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    Everton had Premier League’s easiest start – now pressure is on for Sean Dyche with £600m takeover complete by Christmas

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    DAN FRIEDKIN is on schedule to make many despairing Everton fans’ Christmas wishes come true.The days are passing fast on his £600million Toffees takeover that will finally see the departure of debunked majority owner Farhad Moshiri, expected by the end of next month.Everton manager Sean Dyche could face a nervy yuletideCredit: GettyDan Friedkin is on the brink of completing the long-awaited takeoverCredit: GettyWhether boss Sean Dyche will be able to mark the Californian’s arrival as a season to be merry or not remains to be seen.For he is about to start opening the windows on an advent calendar from hell.By the time he has completed it, any thoughts he might have had  of landing a new contract from Friedkin could be mere humbug.Dyche goes into Saturday’s home clash with Brentford under growing pressure.READ MORE TOP STORIESThe game will signal the end of what Opta stats suggest was the easiest start of this campaign for any Prem club.Yet in 11 games Everton have scraped together only ten points, with just two wins and ten goals.And that after kicking off with four defeats in a row to mark their worst league opening in 66 years.And now comes the hard bit.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSFollowing the visit of the Bees is a trip to Old Trafford a week on  Sunday in what will be Ruben Amorim’s first home league game as Manchester United’s new manager.Wolves at Goodison follows on December 4 before resurgent title leaders Liverpool come calling in the Merseyside derby three days later.Everton legend Andy van der Meyde takes busty star Charlotte Michelle for a spin in his car It is not liable to get any easier, either, with Arsenal at the Emirates on December 14, Chelsea on the 22nd then a Boxing Day meeting with reigning champs Manchester City.Were Dyche and his players still standing after that lot then he would surely deserve backing from incoming chief Friedkin. But everything points to another winter of discontent among the majority of supporters and a third successive drop battle.Fans are grateful to the 53-year-old manager for keeping the club up against a backdrop of financial crises and sales of prized playing assets like Anthony Gordon and Amadou Onana.A year ago Dyche and Co were left reeling by a ten–point penalty, later reduced by two points, over breaches of the  Prem’s Profit and  Sustainability Rules. Another two points were docked later.Throughout his near-two-year tenure, Dyche has been swimming against the Mersey tide.Transfer funds for new  players have not even been at the same level as most Championship clubs. And there is appreciation on the Gwladys Street End  for his efforts.But, increasingly, he is facing a revolt over his playing style.The faithful complain about dull, predictable, long-ball tactics, with striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin — who is refusing to extend his own deal that also expires next summer — as the only attacking option.If — and it is a big if — Dyche can keep Everton up, do they really want to kick-off Prem life in their new 52,888-seater  stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock playing that brand of football?As the takeover of The Friedkin Group has gained momentum, Dyche has repeatedly sounded off about the problems he has faced.Everton hope their new Bramley-Moore Dock stadium will be ready next yearCredit: AFPHe said: “There seems to always be that cloud waiting around Everton Football Club — on or off the pitch.”Before the 2–1 win over Crystal Palace in September, the ex-Watford and Burnley boss stressed, “Some day the truth will come out,” on how difficult his time in charge has been.He added: “After all that’s been happening, it would be nice just to talk about football.“That’s something that’s  happened about twice since I got here 21 months ago. I’ve worked hard to correct a lot of things and I think I’ve done a very good job.”But more and more, Dyche comes across as someone who does not see himself lasting too much longer.There is also his admission that, despite the mess he has been trying to clean up, “the fans want to see a winning team, no matter what”.And through no great fault of his own, Dyche has struggled to produce winning teams, having just hit the 550-game mark as a manager.Brentford’s visit will be his 77th game in charge at Goodison, with just 25 victories.READ MORE SUN STORIESHow many more he  gets over the next sequence that ends at the  Etihad — by which time Friedkin is likely to be in charge — will almost certainly decide his future.Dyche, facing that nightmare fixture schedule, may well need a Christmas miracle of his own to survive the entrance of Moshiri’s successor. More

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      Ruben Amorim stunned by Man Utd players in training and has already made decision on flops who WON’T fit his system

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      RUBEN AMORIM was stunned by the size of the job on his hands after the first training sessions with Manchester United this week.The new boss believes the expensively-assembled squad is bloated and has already pinpointed a number of individuals who he does NOT believe will fit into his 3-4-3 high-energy style of play.Ruben Amorim has been startled by the lack of speed and intensityCredit: GettyAmorim’s coaching staff are drilling the squad on new tacticsCredit: GettyAmorim, 39, has been putting the players, available to him following the international break, through their paces at Carrington.But the former Sporting Lisbon boss could not believe the lack of speed and intensity.During the first sessions this week, Amorim was constantly having to tell the players to pick up the pace — and this has continued through the week.The coaching staff and analysts are drilling players and getting them to watch demonstrations of Amorim’s set-up to get them up to speed for his first game in charge away to Ipswich on Sunday.READ MORE TOP FOOTBALLOn the positive side, Amorim has also been surprised by the quality of some players at his disposal despite United’s lowly 13th position in the Prem.Amorim is the club’s sixth permanent boss in the 11 years since Sir Alex Ferguson retired.He arrives with a big reputation after winning two titles at Sporting following the club’s 19-year wait to land the top honour again in Portugal.The former Benfica man  took over United after Erik ten Hag was fired 11 games into the new season.Most read in FootballRuud van Nistelrooy and all of Erik ten Hag’s coaching team were oustedCredit: PAFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSAmorim immediately cleared out Ten Hag’s coaching team including Ruud van Nistelrooy, who did such a good job in his short four-game caretaker tenure, winning three games and drawing one.Meanwhile, United are again being linked with Sporting Lisbon striker Viktor Gyokeres and old boy Angel Gomes.Ruben Amorim takes charge of first Man Utd training sessionRed Devils’ scouts are understood to have watched 26-year-old Gyokeres score for Sweden last week.And Amorim has maintained United’s interest in Lille’s England midfielder Gomes, 24.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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      Ruben Amorim had star shipped off to Bulgaria on loan after he rubbed him up the wrong way – Man Utd flops must beware

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      IF Manchester United players cross Ruben Amorim, they risk the same fate as Gaius Makouta.Who’s Gaius Makouta? Exactly…Ex-Braga comms chief Goncalo Ferreira says Ruben Amorim can be brutalAmorim dropped Gaius Makouta after the midfielder complained about training with the B teamTo be fair to the Congolese midfielder, he has gone on to have a decent enough career with Boavista and now Alanyaspor in Turkey.But only after Amorim gave him a short, sharp shock.Makouta paid the penalty for rubbing Amorim up the wrong way when the new Manchester United boss started work as manager of Braga’s B team in September 2019.Goncalo Ferreira was the communications chief at Braga who witnessed Amorim’s incredible rise.READ MORE ON MAN UTDBut when Ferreira turned up to watch the new B team boss’ first game, he expressed concern to club president Antonio Salvador.Ferreira said: “Makouta was one of the best players, but when I arrived at the stadium and saw the team warming up, Makouta wasn’t on the pitch.“I said, ‘What happened?’, and the president said, ‘Let’s see’. Braga won 5-0.“It turned out in the first training sessions, Makouta wasn’t satisfied as he wanted to be in the first team.Most read in FootballGoncalo Ferreira has exclusively recounted a tale about the fallen Gaius MakoutaFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS“So he wasn’t the best at training — he had quality but wasn’t giving  everything.“I realised that players who aren’t 100 per cent with the team, in solidarity, won’t play for Ruben. He doesn’t care about their status.Ruben Amorim takes charge of first Man Utd training session“Makouta ended up going out on loan to a club in Bulgaria.”Amorim won seven of his first eight games in charge of the Braga B team.Which was enough to convince Salvador to part company with first-team head coach Ricardo Sa Pinto and install Amorim instead.The first top-flight match of his managerial career was at Belenenses, where he had been a player and a team that was battling near the bottom of the table — like United’s opponents on Sunday, Ipswich.Amorim immediately put his stamp on Braga by making six changes and switching to three at the back.United are reportedly prepared to let Brazilian winger Antony leave on loan during the January transfer windowAmorim began working with United stars this weekFerreira said: “It took courage to put some of the players that he dropped on the bench.“There was a big, immediate difference in the team’s energy. We felt like they wanted to kill the opposition.“Braga won 7-1. That kind of result is not normal in the Portuguese league.“He won’t put the players on the bench, he will put them in the stands. You will see from the first game the guys he feels aren’t humble or with the team.”Ruben Amorim is ‘Mourinho 2.0’ who turned Sporting from ‘walking dead’ into Portuguese champs… he can revive Man UtdWHEN Ruben Amorim took charge of Sporting Lisbon in March 2020, one club official compared their situation to the “walking dead”, writes Jordan Davies.Optimism and hope was at an all-time low.But the Amorim-effect was almost instantaneous, guiding the Portuguese sleeping giants to their first league title for 19 years in 2020/21, losing just once and only conceding 20 goals.Since then, Sporting have lifted another league title in 2023/24 – as well as two League Cups – and currently sit top with nine wins from nine this term.He may be young, but Amorim already has an eye for rebuilding and revitalising fallen super powers with his infectious charisma and intense tactical philosophy that hardly ever wavers. The “walking dead” at Manchester United must be praying for a similar sort of revival.And they may just get it from one of the most talented young coaches on the continent – a man accustomed to breathing new life back into crumbling institutions such as Old Trafford.Amorim has spent the last decade dreaming of one day gracing England’s Premier League, such was his admiration for an ex-United boss in Jose Mourinho growing up.Often nicknamed ‘Mourinho 2.0’, Amorim spent a week with his coaching idol in an internship capacity at United’s Carrington training base in 2018, going on to cite him as his “reference point”.United should not be expecting a mini-Mourinho, as Amorim said himself: “Mourinho is one of a kind. There won’t be another Mourinho. Mourinho is unique.”And yet, you cannot help but compare the two.For all the mismanagement in the Old Trafford hot seats over the years, this would be a real get – finally a slap in the face United’s Prem rivals have no answer for.Ferreira believes Amorim’s selection for the Ipswich game will show whether he has found any Gaius Makouta’s in the United ranks.He won’t put them on the bench, he will put them in the stands. You will see from the first game the guys he feels aren’t humble or with the team.Ferreira “I’ve read some things about the training sessions at United and how many players weren’t giving their best. Maybe they didn’t like the former coach.“Ruben was a player, so he can feel who is with the team and who is not.”Those who find favour with Amorim can expect success.After the rout of Belenenses, Braga beat Porto in the league and then the League Cup final.The next big scalp was Sporting Lisbon before Braga won a league game at Benfica for the first time since 1954.Amorim had been in charge of Braga for just 13 games when Sporting agreed to trigger his £8.4million release clause to make him their new boss.Ferreira, now boss of agency Global Take Over, said: “I was very sad, like every Braga director, player, staff member and fan.READ MORE SUN STORIES“It was the best six months of Braga in terms of energy and growth. There is a before and after Ruben in Braga.”And, you suspect, a before and after Amorim in the career of Gaius Makouta.’I was expecting this’ – What Ruben Amorim said about Man Utd job linksRUBEN AMORIM has responded to being linked with a move to Manchester United.The Sporting Lisbon coach, 39, is reportedly closing in on a deal worth £8million to become Erik ten Hag’s successor.Just hours after Ten Hag’s dismissed on Monday morning, it emerged Man Utd chiefs were in talks with Amorim as they zero in on the Sporting boss.But the ex-Braga coach remained tight-lipped on negotiations when quizzed by the media.He said: “I was already expecting this question [about Man Utd].“Obviously I’m not going to talk about the future, because otherwise I’ll always have to comment.”I’m very proud to be Sporting coach, that’s all.” 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

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      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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      Jack Grealish slammed Gareth Southgate and annoyed Pep Guardiola – now he must do his talking on the pitch for Man City

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      JACK GREALISH vowed to “prove some people wrong” as he returned to training early following his Euro 2024 snub — but we are still waiting.No doubt the main one was Gareth Southgate – the man who axed him from the squad – and he took aim at the former Three Lions  boss again this week.Jack Grealish is back with England but needs to step up for Man CityCredit: GettyGrealish helped usher in Lee Carsley’s interim reign with the Three Lions by rounding off a 2-0 win away to Ireland in SeptemberCredit: GettyThe Man City ace will hope his recall under Carsley continues with England’s incoming permanent boss Thomas TuchelCredit: GettyThe Manchester City winger is clearly still hurting from what he described as the “hardest moment of his career” back in June.He vowed to use his heartache as motivation, and prove that he should have been on the  plane to Germany despite an indifferent previous 12 months at the Etihad.Yet, despite a couple of goals in the autumn internationals, the £100million man’s season is yet to really take off.And with no more international football for four months, the time has come for him to do some talking on the pitch for City.READ MORE TOP STORIESJust four Prem starts so far, with two cup games,  is not what his employers were hoping for after almost a third of the campaign.What is more, he managed to test the patience of Pep Guardiola yet again by telling him he wanted to join up with the England squad earlier this month.The Etihad chief made it clear Grealish should be staying back at the City Football Academy to work on his fitness after a hamstring issue.But the former Aston Villa skipper insisted he wanted to go — although in the end he was  sent back almost as soon as he put his bags down at St George’s Park.Most read in FootballGrealish will have to wait four months to see if Tuchel picks himCredit: AFPFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSGrealish could probably see why his club manager was so miffed.He was back in training a couple of days before City’s defeat at Brighton ten days ago,  but has not played any competitive football  since October 20.Top ten greatest Premier League players of all time as Kevin de Bruyne and Cristiano Ronaldo both miss out on top spotThat was as a second-half sub at Wolves, while his last start came two weeks before that as the champions edged past Fulham.Guardiola said Grealish has had “two or three setbacks” with injuries and has not been able to find any rhythm. This was not what anyone had in mind when he was one of the first to report back for pre-season training in July.Speaking in Orlando on City’s pre-season tour in late July, he opened up on his Euro heartache, saying: “It was the hardest moment for me as a footballer. And I’ve had a lot of ups and downs in my career.“I felt like I should have been in the squad. “But I want to try and use it as motivation now, going forward into this season, and hopefully prove some people wrong.“I just need to regain my form and fitness and after that I know what I can do on the pitch.”He has shown glimpses of what he can do since then — for his country at least — with goals in the away wins over Republic of Ireland and Finland. But he has just one assist in seven Prem appearances for City so far this term. And not many of the Etihad faithful will be surprised either, given the way last season ended for him.He appeared in just one of their last five matches as City swept to a fourth straight Prem title and that was a brief cameo off the bench.City chief Pep Guardiola was unhappy Grealish went with EnglandCredit: ReutersGareth Southgate omitting him for Euro 2024 hurt GrealishCredit: GettyOver the course of last season, he started only ten Premier League matches.Then, when City desperately searched for  a goal in their FA Cup final defeat to United, the most expensive signing in the club’s history stayed on the bench.Guardiola admitted after that game that Grealish had “struggled” for much of the campaign.The signs were promising as Grealish impressed during City’s four-match summer tour of the US.His manager said in August: “From what I’ve seen so far from Jack,  I’ve loved it. It’s his commitment in every session.“Hopefully he can sustain it until  the end of the season and compete for a place, but it depends on him.”Fast forward three months and Pep had a face like thunder when he  discussed Lee Carsley’s call-up of Grealish for this month’s internationals — and the player’s decision to accept it.The pair might have to patch things up a bit when training resumes ahead of Saturday’s visit of Tottenham.And Grealish, who turned 29 in September, will know he needs to get that form and fitness back quickly.It does not matter if Southgate, Carsley or Thomas Tuchel is boss,  if you are not performing well for your club, you cannot expect to play for your country.READ MORE SUN STORIESAnd after his summer heartache, Grealish knows that only too well. More

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      Meet Cole Palmer’s stunning nail artist girlfriend who joined the Chelsea star at the GQ Men of the Year event

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      COLE Palmer and his stunning girlfriend Connie Grace appear to be official.Palmer, 22, was first pictured holidaying in Ibiza with the blonde beauty in August.Meet Cole Palmer’s stunning girlfriend Connie GraceCredit: instagram @conniegrace_The pair were first spotted on a boat off the coast of IbizaCredit: instagram @conniegrace_Connie Grace shows off her enviable curves and amazing bikini bodyCredit: instagram @conniegrace_Palmer and Connie went public officially for the first at the GQ Men of the Year eventCredit: RexThe pair were all smiles as they relaxed on a boat and rode the waves on a paddleboard together for a summer getaway.And their romance has moved on somewhat since.They were snapped as he held his hand at the PFA Young Player of the Year award in September.Now, beautiful Connie has joined Palmer at the GQ Men of the Year event at the Kensington Roof Gardens – making it their first photographic debut at a specific public event.READ MORE ON WAGSShe dazzled with the Blues midfielder in a daring cut-out dress.They were joined by Palmer’s mum, Marie at the bash in London.Who is the girl that stolen Palmer’s heart? Find out more below. Local girlShe is from Palmer’s home town of Manchester – where she works as a nail artist and manicurist.Most read in FootballThe stunner operates from a Stockport beauty salon, where a full set of acrylic nails in a plain colour would set you back a reasonable £35.Meet the new Wags of the Premier League season, from a Belgian interior designer to a Portuguese modelOn Instagram. Connie is hugely popular. She has over 18,000 followers.And she loves to share photos of her travelling the world – from Bali to Dubai.Well traveledA quick glimpse through her social media shows she loves going overseas.Palmer clearly whisked her off her feet in August, when she took a private jet to Ibiza for their break.Then in September, she shared photos of a trip to Rome.While they have kept their romance private on Instagram, with the odd like shared by Palmer on some of her glam photos, Connie revealed herself as a true fan.She recently shared a photo sat in a box at Stamford Bridge.read more sport featuresShe is a nail artist and manicuristCredit: instagram @conniegrace_She has 18,000 followers on InstagramCredit: InstagramConnie enjoyed getting close to PalmerCredit: instagram @conniegrace_She was seen smiling and riding a paddleboard with himCredit: InstagramConnie hails from Manchester like PalmerCredit: InstagramThe beauty is often seen on glam holidays on her Instagram pageCredit: instagram @conniegrace_Most recently, Connie showed off her view at Stamford BridgeCredit: instagram @conniegrace_ More

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      How every Man Utd manager fared in first Premier League game as boss as Ruben Amorim prepares for Ipswich clash

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      MANCHESTER UNITED are preparing for yet another new era at Old Trafford.Ruben Amorim becomes the latest manager tasked with bringing back the glory days since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013.Ruben Amorim is preparing for his first match as Manchester United managerCredit: GettyThe Portuguese gaffer replaced Erik ten Hag and begins away at IpswichCredit: GettyAmorim had to wait until the international break to leave Sporting and officially replace Erik ten Hag, who was axed after two years on October 28.But nearly a month later and following Ruud van Nistelrooy’s interim spell, the wait is virtually over for Red Devils fans to see Amorim take charge of their side.His United travel to Portman Road on Sunday afternoon to face an Ipswich team who beat Tottenham last time out – while Van Nistelrooy signed off with a comfortable 3-0 win over another newly-promoted side in Leicester.The pressure will be on the new Portuguese arrival to get off to a winning start.READ MORE ON MAN UTDBut how did Manchester United’s previous bosses get on in their opening Premier League matches in the dugout? RUUD VAN NISTELROOY, 2024Van Nistelrooy began and ended his four-match stint with wins over Leicester.But his first league clash in the dugout was a home tie against Chelsea, which finished 1-1.Bruno Fernandes scored from the penalty spot but Moises Caicedo cancelled it out to share the points at Old Trafford.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSRuud van Nistelrooy earned a 1-1 draw with Chelsea in his first Premier League game in chargeCredit: GettyThat would be the only game Van Nistelrooy did not win in charge as he masterminded a 2-0 victory over PAOK in the Europa League as well.ERIK TEN HAG, 2022One could say it was doomed from the beginning for Ten Hag after his absolutely abysmal start.Ruben Amorim gives first Man Utd interview and reveals number one priority to revive fallen giantsUnited lost 2-1 at home to Brighton in his debut match as Pascal Gross grabbed a double.And when the Red Devils were thrashed 4-0 at Brentford in Ten Hag’s next match, there was genuine fears he would be sacked after two matches.Erik ten Hag started with a 2-1 defeat at home to BrightonCredit: APRALF RANGNICK, 2021The German was not exactly the most popular appointment as interim manager when he took over in December 2021.There were definitely plenty of complaints about his spell at Old Trafford – but in fairness, he did make a solid start.Rangnick led United to a 1-0 home win over Crystal Palace with Fred getting the only goal 13 minutes from time.Ralf Rangnick had plenty to cheer about on his Prem debutCredit: GettyMICHAEL CARRICK, 2021Van Nistelrooy is not the only temporary boss to face Chelsea in his first match – and not the only one to draw 1-1.Carrick replaced Ole Gunnar Solskjaer briefly in 2021 when the Norwegian was axed after the 4-1 defeat to Watford.The former midfielder had a tough pair of Prem fixtures – Chelsea away and Arsenal at home.But he took four points, thanks to Jadon Sancho’s goal in a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge then Fernandes and Cristiano Ronaldo inspired a 3-2 win over the Gunners before Rangnick stepped in.Michael Carrick oversaw a 1-1 draw with Chelsea first up in the leagueCredit: Richard Pelham / The SunOLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER, 2018Solskjaer’s first Premier League match was a visit to one of his former clubs – Cardiff City.And he got off to the best start imaginable when Marcus Rashford fired United ahead in the third minute.Things got better and better with Ander Herrera, Anthony Martial and Jesse Lingard scoring twice in a 5-1 victory.The Norwegian went unbeaten in his first 12 league games, winning ten to help him land the job on a permanent basis.Ole Gunnar Solskjaer got his interim reign off to a brilliant start at CardiffCredit: APJOSE MOURINHO, 2016Like Solskjaer, Mourinho also got off to a fantastic start in the Premier League.He won his first three games, including an opening day victory at Bournemouth, winning 3-1 with goals from Juan Mata, Wayne Rooney and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.The Red Devils shot to the top of the table after the win but would be no match for Manchester City in the title race that season.Jose Mourinho also started well but could not maintain his early successCredit: PALOUIS VAN GAAL, 2014It was a disaster for Van Gaal in his first game – a 2-1 defeat to Swansea City at Old Trafford.And things did not get better soon after for the Dutchman with draws against Sunderland and Burnley before he finally got his first Premier League win over QPR.In fairness, he did have to start a back three of Tyler Blackett, Phil Jones and Chris Smalling against the Swans, with Lingard and Javier Hernandez also being forced off with injury.Louis van Gaal is one of just two United managers to lose his first Premier League game in chargeCredit: PARYAN GIGGS, 2014The legendary winger stepped in to finish off the ill-fated 2013-14 season, replacing David Moyes for the final four Premier League games.That started with a comprehensive 4-0 win over Norwich at Old Trafford with Wayne Rooney and Juan Mata grabbing two each while Carrick started in midfield.Player-manager Giggs then lost 1-0 at Sunderland, beat Hull 3-1 and finished his brief tenure with a 1-1 draw away to Southampton.Ryan Giggs saw off Norwich in his first match as player-managerCredit: AFPDAVID MOYES, 2013David Moyes showed Van Gaal how to mastermind a win over Swansea, beating the Welsh side 4-1 away.Robin van Persie and Danny Welbeck both scored twice for a star-studded United side which included Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic and Carrick.But the Red Devils’ Premier League form under Moyes quickly unravelled with defeats against Liverpool, Manchester City and West Brom in his first six matches.After beating Swansea David Moyes failed to build on his dream startCredit: GettySIR ALEX FERGUSON, 1992A 2-1 loss to Sheffield United at Bramall Lane kicked off a new era for English football as the first-ever Premier League match.Brian Deane had the honour of scoring the first-ever Premier League goal in the fifth minute and added a second via the penalty spot before half-time.READ MORE SUN STORIESMark Hughes pulled one back after the break but it was not enough to prevent defeat.Despite the setback, United went on to win the league that season – although it would take something remarkable for Amorim to follow suit come MaySir Alex Ferguson’s Premier League era kicked off with a shock defeat at Sheffield UnitedCredit: Getty More

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      Struggling Hojlund has better conversion rate than Haaland and Salah but Man Utd boss Amorim must fix dilemma

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      RASMUS HOJLUND has a better chance conversion rate than Erling Haaland and Mo Salah since debuting for Manchester United last year.The forward, still only 21, joined the Red Devils for £72million in the summer of 2023, following a solitary season at Atalanta.Rasmus Hojlund has scored one Premier League goal this seasonCredit: GettyHojlund, 21, actually ranks as one of the Prem’s most accurate shootersCredit: ReutersHojlund arrived at Old Trafford with United desperate for a prolific striker.And while he has shown signs of promise, he has only scored 18 goals in 55 appearances for the Red Devils, 11 coming in the Premier League.Statistics show, however, that Hojlund is nowhere near solely to blame for his lack of goals.In fact, since making his United debut, he is among the Premier League’s deadliest finishers.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLHojlund has a conversion rate of 25.5 per cent, which puts him fourth in the Premier League over this period.Only Chris Wood (30.9), Jean-Philippe Mateta (28.8) and Hwang Hee-chan (27.5) have better conversion rates in that time.Manchester City goal-machine Erling Haaland is at 21.2 per cent, albeit on far higher volume.While Liverpool’s Mo Salah is on 18.3 per cent, again on far more attempts.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSErling Haaland receives far better service at Man City than Hojlund does at UnitedCredit: GettyHojlund’s chance conversion at United has been better than Mo Salah’s in the same periodCredit: GettySunSport revealed last weekend that Man Utd scouts were in attendance to watch Ruben Amorim’s former Sporting striker Viktor Gyokeres in action for Sweden.But with Amorim set to have to work with a reduced budget compared to his predecessor Erik ten Hag, he may have to prioritise getting more out of his current crop.Top 10 highest-paid Premier League starsSpeaking to the Telegraph, former Man Utd forward Dion Dublin pointed out that his old side don’t put in enough quality crosses for Hojlund.He said: “I still don’t agree with right-footers on the left and left-footers on the right.”If you’re (Alejandro) Garnacho on the left or Antony playing on the right, all your crosses are going into the keeper – if you’re on the other side they’re coming away from the keeper and you have more room then to adjust as a centre-forward.””You also get that reluctance to beat the man on the outside and if you are playing inverted you have an excuse to keep chopping back on to your good foot all the time, but there shouldn’t be any excuse to deliver end product.”The Telegraph also point out that Hojlund receives just 4.1 touches in the opposition box and 1.5 shots per game, compared to Haaland’s tallies of 7.1 and 4.5.Where United fans can hold hope, however, is with the work Amorim did with Gyokeres in Portugal.The striker was already a good player ahead of the move, having banged goals in for Coventry.But things went up another notch in Lisbon, with Gyokeres having netted an astonishing 66 times in 68 matches for Sporting.READ MORE SUN STORIESIrrespective of United’s transfer budget in upcoming windows, Hojlund will have an opportunity to prove that he can be the club’s prolific No9, and that they don’t need to fork out on Gyokeres or another star forward.And United fans will hope that he can now embark on a rich vein of form, starting this Sunday as Amorim takes charge of his first game away at Ipswich.Ruben Amorim did brilliant work with Viktor GyokeresCredit: PA More

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      Steven Gerrard reunited with Michael Beale as ex-Sunderland and Rangers boss appointed his Al-Ettifaq assistant

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      MICHAEL BEALE is set for to be reunited with Steven Gerrard after being appointed Al-Ettifaq’s new assistant managerEx-Rangers boss Beale has been out of work since being sacked by Sunderland in February.Michael Beale is set to reunite with Steven Gerrard at Al-EttifaqCredit: The SunMeanwhile Gerrard is under pressure at Al-Ettifaq following a horror start to the season.The Liverpool legend has kept his £15million-a-year job but has made changes to his backroom staff.Assistant manager Dean Holden and sporting director Mark Allen both left by mutual consent.And Beale – who worked with Gerrard in Scotland – has now joined to replace Holden.READ MORE IN football The 44-year-old was in charge for just 12 matches at Sunderland before being sacked in February.Al-Ettifaq sit 12th out of 18 in the Saudi Pro League, losing HALF of their ten games this season.The ex-England captain held crisis talks with Al-Ettifaq’s owners in November – but vowed to fight for his job.He said: “On the back of recent results in my position you are always aware of disappointment from fans, I have to take that responsibility on my shoulders.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS”That is what I will do and continue to fight and work to improve the recent results.”I don’t react, change or get overconcerned about social media or anyone on the outside of Ettifaq’s opinion, my priority is this club.”I listen to the people within and continue to support my players.”I meet Mr Hatim (head of football Hatim Al Misehal) after every game and we talk football, where it is a win, loss or draw, we have fantastic support, myself, the staff and the players from the management team.”Steven Gerrard is looking for self improvement Al Ettifaq More