Football

ANGE POSTECOGLOU snapped at a journalist’s question ahead of Tottenham’s crunch Europa League clash against AZ Alkmaar.Spurs face a pivotal moment in their season as they look to keep their final hope of silverware alive.Ange Postecoglou snapped at a journalist’s question about Spurs’ Europa League chancesCredit: GettyThe Londoners are 13th in the Premier League table and have also been dumped out of both the Carabao and FA Cups.But Tottenham face an uphill battle in Thursday’s last-16 clash after losing the first leg 1-0.Spurs also failed to give themselves a real confidence boost at the weekend as they drew 2-2 at home with Bournemouth.And some feel that Postecoglou’s long-term future could rest on tomorrow night’s result.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe point was put across to the Australian by a reporter during Wednesday’s press conference.But Postecoglou was not happy with the question and snapped back with a fiery response of his own.The reporter initially asked: “This game is being billed as ‘win or bust’, both for Tottenham’s season but in some people’s opinion, also for you and your project here.“How do you feel about it and how important is it?”Most read in Europa LeagueCheltenham Festival betting offers and free betsPostecoglou replied: “Yeah… there aren’t many professions in the world where you have to come in and answer questions like that, is there?“There isn’t, is there? Yeah. But I’m going to be polite and just say we’re focused on winning the game tomorrow night.Heartwarming reason Tottenham stars all wore odd socks in training ahead of Europa League tie with AZ Alkmaar “We certainly feel if we play with the intensity and tempo we played on the weekend, we’ll give ourselves a good chance to progress.”It’s not the first time Big Ange has lost his patience with a journalist.In December he refused to answer questions after Spurs shipped six goals to Liverpool.A month later Postecoglou sarcastically declared “great way to start an interview” after losing 3-2 to Everton.And in February he covered his face with his hands while taking questions Tottenham’s FA Cup exit to Aston Villa. More

TOTTENHAM stars all wore mismatched socks for training ahead of their Europa League clash with AZ Alkmaar.Many may have been confused by the different kit – but it was for a good reason.Tottenham Hotspur players all wore mismatched socks for trainingCredit: GettyThe reason was to raise awareness for World Down Syndrome DayCredit: GettyThe team trained ahead of the match against AZ AlkmaarCredit: GettyAnge Postecoglou’s players were prepping for their round of 16 second leg tie when they wore the mismatched socks.The reason behind the choice of different socks was to raise awareness for World Down Syndrome Day on March 21.A club statement read: “We are proudly supporting Down Syndrome Awareness Week, with our men’s and women’s first team players today training in colourful mismatched socks.”Wearing mismatched socks is the perfect way to show that no two people are the same – regardless of the number of chromosomes they have.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS”People across the world are encouraged to take part by ‘rocking their socks’ on Thursday March 21, World Down Syndrome Day.”Our players wore a range of colourful mismatched socks, provided by Nike, at a session attended by young people with Down syndrome and their families.”Meanwhile, there were some concerns for Spurs ahead of the clash against Alkmaar.The North London side lost the first leg 1-0 in Holland after Lucas Bergvall’s own-goal.Most read in Europa LeaguePostcoglou was without January signing Kevin Danso, who was not spotted.The manager admitted: “Kevin got a hamstring injury in the last game so he’s out.”Ange Postecoglou says Tottenham performance ‘nowhere near’ required standard after AZ Alkmaar loss Ange Postecoglou admitted that Kevin Danso was injuredCredit: ReutersForward Richarlison was also training by himself as he builds his fitness.The Europa League is Spurs’ last chance to win silverware this season after exits in the FA Cup and Carabao Cup.It also represents the only likely entry into European football for the 2025/26 season.In Postecoglou’s press conference, he was asked if he regretted making the claim that he always wins a trophy in his second season with a club.He said: “My view has always been when you’re asked something, you answer it.”People have used it for their own purposes to make out I was making a bold claim. I was just stating a fact [about the past].”If we do win a trophy this season, then some people might say ‘oh isn’t it nice that he did that after making such a bold claim’.READ MORE SUN STORIES”It wasn’t.”People will just use it the way they want to, whatever the circumstances.” More

MANCHESTER UNITED star Mason Mount has returned to training after three months out injured.The 26-year-old midfielder has not played since the 2-1 derby win over Manchester City on December 15 due to a hamstring tear.Mason Mountis back in training ahead of the Real Sociedad gameCredit: EPAIt was Mount’s first session back after a hamstring tearCredit: PAManuel Ugarte also returned after a brief period out injuredCredit: GettyRuben Amorim still has an injury crisis to deal withCredit: EPAMan Utd welcome Real Sociedad to Old Trafford on Thursday in the second leg of their last-16 Europa League tie.The fixture will reportedly come too soon for Mount, but he is nearing a return to fitness.In another boost for Ruben Amorim, there is hope Manuel Ugarte will be back after he was also spotted in training today.The midfielder missed the last two matches with a minor problem and the manager admitted he “thinks” he will be fit to face Real Sociedad.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLDespite the duo’s much-needed return, Amorim still has an injury crisis to contend with. In a major blow, centre-backs Leny Yoro and Harry Maguire were not pictured at Carrington today. They join Altay Bayindir, Jonny Evans, Lisandro Martinez, Luke Shaw, Kobbie Mainoo and Amad Diallo on the sidelines.Man Utd will also be without teenage striker Chido Obi as he is not eligible to play in the Europa League. Most read in FootballCheltenham Festival betting offers and free betsAmorim is “desperate” for Mount to avoid anymore injury problems as he views him as key to his plans.The boss did not hide his feelings on the former Chelsea man earlier this season, saying: “Mason Mount… I have to tell you I love that kid.How Ruben Amorim’s genius tweak unleashed Mazraoui to give Man Utd new attacking threat”You can look in his eyes that he wants this so bad. This is the most important thing.”He played in this system, so it’s perfect for him… I have two positions for Mason Mount, so he should be very happy.”He fits our style. He’s a very good player inside and also outside the pitch. The type of character we want in this team and the club want.”Mount’s Man Utd career has struggled to take off since his £55million move from Chelsea before the start of last season.He has got just one goal and one assist, missing 49 games through various injury problems.Mount is seen as a key player by AmorimCredit: PAUnited are 1-1 with Real Sociedad after the first legCredit: PAMan Utd ratings vs Arsenal as De Ligt shows exactly why Red Devils signed him but Zirkzee is as frustrating as everIT was a performance that would have pleased Ruben Amorim but a 1-1 draw with Arsenal does little to paper over the cracks at Manchester United.On a day when the Old Trafford crowd protested the owners, the players stood up to show their remains life in a club that fans say is experiencing a “slow death”.There was a lack of clear-cut chances in the opening 45 minutes as both sides goalscoring troubles continued.A moment of magic was needed and Fernandes stepped up as he so often does.Arsenal’s wall was full of man mountains, but Fernandes found the power, dip and accuracy to beat David Raya with his free-kick – even if the wall was marched 11.2 yards back instead of the regulated ten.Mikel Arteta’s side came out swinging in the second-half with their makeshift No9 up top, and it took a brilliant effort from Declan Rice to level the scores.United were able to frustrate them and remain a threat on the counter but eventually had to settle for a point in a much-improved performance.Here is how SunSport’s Martin Blackburn rated the United performances. More