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    Joshua Zirkzee ‘would gladly go back to Italy’ after Man Utd struggles just months after transfer with Juventus keen

    JOSHUA ZIRKZEE is open to moving back to Italy after a nightmare four months at Manchester United, according to reports.The Dutchman’s agents have supposedly offered him to Juventus ahead of the January transfer window.Joshua Zirkzee is keen on a move back to Serie A just months after joining Man UtdCredit: GettyZirkzee, 23, joined the Red Devils in a deal worth £36.5million in the summer. But newspaper La Stampa claim he is already looking for a way out after struggling to adapt to the Premier League.Zirkzee’s representatives have been in contact with Juventus as their manager is Thiago Motta.The boss got the best out of him last season at Bologna, with him scoring 12 goals.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLZirkzee’s time at Man Utd started positively, scoring the winner just 26 minutes into his debut against Fulham on the first day of the season.But the player has since struggled and it remains his only goal in 17 appearances.SunSport exclusively revealed that sacked manager Erik ten Hag did not want to sign him and he was a stone overweight when he rocked up at his new club.It took him a while to shift the unwanted timber and his former boss was unhappy about his fitness.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSZirkzee was an Ineos buy as they identified the deal as good value for money.But just months into his five-year contract, they could now let him go to potentially free up space to sign Sporting Lisbon star Viktor Gyokeres at the end of the season.Ruben Amorim takes charge of first Man Utd training sessionNew manager Ruben Amorim is reportedly keen on bringing the Swedish goal machine with him to Old Trafford.But the transfer will not come cheap as the Portuguese giants are set to demand around £80m for the man with 23 goals in 18 games this term.Three Sporting stars Amorim could swoop for after joining Man UtdRUBEN AMORIM has ruled out poaching any of his Sporting Lisbon players in the January transfer window.But the Portuguese side’s chiefs expect Amorim will come calling in the summer – with his cheque book wide open.Here’s are three Sporting starts United could swoop for… but they won’t come cheap:VIKTOR GYOKERESAge: 26Position: StrikerCost: £84millionSwede has shone since joining Sporting last summer from Coventry — catching the eye of all Europe’s top clubs.Hit 43 goals in 50 games last season and boasts 18 strikes already this term.GONCALO INACIOAge: 23Position: DefenderCost: £50millionBall-playing centre-back was handed his debut by Amorim and has since become a key figure in Sporting’s recent title successes.Can also slot in at left-back if required and has 12 caps for Portugal.MORTEN HJULMANDAge: 25Position: MidfieldCost: £40millionDane is one of the top holding midfielders in Portugal — and made skipper by Amorim.He could be the man to replace Casemiro. More

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    Man Utd chiefs locked in blame game over expensive shambles that saw Ten Hag get new deal before being sacked

    OLD TRAFFORD chiefs are locked in a blame game over who was responsible for their summer shambles.Manchester United have become a laughing stock over their treatment of former boss Erik ten Hag.Sir Jim Ratcliffe and David Brailsford have faced criticism for their flip-flopping decisionsCredit: AlamyErik ten Hag was brutally sacked just months after being handed a contract extensionCredit: ReutersThe club’s recruitment strategy has also faced scrutiny following another summer splurge of nearly £180million.Red Devils co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Co were set to get rid of Ten Hag after the FA Cup final.They ended up extending his contract and employing a new coaching team around him following their Wembley win over City.But the Dutchman was axed after just nine Prem games this season with United languishing down in 14th in the table. READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSThe former Ajax chief’s staff were also dismissed — all with sizeable pay-offs.It cost around £15m to sack Ten Hag alone, while they had to shell out another £10m to bring Portuguese Ruben Amorim in from Sporting Lisbon, including an extra fee so that he could cut short his notice period.READ MORE: ‘Amorim is joining a team in chaos, he’ll wish he never left Lisbon.’It has been a bumpy start for Ratcliffe, who bought a 27.7 per cent stake in United in February and was charged with running the football side of the club.United splashed the cash several new players this seasonCredit: GettyFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSThe British billionaire, 72, appointed a new senior management team, including Sir Dave Brailsford, Omar Berrada, Dan Ashworth and Jason Wilcox. Most read in FootballBut so far, the jury is out on their summer transfer deals.Ruben Amorim takes charge of first Man Utd training sessionThe likes of forward Joshua Zirkzee, at £36.5m, and £38.5m centre-back Matthijs de Ligt have struggled to find their feet.   Now, tough questions are being asked internally about who bears the most responsibility for what went wrong  with their planned squad revamp. More

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    Real Madrid and Bayern Munich locked in transfer war over FIVE players with Man Utd target caught in the middle

    EUROPEAN heavyweights Real Madrid and Bayern Munich are reportedly set to battle it out for several players next summer.The futures of five different stars are currently up in the air.Alphonso Davies’ contract is set to expire in JuneCredit: GettyJoshua Kimmich is also nearing the end of his contractCredit: GettyReal Madrid are allegedly interested in Jamal MusialaCredit: GettyIt could result in some of them swapping Germany for Spain.Bayern full-back Alphonso Davies has just seven months left on his current deal.As things stand, he is yet to agree terms for a new contract.Real Madrid are waiting to pounce if he does become a free agent at the end of the campaign.Read More in FootballBut they could face competition from Man Utd for his signature.Similarly, German full-back Joshua Kimmich is also edging towards the conclusion of his deal at the Allianz Arena.The future of young superstar Jamal Musiala is arguably Bayern’s most significant cause for concern.Musiala has just 19 months left on his contract with the Bundesliga giants.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSFlorian Wirtz is wanted by both clubsCredit: GettyJonathan Tah has also attracted interest from several clubsCredit: GettyReal Madrid are also waiting for the right moment to launch an offer for the Germany ace.With Davies, Musiala and Kimmich potentially set to leave Munich in the near future, the Bavarians could reportedly attempt to sign Bayer Leverkusen stars Florian Wirtz and Jonathan Tah.Arda Guler shows his talent at Real Madrid training However, Los Blancos could prove to be a thorn in their side once again.Earlier this year it was revealed that Real Madrid chiefs wanted to add Wirtz to their ever-growing list of Galacticos.The 21-year-old is expected to cost around £125million next summer.Arsenal and Manchester City are among the other clubs understood to be interested.Meanwhile, Bayern pushed to sign Tah this summer alongside Man Utd but failed to seal a deal.This time around, however, the German giants will also have to compete with Real Madrid and Barcelona if they want to attempt another swoop. More

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    Gary Neville negotiated my Man Utd contract with Sir Alex Ferguson – he made him give me more money

    DANNY SIMPSON claims Gary Neville bagged him more cash after negotiating his Manchester United contract with Sir Alex Ferguson.Simpson, 37, came up through the ranks at Old Trafford but played just eight times before joining Newcastle in 2009.Danny Simpson has revealed how Gary Neville got him more pay at Manchester UnitedCredit: GettyNeville negotiated on Simpson’s behalf with Sir Alex FergusonCredit: GettyThe right-back, who also played for QPR and Leicester, was at one stage hailed as a future Red Devils star.And he took plenty of inspiration from fan favourite Neville, who played in his position.But Simpson knew he was tucked firmly under his fellow defender’s wing when Neville went face-to-face with Sir Alex in contract talks.Fergie famously hated dealing with agents when he would negotiate deals.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe Scot did it all during his time at United manager, sorting out moves and renewals while also coaching his side to titles.And in a stroke of genius, Simpson decided against using an agent in contract talks with Ferguson, instead leaving negotiations to pal Neville.It worked wonderfully too, with Simpson revealing his mate actually bagged him more money.Simpson, who won a Premier League title with Leicester in 2016, told talkSPORT: “Gary Neville actually negotiated my contract with Fergie.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS”As a young kid, when you’re starting to knock on the door and get around the first team, you’re scared that you’re going to annoy him.”He’d go, ‘I want to give you a new contract,’ and you’d say to him, ‘My agent will see you.’ Sir Alex Ferguson ECSTATIC as his horse Spirit Dancer makes history with back-to-back wins in $1million Bahrain raceSimpson later went on to win the Premier League title with LeicesterCredit: –“You were scared to say that. Whereas now it’s the first thing you say.”I’m thinking, ‘If I say that, he’s going to bin me off.’ So I spoke to Gaz and Gaz was like, ‘I’ll go see him for you.'”It was me, Gaz and Sir Alex in the room.”I didn’t really know what to do. So I’m just sat there in the middle.”He (Neville) actually got me more money, to be fair. He actually didn’t [ask for a cut].”The Gaz that you see now is always that Gaz.”Danny Simpson’s career statsMan Utd, 2005-2010: 8 games, 0 goalsRoyal Antwerp (loan), 2005-2006: 30 games, 1 goalSunderland (loan), 2006-2007: 14 games, 0 goalsIpswich (loan), 2007-2008: 8 games, 0 goalsBlackburn (loan), 2008-2009: 20 games, 0 goalsNewcastle, 2009-2013: 138 games, 2 goalsQPR, 2013-2015: 44 games, 1 goalLeicester, 2014-2019: 133 games, 0 goalsHuddersfield, 2019-2020: 25 games, 0 goalsBristol City, 2020-2022: 8 games, 0 goalsTrophies: Championship (Sunderland); Championship (Newcastle); Championship play-offs (QPR); Premier League (Leicester) More

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    Former Man Utd star Juan Mata makes history with move into MLS as he takes major step towards career after playing

    JUAN MATA has made history after announcing a stunning move to join the ownership group of Major League Soccer side San Diego FC.The former Manchester United and Chelsea star currently plays for A-League club Western Sydney Wanderers, where he has been since September.Juan Mata has joined the ownership group of San Diego FCMata currently plays for Western Sydney Wanderers in the A-LeagueCredit: RexHowever, the 36-year-old has now taken to social media to announce he would be investing into America’s newest top flight franchise who will be joining the league in 2025 as the 30th club.A statement on his Instagram said: “Really happy to announce that I’m a partner at the newest and most special franchise in the MLS!”The club’s own announcement on the move also revealed how the Spaniard has made history by becoming the first active player to hold an ownership stake in Major League Soccer.Mata is now also in illustrious company with Inter Miami owner David Beckham as only the second international player to be involved in MLS ownership, according to the club.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe Spaniard added: “Joining San Diego FC as a partner is an exciting opportunity to help build something truly special in a city and league that are experiencing incredible growth.”The commitment of both this Club and Right to Dream to community impact, excellence, and a vision for long-term success aligns perfectly with my own values. “I look forward to contributing my experience and passion for the game and working alongside everyone here to build a Club that inspires both on and off the pitch.”San Diego’s first ever competitive match will take place at the 35,000-capacity Snapdragon Stadium against five-time MLS winners LA Galaxy on March 1 2025.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSThe club statement described Mata as a “widely respected humanitarian” and mentioned his charitable schemes such as the Common Goal initiative which sees players pledge one per cent of their salary to social causes.He is also an active collaborator and partner of Right to Dream, and has visited RTD’s Academy in Egypt and Denmark.Hirving Lozano surprises San Diego FC in visit to his new MLS club after being left off Mexico’s Copa America rosterSan Diego chairman Sir Mohamed Mansour said: “Juan has been an active and long-term supporter of Right to Dream, and he shares our values of wanting to use football to deliver long-term social impact and change. “As one of the most successful footballers of his generation, winning the World Cup, European Championship and UEFA Champions League, among many other titles, he is a serial winner, and in San Diego, we are committed to building a winning team for the long term.”The playmaker starred in England for 11 years with Chelsea and Man Utd.He spent two-and-a-half years with the Blues where he won the Champions League, Europa League and FA Cup.Mata then played for the Red Devils from January 2014 to summer 2022, winning the Europa League, FA Cup and League Cup.After leaving Man Utd, Mata joined Galatasaray, where he won the league before leaving to join Japanese side Vissel Kobe, where he also won the league.Meanwhile – having started his career with Real Oviedo – prior to arriving in the Premier League he won the Copa del Rey with Valencia.READ MORE SUN STORIESOn an international level, Mata won the 2010 World Cup and 2012 European Championship and was also a European Champion in both the Under-19 and Under-21 categories.His various business ventures away from football have helped him cultivate a reported net worth of £66million, and it seems club ownership could be up his street when he eventually retires.Stars signed up for San DiegoSAN DIEGO will be Major League Soccer’s 30th franchise team, but who will they have playing for them? Only a handful are on the books so far, but there are names you may recognise…Hirving Lozano – Mexican winger is joining from PSV in January. He is a title winner with the Dutch club and Italian side Napoli and has 70 international appearances under his belt.Marcus Ingvartsen – One-time Dane international has proven to be a prolific goalscorer for Nordsjaelland with 53 goals in 134 games.Alex Mighten – Nottingham Forest academy product is joining from the Premier League side after signing a deal in the summer, but is currently on loan with Nordsjaelland.Jeppe Tverskov – Third star associated with Nordsjaelland, the defensive midfielder only joined the club from Danish rivals Odense BK in 2023. He is a Superliga veteran with more than 220 appearances to his name.Paddy McNair – Man Utd academy star is joining the MLS side from West Brom. Now 29 years old, it will be his first transfer outside of England after spending most of his career with Middlesbrough. McNair won the FA Cup with United in 2016 and won the Under-21 Premier League twice. More

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    Ruben Amorim backing Man Utd transfer move for Angel Gomes with England ace available to return to boyhood club for FREE

    ANGEL GOMES remains a major target for Manchester United under new boss Ruben Amorim.Red Devils’ transfer gurus Dan Ashworth and Jason Wilcox believe the four-cap England star can be a crucial part of new boss Amorim’s masterplan for success.Angel Gomes could head back to Old Trafford after four years at LilleCredit: PANew Man Utd boss Ruben Amorim has long had Gomes on his radarCredit: GettyThe Portuguese coach is right behind the possible move because he is a long-time admirer of the 24-year-old midfielder.Gomes departed from United for Lille on a free transfer in 2020 and his five-year contract expires next summer.The French club are resigned to losing £25million-rated Gomes, with Tottenham also having the London-born ace on their radar.Gomes can speak to clubs in January about signing a pre-contract agreement.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSBut United believe the star, who grew up in Salford, can be lured back to Manchester as a probable long-term replacement for Casemiro.Gomes said on the chances of a sensational return to Old Trafford last month: “There’ll always be that sentimental soft spot, so of course it’d be difficult to say no.”He joined United aged six and broke into the under-18 side aged only 14.He became the club’s youngest player since Duncan Edwards in 1953 to make his top flight debut aged 16 years and 263 days, given the last two minutes of a 2 -0 win over Crystal Palace in May 2017.Most read in FootballThree Sporting stars Amorim could swoop for after joining Man UtdRUBEN AMORIM has ruled out poaching any of his Sporting Lisbon players in the January transfer window.But the Portuguese side’s chiefs expect Amorim will come calling in the summer – with his cheque book wide open.Here’s are three Sporting starts United could swoop for… but they won’t come cheap:VIKTOR GYOKERESAge: 26Position: StrikerCost: £84millionSwede has shone since joining Sporting last summer from Coventry — catching the eye of all Europe’s top clubs.Hit 43 goals in 50 games last season and boasts 18 strikes already this term.GONCALO INACIOAge: 23Position: DefenderCost: £50millionBall-playing centre-back was handed his debut by Amorim and has since become a key figure in Sporting’s recent title successes.Can also slot in at left-back if required and has 12 caps for Portugal.MORTEN HJULMANDAge: 25Position: MidfieldCost: £40millionDane is one of the top holding midfielders in Portugal — and made skipper by Amorim.He could be the man to replace Casemiro.FOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSArsenal have also been tipped to pursue the four-cap star.And Gunners’ legend Lee Dixon reckons he’d “fit superbly” into Mikel Arteta’s plans.Ruben Amorim takes charge of first Man Utd training sessionDixon told plejmo.com: “He’s a very good link-up player and we’ve seen that he can play alongside Declan Rice.”He’s got a lot of potential and although there will be plenty of clubs looking at him, I could see him at Arsenal next season.” More

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    Greek media deliver early verdict on Anthony Martial as he achieves feat he didn’t manage at Man Utd for three years

    ANTHONY MARTIAL divided opinion like few others in his nine years at Manchester United.Now he’s transforming the opinions of Greek journalists in just weeks with new club AEK Athens.Anthony Martial is changing the minds of the Greek mediaMartial joined AEK Athens in September after an erratic Man Utd stintThe French striker, 28, has also pulled off an encouraging feat that he last managed for United in 2021.Yet Martial was seen by many as epitomising the Old Trafford under-achievement since Alex Ferguson’s glorious reign ended in 2013.He became the world’s costliest teenager when he joined United from Monaco for £36million – two years after Fergie retired.But injuries and stuttering form plagued his Red Devils’ career.READ MORE TOP STORIESAEK took the plunge in September, handing Martial a contract until 2027 on their largest ever wages of £2.9million a year.And it’s remarkable the way his fortunes have swayed since then – according to the Greek media.The verdict on Martial’s debut against city rivals PAOK in October typified initial negativity.He played just 14 minutes as a sub, touching the ball just four times.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSYet that was enough for one journo to label his appearance “colourless, odourless, and tasteless”.However, the media also accepted it was too early to assess Martial properly – and called for patience on the “out of form” attacker.Martial given hero’s welcome by AEK fans with flares as Arsenal icon says ‘can’t remember last time he was real player’Now he’s played five games in all, providing one goal and an assist.More importantly, perhaps, he’s stayed on for 90 minutes in two successive matches, which he failed to do for United in the past three years.Now analysts are highlighting his improvement – and in particular his potential.A Gazzetta journalist wrote Martial has “presented us with some first samples of his undeniable footballing quality” – although he has yet to “put his foot on the gas”.Sport 24 went further by claiming the 30-cap star has made “a big difference in the creation part.” Martial’s attitude has also been praised – with his “body language” and “statements” showing he is “completely satisfied” with his AEK move.Now it’s down to Martial to ram home his short-term progress with the long-term consistency he lacked at Old Trafford. More

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    Liverpool drop worrying transfer hint over three key players as 2025 calendar is released

    LIVERPOOL have dropped a big hint over the futures of Mo Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Virgil van Dijk.The trio are all out of contract in the summer and have been linked with moves away from Anfield.Mo Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold could both be set to leave in the summerCredit: GettyVirgil van Dijk is also out of contract at the end of the seasonCredit: ReutersRight-back Alexander-Arnold, 26, is being closely monitored by European champions Real Madrid.Forward Salah, 32, has been the subject of interest from Saudi Arabia for more than a year, with Paris Saint-Germain also in the frame.And centre-back Van Dijk, 33, was linked with a switch to Barcelona back in January.All three will be able to sign pre-contract agreements elsewhere from January if they wish to leave.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLNow Reds fans’ fears over losing all three have been exacerbated following the release of the club’s 2025 calendar.Alexander-Arnold, Salah and Van Dijk are on the months of February, March and April.This could be construed as Liverpool preparing for their summer departures by putting them at the start of the year.Earlier this month, SunSport revealed contract talks with Alexander-Arnold are stalling as the club are not willing to offer him higher wages than Salah and Van Dijk.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSFollowing Liverpool’s 3-0 win over Manchester United back in September, Salah hinted at his imminent exit by saying he wanted to “enjoy the last year” at Anfield.But Van Dijk has offered more optimism surrounding his future after revealing last month that he is speaking to the “right people” about a new deal.Liverpool star Alexis Mac Allister ‘being sued for compensation by ex’ two years after he ‘dumped her for her friend’ He said: “I can say obviously discussions are ongoing, but I don’t know, we will see what happens in the future.”What the future will bring I have no idea at the moment. I can only tell you that discussions have been started up and we will see.”Despite uncertainty surrounding the futures of key players, Liverpool have not been impacted on the pitch under new manager Arne Slot.The Reds sit top of the Premier League table, five points clear of Manchester City having won nine of their opening 11 matches.They also sit first in the Champions League and are the only team to boast a 100 per cent record after four games. More