More stories

  • in

    Downing tequila, falling into bed fully clothed then calling in sick to Man Utd… inside Marcus Rashford’s 12-hour bender

    MARCUS Rashford went on a 12-hour tequila bender before passing out at 3am, then called in sick hours later.The Manchester United striker, 26, was axed for last Sunday’s FA Cup tie at Newport County after missing training following two days of boozing in Belfast.
    Marcus Rashford went on a 12-hour tequila bender before passing out at 3am, the ace in Northern Ireland before his bingeCredit: Twitter
    Marcus Rashford posed for picture with a restaurant worker on Thursday at 4:22pm
    Rashford went for drinks at Lavery’s after arriving in Belfast on Wednesday evening
    A waitress who joined the Manchester United ace on his booze bender told last night how he was “on a mission to get drunk”.
    She said the sloshed striker downed tequila shots and cocktails before collapsing on a hotel bed fully clothed just before 3am.
    Rashford had spent two days partying on a visit to Belfast to see a pal, and got a 7am private jet back to Manchester on Friday.
    But he then rang in sick for training and was later fined £650,000 — two weeks’ wages — and dropped from the FA Cup tie at Newport County last Sunday.
    READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
    He was pictured yesterday morning arriving at training ahead of showdown talks with United bosses.
    Belfast waitress Sarah Adair, 30, told last night how she had served the footballer lunch before he invited her to party with him.
    She claimed they then had a “weird” night out which ended with her having to put him to bed after he drunkenly dropped huge wads of cash on the floor.
    Sarah said: “I’m not surprised he missed training the next day given how late he got to bed and how much he’d had to drink. He must’ve known he wasn’t going to be in any fit state to play football.”
    Most read in Football
    The mum of one was working on Thursday afternoon when a two-man security team came in and asked for a discreet table for a “high-profile” VIP party.
    At first Sarah thought it could be a famous actor such as James Nesbitt or Jamie Dornan because the city is a hotbed for filming.
    When Rashford walked in, she did not recognise him and only realised he was a footballer when her United-mad manager told her.
    She said: “He was with two men and two women. One was clearly a friend and the other girl was French and very beautiful.
    “She seemed to be with Marcus because of how they interacted. She was touching his knee and he was touching her arm, but you could tell from the conversation they didn’t know each other that well. It was like he’d just met her.”
    Earlier Rashford had visited Larne FC after his footballer pal Ro-Shaun Williams signed for the Northern Irish club.
    As Sarah served the group, Rashford also told how he had visited the Dirty Onion bar and Lavery’s pub the night before after flying into the city.
    He ordered sea bass then asked her where was good to go out, adding: “You should come out with us and show us around.”
    Meanwhile, Sarah’s manager politely asked Rashford’s minders if he could have a picture with him, but they refused as he was on a “business trip”. They also declined Sarah’s request to sign an autograph for her uncle.
    Sarah said Rashford did not touch his food and was more interested in what tequila was on offer as he and his pals downed shots and drank cocktails.
    He eventually relented on his picture ban and posed for a snap, as long as Sarah’s manager allowed her to leave early so she could hook up with them later.
    Sarah said: “I thought he was joking. My boss agreed.”
    She went on: “I’ve never been out with a Premier League footballer before so I thought, ‘Why not?’. Little did I know how weird it would be.”
    Before leaving, Rashford asked Sarah if she knew of any nightclubs which would stay open later than the usual 3am closing time if he paid them enough cash.
    She said: “That made it clear to me that he had already made his mind up that he wasn’t going to training on Friday. He had no plans to go home that night.”
    Sarah finished her shift early at 5pm and went home before returning to the city centre at around 7pm.
    She messaged Rashford’s minder as arranged but was left sitting in a bar on her own for nearly three hours before a Mercedes van pulled up at 9.40pm, and a security guard collected her.
    She was asked to hand over her phone and not reveal who she was with or where she was going, although she was allowed to tell her mum.
    The taxi took Sarah to the Villa Italia restaurant where Rashford was with his entourage and two other local women who had also been invited out.
    Sarah said Rashford had booked out the top floor and brought his own Bluetooth speaker so he could play his favourite rap music.
    He was dressed all in white with a diamond-encrusted watch on each wrist along with six or seven silver diamond chains and two diamond rings. He also had two identical iPhones on the table.
    She said Rashford had also brought his own bottle of tequila. Sarah recalled: “I pulled up a chair and sat next to him and we all chatted.
    “Marcus was confident but also seemed a bit shy. It’s as though he doesn’t really know who he is. He gives out the vibe he thinks, ‘I’m a footballer, I’ve got loads of money and can do whatever I want’. His friends treated him like he was a god.”
    Sarah said Rashford ordered bruschetta but did not touch it as he does not like tomatoes with seeds in.
    She said the star, who was only eating bread, told her: “I’ve been drinking all day.”
    Sarah added: “They were still drinking tequila and passing around a bottle of Patron and he also ordered a round of limoncello. He was clearly on a mission to get drunk.”
    She said one of Rashford’s friends reminded him he had training in the morning, but the player said he wanted to go out.
    When one of the girls mentioned Thompson’s Garage nightclub as a place to visit, Rashford asked if they thought the DJ would let him play his own music.
    Once dinner was over, the group split into girls and boys and they travelled in separate cars to Thompson’s, where clubbers captured the moment Rashford arrived.
    The group then headed to a private area called The Attic and ordered yet more drinks. Rashford and the French girl are later said to have argued after she accused him of kissing another woman.
    Sarah Adair told how she had served the footballer lunch before he invited her to party with himCredit: Pacemaker
    The ace visited Lavery’s in BelfastCredit: Pacemaker
    This picture was posted online of Man Utd’s Rashford at Larne FC, on Thursday at 1:06pm
    The footie ace headed to a nightclub on Friday at 00:30am following an afternoon sessionCredit: Instagram
    ACE RASH’S TIPPLES TIMELINE
    WEDNESDAY JAN 24
    9.55am: Rashford arrives for Man United training.4.21pm: Private jet leaves Manchester.5.17pm: Plane lands at Belfast International airport. Rashford checks into the Fitzwilliam Hotel and visits the Dirty Onion and Lavery’s bar.
    THURSDAY JAN 25
    1.06pm: Picture posted online of Rashford at Larne FC.2pm: Arrives at Sarah’s restaurant.4.30pm: Leaves restaurant.9.40pm: Rashford sends a driver to bring Sarah to Villa Italia restaurant.
    FRIDAY JAN 26
    00.30am: Rashford filmed going into Thompson’s Garage nightclub.2am: Rashford leaves and the group go back to his hotel — although a source close to the player insists it was at 1.15am.2.50am: The star passes out fully dressed.5am: Rashford and his minders leave hotel.7am: Private jet leaves Belfast airport.8am: Plane touches down at Manchester airport.
    SUNDAY JAN 28
    Rashford is dropped from FA Cup game against Newport County. United boss Erik ten Hag says Rashford’s behaviour is an “internal matter” and he will “deal” with it.
    MONDAY JAN 298.45am: Rashford arrives for training.

    Sarah told The Sun: “She said to me, ‘I’m so angry because he thinks he can do what he wants’.”
    Last night a source close to Rashford insisted the striker left the club at 1.15am.
    But Sarah says the group partied until shortly after 2am when Rashford’s pals and security decided the footballer was too drunk and needed to go to bed.
    As they all left, another clubber filmed Rashford leaving, with a minder heard saying to them: “You’re gonna get him in trouble.”
    The group then headed back to the five-star Fitzwilliam Hotel where Rashford was staying in the £1,500-a-night residence suite.
    Sarah went up with others but his French companion could be heard shouting and trying to get in. Sarah claimed Rashford then gathered the woman’s belongings and dumped them outside, with security shepherding her away.
    She said: “I said to Marcus to go out and speak to her and he just said, ‘No, I don’t care’.
    “He was so drunk at this point that he picked up his own bag and dropped it and all this cash fell out. It was all £20 notes and big wads of it. I reckon there was between £8,000 and £10,000 cash.
    “Then he falls back into the wall and I have to kind of scoop him up and on to the bed. He was fully dressed and I reckon he just passed out like that. He didn’t even get under the covers.”
    One of Rashford’s pals told Sarah that she could sleep in another room, which she did, waking at 9.30am. She then messaged his minder and asked what time she needed to go.
    He told her that Rashford and his team had gone at 5am, and asked her if she had left anything in his room as they had not done “a sweep”.
    Sarah said last night that she was not surprised the footballer has since got into trouble, adding: “He was clearly on a mission to have a big night.
    “It’s not like it wasn’t planned from the start. I don’t know how he didn’t realise he would be caught out.
    “Everyone was taking pictures of him during the night out.” The source close to Rashford claimed the star returned to the hotel at 1.15am, did not drink cocktails and had less than £1,000 in cash.
    Yesterday Rashford and his agent brother Dwaine met with manager Erik ten Hag and United’s director of football John Murtough for showdown talks.
    A source added: “Marcus accepts his standards have fallen well short of what is expected.”
    READ MORE SUN STORIES
    Last night the club said: “Marcus has taken responsibility for his actions. This has been dealt with as an internal disciplinary matter, which is now closed.”
    Rashford walked towards the club door with his entourage on Friday at 00:31am
    Rashford’s pal put an arm around him as they entered the club on Friday at 00:32am
    Player was pictured inside the club on Friday at 00:55am as the session continued
    Rashford stayed in the Residence suiteCredit: Fitzwilliam Hotel
    Rashford arrived for showdown talks on Monday at 8:45amCredit: Eamonn and James Clarke
    The striker was axed from last Sunday’s FA Cup tie at Newport County after missing trainingCredit: Getty More

  • in

    Man Utd says Marcus Rashford ‘has taken responsibility’ after partying & missing training claiming he was ill

    MARCUS Rashford “has taken responsibility” for partying and missing training, Manchester United said. It was revealed on Saturday that the star, 26, had been enjoying back-to-back midweek nights out in Belfast.
    Marcus Rashford has ‘taken responsibility’Credit: Getty
    He missed Friday training saying he was illCredit: Getty
    He missed Friday training saying he was ill and did not play in the 4-2 FA Cup win at Newport County.
    The Manchester United ace was said to have been facing a fine of two weeks’ wages of £650,000 as a result.
    The club last night said the matter was now closed.
    It said in a statement: “Marcus has taken responsibility for his actions.
    Read more on football
    “This has been dealt with as an internal disciplinary matter, which is now closed.”
    The England star, who is on £325,000 a week, flew to Ireland on Wednesday to see pal Ro-Shaun Williams, who plays for Larne FC.
    He was pictured in Lavery’s Bar that evening ahead of a planned day off.
    ACE RASH’S TIPPLES TIMELINE
    WEDNESDAY JAN 24
    9.55am: Rashford arrives for Man United training.4.21pm: Private jet leaves Manchester.5.17pm: Plane lands at Belfast International airport. Rashford checks into the Fitzwilliam Hotel and visits the Dirty Onion and Lavery’s bar.
    THURSDAY JAN 25
    1.06pm: Picture posted online of Rashford at Larne FC.2pm: Arrives at Sarah’s restaurant.4.30pm: Leaves restaurant.9.40pm: Rashford sends a driver to bring Sarah to Villa Italia restaurant.
    FRIDAY JAN 26
    00.30am: Rashford filmed going into Thompson’s Garage nightclub.2am: Rashford leaves and the group go back to his hotel — although a source close to the player insists it was at 1.15am.2.50am: The star passes out fully dressed.5am: Rashford and his minders leave hotel.7am: Private jet leaves Belfast airport.8am: Plane touches down at Manchester airport.
    SUNDAY JAN 28
    Rashford is dropped from FA Cup game against Newport County. United boss Erik ten Hag says Rashford’s behaviour is an “internal matter” and he will “deal” with it.
    MONDAY JAN 298.45am: Rashford arrives for training.

    A waitress who says she partied with him the following evening has now given an insight into how Thursday night unfolded.
    Most read in Football
    Sarah Adair claimed the striker downed tequila shots and cocktails before collapsing on a hotel bed fully clothed just before 3am.
    She claimed they then had a “weird” night out which ended with her having to put him to bed after he drunkenly dropped huge wads of cash on the floor.
    Sarah said: “I’m not surprised he missed training the next day given how late he got to bed and how much he’d had to drink. He must’ve known he wasn’t going to be in any fit state to play football.”
    “He must’ve known he wasn’t going to be in any fit state to play football.”
    Yesterday Rashford and his agent brother Dwaine met with manager Erik ten Hag and United’s director of football John Murtough for showdown talks.
    A source added: “Marcus accepts his standards have fallen well short of what is expected.”
    The Manchester United star was said to have been out nightclubbing in Belfast last weekCredit: Getty
    The 26-year-old was yesterday seen turning up to Manchester United trainingCredit: Eamonn and James Clarke More

  • in

    Man Utd and Chelsea ‘linked with late transfer swoop for Barcelona flop’ who’s worth a staggering £216m

    CHELSEA and Manchester United are both keen on signing former Barcelona star Martin Braithwaite.The clubs both need to strengthen their forward lines and are battling it out to bring the Espanyol striker to the Premier League.
    Chelsea and Manchester United are keen to sign Espanyol striker Martin BraithwaiteCredit: Rex
    The January transfer window comes to an end on Thursday at 11pm.
    And Braithwaite – who is also a successful businessman with a £216m empire – could end up being a last-minute signing.
    The 32-year-old is the top scorer in the Spanish second division this season with 11 goals.
    Espanyol sit fifth in the table and are in the fight for an immediate promotion back to La Liga.
    READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
    However, an unusual detail in the striker’s contract means Chelsea and United would prefer to sign him this summer.
    He currently has a £6million release clause in his contract, which expires next summer.
    But should Espanyol get promoted, he will be able to leave for free.
    If the club remains in the second tier the forward will be worth £500,000.
    Most read in Football
    FREE BETS – BEST BETTING OFFERS & NEW CUSTOMER BONUSES
    Man Utd manager Erik ten Hag needs to add firepower up front, with neither Marcus Rashford or Rasmus Hojlund reaching ten goals yet this season.
    The Blues are still in a transition period, with Mauricio Pochettino’s misfiring side stumbling to a 0-0 draw against Aston Villa on Friday.
    Braithwaite’s hopes of making Denmark’s Euro 2024 squad would be boosted if he can secure top-flight football.
    The Dane was at Barcelona for two-and-a-half years, scoring ten goals in 58 games.
    But he was released by the Catalan giants after he reportedly refused to have his contract mutually terminated, leading to claims he held Barca to “ransom”. More

  • in

    Man Utd and Chelsea on transfer red alert with Barcelona ‘enormously concerned’ about Jules Kounde and ‘ready to sell’

    BARCELONA are open to selling defender Jules Kounde as they look to fall in line with FFP regulations.The defender has been linked with moves to Manchester United and Chelsea in the past, and both could be on alert with the defender on the market in January.
    Kounde is free to leave BarcelonaCredit: Rex
    United have struggled at centre-back this season, with Raphael Varane’s form seeing him drop to fifth choice at times despite being first pick last year.
    Harry Maguire has undergone a career renaissance this season after looking certain to leave last summer – but his future is also unclear.
    Lisandro Martinez has also missed most of the season with injury.
    The extent of United’s injury issues is dominated by the fact that Jonny Evans, 36, has featured 17 times for the club this season.
    READ MORE ON TRANSFERS
    Kounde, 25, joined Barcelona in the summer of 2022 and played an integral part of their title victory last season.
    But he has struggled to replicate that form this season, and was responsible for two of the goals Barca shipped in their 4-2 defeat to Athletic Club in the Copa del Rey.
    United were tentatively linked with the defender last summer amid rumours he was unsettled at the Camp Nou.
    Chelsea were also close to signing Kounde last season, reportedly agreeing a deal to sign the defender last year.
    Most read in Football
    Kounde is seen as expendable by BarcelonaCredit: The Sun
    FREE BETS – BEST BETTING OFFERS & NEW CUSTOMER BONUSES
    Ultimately, the player chose Barca, but Chelsea could now make a move for Kounde again.
    According to Spanish outlet Sport, there are “enormous concerns” surrounding Kounde’s form.
    The report also states that the club would be willing to listen to offers for former Chelsea star Andreas Christensen.
    A fee has not been reported but Barcelona signed Kounde for £42.5million and would be looking to recoup as much of that as possible. More

  • in

    Man Utd ace Marcus Rashford facing £650k fine for partying and missing training saying he was ill

    ENGLAND striker Marcus Rashford is facing a fine of two weeks’ wages of £650,000 for partying and missing training.The Man United ace will be disciplined after apparently enjoying back-to-back midweek nights out in Belfast.
    Marcus Rashford is facing a fine of £650,000 for partying and missing trainingCredit: Getty
    The ace will be disciplined after apparently enjoying back-to-back midweek nights outCredit: Getty
    He missed Friday training saying he was ill.
    Yesterday Rashford, 26, did not play in the 4-2 FA Cup win at Newport County.
    Boss Erik ten Hag said: “It’s an internal matter. I will deal with it.”
    Earlier, United said Rashford “is not well enough to be in the squad following illness; he has stayed at Carrington to train as he recovers”.
    READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
    Rashford, who is on £325,000 a week, flew to Belfast on Wednesday to see pal Ro-Shaun Williams, who plays for Larne FC.
    Footage appears to show Rashford at Thompson’s Garage club on Thursday. It is claimed he told United it was from Wednesday.
    Video obtained by The Athletic later suggested he partied on both nights.
    A source said: “When it was first suggested Marcus had missed training because he had been out the night before, he denied it.
    Most read in Football
    “It’s amazing that he thought he could go to a club full of people and claim it didn’t happen.
    “The manager will feel very let down.”
    In November, ten Hag criticised Rashford for going clubbing after a 3-0 defeat by arch rivals Man City.
    In 2022, he was dropped after he was late for a team meeting. More

  • in

    Man Utd legend David De Gea ‘closing in’ on return to football after six months unemployed

    FORMER Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea is reportedly closing in on a move to Saudi Pro League side Al-Shabab.The 33-year-old has been without a club since leaving Old Trafford in June.
    David de Gea is in talks with Al-ShababCredit: AFP
    Newcastle, Real Betis, Al-Nassr and Bayern Munich were allegedly among the clubs interested in signing him last year.
    However, De Gea is now on the verge of a return to football.
    According to the Daily Mail, the Spaniard is in talks to join Al-Shabab.
    The Saudi Pro League side are also pushing to sign Ivan Rakitic from Sevilla and Newcastle’s Miguel Almiron.
    Read More on Football
    Rakitic was left out of Sevilla’s squad today while he prepares to complete the switch.
    He underwent a medical this morning and is expected to travel to Saudi Arabia next week.
    Meanwhile, Newcastle are willing to let Almiron leave St James’ Park this month.
    The Magpies need to sell players before buying in order to comply with Financial Fair Play rules.
    Most read in Sport
    CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS
    Almiron is understood to be open to the move.
    Hakim Ziyech, who is currently on loan at Galatasaray from Chelsea, is another name on Al-Shabab’s transfer shortlist. More

  • in

    Newport hip hop group Goldie Lookin Chain vow not to insult any Man Utd Wags in FA Cup… like they did Victoria Beckham

    NEWPORT’S comedy hip hoppers Goldie Lookin Chain have promised not to insult any Manchester United WAGs at Rodney Parade like they did Victoria Beckham.Frontman Rhys Hutchings, 48, and the group are big County fans and even twice designed their kit – although the second one had to be pulled after the club were threatened with legal action by designer label Burberry.
    Goldie Lookin Chain frontman Rhys Hutchings on the River Usk in Newport
    Goldie Lookin Chain performing while David Beckham warms up
    But, famously in 2005 before Wales’ World Cup qualifier against England at the Millennium Stadium, the group performed their then new song Your Missus Is A Nutter.
    They announced it was being dedicated to Victoria Beckham, while her husband David was warming up on the pitch.
    Although Beckham took it in good humour, the FA of Wales condemned the group and issued a public apology.
    But ahead of watching their local team’s FA Cup fourth-round clash with United after finally managing to land a ticket, Hutchings has revealed why they dedicated the song to Posh Spice in the first place.
    READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
    Hutchings told SunSport: “We were invited to do a set before the match and Beckham was out on the pitch. A newspaper offered us £100 to dedicate one of our songs to Beckham’s missus, which we did.
    “However, we never got the £100 – so can we have the £100 please!”
    So should Bruno Fernandes or any of the other United stars’ partners be concerned that the hip hoppers will invade the pitch to sing Your Wife Is A Nutter at them before Sunday’s game?
    Hutchings, 48, laughed: “No, we’d get banned for life if we did that. We’ve matured a bit – although now we’re men in our late 40s singing karaoke in tracksuits!
    Most read in FA Cup
    David and Victoria Beckham were the target of a joke from the Welsh hip hoppers
    [embedded content]
    “We did a gig recently with Noel Gallagher and I was like, ‘Look guys, I know we’re funny – but don’t say anything bad about Noel. Don’t say, ‘Oh yeah, Liam’s awesome, or anything like that!’ 
    “Then when we got there, and did the gig, Noel turned up, went on stage and said, ‘What’s this? A festival?’ 
    “And we said, ‘No, it’s your gig, dude!’ He didn’t even know what it was so we could’ve said anything we wanted!
    “But if we do beat United, I think everyone will run on the pitch but I wouldn’t run on mid-game because I’ve seen it happen and people get clobbered. 
    “Even the footballers come in and they might get in a punch or two but if County win it, that will be it – everyone will be on the pitch!”
    Hutchings says his love affair with County started back in the days they were playing at their old Somerton Park ground.
    And he loved the whole shabby feel of the place.
    He said: “I remember going in there when there wasn’t a football match on, it was just empty, and there was a huge pile of dogs**t and I just thought, ‘This place is amazing!’ That was back in the glory days of the 1980s!
    “They knocked it all down in the end and built houses on it. But that was the first time I noticed Newport County!”
    The group are all fans and Hutchings says bandmate Graham “The Bear” Taylor has worked in the club shop while Billy Webb (aka Tim Westcountry) is a season-ticket holder. 
    And the guys have had two collaborations with the Exiles in designing their kit.
    They first designed a shirt which they sponsored for the club’s FAW Cup in 2004-05 and three years ago the group helped design their third kit which had to be pulled after fashion label Burberry threatened to sue.
    Newport players and Goldie Lookin Chain band members model Burberry kid that was pulled after designer label threatened to sue the club
    Hutchings said: “That kit was really exciting. We went down there and put them on but at the end of it they were like, ‘Take them off, put them in the box.’ 
    “We were like, ‘Do we have to? You’re going to give us some, aren’t you?’ And they said ‘Yeah, we’ll give you some’
    “But they were very similar to a Burberry design – and they asked them to take them down and all the fans that had bought them had to send them back, so we didn’t get any of them.
    “That was so disappointing. I would’ve just worn it to bed, just worn it all the time!”
    The group are later this year embarking on a “world tour of the UK” and Hutchings said: “It’s been 20 years since we did something big so doing 20 quid, 20 dates, 20 songs. Actually, it turned out to be more than 20 dates so my missus is going to kill me!”
    Hutchings eventually managed to secure a ticket on the eve of the game.
    He said: “Billy’s managed to get one for me. He was going because he’s a season ticket holder so was able to get priority for himself.
    “We used to know the chairman there but things have changed at the club in recent times. 
    READ MORE SUN STORIES
    “So it was difficult getting a ticket. They were on the internet for £600 a pop and I couldn’t afford that. I have two kids, got to pay for music lessons, football subs, cubs and all that sort of stuff.
    “I had feared I might have to book a room in the Mercure hotel and watch the game with binoculars – or maybe just pay my TV license! But I’ll be there and the dream scenario for me is a replay, so the club can make even more money!”  More

  • in

    I was serving coffee in Caffe Nero last year, now I’m living my dream and facing Man Utd in the FA Cup

    NATHAN WOOD this time last year was making lattes and cappuccinos in a Newport coffee shop.But today he is dreaming of putting the mochas on Manchester United.
    Newport midfielder Nathan Wood relaxes at the old coffee shop he worked at
    Nathan Wood is now living the dream with his home-city club
    The County midfielder, 26, thought his chances of being a pro footballer were over and worked at a local Caffé Nero to make ends meet.
    But Newport signed the lifelong Manchester United fan in the summer – and incredibly he now has a chance of facing his heroes at Rodney Parade.
    He told SunSport: “Had you come into the coffee shop and told me I’d have a chance to play Manchester United in the FA Cup here in Newport I’d have thought you were mad!
    “While sorting out someone’s Espresso or Americano, you’re not thinking in a year’s time you’d be up against five-time Champions League winner Casemiro or Lisandro Martinez, who has just won a World Cup with Lionel Messi! 
    READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
    “I was working there while playing part-time in the Welsh Premier League for Penybont to pay the bills.
    “It was 7am until 2pm four days a week. I had to learn everything about coffee – the right levels of foam, the beans, not burning anything and steaming the milk.
    “I still pop in on the way to training to grab a flat white because it’s a little stronger, not so much milk, and gives you energy for running around a pitch.”
    Marcus Rashford’ will’s Manchester United will be looking to beat Newport
    Wood is proudly Newport born-and-bred and used to watch the team as a kid while they were still playing non-league – and fondly remembers watching the club’s first game back in the EFL against Accrington Stanley 11 years ago with his dad and grandad.
    Most read in Football
    But the midfielder’s own story is even more extraordinary as he thought his dreams of making it as a pro were shattered when County released him as a 17-year-old after coming through the club’s academy.
    He said: “I was gutted because I thought it was my last chance to be a pro. I ended up going to Undy, who were bottom of the whole Welsh pyramid system.
    “And although I didn’t get the elite coaching enjoyed at a pro club, I learned about being kicked and pushed around in men’s football.”
    Wood went on to study sports coaching at Cardiff University as well as becoming a support worker for vulnerable school kids.
    But he also spent four years with Penybont where he won promotion to the Welsh Premier League – and after scoring 15 goals last season he once again attracted the attention of Newport, who signed him in the summer.
    He said: “Had it not been for Penybont and the manager Rhys Griffiths and his assistant Martyn Giles I’d not have developed the way I did.”
    His favourite player is Marcus Rashford and he even bought his named shirt in the club shop when watching United take on Manchester City in the FA Cup four years ago.
    He said: “I love everything he stands for. He’s the same age as me and he gets a lot of harsh criticism sometimes.
    “I admire how he conducts himself off the pitch. 
    “From my own experiences working with kids, I understand there’s more to football than just football. I see how influential he is to young people and how he uses his platform for a greater good.
    “Whether it’s being a footballer or working in a coffee shop, it’s important to keep being yourself and show people there’s more in this sometimes dark and selfish world. 
    “Some critics have been saying he must focus on just football – but I don’t agree. 
    “He knows how hard his upbringing was in Manchester – how he went home and didn’t eat. So he’s using his background and story to help the next generation coming through. That’s something I’m passionate about too.
    “And his ability on the pitch is unbelievable. I don’t think he’s reached his pinnacle yet – he can be as good as he wants to be.
    Nathan Wood outside his old place of work in Newport
    Nathan Wood had a cup of coffee with our man Justin Allen at his old cafe
    “So as both a person, and player, he’s top. I definitely would love to grab his shirt and meet him after the game on Sunday.”
    Newport fans have not yet invented a song about the midfielder working in a coffee shop – although they made a flag for the Wrexham game last weekend, which read: ‘Who needs Hollywood when we’ve got Nathan Wood.’.
    And although Wood has been a pro for only eight months, he is certainly making up for lost time – having already faced Premier League Brentford in the Carabao Cup and now Manchester United.
    If the midfielder ends up not getting beyond the two-year contract he signed in the summer, he will forever be grateful for weekends like this one.
    He said: “To be a doctor you have to study for something like seven or eight years – but it’s taken me NINETEEN to be a pro footballer.
    READ MORE SUN STORIES
    “If this contract is all it ends up being, I’ve crammed in playing against two Premier League clubs – one of them the biggest in the world. But hopefully I can kick on because I’m living the dream.”
    Or should that be the Americano dream? More