Erik ten Hag’s reign at Man Utd went downhill following 7-0 defeat to Liverpool. Copy linkCopiedSeven and hell Erik ten Hag’s downfall at Manchester United may have started NINETEEN MONTHS ago.Although Sunday’s Hammer blow may have been the result that burst Ten Hag’s bubble, it was a game over a year ago that started his descent into unemployment.New stats from Opta show that United’s 7-0 humiliation at the hands of Liverpool in March 2023 was the turning point in Ten Hag’s tenure.Not only was that result the moment that much of the Man Utd faithful lost faith in the gaffer, but it’s also when the wheels began to come off.Prior to the defeat at Anfield, Ten Hag’s United had boasted a 73 PER CENT win rate, losing just six games over the course of the manager’s first 41 matches in all competitions.Copy linkCopiedBreaking silence This is what Ruben Amorim said when probed on his links to replacing Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford. He said: “I was already expecting this question and obviously I’m not going to talk about the future, because otherwise I’ll always have to comment.”I’m very proud to be Sporting coach, that’s all.”Credit: GettyCopy linkCopiedFamily ties Ruben Amorim’s brother in law Antero was famously the former Sporting Director at PSG – and was a Man Utd target – before the Red Devils switched their attention to Dan Ashworth.He was responsible for the most expensive transfer ever – bringing Neymar to the Ligue 1 giants in a record-breaking £198million from Barcelona.Antero also managed to convince Kylian Mbappe to snub Real Madrid, when he moved from Monaco.While Dani Alves, who was fielding several offers from Premier League clubs, was persuaded that his future belonged in the French capital in 2017.Before his tenure at PSG, Antero modernised Porto’s academy and introduced handball and basketball to the organisation.Copy linkCopiedAlternate XI Here is another way Man Utd could line up under Ruben Amorim. Copy linkCopiedMor change Ruben Amorim could ring the changes at Manchester United if he is hired for the top job.Amorim has favoured a 3-4-3 formation while at Sporting Lisbon which could suit the club’s defensive options.And here is how SunSport reckons United could line up under Amorim.Copy linkCopiedDevils in disguise It will take years to unpick this mess, years. Try maybe five at best.If anyone thinks Ruben Amorim or any other new manager at Old Trafford is going to turn water into wine, or rather champagne, then forget it.It is a mess of Manchester United’s own making. Or that of part-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe.Mind you, he has washed his hands of such problems, claiming it is in fact the new ‘management team’ or whatever they are called, who take these decisions.The Glazers have washed their hands of it, too, despite still counting the dollars.Omar Berrada, Jason Wilcox and Dan Ashworth all claim to have arrived too late to be involved in the decisions at the end of last season. See how the buck is getting passed.Copy linkCopiedMarried man Ruben Amorim is a father of two and is married to Maria João Diogo, who have one son together.Maria has built her own business in interior design with an academic degree in telecommunications engineering.The couple got married in 2013 in front of 160 guests at a beautiful ceremony at the Palácio de S. Marcos church in Coimbra.Players like Nuno Gomes, Miguel Vítor, Hugo Viana, Luís Filipe and Quim were all present. As was Maria’s brother, Antero Henrique.Copy linkCopiedErik ten Swag Erik ten Hag boards a private jet to the Netherlands after being axed as Manchester United manager yesterday with an expected £15million golden goodbye.The Dutchman, 54, got his marching orders at 11am.He was seen smiling at 2.15pm before a Cessna light aircraft flew him home from Manchester to Amsterdam.Less than two hours after the announcement — at 1.30pm — sheepish Ten Hag was seen crouching down in the back of a black ­chauffeur-driven Mercedes S Class.The 54-year-old Dutchman was whisked from his Cheshire home to Manchester Airport — where he was pictured in the gilet and with a rucksack — before his private jet left for Amsterdam at 2.15pm.He is in line for a £15million payoff after a turbulent 2½-year spell and is the fifth manager sacked since Sir Alex Ferguson stepped down after 27 years in 2013.Copy linkCopiedDave Kidd Sir Jim Ratcliffe has assembled one hell of a brains trust at Manchester United.And it seems, by closing in on Ruben Amorim, that they have started to get brainy.They have started taking intelligent decisions.They are making Manchester United sensible again.The Red Devils have fallen so far behind Liverpool and Manchester City in recent years that they have been little more than a speck in the rear view mirror of either of their North-West rivals.Yet the Kop giants and City have both been strongly linked with Sporting boss Amorim, the hottest young property in European coaching, and it is United who are on the brink of landing him.Copy linkCopiedTop of the flops Erik ten Hag has been sacked with Manchester United 14th in the Premier League and £300MILLION out of pocket.Ten Hag leaves with an FA Cup and Carabao Cup to his name but in the league and Europe results were underwhelming.And so too was his transfer business.In his two seasons, Ten Hag signed 21 players costing over £545m.Copy linkCopiedMour to learn Ruben Amorim had an internship at Man Utd under Jose Mourinho in 2018. He has previously cited the Special One as his “reference point” in coaching.He has played down any comparisons between the pair, saying of his idol: “Mourinho is one of a kind. There won’t be another Mourinho. Mourinho is unique.”Copy linkCopied More

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      Inside the curse of 2019 Ajax world-beaters who stunned Real Madrid from Ten Hag’s Man Utd horror show to transfer flops

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      THEY were the best Ajax team since Louis van Gaal’s mid 90s outfit that landed a Champions League title.That team featured the de Boer twins Ronald and Frank, Patrick Kluivert, Marc Overmars, Clarence Seedorf and Edgar Davids at the heart of midfield and more.Ajax’s class of 2019 won admirers in 2019 for their football in EuropeCredit: AFP or licensorsFrenkie de Jong and Donny van de Beek were two stars of that young Ajax teamErik ten Hag was their manager and tipped to become a coaching greatCredit: GettyBut the spirit of those incredible talents seemed to resonate through the likes of Frenkie de Jong, Matthijs de Ligt, Donny van de Beek, Hakimn Ziyech, and Andre Onana.Led by up-and-coming manager Erik ten Hag, they played some of the best football in Europe during the 2018-19 season.Domestically, they went double Dutch – winning both the league and cup.While in the Champions League, they earned plenty of admirers for destroying Real Madrid 4-1 at the Bernabeu in the Round of 16 and beating Juventus in Turin in the quarter-finals.Read more football news Their journey ended in the semis, after losing on away goals to Tottenham.As is almost always the case, Europe’s top dogs cherry-picked Ajax’s best talent – paying huge fees.De Jong went to Barcelona for £65million, de Ligt to Juventus for £75million, and manager ten Hag was hired to bring his flair to an ailing Man Utd team.However, as that team disbanded the worst was to come for those promising youngsters, and their boss.Most read in FootballSo, where did all go wrong?The kids’Something seriously wrong!’ Ex-Prem ref reacts to huge Man Utd call which saw Erik Ten Hag sackedForget the old saying, ‘You won’t win anything with kids.’ This Ajax team did, and they swept most teams before them.Steadied by Daley Blind at the back, who struggled in the Premier League with Man Utd, they had a youthful vibrance about them.De Ligt, the recipient of the 2018 Golden Boy trophy given to the best player under 21, was the first-ever defender to ever win the award.De Jong had plenty of swagger, controlling possession in the midfield and driving the tempo of the side.Astonishing stats from December to February of that campaign showed that De Jong had completed 354 of his 390 passes, while making 53 ball recoveries.That prompted former Dutch international Rafael van der Vaart to call De Jong the best player in Europe with the ball at his feet.Cameroon goalie Onana – who came through the Ajax academy – was also excelling himself between the sticks as a carbon copy of Edwin van der Sar with his handling and distribution praised.In Donny van der Beek they had a playmaker who starred in the No10 role and was drawing comparisons with Dennis Bergkamp.Moroccan Hakim Ziyech also provided a threat on the wing, in what was a breakthrough season that saw him score 22 goals in all competitions.Alongside Dusan Tadic, goals were flying in everywhere – testament to that was the 119 goals in 34 league games, and the four that shook the Bernabeu in that famous Champions League massacre.Frenkie de Jong opitimized that Ajax team – playing with plenty of swaggerCredit: Getty – ContributorHakim Ziyech was a huge goal threat from the wingCredit: Getty – ContributorPlaymaker Donny van de Beek drew comparisons to Dutch legend Dennis BergkampCredit: Getty – Contributorread more sport featuresThe managerThey were led by the emerging ten Hag, who grew up on a diet of a Johan Cruyff’s Ajax and Barcelona teams and studied Pep Guardiola, who he worked alongside at Bayern Munich.He once revealing of his Spanish mentor: “Every day I get to work with him, I look forward to it. He inspires me.”On the wall of his modest office at the club’s De Toekomst training ground ten Hag hung photos of past greats Cruyff, van Gaal, and Rinus Michels.An ode to history that would act as a basis for his own thoughts.The club would play a free-flowing 4-2-3-1 formation – it wasn’t total football but it was an organised chaos.His approach to training was player mentality focused. Ten Hag would note down how each individual responds to minor errors, losing the ball or committing a foul.Then, he would pick a team based on the mentality of his team and the opponent they were facing.It was the manager who decided to address the balance of youth and experience by bringing in Blind and Tadic. A masterstroke, if ever there was one.Ajax manager Erik ten Hag led Ajax to plenty of success during his tenureFresh faced ten Hag’s methods focused around team mentalityWhat happened nextIn 2019, that Ajax team mostly disbanded. A combination of lofty ambitions, and Europe’s top clubs descending upon the Dutch giants like vultures to a dead carcass, saw its two best youngsters de Ligt and de Jong depart for pastures new.De Ligt would move to Juventus for £75million, with legendary Marcelo Lippi lauding his ability and comparing him to Franco Baresi, Paolo Maldini, and Alessandro Nesta.He would struggle to adapt to Italian football, and came under fire for lapses of concentration and occasional errors.Playing a zonal marking system under Maurizio Sarri also didn’t suit his attribute of being a man-marker.Three seasons later, he was sold to Bayern Munich for another huge fee – around £56million.Again, he struggled. Injuries didn’t help, as well as a strained relationship with Thomas Tuchel who reportedly didn’t like the way he played the ball out of defence slowly.Two years later, the jury is out whether the £42.7million Man Utd have spent on him will help rediscover his and his club’s fortunes. It hasn’t been perfect so far.De Jong’s transfer to Barcelona came at a time when the club were heading for financial ruin.Matthijs de Ligt is now at Man Utd after unsuccessful stints at Juventus and Bayern MunichCredit: EPAFrenkie de Jong has reiterated his desire to stay at Barcelona for nowCredit: GettyIn fits and spurts he’s shown his qualities, but not in the way the club’s fans have hoped.While it may be unfair to call him a flop, the club have certainly seen him as surplus to requirements in the past.To ease their economic concerns, de Jong was offered to Man Utd in 2022. The deal reportedly fell through due to personal terms, but his situation has seemingly changed under new manager Hansi Flick and he is happier.Van de Beek suffered the biggest career collapse of them all, but is credibly rebuilding himself at Girona.He was bombed out of Old Trafford in 2024 for £500,000 to the Spanish club, after unsuccessful loans at Everton and Eintracht Frankfurt.United’s £40million investment went down the pan there, with the midfielder scoring just twice in 62 games. Even ten Hag couldn’t get a tune out of him.Ziyech, who left in 2020 for Chelsea for £37million, also couldn’t rediscover his goalscoring touch that made him so feared in Amsterdam.His bad luck continued after the Blues submitted the wrong documents on transfer deadline day in 2023, blocking a loan deal to PSG.A move to Al Nassr to link up with Cristiano Ronaldo collapsed, when the Saudi Arabian giants withdrew their contract offer after a reported failed medical, which he later denied.He’s now with Galatasaray, after finally leaving in the summer but seems to be a shadow of the player he once was.Donny van de Beek seems to have rediscovered his love for playing at GironaCredit: GettyHakim Ziyech has landed at Galatasaray after failed moves to PSG and Al NassrCredit: GettyWhat next for ten Hag after he was sacked by Man Utd?Following a nine-month ban from the game for a doping scandal, Onana restored faith in his abilities by starring at Inter Milan and guiding them to the 2023 Champions League final.United paid £47.2million for him, and although he struggled last season, there are signs of improvement.READ MORE SUN STORIESAs for ten Hag, he has now been pushed from the Man Utd hot seat – sacked after two seasons that brought a League Cup and FA Cup, but just an eighth-placed finish in the Premier League last season and a worst-ever start to this term.You better believe it, the curse of Ajax’s 2019 world beaters is very real. 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      Man Utd target Ruben Amorim outfoxed Arteta with amazing tactical display… but lost to Erik ten Hag twice

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      MANCHESTER UNITED managerial target Ruben Amorim already has experience of getting the better of some of the Premier League’s top managers.The Sporting Lisbon boss appears to be in pole position to replace Erik ten Hag in the Old Trafford hot-seat, after the Dutchman was sacked on Monday.Ruben Amorim put on a tactical masterclass to knock Arsenal out of the Europa League in 2023Credit: AlamyMikel Arteta’s side were unable to get the better of SportingCredit: AFPAmorim may have never managed in the Premier League, but his tactics have already come up trumps against some of the division’s best managers.Most notably, his Sporting side saw off Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal in the Europa League last 16 in 2023.Sporting knocked the Gunners out of Europe with some intelligent tactics that pushed Arteta’s side to the limit and ultimately knocked them out on penalties.Amorim’s side managed a draw in both fixtures, a 2-2 game at home and a 1-1 effort at the Emirates.READ MORE ON MAN UTDAnd although they didn’t win in regulation time, it was Amorim’s tactics that impressed the most.Sporting played with a back three when in possession to throw numbers forward and allow Marcus Edwards time to shine.Before dropping into a back five when the Gunners attacked, stunting the efforts of Arsenal’s forward line by keeping their shape and stepping up towards the half-way line.And there was a familiar face pulling the strings and orchestrating the rotations in the middle of the park for Sporting in the second leg too – Man Utd’s summer arrival Manuel Ugarte.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSAmorim’s Sporting played a high line with five at the back when out of possessionCredit: UEFASporting opted for a back three when they had the ballCredit: UEFANew Man Utd man Manuel Ugarte helped pull the strings in the second legCredit: GettyUgarte, alongside Pedro Goncalves, continuously rotated in and out of position to drag Arsenal’s players out of place and create pockets to play into.However, Ugarte was sent off for two yellow card offences later in the game.Man Utd want Ruben AmorimBut it’s not just Arteta that Amorim has experience against with the 39-year-old taking on a number of other Premier League bosses.The gaffer found himself facing Oliver Glasner’s Eintracht Frankfurt side in the Champions League back in 2022 – winning one game 3-0 and losing the other 2-1.Glasner is now the Crystal Palace manager.While Amorim’s tactics against Pep Guardiola have also had mixed returns, earning a 0-0 draw with Man City in the Champions League round of 16 and also losing 5-0 in the other leg.Perhaps the most concerning thing about Amorim’s record against Premier League managers is his efforts when he took on Erik ten Hag.Going head to head with Ten Hag’s Ajax side in 2021 saw Amorim’s Sporting concede NINE GOALS in two games.READ MORE SUN STORIESThe Portuguese side lost 5-1 and 4-2 to Ajax, against a team that featured now-Man Utd stars such as Antony, Lisandro Martinez and Noussair Mazraoui.Amorim has also faced Tottenham during his time as Sporting manager, winning 2-0 and drawing 1-1 to a Spurs side managed by Antonio Conte.Erik ten Hag beat Amorim’s side twice as Ajax bossCredit: PAAmorim couldn’t beat Pep Guardiola’s Man CityCredit: AFPAmorim record vs Premier League managersHere’s a look at Amorim’s record against Premier League managers and clubs…MIKEL ARTETA – ARSENALSporting 2-2 ArsenalArsenal 1-1 Sporting (4-6 penalties)ERIK TEN HAG – AJAXSporting 1-5 AjaxAjax 4-2 SportingOLIVER GLASNER – EINTRACHT FRANKFURTE. Frankfurt 0-3 SportingSporting 1-2 E. FrankfurtPEP GUARDIOLA – MAN CITYSporting 0-5 Man CityMan City 0-0 SportingTOTTENHAM (managed by Antonio Conte)Sporting 2-0 TottenhamTottenham 1-1 Sporting’I was expecting this’ – What Ruben Amorim said about Man Utd job linksRUBEN AMORIM has responded to being linked with a move to Manchester United.The Sporting Lisbon coach, 39, is reportedly closing in on a deal worth £8million to become Erik ten Hag’s successor.Just hours after Ten Hag’s dismissed on Monday morning, it emerged Man Utd chiefs were in talks with Amorim as they zero in on the Sporting boss.But the ex-Braga coach remained tight-lipped on negotiations when quizzed by the media.He said: “I was already expecting this question [about Man Utd].“Obviously I’m not going to talk about the future, because otherwise I’ll always have to comment.”I’m very proud to be Sporting coach, that’s all.” More

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      Mats Hummels, 35, goes public with Victoria’s Secret model, 25, at Ballon d’Or after split from former ‘Wag of the Year’

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      MATS HUMMELS went public with his stunning new girlfriend at last night’s Ballon d’Or ceremony.The Germany defender was dressed to impress in a black tuxedo and was pictured arriving with gorgeous model Nicola Cavanis.Mats Hummels hit the red carpet with his new girlfriend Nicola CavanisCredit: GettyIt was the first time they had been seen in publicCredit: GettyNicola is a model who has worked for Victoria’s SecretCredit: INSTAGRAM @NICOLAShe is ten years younger than HummelsCredit: INSTAGRAM @NICOLAHummels, 35, and the beauty ten years his junior were seen holding hands as they hit the red carpet.Nicola stunned in a figure-hugging pale dress and was all smiles with her new man.It was the first time they had been seen together in public after several reports in the German press that they were dating.Nicola, who started her career as a model as a teenager, shot to fame in her homeland after starring in a Nivea advert in 2021.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLShe has since represented brands like Victoria’s Secret, Puma, MCM, New Yorker and Tchibo.Nicola also has a huge following on social media, boasting 1.9 million on Instagram, 500,000 on TikTok.Despite being born in Bavaria, she does not support Hummels’ former club Bayern Munich, and is instead a fan of Augsburg.Hummels is with Nicola following his split from wife Cathy Fischer in 2022.Most read in FootballNicola Cavanis is a social media star with millions of followersCredit: INSTAGRAM @NICOLAThe beauty supports AugsburgCredit: INSTAGRAM @NICOLAHummels with his ex Cathy FischerCredit: Bongarts – GettyThey were married for seven years and they have a son named Ludwig, 6.The 36-year-old used to pose for Playboy and was named Germany’s Wag of the Year in 2013 when Hummels was at Borussia Dortmund. Incredible video shows how Ballon d’Or is made and it’s blowing fans’ minds as they ask ‘why does it feel so weird?’She also once admitted to being open to kissing anyone, saying: “I love to snog when I’m drunk. The sex is irrelevant, I don’t care.”I also kiss women in such situations. Then I just want to snog.”Asked about how many people she has slept with, she added: “I can count them with one hand. “I don’t open my castle to anyone. To me, this is a very private matter.”Hummels, who now plays for Roma, came 29th in the Ballon d’Or last night.Meet Mats Hummels’ stunning Wag Nicola CavanisMats Hummels is now dating glamorous model Nicola Cavanis despite the pair having a ten-year age gap.They went public on the red carpet at the 2024 Ballon d’Or ceremony.Despite the defender coming 29th, fans said he got the “real trophy”.She has millions of followers online and she regularly posts stunning professional photos on her social media, along with images from her day-to-day life.Nicola, who works for “Munich Models Germany”, also revealed her contract states she cannot get a haircut without telling her company. She is also banned from getting any tattoos.Nicola added: “I have to coordinate with them whether I can go to the hairdresser.”I can’t just go on vacation, I have to cancel so that they can plan the appointments.”I’m also not allowed to just get tattoos.” More

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      Premier League cult hero Emmanuel Adebayor offered brand new career as a politician after retirement from football

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      Emmanuel Adebayor has been invited to swap penalty boxes for ballot boxes – by becoming a politician.The striker spent 11 years in the Premier League with Arsenal, Manchester City, Tottenham and Crystal Palace.Emmanuel Adebayor has been urged to become a politicianCredit: AFPAdebayor hung up his boots last year after a career that saw him star for teams such as Manchester City and ArsenalCredit: Getty Images – GettyTogo international Adebayor retired last year after a spell with home-country club Semassi.The 40-year-old took part in his testimonial game in capital city Lome at the weekend.Yawo Date, the president of Togolese opposition party Comite d’Action Pour Le Renouveau, has now urged Adebayor to join them.Known as CAR, the party’s name means Renewal Action Committee.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLDate declared: “It’s a good thing that our brother Adebayor has celebrated his testimonial game.”But now he has finished with sport he needs to get involved in politics.”And the ideal party for him to campaign with is the CAR. I invite him to join us.”With him on board we can continue the political struggle for freedom in Togo.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS”In Adebayor we see an example of perseverance and success.”He embodies the kind of ambition and dynamism that Togo’s young people want from their political leaders.”Ballon d’Or winner who was president of his country reveals surprise Premier League team he supportsAdebayor has also played for Real Madrid, Metz, Turkish sides Istanbul Basaksehir and Kayserispor, plus Paraguayan outfit Olimpia.Arsenal signed him from Monaco in 2006, and he made 142 Gunners appearances – scoring 62 goals – before joining City in 2009. More

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      Ballon d’Or chief explains to Real Madrid why Vinicius Jr didn’t win as star misses out on whopping bonus from club

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      BALLON D’OR chief Vincent Garcia has explained why Vinicius Jr missed out on the award.The Real Madrid star finished as the runner-up to Manchester City midfielder Rodri in the running.Vinicius Jr missed out on winning the Ballon d’OrCredit: GettyManchester City star Rodri claimed the prize on Monday eveningCredit: APLos Blancos were left fuming with the Brazilian’s snub and released a blunt 52-word statement in response.The LaLiga giants claimed that the organisation and Uefa “do not respect” the club.The club also refused to attend the event in Paris due to their anger over the result.However, Garcia has now explained one reason why Vinicius Jr may have missed out on the top price.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLHe believes the success of Real’s Jude Bellingham and Dani Carvajal may have cost the Brazilian.His argument is that the votes that the 2nd and 4th placed stars would have received votes instead of Vinicius Jr.He said: “Obviously, Vinicius surely suffered from the presence of Bellingham and Carvajal in the top five because, mathematically, that took away some points from him.”This also sums up Real Madrid’s season, which took between three and four players, and the judges shared their decisions with them, which benefited Rodri.”Most read in FootballThe split of votes for Real players allowed for more room for Rodri to be named the winner.CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSGarcia added: “We were very clear with them [Real Madrid] and with all the other clubs.”This year, the winner and the prizewinner were not going to be notified.Emi Martinez and his stunning Wag are booed mercilessly at Ballon d’Or ceremony by France fans Ballon d’Or 2024 results1: Rodri, Man City and Spain2: Vinicius Jr, Real Madrid and Brazil3: Jude Bellingham, Real Madrid and England4: Dani Carvajal, Real Madrid and Spain5: Erling Haaland, Man City and Norway6: Kylian Mbappe, Real Madrid and France7: Lautaro Martinz, Inter Milan and Argentina8: Lamine Yamal, Barcelona and Spain9: Toni Kroos, Real Madrid and Germany10: Harry Kane, Bayern Munich and England11: Phil Foden, Man City and England12: Florian Wirtz, Bayer Leverkusen and Germany13: Dani Olmo, Barcelona and Spain14: Ademola Lookman, Atalanta and Nigeria15: Nico Williams, Athletic Bilbao and Spain16: Granit Xhaka, Bayer Leverkusen and Switzerland17: Federico Valverde, Real Madrid and Uruguay18: Emi Martinez, Aston Villa and Argentina19: Martin Odegaard, Arsenal and Norway20: Hakan Calhanoglu, Inter Milan and Turkey21: Bukayo Saka, Arsenal and England22: Antonio Rudiger, Real Madrid and Germany23: Ruben Dias, Man City and Portugal24: William Saliba, Arsenal and France25: Cole Palmer, Chelsea and England26: Declan Rice, Arsenal and England27: Vitinha, PSG and Portugal28: Alejandro Grimaldo, Bayer Leverkusen and Spain29: Mats Hummels, Roma and Germany30: Artem Dovbyk, Roma and Ukraine”I thought that everyone had accepted but at the last minute, I don’t know why, they wanted to change the rule.”When Real Madrid made its decision, I’m not sure that there wasn’t some disappointment.”As a result of Rodri winning the Ballon d’Or, Vinicius Jr missed out on a cash reward from Real.The winger would have been handed a bonus of £833,000 from his club if he had won the award.Vinicius Jr would have also been the first Brazilian to lay his hands on the individual trophy since 2007, when Kaka won it.He has spoken out since the snub and claimed that he will be a winner in the future.He wrote on X: “‘I’ll do it 10x if I have to. They’re not ready.”READ MORE SUN STORIESDue to Real’s boycott of the event it left one award uncollected.Last season’s Champions League winners were not able to collect their Club of the Year award.All winners of the Ballon d’Or this century2024: Rodri, Man City and Spain2023: Lionel Messi, Inter Miami and Argentina2022: Karim Benzema, Real Madrid and France2021: Lionel Messi, PSG and Argentina2020: Not Awarded2019: Lionel Messi, Barcelona and Argentina2018: Luka Modric, Real Madrid and Croatia2017: Cristiano Ronaldo, Real Madrid and Portugal2016: Cristiano Ronaldo, Real Madrid and Portugal2015: Lionel Messi, Barcelona and Argentina2014: Cristiano Ronaldo, Real Madrid and Portugal2013: Cristiano Ronaldo, Real Madrid and Portugal2012: Lionel Messi, Barcelona and Argentina2011: Lionel Messi, Barcelona and Argentina2010: Lionel Messi, Barcelona and Argentina2009: Lionel Messi, Barcelona and Argentina2008: Cristiano Ronaldo, Man Utd and Portugal2007: Kaka, AC Milan and Brazil2006: Fabio Cannavaro, Real Madrid and Italy2005: Ronaldinho, Barcelona and Brazil2004: Andriy Shevchenko, AC Milan and Ukraine2003: Pavel Nedved, Juventus and Czechia2002: Ronaldo Nazario, Real Madrid and Brazil2001: Michael Owen, Liverpool and England2000: Luis Figo, Real Madrid and Portugal More

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      Hollywood icon trolls Real Madrid with subtle gesture as she poses with Barcelona stars at Ballon d’Or ceremony

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      A HOLLYWOOD icon trolled Real Madrid with a cheeky subtle gesture as she posed for photos with Barcelona stars at the Ballon d’Or ceremony.A host of Barca stars headed to Paris for the annual gala evening at the Theatre du Chatelet.Natalie Portman took a cheeky dig at Real Madrid alongside Barcelona starsCredit: X @FCBarcelonaThe actress dazzled on the red carpet at the Ballon d’OrCredit: GettyAnd trio Dani Olmo, Lamine Yamal and Pau Cubarsi even posed on the red carpet with an Oscar-winning superstar.The footballers were all smiles alongside Natalie Portman, who even dropped a savage dig at Barca’s arch-rivals.Portman, 43, could not resist the fun and held up four fingers to the cameras.That appeared to be a thinly-veiled reference to the weekend when Barca smashed Real Madrid 4-0 at the Bernabeu. READ MORE ON BALLON D’OROlmo, Yamal and Cubarsi burst into laughter when they realised what Portman had done.And fans on social media could not get enough of it either, after Barcelona posted the video on their X account and it racked up 5million views by Tuesday lunchtime. One said: “Lmao no way she pointed out four reminding of El Clasico score.”Another wrote: “She’s pointing 4 😂😂😂”Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSA third added: “She reigns supreme, cementing her place among the football greats with this remarkable achievement.”A fourth quipped: “W Portman.”Didier Drogba’s wife Alla suffers ‘yellow card offence’ as Ballon d’Or fans spot awkward red carpet momentAnd a final user simply commented: “Queen.”Portman is a huge football fan and even formed her own women’s team – Angel City FC – in 2022.However, she was in Paris last night to present the Ballon d’Or Feminin for the world’s best female footballer.She handed over the prestigious gong to Aitana Bonmati as the Barcelona and Spain star defended her title ahead of club team-mates Caroline Graham Hansen and Salma Paralluelo.In fact, seven of the top 30 female footballers to make the list play for Barcelona – while Lucy Bronze left in the summer for Chelsea. And there was plenty more success for Barcelona, too, as the ladies’ team were named Women’s Club of the Year. Ballon d’Or 2024 results1: Rodri, Man City and Spain2: Vinicius Jr, Real Madrid and Brazil3: Jude Bellingham, Real Madrid and England4: Dani Carvajal, Real Madrid and Spain5: Erling Haaland, Man City and Norway6: Kylian Mbappe, Real Madrid and France7: Lautaro Martinz, Inter Milan and Argentina8: Lamine Yamal, Barcelona and Spain9: Toni Kroos, Real Madrid and Germany10: Harry Kane, Bayern Munich and England11: Phil Foden, Man City and England12: Florian Wirtz, Bayer Leverkusen and Germany13: Dani Olmo, Barcelona and Spain14: Ademola Lookman, Atalanta and Nigeria15: Nico Williams, Athletic Bilbao and Spain16: Granit Xhaka, Bayer Leverkusen and Switzerland17: Federico Valverde, Real Madrid and Uruguay18: Emi Martinez, Aston Villa and Argentina19: Martin Odegaard, Arsenal and Norway20: Hakan Calhanoglu, Inter Milan and Turkey21: Bukayo Saka, Arsenal and England22: Antonio Rudiger, Real Madrid and Germany23: Ruben Dias, Man City and Portugal24: William Saliba, Arsenal and France25: Cole Palmer, Chelsea and England26: Declan Rice, Arsenal and England27: Vitinha, PSG and Portugal28: Alejandro Grimaldo, Bayer Leverkusen and Spain29: Mats Hummels, Roma and Germany30: Artem Dovbyk, Roma and UkraineYamal and Olmo were the only men’s Barca star on the men’s Ballon d’Or top 30 list as they finished eighth and 13th. However, 17-year-old Yamal did collect the Kopa Trophy for the best young player as Cubarsi came fifth. To top it off for Barcelona, their rivals Real Madrid’s fancied trio of Vinicius Junior, Jude Bellingham and Dani Carvajal all missed out on the Ballon d’Or behind Rodri.And that triggered a boycott from the furious Los Blancos.They told AFP: “If the award criteria doesn’t give it to Vinicius as the winner, then those same criteria should point to Carvajal as the winner.READ MORE SUN STORIES”As this was not the case, it is clear that Ballon d’Or-Uefa does not respect Real Madrid. And Real Madrid does not go where it is not respected.”Emi Martinez made it back-to-back Yashin Trophy successes – despite being BOOED on the red carpet – while Carlo Ancelotti was named Men’s Coach of the Year as Emma Hayes took the women’s gong. Portman presented the Ballon d’Or Feminin to Barcelona star Aitana BonmatiCredit: AFPBarca were crowned Women’s Club of the YearCredit: GettyDani Olmo, Lamine Yamal and Pau Cubarsi were all smiles in ParisCredit: Reuters17-year-old Yamal won the Kopa Trophy for the best young playerCredit: AFP More