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      Vinicius Jr ‘devastated’ by Ballon d’Or snub after ‘inviting 50 friends to Madrid for celebration party’

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      VINICIUS JUNIOR had to reportedly cancel a huge party and has been left “devastated” after missing out on the Ballon d’Or.The Real Madrid star, 24, was convinced he was going to be crowned the best player on the planet at the glamorous ceremony in Paris on Monday.Rodri pipped Vinicius Jr to Ballon d’Or gloryCredit: EPAReal Madrid boycotted the event in support of ViniCredit: ReutersBut just hours before the show got underway, it was leaked that Manchester City’s Rodri was the winner instead.Real Madrid were left furious and boycotted, with his team-mates and club chiefs all missing from the event.Reports from Spanish outlet AS claim Vinicius is heartbroken over the snub.He had to supposedly axe a pre-planned party for around 50 people.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLNike have had to scrap the specially designed boots they made to commemorate his success.And they are now forced to adjust plans for him to unveil a new store in the centre of Madrid as the Ballon d’Or winner.Real Madrid TV reportedly had five hours of programming in place to celebrate.Vini even allegedly taunted Barcelona star Gavi in their 4-0 El Clasico defeat on Saturday by telling him: “I’m going to win the Ballon d’Or on Monday.”Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSReal Madrid claimed Uefa “do not respect” the club in a furious statement.And a defiant Vinicius tweeted: “I’ll do it 10x if I have to. They’re not ready.”Incredible video shows how Ballon d’Or is made and it’s blowing fans’ minds as they ask ‘why does it feel so weird?’Ballon d’Or chief Vincent Garcia has suggested that the Brazilian missed out as his team-mates Jude Bellingham and Dani Carvajal, who came third and fourth respectively, took votes off him.But many of his pals have came out to slam what they see as an injustice.Among those is Brazil and Tottenham star Richarlison, who ranted: “All of us who live football eagerly await the individual awards each season. “Today, all Brazilians who love football woke up expecting to see another player from our country win an award for the best in the world after so long.“Unfortunately, for reasons that no one can understand, the award did not come. “And don’t get me wrong, Rodri is a great player who deserves to be among the best. “But Vini not winning the Ballon d’Or was embarrassing, and the only one who lost today was football.READ MORE SUN STORIES“I remember Vini saying that his dream was to see the whole of Brazil cheering for him. And that day was today.“You are a giant and the best in the world, kid. And no trophy will change that. Keep going and never shut up. We’re together.”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 More

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      Throwback picture shows defender Ruben Amorim watching in horror as Jonny Evans scores AGAINST him for Man Utd

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      RUBEN AMORIM is closing in on becoming the next permanent boss of Manchester United.Reports suggest the Red Devils are willing to pay the 39-year-old’s £8.3million release clause from Sporting CP to appoint him as their replacement for Erik ten Hag, who was sacked on Monday.A stunning throwback picture of Ruben Amorim has emerged of him playing against Man Utd at Old TraffordCredit: GettyThe picture shows Jonny Evans scoring the equaliser against Braga as United came from 2-0 down to win 3-2 in 2012Credit: AFPHowever, the ex-midfielder – dubbed the Special One 2.0 – actually shared the pitch with three players he will be coaching at Old Trafford.The first of these is former Benfica team-mate Victor Lindelof, whom he shared the pitch with just three times as the Swede was coming through the ranks.The second was ex-Tottenham star Christian Eriksen, who he faced with Benfica in the Europa League as he saw the Dane score in the second leg of the last-16 tie.The third star is actually returned Man Utd hero Jonny Evans.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAmorim and Evans, now 36, lined up on opposite sides during a Champions League group stage clash between United and Braga at Old Trafford in 2012.The Portuguese side had gotten off to a perfect start on the night, going 2-0 up inside 20 minutes through Alan, though Javier Hernandez halved the deficit five minutes later.The hosts dominated proceedings, and Sir Alex Ferguson’s side found an equaliser in the 62nd minute as Evans bundled a goal home from a corner.And a picture from that night of Evans celebrating with Amorim with his hands behind his head in horror has resurfaced in light of the managerial links now associating United and the Portuguese manager.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSHernandez struck the decisive winner in the 75th minute to seal a remarkable comeback win for United.Amorim himself was subbed out of the game after 80 minutes.Watch Sporting Lisbon fan reveal how you’ve been pronouncing incoming Man Utd manger Ruben Amorim’s name all wrongSpeaking about his links to the Man Utd job following Sporting’s 3-1 win over Nacional in the Portuguese League Cup on Tuesday, Amorim said: “Manchester United is interested. But it’s my choice. Until everything is decided, we won’t be making any noise.”I have nothing useful to say. I will take on whatever I want to do, as I have always done. I’m not going to talk about my contract, it’s a matter between me and Sporting.”In the meantime, Ruud van Nistelrooy will take interim charge of the United squad for their League Cup clash against Leicester tonight, while he may also be in charge for Sunday’s game against Chelsea.Amorim was forced to retire from football at the age of 32 in 2014 due to a career-ending ACL injury.’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 then went down the path of coaching, attending a course at the Faculty of Human Kinetics, University of Lisbon with lectures led by Jose Mourinho alongside seven-time Primeira Liga winner Antonio Veloso.He later completed an internship under Mourinho while the Special One was at United, and Amorim has cited the three-time Premier League winner as an idol and a “reference point” in his coaching.While he has played down the comparisons, calling Mourinho “unique”, Amorim’s demeanour has been compared to his old master.Assuming all goes to plan and he does move to United, Amorim is reportedly likely to stick to his 3-4-3 system.READ MORE SUN STORIESHe has won the Portuguese league twice with Sporting since taking charge in 2020, ending a 19-year duopoly of Benfica and Porto dominance.When previously managing Braga, he had also led to the club’s first win over Porto for 65 years.Ruben Amorim is ‘Mourinho 2.0’ who turned Sporting from ‘walking dead’ into Portuguese champs… he can revive Man UtdWHEN Ruben Amorim took charge of Sporting Lisbon in March 2020, one club official compared their situation to the “walking dead”, writes Jordan Davies.Optimism and hope was at an all-time low.But the Amorim-effect was almost instantaneous, guiding the Portuguese sleeping giants to their first league title for 19 years in 2020/21, losing just once and only conceding 20 goals.Since then, Sporting have lifted another league title in 2023/24 – as well as two League Cups – and currently sit top with nine wins from nine this term.He may be young, but Amorim already has an eye for rebuilding and revitalising fallen super powers with his infectious charisma and intense tactical philosophy that hardly ever wavers. The “walking dead” at Manchester United must be praying for a similar sort of revival.And they may just get it from one of the most talented young coaches on the continent – a man accustomed to breathing new life back into crumbling institutions such as Old Trafford.Amorim has spent the last decade dreaming of one day gracing England’s Premier League, such was his admiration for an ex-United boss in Jose Mourinho growing up.Often nicknamed ‘Mourinho 2.0’, Amorim spent a week with his coaching idol in an internship capacity at United’s Carrington training base in 2018, going on to cite him as his “reference point”.United should not be expecting a mini-Mourinho, as Amorim said himself: “Mourinho is one of a kind. There won’t be another Mourinho. Mourinho is unique.”And yet, you cannot help but compare the two.For all the mismanagement in the Old Trafford hot seats over the years, this would be a real get – finally a slap in the face United’s Prem rivals have no answer for. More

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      Man Utd and Arsenal ‘go head to head for cut price Kolo Muani transfer with PSG willing to sell France star for £33m’

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      PARIS-SAINT GERMAIN flop Randal Kolo Muani could be set for a cut-price move to the Premier League. The 25-year-old striker joined the French giants from Eintracht Frankfurt for £77million last year.Randal Kolo Muani joined PSG in a £77m deal in 2023Credit: GettyThe French international has struggled for form and playing time in ParisCredit: GettyMuani has struggled to find his shooting boots since his big-money switch to the Ligue 1 champions. He has netted just 11 goals in 50 appearances and has been unable to nail down a regular place in the starting XI. Reports suggest PSG bosses are ready to take a loss on the French international. According to L’Equipe, both Manchester United and Arsenal are ready to battle it out for his signature.READ MORE TRANSFER NEWSThe outlet claims the speedster could be available in January for between £33m and £42m.Muani was linked with a £103m move to Man Utd in the summer of 2023. It followed a stunning season with Frankfurt, with the former Nantes forward bagging 15 goals and 11 assists in just 32 Bundesliga games. He ultimately made the move to the French capital instead.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSBut the switch has not worked out, with Muani’s future with the club increasingly unclear. Prior to joining PSG, the World Cup runner-up declared it would be a “dream” to play in the Premier League.Man Utd want Ruben AmorimHe said: “Honestly, who doesn’t dream of playing in the Premier League? “It’s one of the best leagues that exists. You dream about it. “These are childhood dreams. But I’m not searching for the perfect club or the best club in the world. “I’m really looking for the club that will give me the chance to be able to express myself, to earn game time and most importantly allow me to grow.”Ruben Amorim is ‘Mourinho 2.0’ who turned Sporting from ‘walking dead’ into Portuguese champs… he can revive Man UtdWHEN Ruben Amorim took charge of Sporting Lisbon in March 2020, one club official compared their situation to the “walking dead”, writes Jordan Davies.Optimism and hope was at an all-time low.But the Amorim-effect was almost instantaneous, guiding the Portuguese sleeping giants to their first league title for 19 years in 2020/21, losing just once and only conceding 20 goals.Since then, Sporting have lifted another league title in 2023/24 – as well as two League Cups – and currently sit top with nine wins from nine this term.He may be young, but Amorim already has an eye for rebuilding and revitalising fallen super powers with his infectious charisma and intense tactical philosophy that hardly ever wavers. The “walking dead” at Manchester United must be praying for a similar sort of revival.And they may just get it from one of the most talented young coaches on the continent – a man accustomed to breathing new life back into crumbling institutions such as Old Trafford.Amorim has spent the last decade dreaming of one day gracing England’s Premier League, such was his admiration for an ex-United boss in Jose Mourinho growing up.Often nicknamed ‘Mourinho 2.0’, Amorim spent a week with his coaching idol in an internship capacity at United’s Carrington training base in 2018, going on to cite him as his “reference point”.United should not be expecting a mini-Mourinho, as Amorim said himself: “Mourinho is one of a kind. There won’t be another Mourinho. Mourinho is unique.”And yet, you cannot help but compare the two.For all the mismanagement in the Old Trafford hot seats over the years, this would be a real get – finally a slap in the face United’s Prem rivals have no answer for.Muani’s final decision could come down to Utd’s next managerial appointment.The Red Devils parted ways with Erik ten Hag on Monday following weeks of speculation. Old Trafford bosses have swooped for Sporting Lisbon head coach Ruben Amorim.READ MORE SUN STORIESThe club has agreed to pay Amorim’s £8.3m release fee.The Portuguese coach – plus three of his backroom staff – are expected to fly into Manchester later this week for advanced talks, More

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      Arsenal get triple injury boost ahead of horror away run of fixtures with star man on verge of return

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      ARSENAL have been handed a huge injury boost ahead of a daunting run of four away games in a row.The Gunners face Preston in the Carabao Cup tonight before heading up to Newcastle on Saturday, a place where they lost one of their five Premier League games last season.Mikel Arteta has been handed a huge injury boost ahead of a tough run of gamesCredit: GettyJurrien Timber and Gabriel should be fit after injury worriesCredit: ReutersMartin Odegaard is nearing a returnCredit: APMikel Arteta’s side then have a tough trip to Inter Milan in the Champions League next Wednesday before a London derby against Chelsea on November 10.Arsenal fans have been concerned they may be without key defensive pair Gabriel Magalhaes and Jurrien Timber after both hobbled off in the 2-2 draw with Liverpool.But Arteta gave a positive injury update and revealed captain Martin Odegaard is close to returning after an ankle issue.The boss said: “We are still assessing Gabriel but it doesn’t look bad at all. READ MORE IN ARSENAL”He was much better the next day so hopefully he will be fine. He has had some tests.”Jurrien is fine. He was very tired, he had been out for a while and could not continue the game. But there is no new injury there at all.”He could not continue so we decided to make a very safe call. But he was fine.”On Odegaard, he added: “He’s been on the grass for a few weeks, there is still a few boxes to tick.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS”How fast we can do that last stage of the rehab is a question we will have to answer once we have players around him and he starts competing with the team. He has not done that yet.”However, it is not all good news as Riccardo Calafiori is expected to be out for “a few weeks” after he went off holding his knee in the 1-0 victory over Shakhtar Donetsk last Tuesday.I’m mum of an Arsenal star – I have a side hustle to help parents of Premier League footballers With David Raya set to be given the night off and Neto cup tied, 18-year-old keeper Tommy Setford could get his debut versus Preston.Arteta said: “We brought Tommy because we know he’s got the qualities we’re looking for with our goalkeeping area.”Unfortunately he’s been injured so he has not really played.”It’s not a question about age, it is that if they play it is because they deserve to the same as the rest of the players.”At the end of the day we have to reward the people who, each day, they behave in a certain manner and they have the level to play in the manner we want to play in.”If that is the case, I don’t care if they are players from the academy, youth players or seniors, they will play.”READ MORE SUN STORIESSetford joined Arsenal from Ajax in the summer in a £1million deal.In the previous round’s win versus Bolton, Arteta started 16-year-old Jack Porter between the sticks.Tommy Setford could be handed his debut vs PrestonCredit: GettyArsenal ratings vs LiverpoolARSENAL lost further ground in the title race with a 2-2 draw with Liverpool.Arne Slot’s side are a top team, but it will still frustrate Mikel Arteta that his team couldn’t clinch all three points having twice led the match.Here’s how SunSport’s Jordan Davies rated the Arsenal players…DAVID RAYA – 6/10Very little he could do for Liverpool’s equaliser, forced to stay on his line from the flicked-on corner, and the same goes for Mohamed Salah’s tap in from a speedy counter.JURRIEN TIMBER – 7Kept Salah quiet for the majority and proved his worth with ball at feet, but starting him was clearly a risk as he hobbled off late on.BEN WHITE – 7He may have been at centre back but his telepathy with Saka remained, curling a peach of a ball over the top for the opener and remained solid even when those around him chopped and changed.GABRIEL – 7Missed his centre-back partner but did well until he worryingly limped off. No surprise that Salah and Darwin Nunez found space when he was absent.THOMAS PARTEY – 8Was targeted in his unnatural position within the first 30 seconds but held his ground for the most part. One of Arsenal’s best players.MIKEL MERINO – 8A stray touch gifted Salah a great chance to score before getting a bang to the same shoulder that kept him out at the start of the season. And then, after a so-so performance, he steps up with a thumping header just before the break to regain the lead.DECLAN RICE – 8Did the nitty-gritty very well in the middle of the pitch with some crucial interceptions and timely tackles. Carried on covering every blade of grass until the very last.LEANDRO TROSSARD – 6Drifted in and out of the game as a floating 10 and striker but got stuck in when needed and pressed like a rabid dog. Still, was quiet given his recent form.GABRIEL MARTINELLI – 7Lively enough without creating too many clear-cut chances in the first half. Unlucky not to win a penalty after being hauled down by Ibrahima Konate.BUKAYO SAKA – 9Injury? What injury? His hamstring seemed right as rain as he cruised in behind Andy Robertson, cutting it back through the full-back’s legs and firing into the roof of the net.Was understandably taken off in the second half with a need to protect him going into a hectic period of the season.KAI HAVERTZ – 7Given freedom to roam and drop deep. Missed a sitter in the box after Martinelli’s penalty shout but lacked the service via crosses to really be effective in the first half.Remained a physical nuisance after the break but never had that one golden opportunity.SUBS:JAKUB KIWIOR (GABRIEL, 54) – 6Impressive to come in out of the cold to stay firm, but again, his work with the ball at his feet left a lot to be desired.MYLES LEWIS-SKELLY (TIMBER, 76) – 6Caught out of position for Liverpool’s late leveller but showed signs of real maturity too.GABRIEL JESUS (SAKA, 85) – N/AETHAN NWANERI (MARTINELLI, 85) – N/AClick here for more Arsenal news. More

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      Sporting Lisbon fan reveals you’ve been pronouncing name of incoming Man Utd boss Ruben Amorim wrong this whole time

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      A SPORTING fan has revealed supporters have been getting Ruben Amorim’s name wrong.The Sporting boss has been thrust into the spotlight after emerging as Manchester United’s No1 target to replace Erik ten Hag.Man Utd are hot on the heels of Ruben AmorimCredit: GettyA Sporting fan explained how his name is pronouncedAmorim is well known in his native Portugal after winning two league titles in four years.His most recent success came last season which led to speculation he could join Liverpool or West Ham.However he now looks destined for Man Utd and could be in the hotseat for Sunday’s clash against Chelsea.But it appears many have been saying Amorim’s name incorrectly when discussing his possible switch to Old Trafford.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLA Sporting fan spoke to SunSport ahead of their cup game against Nacional on Tuesday night and demonstrated how it should be pronounced.Instead of Ru-ben A-mo-rim, he pronounced the name as “Hoo-ben Am-mo-reem”.Fans better learn quickly as Amorim could be announced as Ten Hag’s successor soon, with Man Utd reportedly willing to trigger his £8.3million release clause.Sporting acknowledged Man Utd have been in contact and even confirmed the official approach with a letter to the Portuguese stock exchange.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSBut they did not confirm whether they have accepted United’s advances.Amorim himself gave little away when quizzed on a possible move after the Nacional game.He refused to confirm if it was his last game as Sporting boss, and told reporters: “Manchester United is interested. But it’s my choice. Until everything is decided, we won’t be making any noise.”I have nothing useful to say. I will take on whatever I want to do, as I have always done.“I’m not going to talk about my contract, it’s a matter between me and Sporting. All the clauses that exist in a contract are included by the employer and the employee. What I can say is that the statement contains all the necessary information.“I can’t promise anything. What I know is that I will be at training tomorrow and I will prepare for the game against Estrela da Amadora (on Friday).“We have to wait a little bit more to explain everything I need to explain, then it will be very clear.“It is my decision, I will tell everything to so we have to wait.”Ruben Amorim is ‘Mourinho 2.0’ who turned Sporting from ‘walking dead’ into Portuguese champs… he can revive Man UtdWHEN Ruben Amorim took charge of Sporting Lisbon in March 2020, one club official compared their situation to the “walking dead”, writes Jordan Davies.Optimism and hope was at an all-time low.But the Amorim-effect was almost instantaneous, guiding the Portuguese sleeping giants to their first league title for 19 years in 2020/21, losing just once and only conceding 20 goals.Since then, Sporting have lifted another league title in 2023/24 – as well as two League Cups – and currently sit top with nine wins from nine this term.He may be young, but Amorim already has an eye for rebuilding and revitalising fallen super powers with his infectious charisma and intense tactical philosophy that hardly ever wavers. The “walking dead” at Manchester United must be praying for a similar sort of revival.And they may just get it from one of the most talented young coaches on the continent – a man accustomed to breathing new life back into crumbling institutions such as Old Trafford.Amorim has spent the last decade dreaming of one day gracing England’s Premier League, such was his admiration for an ex-United boss in Jose Mourinho growing up.Often nicknamed ‘Mourinho 2.0’, Amorim spent a week with his coaching idol in an internship capacity at United’s Carrington training base in 2018, going on to cite him as his “reference point”.United should not be expecting a mini-Mourinho, as Amorim said himself: “Mourinho is one of a kind. There won’t be another Mourinho. Mourinho is unique.”And yet, you cannot help but compare the two.For all the mismanagement in the Old Trafford hot seats over the years, this would be a real get – finally a slap in the face United’s Prem rivals have no answer for.Moment Sporting fan bursts into tears live on TV after question about Ruben Amorim leaving to join Man Utd More

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      Sporting fans split by Ruben Amorim exit as he leaves ‘final game’ ahead of Man Utd talks without acknowledging crowd

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      RUBEN AMORIM would have preferred to leave Lisbon in a blaze of glory after winning a third Primeira Liga title.Yet football does not work like that. And in what was surely his final game before taking charge of Manchester United, Amorim prepared to say his goodbyes at a half-empty Estadio Jose Alvalade in a League Cup quarter-final against Nacional.Sporting Lisbon fans are split as manager Ruben Amorim looks set to join Manchester UnitedCredit: RexAmorim received muted applause from Sporting fans as he appears Man Utd-boundCredit: GettySporting won 3-1 thanks to second-half goals by captain Morten Hjulmand and Viktor Gyokeres, who scored two.Luis Esteves pulled one back for Madeira-based Nacional.At the end of the match, Amorim headed down the tunnel without acknowledging the home fans.Amorim said on the Man Utd link: “Nothing to say yet, no announcement to make. Now I have nothing to say, we are here carrying out analysis.Read More on Man Utd”Everything I say will only create more noise. There is nothing to say about the matter. There is the statement, everyone knows. It was said by the club.”Besides, we don’t know the details for sure. We’ll see. It will go through my decision as the statement said. But saying half things now doesn’t seem best to me.”The stadium will be a good deal more lively on Tuesday when Manchester City are here for a Champions League match — although Amorim should by then have his feet firmly under his desk at Old Trafford.Liverpool and Aston Villa were both interested in Europe’s most sought-after coach. Even City could have been a possible destination post-Pep Guardiola.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSYet the United job is one Amorim, 39, could not turn down — even if not everyone saw it that way at Sporting.There is clearly a huge split in the Portuguese club’s fan base over their coach leaving at this stage of the season with many believing he should have seen the job through.Watch Sporting Lisbon fan reveal how you’ve been pronouncing incoming Man Utd manger Ruben Amorim’s name all wrongYet Amorim, along with the three-man coaching team who are expected to follow him, leaves a club in a much better state than when he arrived here in 2020.Inside the stadium, there was applause — albeit muted — when his name was read out before the game along with the line-ups.And there did not appear to be any jeers when Amorim shuffled out from the tunnel awkwardly towards the dugout.So, while his departure is hard to take for some, none of the fans will forget his legacy.This is a club which is back as the dominant force in Portugal. Even this term, Sporting have won their first nine league games, scoring 30 goals and conceding just two.Amorim’s Sporting legacyThey are also eighth in the Champions League table, which is one hell of an effort.In contrast, Lisbon was not exactly hit by League Cup fever.Amorim made lots of changes, which saw Sporting’s star man Gyokeres, the former Coventry striker, start on the bench.There was, however, a first appearance in six weeks for former Tottenham winger Marcus Edwards. He is certainly one player who has been transformed by Amorim since arriving at the club from Vitoria in 2022 and will be sorry to see the coach leave.While he changed his team, Amorim stuck with his tried and trusted formation of a back three.READ MORE SUN STORIESIt will certainly be something United fans will have to get used to over the coming months.But looking at the Premier League table, none of them will be complaining about the change. More

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      Ruben Amorim jetting in for Man Utd talks but hints he won’t rush to take charge of Chelsea clash on Sunday

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      RUBEN AMORIM could be Manchester United’s new manager by Sunday after the club agreed to pay his £8.3million release fee from Sporting Lisbon.The Portuguese coach — plus three of his backroom staff — are expected to fly in to Manchester for advanced talks, just two days after Erik ten Hag’s sacking.Ruben Amorim will fly to England to finalise his Man Utd moveCredit: GettyEx-United boss Jose Mourinho and Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola have both endorsed Amorim, 39, even though he only became a coach five years ago. Sporting yesterday confirmed: “Manchester United have expressed their interest in recruiting coach Ruben Amorim and have said they are ready to pay the 10m euro release clause.”Ten Hag’s No 2 Ruud van Nistelrooy will take temporary charge for tonight’s home Carabao Cup tie against Leicester.But Red Devils chief Sir Jim Ratcliffe is believed to want Amorim in charge for Sunday’s Prem clash with Chelsea at Old Trafford. READ MORE IN FOOTBALLHowever, the in-demand coach would not be drawn on joining United when he spoke to reporters after Sporting’s 3-1 win over Nacional last night.He refused to confirm if it was his “farewell game” as Sporting boss, adding: “Manchester United is interested. But it’s my choice. Until everything is decided, we won’t be making any noise.”I have nothing useful to say. I will take on whatever I want to do, as I have always done.“I’m not going to talk about my contract, it’s a matter between me and Sporting. All the clauses that exist in a contract are included by the employer and the employee. What I can say is that the statement contains all the necessary information.Most read in Football“I can’t promise anything. What I know is that I will be at training tomorrow and I will prepare for the game against Estrela da Amadora (on Friday).“We have to wait a little bit more to explain everything I need to explain, then it will be very clear.“It is my decision, I will tell everything to so we have to wait.”Amorim led Sporting to the Portuguese title last season and his team have won ALL of their first nine league games this season.Mourinho, who sat in the United hotseat from 2016-18, claimed the Sporting boss would be able to handle a Prem move, insisting he was capable of managing “in any club”.The Special One added: “I like him as a person, I like him as a coach.“He has the conditions to be able to coach in any league and in any club.”FOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSAmorim had served an internship under Mourinho at  United in 2018 before taking charge of lower-league Lisbon club Casa Pia the same year.The ex-midfielder, who hung up his boots in 2016, joined  Sporting in 2020, having impressed during a stint at Braga.’Sporting fans will be upset with Ruben Amorim but he will be much better than Erik ten Hag’Ten Hag was dismissed on Monday morning with the club 14th in the Prem.Guardiola also gave Amorim a glowing reference and said: “Why is it too quick? I started at Barcelona when I was 37. So knowledge is knowledge.“If you are able, age doesn’t matter. If age was a reason, Lamine Yamal could not play football at 17 years old.”Guardiola, who was due to face Amorim’s Sporting next week in the Champions League, added: “If Manchester United are thinking about him, it’s because he’s a good manager.”READ MORE SUN STORIESCity had been strongly linked with a move for Amorim if Guardiola quits at the end of the season — with the Lisbon club’s sporting director Hugo Viana heading to the Etihad this summer.Sporting have lined up B team coach Joao Pereira as Amorim’s replacement.Ruben Amorim leaves Sporting on a highBy Charlie WyettRUBEN AMORIM would have preferred to leave Lisbon in a blaze of glory after winning a third Primeira Liga title.Yet football does not work like that. And in what was surely his final game before taking charge of Manchester United, Amorim prepared to say his goodbyes at a half-empty Estadio Jose Alvalade in a League Cup quarter-final against Nacional.Sporting won 3-1 thanks to  second-half goals by captain  Morten Hjulmand and Viktor Gyokeres, who scored two.Luis Esteves pulled back for Madeira-based Nacional.The stadium  will be a good deal more lively on Tuesday when Manchester City are here for  a Champions League match — although Amorim should by then have his feet firmly under his desk at Old Trafford.Liverpool and Aston Villa were both interested in Europe’s most sought-after coach. Even City could have been a possible destination post-Pep Guardiola.Yet the United job is one Amorim, 39,  could not turn  down — even if not everyone saw it that way at Sporting last night.There is clearly a huge split in the Portuguese club’s fan base over their coach leaving at this stage of the season with many believing he should have seen the job through.Yet Amorim, along with the three-man coaching team who are expected to follow him, leaves a club in a much better state than when he arrived here in 2020.Inside the stadium, there was applause — albeit muted — when his name was read out before the game along with the line-ups.And there did not appear to be any jeers when Amorim shuffled out from the tunnel awkwardly towards the dugout.So, while his departure is hard to take for some, none of the fans will forget his legacy.This is a club which is back as the dominant force in Portugal. Even this term, Sporting have won their first nine league games, scoring 30 goals and conceding just two.They are also eighth in the Champions League table, which is one hell of an effort.In contrast, Lisbon was not exactly hit by League Cup fever last night.Amorim made lots of changes, which saw Sporting’s star man Gyokeres, the former Coventry striker, start on the bench.There was, however, a first appearance in six weeks for former Tottenham winger Marcus Edwards. He is certainly one player who has been transformed by Amorim since arriving at the club from Vitoria in 2022 and will be sorry to see the coach leave.While he changed his team, Amorim stuck with his tried and trusted formation of a back three.It will certainly be something Manchester United’s fans will have to get used to over the  coming months.But looking at the Premier League table, none of them will be complaining about the change. More

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      Darwin Nunez handed Arne Slot snub as Liverpool boss claims Reds have two ‘more logical number 9s’

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      DARWIN NUNEZ did not get a rousing vote of confidence from Arne Slot after he revealed Diogo Jota will be missing for weeks.It appears the mercurial Uruguayan is THIRD in manager Slot’s pecking order of Liverpool’s No 9s.Darwin Nunez has started just two Premier League games this seasonCredit: GettyJota looks unlikely to return until after November’s internationals amid abdominal damage suffered in the 2–1 win over Chelsea ten days ago.And Federico Chiesa could be out for even longer as the £10million arrival from Juventus is struggling following a series of niggling injuries.Yet Slot says he would have turned to the Italian — and not £64m man Nunez — in the absence of Jota.The Dutchman starts a run of four games in 11 days before the next international break with a Carabao Cup trip to Brighton.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAnd Slot admitted: “It is a pity that Jota is not available.“And Chiesa is also not available as they were, in my opinion, the most logical No 9s but we still have other options.”One possibility there is Nunez, who has played in the main striker’s role for the last three games, scoring in the 1–0 Champions League win over RB Leipzig.But Kop boss Slot, who had only started him in two of the ten previous games since taking over from Jurgen Klopp, admits he is “worried” about the loss of Jota and Chiesa ahead of a punishing spell.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSFormer Feyenoord gaffer Slot brushed off suggestions Chiesa could return to Italy on loan in January.And he was not jumping for joy at being forced to turn to Nunez, who has just 35 goals in 106 appearances since arriving from Benfica more than two years ago.How Arteta dominated Liverpool with stealth Havertz trick before genius Slot switch saved the daySlot added: “About Darwin, I gave him credit for the fact he worked so hard in previous weeks when he didn’t play a lot to be able to play three games in a row.“Three games in eight days, so that says a lot about him.“But it also says a lot about the quality of our performance staff and medical staff that we were able to give him the right sessions to prepare him in the right way.“You always need the player to buy in because you can give him the right sessions but if he doesn’t give everything then it is very difficult for him to do what he did.”Slot also points to the fact that Nunez had a five-game international ban revoked having joined team-mates to battle rioting Colombian fans after his country’s Copa America semi-final defeat in August.He played against Peru and Ecuador last month, with Slot saying: “It was a good thing his ban for the Uruguay team was cancelled so he could play.“That has probably really helped him to play the way that he did in the last three games.“I’m not talking about the quality he played with, but the intensity he played with. The quality was also good — so that was a positive thing.”Slot is planning on making changes on Wednesday night as Liverpool host Brighton in the Prem on Saturday, as well as ex-Kop hero Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League before a visit from Aston Villa.READ MORE SUN STORIESSeagulls boss Fabian Hurzeler is without defender Lewis Dunk who has a “small muscle issue” and conceded his captain is “not easy to replace”.Hurzeler added: “He’s a great healer, so we have to go day by day. For sure, we can’t take any risks with him — but he’s keen on coming back as soon as possible.” More