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      Team GB Olympics hero Keely Hodgkinson given hero’s welcome as Man Utd fan shows off gold medal at Old Trafford

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      TEAM GB star and Manchester United superfan Keely Hodgkinson received a hero’s welcome at Old Trafford after her Paris 2024 heroics.Hodgkinson, 22, blitzed the competition to win gold in the 800m at the Olympics in the summer and showcased her medal before United’s Premier League clash with Tottenham.Team GB star and Man Utd fan Keely Hodgkinson got a hero’s welcome at Old TraffordCredit: PAHodgkinson won a gold medal in the 800m sprint at Paris 2024Credit: ReutersMan Utd fan Hodgkinson grew up only a stone’s throw away from Old TraffordCredit: GettyHodgkinson was raised a Man Utd fan in ManchesterHodgkinson received a warm ovation at Old TraffordThe Mancunian athlete saluted the fans before kick-off and received a warm ovation from the home crowd as she stood with a big smile on her face.But that was as good as it got for United fans on the day as they were battered by Spurs in a match which saw Bruno Fernandes shown a straight red – his first sending off for the club.The sprinter didn’t have to come a long way as she was raised only a stone’s throw away from Old Trafford.The Olympian grew up adoring the Red Devils and even managed to enjoy a glimpse of the glory years under legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson.Read More on Man UtdAnd the runner even admitted that she always had a soft spot for United cult hero Javier Hernandez.Hodgkinson previously said: “I live on my own now. An independent woman. Well, as a United fan, I wouldn’t look over Manchester City would I?“Do I hear the crowd noise? It’s not that bad. I can literally see it across from me and see the lights buzzing when it’s a match night. It’s busy round town.“Where I live is really nice. There is MediaCity. It’s near the airport, the train station and the track. It’s very convenient. I love it.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS“My mum has had a Manchester United season ticket since she was 19 and her name is on the seats at Old Trafford. She is more of a diehard fan than me.“I got the last glimpses [of the glory years] when I was about eight years old.Keely Hodgkinson challenged to rarely-seen race by Olympic gold medal-winning hurdler“Though I did see his matches, I don’t remember much about Cristiano Ronaldo being at Manchester United the first time round.“I was more a fan of Javier Hernandez or Chicharito as he’s known. I liked him when I was growing up.” More

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      I shared a year with Cristiano Ronaldo at Man Utd – he trained like an ANIMAL and always tried to be the best

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      MANCHESTER UNITED legend Cristiano Ronaldo worked hard to be the best since a young age as he trained “like an animal”.That is according to fellow United great Dimitar Berbatov who joined the club from Tottenham in 2008, one year before Ronaldo, 39, left Old Trafford for Real Madrid.Cristiano Ronaldo trained ‘like an animal’ at Manchester UnitedCredit: PA:Press AssociationMan Utd legend Dimitar Berbatov spent a year with RonaldoCredit: Getty – ContributorBerbatov was amazed by Ronaldo’s dedication in training at Man UtdCredit: GettyBut during their brief spell together, Berbatov, 43, quickly knew the then-23-year-old was destined for greatness as he never missed a training session and showed incredible dedication.The Portugal captain went on to win a whopping five Ballons d’Or as well as the 2008-09 Premier League title with the Bulgaria legend before his departure to Real.Berbatov told The Telegraph: “We shared a year together, he was starting to grow by leaps and bounds. “He trained like an animal, he tried his best to be the best. It was nice to see that dedication up close. Read More on Man Utd”I don’t remember him missing a single training session.”Berbatov almost never played with Ronaldo as Manchester City came close to hijacking his summer deadline day move to rivals United.Tottenham accepted an offer from City just hours before the striker finalised his move to the Red Devils.But the ex-Bayer Leverkusen star ordered his agent to snub Man City and push for a deal with United with an X-rated statement.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSBerbatov added: “They wanted to sign me on the last day of the market.”I told my agent: ‘F*** off, we’re going to United’. Because of the history, the prestige, the players, the manager, the shirt.Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag steals famous Cristiano Ronaldo quote but refuses to name him as furious spat rages on”I never had any doubt that Old Trafford was the right decision.” More

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      Man Utd plotting shock transfer raid on Sunderland that could spell the end for Erik ten Hag signing

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      MANCHESTER UNITED are watching Sunderland keeper Anthony Patterson as they look for a new No 2.The Red Devils want a young shot-stopper to understudy Andre Onana, and 24-year-old Patterson is firmly in their sights.Manchester United are watching Sunderland keeper Anthony PattersonCredit: RexPatterson’s arrival could spell the end for Erik ten Hag signing Altay BayindirCredit: AlamyTen Hag is keen to have more competition behind Andre OnanaCredit: AlamyFormer goalie Tony Coton, now United’s keeper scout, is checking out the Black Cats star as he fits the bill in every way.Coach Erik ten Hag is firmly behind Onana as his first choice so Altay Bayindir, 26, has hardly had a chance and may move.Bayindir has won ten caps for Turkey and faced Portugal at Euro 2024 — but his appearance in the 7-0 Carabao Cup win over Barnsley this month was only his second for United since joining in the summer of 2023.Ten Hag is keen to have more competition for Onana.READ MORE ON MAN UTDPatterson has been linked with moves in the past but is yet to get the Premier League call and the England Under-21 cap may have to initially settle for being a reserve at a top-flight club.Crystal Palace have also taken an interest in Patterson but can only offer a reserve role behind Dean Henderson.Liverpool also shortlisted Patterson ahead of a possible exit for Republic of Ireland ace Caoimhin Kelleher, but that would be as cover again.Sunderland price Patterson at around £20million but may take less.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSThey will not want to lose him this season as they chase promotion, so a summer switch could be more likely.Meanwhile, Birmingham are plotting a raid on Sunderland’s 17-year-old midfielder Chris Rigg.Their American owners have splashed out since relegation to League One and could offer £10m.Everton are also tracking Rigg who has been on their wish-list for a couple of years. More

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      Erik ten Hag has got to be WAY better… we know Angeball but Man Utd boss’ system is still a mystery

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      I NEVER know from one week to the next what Manchester United are trying to do, what their system is or how they play.That was the case a few weeks after Erik ten Hag had taken over — I’m really none the wiser now and we’re 18 months on.Erik ten Hag is under more pressure than Ange Postecoglou for SundayCredit: GettyMan Utd face a striker in Dominic Solanke who is adjusting well for SpursCredit: RexAnd that’s one of the reasons why there is far more riding on today’s game for Ten Hag than for Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou.Ten Hag seems to be under pressure all the time. They get one good result, then a bad one. There’s no consistency at all.This week it was the Europa League and a draw against little FC Twente.At the start of the month it was getting smashed up at home by Liverpool.READ MORE TOP STORIESIt is difficult when you are not winning.If you are winning, you can keep a consistent team. In Sir Alex Ferguson’s time, the team pretty much picked itself every week.When you’re losing, it’s very different. You are looking for that formula, so you are chopping and changing players or even altering systems of play.Of course, Man United and Spurs both have  traditions of playing attacking football. But in the end, it’s all about winning.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSLet’s not kid ourselves that everyone is so educated and just wants to see this incredible style of football.Winning games and being up near the top of the league is the only thing that will keep  people happy. Tottenham legend Gus Poyet explains why Ange Postecoglou can end trophy hoodoo and win Carabao Cup despite Coventry horror showIt’s no good playing good football and getting beat 3-0 on a Saturday.If you’re not playing good football AND you’re not winning, you’re bang in trouble, of course.Which is where Ten Hag and United are still.We know all about Angeball and when Spurs are playing  well, they are great to watch. It’s a very open, attacking style.They have some excellent forward players. Dominic Solanke seems to be settling in now that he’s got a couple of goals.Postecoglou can’t really play any other way with the players he has. They don’t have a lot of workhorses. The two full-backs can’t defend. You couldn’t turn that squad into something else.If Spurs are winning games and playing like that, the fans will love it.Having said that, a draw at Old Trafford today would be a decent result for Tottenham.But not for United. They have to be winning their home games.Ten Hag keeps making a point about winning a trophy in both his seasons at the club so far.But at United, you expect more. If you’re a Man United fan, you’ve been spoilt. You’re used to winning league titles and European Cups.Incredibly the way Ten Hag wants to play is still unclearHe needs to do more, he needs to be back up there challenging.The cup wins, well done — but still not good enough. They need to improve, big-time.Both sides will be looking to get back into the Champions League as a minimum.You’d put your shirt on the top three being Man City, Liverpool and Arsenal in whatever order. But it’s going to be a real dogfight for that fourth spot.Villa are in the Champions League this year and that could be a distraction.Spurs and United are in Europe but their  fixtures aren’t anything like the same level.Chelsea are starting to come together and they could be a threat.I still think Spurs have the players to just about take that last spot.And Ten Hag has it all to do at United.A lot of people were surprised he survived the summer, really.It was very strange. All the talk was that he would be going. I still think Gareth Southgate could be lurking on the radar.I can see the former England boss being of interest to the people who run the club if United’s form does not improve.Ten Hag needs results — and quickly.Gareth Southgate could still be on United’s radarCredit: RexHold-up even left our Ron in a rageTHE travel nightmare that Qarabag had on the way to their game at Tottenham reminded me of the worst journey I ever had.As a player at West Ham, we had a League Cup semi-final replay against Stoke at  Hillsborough in 1972.We were stuck in  horrendous traffic and going to be really late.I’d never seen Ron Greenwood lose his  temper but he was going crazy at the driver.He was in such a state that he was trying to  get through gaps that weren’t big enough and ended up hitting six cars on the way.They all followed us to the stadium and then the drivers got out and started having a row.It was like the  Keystone Cops.Was it worth it? No. The game ended 0-0 and then we got beat in the second replay.Sam was a write oneEVERYONE’S banging on  about dark arts — or  whatever people want to call them — after Manchester City and Arsenal’s 2-2 draw last weekend.It’s nothing new, all that verbal and physical stuff. But Wimbledon chairman Sam Hammam once found an amazing way to stir up some trouble.Sam Hammam had a cheeky way of inspiring Vinnie Jones and CoCredit: GettyBefore one game against them with West Ham, I got to Upton Park about 12 o’clock and my groundsman said: “Harry, their chairman has been in their dressing room for an hour and he’s got a big bag of pens.”READ MORE SUN STORIESI opened the door and all over the walls he had  written “Fashanu, you t***er”, “Vinnie, you . . . ”, all that kind of thing, in big writing.It was as though we’d done it, so that when  Wimbledon came in, they would get the raving needle and want to kill us.Changes to the Premier League for 2024/25NOTHING stays the same forever.And that includes the Premier League, which is making a number of tweaks this season.Team news will now be released 75 MINUTES before kick-off, 15 minutes earlier than had been the case before.Things could get crowded on the touchline, with the number of substitutes permitted to warm-up boosted from three players per team to FIVE.There’s also a change to how added time is calculated when a team scores a goal, an update to the ‘multiball’ system and the introduction of semi-automated offsides – but not straight away.Go here to read about all the changes to the Premier League for 2024/25. 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      Man Utd fans demand Erik ten Hag promotes wonderkid into first-team after scoring FOUR in 9-0 win on his 18th birthday

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      MANCHESTER UNITED fans want Erik ten Hag to hand whizkid James Scanlon the ultimate birthday gift – even better than the four goals he hit.The winger, who already has six full Gibraltar caps, celebrated turning 18 by leading a 9-0 rout of Blackburn juniors.Wonderkid James Scanlon has continued where he left off last seasonScanlon, 18, and Jack Fletcher, 17, have shone for the Man Utd academyOld Trafford supporters responded by urging first-team boss Ten Hag to immediately call up the English-born ace.Scanlon sprung to attention last season as part of United’s all-conquering academy side.The young Red Devils won the Premier League North, Premier League Cup and national title. And they already look capable of repeating such glories this term.READ MORE TOP STORIESUnited’s kids have maximum points from five league games, scoring 22 goals.And Scanlon is a Devils’ apprentice who once more is a sorcerer.Gabriele Biancheri struck twice, with Zach Baumann, Scanlon and Dante Plunkett also netting as United led 5-0 at the interval on Saturday.The birthday boy then really came of age after the break, notching three more goals in 21 minutes, while sub Godwill Kukonki scored too.Most read in FootballScanlon, left, has already won six full caps for GibraltarFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSBlackburn saw Jackson Shorrocks sent off in stoppage time for his second booking.But fans reckon it’s Ten Hag who should now be on red alert.Man Utd wages 2024-25 revealedSome supporters urged the Dutch boss to pick Scanlon in Sunday’s home Premier League clash against Tottenham.One even reckons a wider sprinkling of starlets should also get the nod.”Play them against Spurs,” he pleaded.However, most of the focus was on Scanlon, with messages like: “Bring him to the first team.”Mid-table United have netted just five times in five Prem matches this campaign.And Ten Hag’s men were also held 1-1 by visitors Twente in the Europa League last Wednesday.One fan noted the academy’s spree and added: ” The first team hasn’t scored 9 goals so far this season.” READ MORE SUN STORIESAnother posted: “Scanlon shouldn’t be playing u18s football – too good.”His sharpshooting was labelled an “incredible performance” while more than one supporter raved: “The future is bright.”Man Utd player ratings vs FC TwenteMANCHESTER UNITED’S Europa League campaign got off to a less than ideal start with a miserable 1-1 draw against FC Twente at Old Trafford.That result dealt a big blow to their chances of finishing in the top eight and avoiding two extra fixtures.See how the players rated on an underwhelming night at Old Trafford.Andre Onana – 6Good save to push a free-kick from Sem Steijn to safety but might be disappointed to be beaten at the near post for Twente’s goal.Diogo Dalot – 6Early mistake near the corner flag could have been costly but he caused problems at the other end in build up to Christian Eriksen goal.Harry Maguire – 6Missed his tackle to put United on the back foot for the equaliser but almost won it late on with a header cleared off the line.Lisandro Martinez – 7Made several important clearances but one wild challenge on edge of his box could have proven costly.Noussair Mazraoui – 6New boy looks solid. Vital early tackle and another one later to stop Twente going in front.Christian Eriksen – 7Fourth successive start – and the veteran still looked sprightly. What a strike to give United the lead but then spoiled it with mistake for equaliser.Manuel Ugarte – 6A few good tackles from the new boy but might be disappointed not to clear his lines as Twente broke away for equaliser.Marcus Rashford – 8Much improved display in front of watching England interim boss Lee Carsley. Full of energy, a few tricks and a couple of dangerous crosses. More like his old self.Bruno Fernandes – 6Skipper had a hand in the opening goal and was so close to winning it with curler from the edge of the box.Amad Diallo – 6His pace was too much to handle for the visitors at times but not much of an end product this time and made way for Alejandro Garnacho midway through the second half.Joshua Zirkzee – 5A few good moments and forced a flying save from the visitors’ keeper after nice link up with Diogo Dalot – but then hooked for the fit-again Rasmus Hojlund.Find out how the Man Utd subs rated here More

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      Former Man Utd star slams own club’s fans over crowd trouble and fumes ‘what if a child was killed?’

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      ATHLETIC BILBAO star Ander Herrera lambasted a section of his own club’s fans for causing crowd trouble during their Europa League return.Bilbao made their long-anticipated comeback to Europa after a six-year absence on Thursday and took on Roma at the Olimpico where they drew 1-1.A section of Athletic Bilbao fans caused crowd trouble at RomaCredit: RexEx-Man Utd star Ander Herrera criticised the rowdy Bilbao fansCredit: RexThe Giallorossi opened the scoring on 32 minutes with Artem Dovbyk and the visitors equalised with Aitor Paredes five minutes before full-time.And it was after Paredes’ goal when some of the travelling fans started to throw flares and causing an unsafe environment in Rome.Things got so unpleasant that Bilbao manager Ernesto Valverde had to walk towards the away end and urge the rowdy supporters to stop.Ex-Manchester United star Herrera was also very frustrated with the incident.Read More on FootballThe midfielder condemned the unruly fans and refused to make any excuses as they could have “killed a child”.Herrera told Cadena Cope: “We have a strange feeling because we played a good game, a positive point but everything is clouded by what we have all seen. “I understand that in a moment of heat, you bring out the worst in yourself in the form of an insult, but it doesn’t enter my mind [to] throw a flare that can kill a person. “It makes you go cold, because it has no explanation.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS“The flares used well, when celebrating La Gabarra, give a beautiful colour but in the hands of a person who throws it at the head, you have to cut it out. “A person who throws a flare and you know it can hit someone in the head and you can kill them, what if you kill a child? Or any person? It has no explanation.”Eight of the greatest players to never win the Ballon d’Or despite their incredible careersHerrera joined United in 2014 from Bilbao and went on to amass a total of 20 goals and 27 assists in 189 appearances.The 35-year-old went on to win the FA Cup, EFL Cup, Europa League and Community Shield during his five-year stint at Old Trafford.The ex-Spain international moved to Paris Saint-Germain in 2019 before his return to Bilbao on loan in 2022 which led to a permanent switch a year later. More

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      Man Utd welcome new signing weeks into season after officially snapping up wonderkid Chido Obi Martin, 16, from Arsenal

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      MANCHESTER UNITED have completed the signing of Chido Obi Martin.The 16-year-old has joined the Red Devils after leaving Premier League rivals Arsenal.Manchester United have completed the signing of Chido Obi MartinCredit: GettyAccording to Fabrizio Romano, United have now received approval from the league to complete the deal.It follows a five-step process with the Premier League before the transfer could be finalised.The report adds that the teenage forward has already completed his medical and is now set to sign his United contract.However, due to missing out on the club’s pre-season schedule, Obi Martin is set to be given time to reach full fitness and get used to his new surroundings.READ MORE ON MAN UTDUnited pursued the striker’s signature throughout the summer following his exit from Arsenal.Obi Martin had spent two years in the Gunners’ youth system after joining from Copenhagen in 2022.He starred for the North London side’s academy, catching the eye by scoring 10 goals in one match against Liverpool.Meanwhile, his 32 goals in 18 matches saw him scoop the under-18 Premier League golden boot last term.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSThat tally included a seven-goal haul against Norwich, five goals against West Ham, four strikes in back-to-back games with Crystal Palace and Fulham as well as two more hat-tricks.The youngster also showed off his finishing ability on social media during the summer with footage from the training pitch.Man Utd player ratings: Joshua Zirkzee hooked again as Lisandro Martinez saves Erik ten Hag’s blushes (2)Obi Martin is eligible for Nigeria but has so far represented both England and Denmark at youth level.Already a Danish under-18 international, he also scored twice as he helped his country reach the semi-finals of the under-17 Euros in May.Obi Martin scored 10 goals in a single match against Liverpool for Arsenal’s academyCredit: GettyThe 16-year-old was the U18 Premier League top scorer last season with 32 goalsCredit: Getty More

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      Inside Man Utd’s ‘Project 150’ as new chief maps out Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s plans in huge meeting with Old Trafford staff

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      MANCHESTER UNITED staff have been informed about the club’s plans and Sir Jim Ratfcliffe’s ambitions by chief executive Omar Berrada, according to reports. Berrada, who officially joined the club from Manchester City in June, is said to have addressed employees during a meeting at Old Trafford last week.Omar Berrada has revealed ‘Project 150’ at UnitedCredit: GettyIt outlined ambitious plans from Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the new sporting hierarchyCredit: AlamyThe plans outlines how the club want to win the Premier League again by the cliub’s 150th birthdayCredit: AlamyThat hope was also extended to the women’s teamCredit: GettyAccording to The Athletic, the meeting outlined the ambitious plans set out by new minority owner Ratcliffe and the new-look football hierarchy, including sporting director Dan Ashworth.Dubbed as “Project 150”, the goals of the plan align with the 150th anniversary date of the club’s founding as Newton Heath in 1878, which then became known as Man Utd in 1902.Berrada, reportedly speaking in an aspirational and bullish tone, outlined a plan for the Red Devils to win the Premier League by 2028.That goal was also extended to the women’s team, though he admitted that on both counts it would take a lot of hard work.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe plan was received by staff following the mass cuts made by new chiefs which saw employee numbers reduced by a quarter.Some staff were said to be energised by the new desire to prioritise sporting achievement over commercial.Others are understood to have been left feeling despondent and upset in the wake of the recent mass redundancies which saw many members of staff at the club for years depart.Speaking after his 27.7 per cent investment into United was announced, Ratcliffe said: “It’s not a 10-year plan. Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS”The fans would run out of patience if it was a 10-year plan. But it’s certainly a three-year plan to get there,” he said.”To think that we’re going to be playing football as good as Manchester City played against Real Madrid last season by next year is not sensible. Inside Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s amazing lifestyle”And if we give people false expectations, then they will get disappointed. So the key thing is our trajectory, so that people can see that we’re making progress.“I think it’s the club’s 150-year anniversary in 2028… if our trajectory is leading to a very good place in that sort of timeframe then we’d be very happy with that. “Because it’s not easy to turn Manchester United into the world’s best football team.“The ultimate target for Manchester United — and it’s always going to be thus, really — is that we should be challenging for the Premier League and challenging for the Champions League. “It’s one of the biggest clubs in the world.”Work has already begun on a new 100,000-capacity stadium for the men’s team to be built adjacent to the current Old Trafford site, with further redevlopment for the surrounding area also forthcoming.Erik ten Hag was kept on as the club’s coach despite less-than ideal results last season with an eighth placed league finish only papered over by an FA Cup triumph.READ MORE SUN STORIESBerrada and Ashworth backed that decision before the 3-0 demolition by Liverpool, thought the team have struggled on the pitch in the early part of the season.Tottenham, Porto and Aston Villa represent a tough run of upcoming games before the next international break.What we know about the ‘new’ Old TraffordMANCHESTER UNITED plan to build a new stadium rather than redevelop Old Trafford.The decision was made after a number of fact-finding missions to other stadiums including the Bernabeu and Nou Camp.The cost of the project is expected to be a staggering £2billion.A capacity of 100,000 is expected.It is felt that a club of United’s standing should have a new state-of-the-art facility.The new stadium will be built on land adjacent to the Red Devils’ current home.United are looking to not only build a stadium but regenerate the area of Trafford where the ground will stand.There had been plans to KEEP Old Trafford rather than demolish it, and use it as a scaled down second venue.However, it’s looking increasing likely that it will in fact be entirely demolished.The club consulted with 30,000 fans about what to do and believe there is roughly a 50-50 split on staying or moving.The club have appointed the architects Foster + Partners to come up with a “masterplan”. The company were behind Wembley Stadium.Old Trafford has been United’s home since 1910.The target is for completion by 2030. More