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      Arsenal set to appoint new sporting director in days with five names in frame including Dan Ashworth after Man Utd axe

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      ARSENAL are planning to hire a new sporting director to replace Edu Gaspar next month.Edu, 46, resigned in November after five years with the Gunners who appointed their former player as the club’s first ever technical director in 2019 before his promotion as sporting director in 2022.Dan Ashworth is among the names Arsenal are considering for a new sporting directorCredit: PAArsenal are looking for a replacement for Edu GasparCredit: GettyThe Brazilian executive is now expected to link up with Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis’ new group, which also includes reigning Conference League winners Olympiacos and Rio Ave.According to The Athletic, the North Londoners are rigorously searching for Edu’s successor and are in the process of whittling down candidates before reaching a final decision.The likes of Dan Ashworth, Andrea Berta, Roberto Olabe and Thiago Scuro are among the names that have been discussed internally.The same goes for Arsenal interim sporting director Jason Ayto, who was promoted after Edu’s departure.Read More on ArsenalParis Saint-Germain strategic advisor Luis Campos was also linked but is not actually in the frame.The Premier League giants’ owners KSE are heavily involved and a final call will not be made without their approval.Ashworth has been a free agent since his sudden departure from Manchester United in December after just five months in the job despite his previous employers splashing £3million to Newcastle for his services.The ex-Man Utd chief enjoyed tremendous success at Brighton, whom he turned into a competitive Premier League side, and Newcastle, where he signed Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSAyto has been with Arsenal for a decade and worked under Edu as his assistant for two years.He was heavily involved with talks that led to the signing of Mikel Merino and Riccardo Calafiori last summer.Nuno thanks the fans after solid defensive performance against ArsenalBerta is one of the main figures that turned Atletico Madrid into LaLiga and Champions League challengers thanks to his stunning 12-year stint working with manager Diego Simeone until his exit last month.The Italian signed the likes of Antoine Griezmann, Jan Oblak as well as Rodri and recently spent time in London learning English as he is targeting a job in the Prem.Olabe is set to step down from his role as sporting director at Real Sociedad this summer.The Spaniard signed the likes of Merino, Isak, Martin Odegaard and David Silva during his seven-year spell at Sociedad – he also worked out deals with Arsenal involving Kieran Tierney and Nacho Monreal.Scuro has been with Monaco since 2023 where he was promoted as CEO after helping the club finish second last season for the first time since 2018.Arsenal ratings vs Forest as NOBODY looks like scoring for Gunners but Saliba’s a Rolls Royce againMIKEL ARTETA may not have anyone to put the ball in the back of the net but in William Saliba he has one of the best defenders in the Prem.The Arsenal boss watched his side’s faint title hopes go well and truly up in smoke in the goalless draw with Nottingham Forest.But his brilliant backline emerged, once again, with credit from this tricky clash at the City Ground.Together with Gabriel, Saliba kept a tight lid on Forest dangerman Chris Wood, who scored a hat-trick in his last appearance on this ground.But the fact the Gunners’ biggest threat at the other end of the pitch came from left-back Riccardo Calafiori – who was subbed off at half-time – says it all about the dire situation Arsenal somehow find themselves in.Here is how SunSport’s Graeme Bryce rated the Gunners stars’ displays… More

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      Man City announce £12.5m ‘new Messi’ arrival 24 days AFTER transfer window closed following £182m spending spree

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      MANCHESTER CITY have announced the signing of wonderkid Claudio Echeverri.The 19-year-old joined the club from River Plate last January in a £12.5million deal but remained on loan in his homeland of Argentina until last month.Claudio Echeverri has joined up with the City squad after his spell at River Plate endedCredit: AFPEcheverri, who has been dubbed as the “new Lionel Messi”, has now finally been unveiled after arriving in Manchester to join up with the City squad for the rest of the season.The attacking midfielder is eligible to make his debut in the FA Cup fifth round tie against Plymouth on Saturday.Echeverri revealed he spoke to former City stars and compatriots Sergio Aguero and Martin Demichelis ahead of his move to England.He said: “They told me it was a great club with amazing players and a beautiful history.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”I knew about it [the relationship between Argentina and City]. Aguero, in particular, stands out.”He’s a legend here at City because of everything he achieved and the incredible player he was.”I used to watch him play and, honestly, it’s an amazing feeling to be here.”City chief Txiki Begiristain added: “Claudio is one of the finest talents to emerge from South America in recent years.  Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS“We knew as soon as we watched him play we wanted him to become a Manchester City player.  “All the natural elements are there – his touch, technique, eye for goal and dribbling ability. Our job now is to take those attributes and shape Claudio into a world-class player.”Fans plead with Pep Guardiola as they spot secret Mo Salah charm offensive after Liverpool loss Echeverri captained and scored six goals for Argentina at the Under-20 South American Championship after finding the back of the net four times for River Plate last season.He is the latest youngster through the door at the Etihad following a £182m splurge in January to freshen Pep Guardiola’s squad.City spent a reported £60m on Omar Marmoush, £50m on Nico Gonzalez, £33m on Abdukodir Khusanon and £30m on Vitor Reis. More

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      Former Man Utd chief Ed Woodward lined up for new job on board of company that owns stake in Premier League club

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      FORMER Manchester United chief Ed Woodward has been approached about joining a company with links to the Premier League.Woodward left Old Trafford in 2022 following a nine-year stint with the Red Devils.Ed Woodward has been approached for a job with Eagle Football HoldingsCredit: ReutersHe returned to football last year by joining the Board of Trustees for Bloomsbury Football Foundation, a charity that works with young people from diverse backgrounds.But now he could be in line for a huge new job with a company that part-owns a Premier League club.According to Sky News, Woodward has been approached about joining Eagle Football Holdings as an independent director.The company, which is controlled by American businessman John Textor, is currently preparing to list in the US.Read More in FootballIt is is expected to file confidentially with US regulators for an initial public offering in the next fortnight.Eagle Football currently owns a 45 per cent stake in Premier League side Crystal Palace.The company has been attempting to sell the stake for months but could now decide to retain it given Palace’s impressive form in the top flight.It also owns part of Ligue 1 outfit Olympique Lyonnais.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSWoodward joined Man Utd back in 2005 after playing a key role in the Glazer family’s takeover.And he took on the role as executive vice-chairman when David Gill stepped down as CEO in 2013.In that time, he trebled the value of the Red Devils.Andy Goldstein insists Sir Jim Ratcliffe has got everything wrong at Man Utd after drastic cuts More

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      ‘For some reason the manager wants us to do that’ – Bruno Fernandes explains Man Utd struggles under Amorim

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      BRUNO FERNANDES has opened up on Manchester United’s struggles under Ruben Amorim.The Red Devils edged past struggling Ipswich 3-2 at Old Trafford last night.Bruno Fernandes spoke to TNT Sports after the matchCredit: TNT SportsHarry Maguire bagged Man Utd’s winner against IpswichCredit: AlamyUnited’s victory was just their fifth in 16 Premier League matches under Amorim.Reports earlier this month suggested that some Red Devils players had questioned the Portuguese’s 3-4-3 system.On how United stars have been getting to grips with the system change, Fernandes told TNT Sports: “Me and H (Harry Maguire) have been here for a while already, so we know we have to stick with what we’ve been training, what we’ve been trying to do, what we’re supposed to do.”You could feel in moments it’s not working but for some reason the manager wants us to do that.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”If he wants us to do that, they watches us for many games and prepare themselves.”We have a big staff, not just his ones but the ones that are already here.”We have great people behind the team to try to work on that so if they do that in the right way, we just have to come on the pitch and show it.”United fell behind after just four minutes last night, when Omari Hutchinson profited on an awful mix-up between Patrick Dorgu and Andre Onana to score.Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSThe Red Devils subsequently drew level through Sam Morsy’s own goal, with Matthijs de Ligt bundling home to give them the lead on 26 minutes.Disaster struck before half-time, with Dorgu being red carded for a high challenge and Jaden Philogene equalising.Ruben Amorim blames results on the pitch for Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s brutal Man Utd cuts Ten-man United rallied to secure the points, however, with Maguire heading home the winner.After his side’s triumph, Fernandes added: “The moment is what it is. We’ve been suffering, we know that. We’ve not been at our best.”And as H said today (it’s positive) when you’re not playing your best football and concede a goal early but still get back into the game.”We scored from two set-pieces and were in complete control of the game, playing between the lines, finding the spaces.”I still think we’re missing that little bit of aggressiveness going forward, when we beat the opposition between the lines and we turn we need to be more aggressive, but we’re going to get that with time.”Players are getting more confident so hopefully in the next games, we will score more and more.”READ MORE SUN STORIESUnited’s win saw them leapfrog Everton into 14th in the table.The Red Devils will return to action on Sunday when they host Fulham in the FA Cup.Man Utd ratings vs Ipswich as Maguire saves the day after Onana makes case to be WORST ever signingMANCHESTER UNITED eased their fears of the drop in a topsy-turvy relegation six-pointer with Ipswich.The Red Devils triumphed 3-2 despite playing the second half with ten men.A major cock-up from Patrick Dorgu and Andre Onana saw Ipswich take a third-minute lead through Jaden Philogene.Then, after United had recovered to lead 2-1, Dorgu saw a straight red card for a poor challenge on Omari Hutchinson.Philogene scored again to level it before the break only for Harry Maguire to nod in to be United’s saviour.But who was United’s best player on the night?Here, SunSport’s Phil Thomas reveals his Manchester United player ratings… More

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      ‘Watch this space’ – Cole Palmer tipped for sensational move to Chelsea rivals by former Premier League star

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      COLE PALMER has been tipped to leave Chelsea for a Premier League rival.The 22-year-old enjoyed an outstanding debut season at Stamford Bridge, managing 40 goal contributions in 46 appearances.Cole Palmer has been tipped to join LiverpoolCredit: GettyDwight Yorke believes he would be a great replacement for Mohamed SalahCredit: EPASalah is set to leave Liverpool this summerCredit: GettyHowever, his future recently came into question amid concerns that Chelsea will not qualify for the Champions League this term.Several pundits have suggested that Palmer could leave the club if Chelsea fail to earn a place in the top five – even though he still has eight years remaining on his contract.And former Manchester United star Dwight Yorke believes he could be the perfect replacement for Mohamed Salah at Liverpool.While the ex-striker is not convinced that Palmer would force a transfer, he does think the England ace would be tempted by a move to Anfield.Read More in FootballAsked by CasinoBeats if he could see Palmer push for an exit this summer, Yorke said: “He doesn’t strike me as that kind individual.”I don’t think he would demand to leave Chelsea if he’s playing a season out of the Champions League.”He’s still very young, and he’s gone there and turned his career around and became the top man there. Why would you walk away from being in a club and being the top man at the same time?”Where is he going to go and become a top player and the top man? Liverpool?Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSPalmer is in his second season with Chelsea”Okay, maybe Man United, he said he’s a Man United fan, but he won’t go there because he’s a City man. Outside of that is Arsenal, he won’t go there because Bukayo Saka is there.”Liverpool might be an option if Mo Salah were to leave, so that might be something that they might look to do. So, watch this space with that if Mo Salah leaves.Cole Palmer shows off his goal scoring skills at Chelsea Training “There’s no reason why it would not happen if Mo Salah is to leave. Otherwise, why would he want to leave Chelsea?”He’s the top man at the club. He plays week in, week out. Yes, the Champions League is important. If we keep missing out on Champions League, only then does it become a problem for Cole Palmer.”Next year, if Chelsea come back, work hard, and make sure they can qualify for the Champions League and compete for the Premier League, then everything is happy for Palmer.”I genuinely believe that the only club that could tempt him would be Liverpool, and even then, they would have to let Salah go first.”Salah is set to leave Liverpool when his contract expires this summer.He appeared to drop a huge hint about an exit earlier this week, telling TNT Sports: “I just want fans to remember that I gave it all to the fans, I gave it all to the city.”I was here, I wasn’t lazy, I just enjoyed my football and gave it my all.READ MORE SUN STORIES”I think that’s what the city is about, they give you love, you have a connection with them.”I just want them to remember that I was here for eight years…or whatever.”Chelsea ratings vs Southampton as Cole Palmer STILL can’t score or assist… and gets a horror grade More

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      Arsenal become centurions despite falling away in title race as Mikel Arteta’s men set all-time top flight record

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      ARSENAL broke an English top-flight record thanks to their draw against Nottingham Forest. The Gunners were held 0-0 at the City Ground last night as they slipped a huge 13 points behind Liverpool in the title race.Arsenal have become the first club to stay in the English top flight for a centuryCredit: RexIt was the second damaging result for them in five days after their hopes of winning the league were wrecked by a 1-0 defeat to West Ham on Saturday.Arsenal will have another shot at the title next season after their place in the 2025/26 Premier League was confirmed.Their draw with Forest and Ipswich’s 3-2 defeat to Manchester United means it is now mathematically impossible for Mikel Arteta’s side to go down.As they have avoided relegation, next term will be Arsenal’s 100 consecutive in the top-flight.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThey are the first club be in the highest league of the English football pyramid for a century.Everton are the nearest to Arsenal, having been in the top tier for 71 years.Liverpool are also currently chasing down the record with 64 years in the First Division and Prem. Everton still hold the record for most seasons of all-time at the top as this is their 122nd campaign in the top-flight.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSArsenal trail Aston Villa and Liverpool on that list as the Gunners have completed 108 seasons overall in the best division. Ahead of the draw to Forest, Arteta said his side will never give up in the title fight.Embarrassed Kate Abdo covers face on live TV as she says Arsenal legend was her celebrity crush But after the game, he admitted his side are blunt in attack amid injuries to Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus.Arteta said: “We showed unquestionable character, how much we wanted it and tried. “We dominated the game. We tried in many different ways. “We persisted but lacked that spark, that final pass to unlock a well-organised team. We have to generate more shots on target.”Arsenal ratings vs Forest as NOBODY looks like scoring for Gunners but Saliba’s a Rolls Royce againMIKEL ARTETA may not have anyone to put the ball in the back of the net but in William Saliba he has one of the best defenders in the Prem.The Arsenal boss watched his side’s faint title hopes go well and truly up in smoke in the goalless draw with Nottingham Forest.But his brilliant backline emerged, once again, with credit from this tricky clash at the City Ground.Together with Gabriel, Saliba kept a tight lid on Forest dangerman Chris Wood, who scored a hat-trick in his last appearance on this ground.But the fact the Gunners’ biggest threat at the other end of the pitch came from left-back Riccardo Calafiori – who was subbed off at half-time – says it all about the dire situation Arsenal somehow find themselves in.Here is how SunSport’s Graeme Bryce rated the Gunners stars’ displays… More

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      Former Bayern Munich star who collapsed in tears after epic 1999 Man Utd comeback looks unrecognisable 26 years on

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      A FORMER Bayern Munich star looked unrecognisable as he appeared at a special event last night.Bayern put on a lavish bash to celebrate the club’s 125th birthday.A former Bayern Munich star beams at last night’s eventThe German giants invited 650 guests to the event, hosted at Munich’s Paulaner Nockherberg.Several famous guests attended, including plenty of Bayern stars past and present.From the current crop, Harry Kane and Manuel Neuer rocked up.While club legends including Philipp Lahm were also in the building.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLIn addition to Lahm, an ex-Bayern centre-half attended the event.The popular Ghanaian, now 48, played 277 times across a 12-year span with the Bundesliga giants.He won six league titles, four domestic cups and the 2001 Champions League during his stint.Several fans in England, however, will unfortunately remember him from the 1999 Champions League final.Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSThe Bayern Munich star was devastated upon the final whistleCredit: PA:Empics SportThe defender couldn’t believe his side let their lead slipCredit: PA:Empics SportSamuel Kuffour was picked up by referee Pierluigi CollinaCredit: Rex FeaturesFollowing Bayern’s late collapse to Sir Alex Ferguson’s Treble-chasing Manchester United, Samuel Kuffour was devastated.In now iconic images, Kuffour could be seen falling to the ground in floods of tears following Bayern’s late defeat.Ruben Amorim brings up Marcus Rashford as he vows to talk to Garnacho after Man Utd star stormed down tunnelThe Germans had led 1-0 for almost the entire match, courtesy of Mario Basler’s sixth minute goal.But stoppage time strikes by Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer turned the game around.With anguish etched across his face, Kuffour had to be picked up by referee Pierluigi Collina.Last night, he thankfully appeared to be in much better spirits.Appearing at the event, he beamed while wearing a sharp suit and glasses.Having tended to have very short dark hair as a player, Kuffour now sports a white hair and beard combo.READ MORE SUN STORIESSince hanging up his boots, Kuffour has worked as a pundit for South African channel SuperSports.He has also been involved in the Ghana national team at an executive level.Harry Kane beams on the red carpetCredit: FC BayernGiovane Elber, left, current boss Vincent Kompany, middle, and Mark van Bommel, right, pose for a snapCredit: FC BayernJoshua Kimmich attended alongside girlfriend Lina MeyerCredit: FC Bayern More

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      Rio Ferdinand names four Man Utd stars worth £236MILLION who do not fit Ruben Amorim’s system

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      RIO Ferdinand has named four Manchester United stars worth a staggering £236MILLION who do not fit in Ruben Amorim’s system.The former Old Trafford defender has warned progress under the Portuguese’s 3-4-3 set-up has been much slower then expected. Rio Ferdinand has named four Man Utd stars who do not fit Ruben Amorim’s systemAmorim endured another difficult night before Harry Maguire’s winnerFerdinand highlighted that certain players lack the required physicalityArriving on the back of a wave of optimism following the departure of Erik ten Hag, armed with his own style of play, few United fans would have predicted their current plight. The Red Devils just about beat relegation strugglers Ipswich 3-2 on Wednesday night, after more unforgivable howlers from Andre Onana and a straight red for Patrick Dorgu.Harry Maguire’s header rescued United in their time of need after Sam Morsy’s own-goal and Matthijs de Ligt’s tap-in were cancelled out by two Jaden Philogene-Bidace goals.Amorim’s project is only in its infancy, but fans want results and Ferdinand believes at least four players are unsuited to the 3-4-3.READ MORE ON MAN UTDFerdinand thinks Joshua Zirkzee, Rasmus Hojlund and this week’s goalscorers Maguire and De Ligt lack the physicality to thrive in Amorim’s new era at Old Trafford. The 46-year-old pundit told TNT Sports: “I think if we’re being brutally honest, there hasn’t been the progress that we all anticipated.”This team aren’t a mobile, dynamic team. If you look through the heartbeat of this team they have other qualities.”But being physical, having the ability to overrun teams physically – they don’t have that capacity.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSAsked whether Zirkzee was one of those who fits the bill, Ferdinand responded: “No… De Ligt, Maguire, Hojlund, it’s not their game.”So I think he needs to find those type of players with the capabilities of carrying out not only tactically what he wants, but the physicality is equally important.”Ruben Amorim brings up Marcus Rashford as he vows to talk to Garnacho after Man Utd star stormed down tunnelMan Utd ratings vs Ipswich as Maguire saves the day after Onana makes case to be WORST ever signingMANCHESTER UNITED eased their fears of the drop in a topsy-turvy relegation six-pointer with Ipswich.The Red Devils triumphed 3-2 despite playing the second half with ten men.A major cock-up from Patrick Dorgu and Andre Onana saw Ipswich take a third-minute lead through Jaden Philogene.Then, after United had recovered to lead 2-1, Dorgu saw a straight red card for a poor challenge on Omari Hutchinson.Philogene scored again to level it before the break only for Harry Maguire to nod in to be United’s saviour.But who was United’s best player on the night?Here, SunSport’s Phil Thomas reveals his Manchester United player ratings…Amorim’s first 16 Premier League games have yielded just 18 points despite initial optimism.The four players mentioned by Ferdinand were signed by United at a cost of £236million, although none by Amorim himself.Maguire joined for a record-shattering £85m from Leicester in 2019, while United splashed out £43m for De Ligt in the summer.Fans are growing frustrated with £72m flop Hojlund and Zirkzee came for around £36m in the summer.Part of Amorim’s expected overhaul of the squad will involve determining which players possess the required attributes to play his system.But whether United can afford a reset is a totally different story as the Red Devils will need to sell several players in order to buy given their financial concerns.Harry Maguire’s early second half header saw United beat Ipswich 3-2Credit: GettyUnited sit 14th in Prem and know their best route into Europe lies elsewhere.As FA Cup holders, they still have a chance to reach the Europa League with another Wembley win, while triumphing in Europe’s second tier competition would see them return to the Champions League. READ MORE SUN STORIESThe first steps on both of those paths will come against Fulham and Real Sociedad respectively in a huge week for Amorim’s United.And fans are fearing that Amorim could start feuding with Alejandro Garnacho, after he stormed down the tunnel following his substitution when United were down to 10 men. More