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      Harry Maguire gets over Man Utd woes with trip to watch former club in Championship play-off clash

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      HARRY MAGUIRE took some time away from his Manchester United problems with a trip to watch former club Sheffield United.The Blades booked a place in the play-off final after taking a 3-0 lead over Bristol City back to Bramall Lane before winning 6-0 on aggregate.Harry Maguire took some time away from Man UtdThe defender was spotted at his former ground Bramall LaneMaguire looked in high spirits before watching Sheffield United take on Bristol City in the Championship play-offsAnd Maguire returned back to his roots for some much needed downtime to cheer on his beloved childhood club.The United star looked in high spirits while walking through the rows leading to the director’s box, with Chris Kamara also present. After playing the last 40 minutes of United’s embarrassing 2-0 defeat to West Ham, the defender took the chance to unwind.Sunday marked another humiliating day for Maguire as United suffered a 17th Premier League defeat of the season and slipped to 16th in the table.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSMaguire was initially rested and benched for West Ham’s visit ahead of United’s Europa League final against fellow strugglers Tottenham next Wednesday.But the 32-year-old was forced on to replace Leny Yoro, who limped off in tears with a foot injury.Jarrod Bowen doubled West Ham’s lead within minutes of Maguire coming on, as Mohammed Kudus breezed past him to feed Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s assist.The England international has personally endured topsy-turvy season, after saving United’s skin with several late goals – including the incredible last-gasp header in the comeback against Lyon.Most read in FootballBut Thursday’s Europa League semi-final second leg at Old Trafford showed Maguire’s still prone to defensive mistakes, as his wayward pass saw Athletic Bilbao go 1-0 up in the first half.Maguire played the last 40 minutes of United’s embarrassing 2-0 defeat to West HamCredit: GettyCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSMaguire came through the ranks at Sheffield United and broke into their first team when the club was relegated to League One in 2011.The then 18-year-old was thrown in at the deep end against uncompromising, physical forwards and thrived.Harry Kane finally gets his hands on first career trophy as Bayern Munich win Bundesliga in styleMaguire had played over 100 times for the Blades before his 20th birthday.And League One proved the launchpad that took him into the Prem with Hull City, on to Leicester City and then Man United.Maguire was spotted in the crowd at Bramall Lane More

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      ‘The situation is grim’ – Iconic EFL club facing financial oblivion after major issues ‘effectively shut us down’

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      ACCRINGTON STANLEY have confirmed they are facing a “grim” future amid serious financial problems.Stanley finished the season 21st in League Two – just two places above relegation.Accrington Stanley confirmed they are facing a “grim” futureAccrington Stanley are dealing with a dire financial situationBut even though Accrington remained in the EFL, they are still facing some dire economic issues that forced them to close their academy last week.The club also lost its stadium’s live music licence – except on matchdays due to repeated noise complaints.Now the Reds’ chief executive Warren Eastham has issued a serious warning about the cub’s situation and accused the council of providing nothing but “empty words of support”.This comes after Stanley owner Andy Holt announced he would be stepping down last month.Read More on FootballHolt also accused the authority of a “vendetta” due to a long-running row over the club’s hospitality suites built in contravention of planning permission.This situation puts the iconic club, who rose prominence thanks to an unforgettable milk advert in 1989, in a situation where they face financial oblivion.Eastham’s statement to the Local Democracy Reporting Service read: “Since joining the club in August last year, I have been in ongoing discussions with the council.“I’ve made numerous phone calls, attended meetings, sent emails, and submitted countless support requests to both the council and their officers. Yet, despite all this, nothing meaningful has come of it. Most read in Football“I will, of course, gladly accept the meeting—one I’ve both requested and attended many times before. I’ve done my best to bring reason to the table, but all I’ve received in return are empty words of support.“What we need now is action, not platitudes. I’ve warned repeatedly about the risks of Andrew Holt walking away, and now what do we have – a letter.“I’ve been given a year to make the club sustainable but this cannot be achieved with temporary fixes. We need real, lasting change. This is a club that lost £1 million in the 2023/24 season, a deficit covered entirely by Andrew Holt.“The 2024/25 season was only balanced thanks to the Liverpool FA Cup draw, but that money is now gone and the mounting costs from the summer remain. The situation is grim: the academy’s March figures revealed a significant financial loss.’Broken promises’“April shows no improvement, worsened by steep increases in National Insurance and the minimum wage across the club, including the players. Right now, Accrington Stanley has no revenue stream until July.“The ongoing issues with planning, noise abatement, and licensing have effectively shut us down.“Now, with the council’s statement out in the public domain, I truly hope this marks the beginning of meaningful collaboration to safeguard the future of this fantastic club.“Let me be clear: the closure of the academy is down to one thing only – a lack of income and mounting financial losses. Andy’s position is clear: he will fund the club to a £250,000 loss next season, but no further.Read More on The Sun“After years of broken promises and a lack of appreciation for the £6million he has invested in this club over the past decade, he has reached his limit. This club belongs to the town and its fans. I will work tirelessly to ensure its future is secure.“Accrington needs Accrington Stanley, and I am determined to see us through this challenging time.” More

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      Chelsea could CHOOSE whether to play in Champions League or Europa League under bonkers Uefa ruling

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      A BONKERS rule means Chelsea could CHOOSE between playing in the Champions League or the Europa League next season.The Blues will have free reign if they win the Europa Conference League (UEL) AND qualify for the Champions League (UCL) by finishing in the top five in the Premier League.Chelsea could CHOOSE between playing in the Champions League or the Europa League next seasonCredit: GettyEnzo Maresca’s side face Real Betis in the Europa Conference League final on May 28Credit: GettyEnzo Maresca’s side face Spanish outfit Real Betis in Europe’s third tier final in Wroclaw, Poland on May 28.The Conference League winners, along with getting a trophy and £5.9million in prize money, earn a qualifying spot for the following season’s Europa League.Things get a little more complicated if that same team also earns a place in the Champions League through their domestic finish.If favourites Chelsea win in Wroclaw and finish in the top-five in the Prem, the rules state that the club can “choose” between the UEL and UCL.READ MORE CHELSEA NEWSClearly, it’s extremely unlikely that a team like Chelsea will pick anything other than the glamour and riches of the UCL, as qualifiers get £70million if they make the latter.But the “choosing clause” exists to cover a team from one of Europe’s lower-ranked leagues winning the Conference League. If the smaller minnow side takes up their domestic UCL place in the qualifying rounds they wouldn’t be guaranteed to play in the UEL.So if the club feels like making the UCL league phase through qualifying is tough, they can opt to take the automatic place in the UEL phase earned by winning the Conference League.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSThere is no change to the allocation of handing the Conference League winners a place in the UEL if they qualify for other European competitions. And if Chelsea do both, they’ll inadvertently help another Prem team compete in Europe next season.Chaos at Stamford Bridge as Djurgarden fans jump over barriers and clash in away end against ChelseaIf Maresca’s side beat Betis AND finish in a Europa League spot in the league, they will create a vacant slot since they can’t qualify twice.That vacancy “must be either the domestic cup winner or the highest domestically ranked club from its association that has not already qualified for the league phase of the competition directly”. according to Uefa rules.Chelsea currently sit inside the UCL places in fifth in the Prem, but face hard games against Manchester United and fellow European chasers Nottingham Forest.The final three UCL spots will be decided in the race for the top five between Newcastle, Manchester City, Chelsea, Forest and Aston Villa.The Prem earned five spots in the UCL next season through Uefa’s point-scoring Uefa coefficient when Arsenal beat Real Madrid 3-0 in their first quarter-final leg.Uefa calculates the coefficient each season based on the league clubs’ results in the across the three European competitions. How ten Prem teams could qualify for Europe next seasonThe 10 would most likely be made up of:The top 6Chelsea in 7th as Conference League winners8thCrystal Palace as FA Cup winnersMan United/Tottenham as UEL winnersEnzo Fernandez is bidding for Europa Conference League glory next weekCredit: EPA More

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      I feared I’d never win a trophy but lifting the Bundesliga with Harry Kane makes it extra special, reveals Eric Dier

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      ERIC DIER feared he would never lift silverware — before finally winning the Bundesliga title with Bayern Munich.The centre-half and pal Harry Kane, both 31, have been on similar journeys after suffering painful losses with Spurs before both celebrated hoisting the plate-like German championship trophy on Saturday.Family man Eric Dier celebrated title glory with wife Anna ModlerCredit: GettyHarry Kane and Dier marked the occasion their trophy drought endedCredit: GettyBut now they will be going their separate ways.For while England captain Kane will remain at Bayern for a third season, Dier is joining French giants  Monaco this  summer.But the defender has loved his 18 months in Bavaria where he has played 47 games — and due to his good form he  has not given up hope of getting an England recall.Dier said: “To win a trophy feels good and it feels better than anyone has ever described.READ MORE TOP STORIES“Obviously, it’s been a long time coming. The longer you go, the more you wonder if it’ll happen.“And I think that is normal, especially when you have close calls and you don’t get it.“I think back a lot to the first season at Spurs when we were in the Carabao Cup final in 2015 and we lost that.“There are always a lot of ‘what-ifs’ in your life and your career.“And if I had got a trophy that early on, then who knows what would have happened.Most read in FootballDier is bowing out of Bayern on a huge highCredit: GettyBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK“But it doesn’t matter now, I’ve got it. It’s been an amazing year. Being in an environment where you learn how to win and what it takes to do it, does help.“There’s an aspect of relief that you’ve finally done it.Thomas Muller has Bayern Munich fans howling with risque funeral joke in retirement speech on pitch“It’s a huge weight off my shoulders in that sense but obviously it is not about me or any individual, it’s a huge collective effort.”Dier followed Kane from Spurs in January 2024, initially on loan before signing a one-year deal.So has it felt sweeter to finally win silverware with his buddy?He said: “Yes, for me to win it with Harry is incredibly special.“We’ve played together since we were 20 and in the England national teams before that.“We were together when we officially won it the other night and that was a special moment for us.”Dier received a presentation ahead of Saturday’s 2-0 win over Borussia Monchengladbach before the club paid tribute to legend Thomas Muller, who is leaving Bayern after 25 years at the club.Bayern did offer Dier a one-year extension but he has chosen to move to Monaco, where he has agreed a two-year deal.Dier, who started his career with Sporting Lisbon before spending a decade at Spurs, said: “We had good conversations with the club but just couldn’t find an agreement so then I started to look at what  I thought would be the best  opportunity for myself.Monaco really, really wanted me and I appreciated that. They made all the effort.Eric Dier“Now I’m very excited.  You don’t have regrets but when you’re in one place for a long time, you don’t realise the big world out there.“Football is very big in lots of different countries and you can learn a lot just by moving around and into different cultures, different types of football, different leagues —  so I think it’ll  do me good.“Monaco really, really wanted me and I appreciated that.“They made all the effort for me to go there so I’m talking about it but I don’t think it’s official yet!”Dier has 49 England caps but his last appearance was against Senegal at the 2022 World Cup.Asked if he could feature under  new Three Lions boss Thomas Tuchel, he said: “I hope so. I think I’m playing my best football.”Meanwhile, like Kane, Dier will be rooting for Tottenham in  the Europa League final against Manchester United on May 21.Read More on The SunHe added: “It will be incredible and  I still know a lot of the players and so much of the staff.“So I’d be incredibly happy for them to win and for the club.” More

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      Salford release SEVENTEEN players days after David Beckham and Gary Neville completed takeover of club

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      SALFORD CITY have released 17 PLAYERS following the takeover by David Beckham and Gary Neville.The two Manchester United legends completed the acquisition of the League Two club last week.Gary Neville and David Beckham have taken over Salford CityCredit: PAKarl Robinson guided the club to an 8th-placed finish in League TwoCredit: AlamyNeville clubbed together with other ex-Red Devils such as Nicky Butt, Ryan Giggs, Phil Neville and Paul Scholes to buy the club in 2014.However, Neville and Beckham’s old team-mates have relinquished their ownership.With a new look behind the scenes, the club has now taken action to make changes on the pitch.Following an eighth-place finish in League Two, Salford City have released 17 players from the first team.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLOne player that will be getting a fresh start is Matthew Lund.The midfielder joined the Ammies back in 2021 and has made 120 league appearances.Since October, the veteran had been contributing in the role of a player-coach.Other notable stars that will be leaving upon the expiry of their contracts are Conor McAleny, Liam Shephard and Ryan Watson.Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSSalford has kept hold of the Supporters’ Player of the Year Ossama Ashley.The midfielder came through he academies of Fulham and Wimbledon before joining West Ham in 2020.Where are they now: The unusual careers of former footballersConor McAleny is one of 17 players set to leave Salford CityCredit: PALuke Garbutt will be staying after his contract was extendedCredit: ReutersHe never made an appearance for the Hammers before leaving for Colchester United and then Salford in 2023.Former Portsmouth ace Haji Mnoga and ex Everton prospect Luke Garbutt have also had their deals extended.Salford released listHere are all the players who have been released by Salford City…Ryan WatsonMatthew LundJon TaylorConor McAlenyJez DaviesLiam ShephardMarcus DackersCallum MortonJames CarrBen CollinsLiam HumblesSandro Da CostaJacob HammanEze BowenMatty CucosAiden LancasterKamoy McNairDeals offered:Jamie JonesCurtis TiltTosin OlopadeHakeeb AdelakunJai Curran-NichollsAlfie HendersonJacob LaraOptions activated: Ossama AshleyHaji MnogaLuke GarbuttPlayers under contract: Tom EdwardsKevin BerkoeCole StocktonKelly NmaiBen WoodburnDan ChestersJunior LuambaRosaire LongeloJosh AusterfieldRobbie Cleary More

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      German footballer Tim Lemperle rushed to hospital after being ‘assaulted’ and out of crucial Bundesliga promotion clash

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      GERMAN football star Tim Lemperle was rushed to hospital after sustaining injures to his face during an assault on a night out.Koln star Lemperle will likely miss Sunday’s huge promotion final against Kaiserslautern for a place in the Bundesliga next season.Tim Lemperle was rushed to hospital after being assaulted on a night outCredit: RexLemperle reportedly suffered a broken nose and a gash on his face on Sunday evening, according to German outlet Bild.The report claims that the striker was out with friends in a borough of Cologne.A fight broke out in a boathouse bar near the bank of the River Rhine with another group, before things settled down.But Lemperle and his pals were allegedly attacked while leaving the venue later at 9pm local time.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSThe 23-year-old former Frankfurt star was taken to a local hospital where he stayed overnight until Monday morning.Koln boss Friedhelm Funkel hasn’t had any contact with Lemperle, who was forced to miss training on Monday afternoon.Funkel said: “I know he was physically assaulted on Sunday. He sustained facial injuries. “The likelihood of him playing on Sunday is slim. It can’t be completely dismissed, but it is slim. I can’t say anything more about it.”Most read in FootballThe police are investigating the incident and appealing for witnesses.Lemperle has scored 10 goals and provided six assists in 24 second division appearances this season.And he was nailed on starter for the final, after having been named in the starting XI in 22 out of 24 league games this term.FC Koln finished second in Bundesliga 2, behind Hamburg who were automatically promoted to end a seven-year absence from the German top flight.Lemperle’s team-mates take on Kaiserslautern, who finished just inside the playoff places in sixth, in the final. More

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      Man Utd legend Eric Cantona poses in rival kit as fans announce fresh protests against 20 years of Glazer ownership

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      MANCHESTER UNITED fans marked the 20th anniversary of the Glazer ownership by announcing plans for another protest.Supporters group ‘The 1958’ will again make their feelings known when Old Trafford stages the final home match of the season on May 25.Manchester United fans are planning a fresh protest against the Glazer ownershipCredit: PAThe Glazers took over the club in 2005Credit: AFPFans claim the owners have ‘betrayed’ the clubCredit: PAEric Cantona wore the colours of FC United to show his supportCredit: X/FCUnitedMcrIt is now two decades since the American family completed their controversial takeover of the Red Devils.And a spokesman for the 1958 said their legacy is ‘greed, decay and betrayal’.They said: “May 2005 marked one of the darkest days in the history of Manchester United.“The Glazer family became majority shareholders – triggering a compulsory takeover that was completed in June that year.READ MORE ON FOOTBALL“That moment signalled the beginning of the end for the soul and community of our once great club – sacrificed at the altar for corporate greed.“We will march as one fanbase to make it clear that 20 years on the fire still burns red with fury and defiance. We protest, once again, at the Villa game.“Lifelong supporters are being driven away from the club they love – priced out and pushed aside – another dagger to the heart of our football community.“We want the Glazers out of our club. They were never welcome, they are not welcome now. They will never be welcome.”Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSThe group said legendary former boss Alex Ferguson has been a staunch defender of the Glazer family but his success had only masked the problems.Club legend Eric Cantona has also joined in the protest.’I lived at the training ground’ – Former Man Utd transfer chief lifts lid on most expensive window in club historyThe Frenchman was pictured wearing an FC United of Manchester kit and bucket hat on social media.He has done so as “Football belongs to the fans.”United are currently enduring their worst domestic season in 51 years, although they still have the chance to salvage something by winning the Europa League.Their statement said: “Since his retirement, the rot beneath has been laid bare for all to see — the true cost of 20 years of financial exploitation and mismanagement.“The club is drowning in over a billion pounds of debt, our fanbase Is fractured and divide and our stadium neglected.“All while the Glazers continue to pocket dividends, year after year, regardless of failure on the pitch.“Old Trafford, once the Theatre of Dreams, is crumbling from decades of neglect. They’ve taken everything.”Join SUN CLUB for the Man Utd Files every Thursday plusin-depth coverage and exclusives from Old Trafford More

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      Man Utd set ambitious target for next season after worst Premier League campaign of all time

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      MANCHESTER UNITED chiefs have set an ambitious target for next season.The Red Devils are currently enduring their worst ever Premier League campaign and sit 16th with just two matches to go.Man Utd want to finish in the top six next seasonCredit: RexYesterday’s 2-0 home defeat to West Ham was their record-equalling ninth Old Trafford loss this term.And failure to beat Chelsea on Friday night would see Ruben Amorim become the club’s first boss in Prem history to go eight games without a win.United are already guaranteed to finish in their lowest place since relegation from the top-flight in 1974.But despite all of their troubles, chiefs have set a bold target ahead of next season.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLManchester Evening News report that the aim is to finish in the top six in a year’s time.That is if they win the Europa League and subsequently qualify for the Champions League or not.It is described as an “acceptable” target made by the United’s “power brokers”.It comes after Amorim hinted at quitting should he not turn things around.Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSHe said: “I don’t want to talk about the players. I’m talking about myself and the culture in the club and the culture in the team. I have that feeling.“We need to change that and we need to be really strong in the summer and to be brave.’I lived at the training ground’ – Former Man Utd transfer chief lifts lid on most expensive window in club history”Because we cannot have a season like this next year. If the feeling is still here, we should give the space to different persons.”So it’s a big problem that we have here at the club. It’s a decisive moment in the history of the club. We need to address that.”We are losing the feeling that we are a massive club and the feeling that it’s not the biggest thing in the world losing a game at home.”We don’t have that fear anymore and that is the most dangerous thing that a big club can have.”I think it’s a concern. It’s not the players’ fault. It’s my fault, I’m responsible.”If we cannot change that really fast we should give our place to different persons.Read More on The Sun”If you look at the goals that we suffer, we can avoid these goals. The lack of energy, of urgency. That is the most dangerous things in this club.”You can feel it at the beginning of the game. Between our box and opponent’s box there is a lack of urgency. That is something we have to change in this club.”Join SUN CLUB for the Man Utd Files every Thursday plusin-depth coverage and exclusives from Old Trafford More