Premier League

SIR JIM RATCLIFFE could be forced out of Manchester United THIS YEAR.The British billionaire, 72, invested more than £1billion to take a 27.7 per cent stake in his beloved Red Devils little more than a year ago.Sir Jim Ratcliffe could be pushed out of Manchester United this yearCredit: AlamyThe Glazer family reportedly have a deal which means they can sell up in six monthsCredit: PATo say it has been a tumultuous rollercoaster ride so far would be an understatement. Part of the minority takeover entrusted the running of the club to Ratcliffe from the Glazer family, who remain the majority owners.And he has wasted no time in making his mark with an overhaul of the board, a new manager, hundreds of redundancies and various unpopular money-making measures – from increased ticket prices to the staff Christmas party being cancelled.He has even made a start on plans for a brand-new £2bn, 100,000-seater stadium to replace the crumbling, leaking Old Trafford.READ MORE MAN UTD NEWSHowever, the Ratcliffe reign at Manchester United could be all over later this year.According to Bloomberg, the Glazers have the option to sell the club in six months’ time.And should they go ahead and proceed with it, they can force Ratcliffe to give up his United.The report does add that Ratcliffe would have the option to make his own bid first.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSAnd it is understood the Ineos chief not only wants to keep his stake – but increase it if the opportunity arises. It is unclear what the Glazers plan to do with the club.’Silence is deafening’ – Man Utd fans ready to protest at Arsenal clash and vow to ‘rise again to defend our club’The American family continue to own United from afar and keep a hands-off approach, even more so with Ratcliffe in charge of the day-to-day operations. Bloomberg state, though, that the Glazers were still happy with the state of the club at the end of last year.That is despite the club losing more than £100million in Ratcliffe’s first year and results on the pitch getting worse.Under new boss Ruben Amorim, United are 15th in the Premier League table.Internally, the ambitious plan is to win the title again by 2028. Off the pitch, the financial landscape is bleak.Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s first year at Man UtdSIR JIM RATCLIFFE’S minority takeover at Manchester United was announced on Christmas Eve in 2023 – and a lot has happened at Old Trafford since…December 2023 – Man Utd confirm Ratcliffe’s takeover on Christmas Eve, vowing to invest £245m into Old TraffordJanuary 2024 – Ratcliffe and right-hand man Sir Dave Brailsford photographed meeting Erik ten Hag during tour of Carrington January 2024 – Omar Berrada poached from Man City as new CEO February 2024 – Ratcliffe’s £1billion, 27.7 per cent takeover officially completed February 2024 – Former CEO Richard Arnold quits board as Ineos pair John Rees and Rob Nevin addedMarch 2024 – Ratcliffe bans words “awesome” and “lukewarm cappuccino” in bizarre moveMarch 2024 – Matt Johnson appointed head of women’s footballMarch 2024 – Ratcliffe announces plans to build “Wembley of the North” to replace Old TraffordMarch 2024 – Man Utd NYSE share price drops to $13.73 on March 21 – down from $20.52 immediately after Ratcliffe takeover in DecemberApril 2024 – Senior staff club credit cards and private cars cancelled April 2024 – John Murtough quits as football director April 2024 – Jason Wilcox appointed technical director after compensation package agreed with Southampton May 2024 – Ratcliffe turns Carrington “toxic” after sending email to employees slamming “disgraceful” lack of cleanlinessMay 2024 – Work finally starts on leaking Old Trafford roofMay 2024 – Man Utd finish eighth in Premier League, worst-ever finish May 2024 – Ratcliffe gives employees just one week to decide if they want to accept redundancy May 2024 – Staff forced to pay for own transport to FA Cup final and only given one ticketMay 2024 – Pre-match party and hotel for senior staff before FA Cup final axedMay 2024 – Man Utd shock rivals Man City to win FA Cup despite suggestions Erik ten Hag will be sacked regardless of resultJune 2024 – Man Utd announce £50m plans to upgrade Carrington training ground June 2024 – Ratcliffe introduces strict “back to work” policy forcing staff to come into officeJune 2024 – Ratcliffe scores own goal with comments about women’s teamJuly 2024 – Man Utd finally agree deal to bring in Dan Ashworth as sporting director after four months of gardening leave at Newcastle, who received £3m in compensationJuly 2024 – Erik ten Hag signs shock new contract extension until 2026July 2024 – Ruud van Nistelrooy and Rene Hake appointed assistant managers, Andreas Georgson first-team coach and Jelle ten Rouwelaar goalkeeper coach. Darren Fletcher’s role changes from technical director to first-team coach. Steve McClaren, Mitchell van der Gaag and Benni McCarthy depart.July 2024 – Ex-Chelsea technical director Christopher Vivell joins on short-term basis as interim director of recruitment July 2024 – Jean-Claude Blanc added to Man Utd board  July 2024 – Man Utd cut down number of staff on US pre-season tour to 125July 2024 – Ratcliffe makes 250 redundancies including popular media man John Allen, historian Cliff Butler and kitman Alex WylieAugust 2024 – Man Utd splash out £199m in the summer transfer window August 2024 – Matchday staff lunchboxes scrapped and some forced to eat beside toiletOctober 2024 – Man Utd stop paying £2m-a-year ambassador salary to Sir Alex FergusonOctober 2024 – Staff Christmas party cancelled October 2024 – “Back to work” policy costing Utd fortune to convert hospitality suites into temporary offices between home matchesOctober 2024 – Erik ten Hag sacked with club 14th in Premier League table, costing club £15mNovember 2024 – Ruben Amorim appointed new Man Utd manager on deal until 2027 after stumping up £10m release clause November 2024 – Coach Ruud van Nistelrooy axed by new manager Ruben Amorim November 2024 – Man Utd chiefs locked in blame game over summer shambles including Erik ten Hag situation and transfer signings November 2024 – Ratcliffe reportedly set to half £40,000 budget paid to Manchester United Disabled Supporters AssociationDecember 2024 – Ratcliffe admits “mediocre” Man Utd “still in last century” December 2024 – Fans protest after OAP and children concessions tickets ditched and minimum home ticket cost up to £66December 2024 – Dan Ashworth sacked after five months as sporting directorDecember 2024 – £100 staff Christmas bonus ditched for £40 M&S voucherDecember 2024 – Ceiling starts leaking during Ruben Amorim’s press conference after 3-0 defeat to BournemouthDecember 2024 – Reports of a mice infestation at Old Trafford as rodent droppings found in food kiosks and plush suites as food hygiene ratings drops to just two starsDecember 2024 – SunSport reveals Ratcliffe cuts £40,000 funding donation to Association of Former Manchester United Players charityThey posted losses of more than £300m over the last three years to put them at risk of breaching PSR rules while debts now stand at approximately £700m.So even if the Glazers did want to sell, finding a buyer willing to take on the mess of Manchester United could be difficult.It would likely require another mega-rich state-backed bid – similar to the one that rivalled Ratcliffe from Qatar.And one speculative option could be for the Qataris to go back in for United – fronted by Nasser Al-Khelaifi.Al-Khelaifi, 51, is the chairman of beIN and the Qatar Sports Investment group – which in turn sees him president of Paris Saint-Germain.But troubles are brewing with PSG and this could in theory be an ideal opportunity for the Qataris to jump ship out of PSG and taking on a new challenge. Al-Khelaifi has clashed aggressively with rival Ligue 1 owners – even calling Lyon counterpart John Textor a “cowboy” in leaked footage from an online meeting.READ MORE SUN STORIESHe has also, according to Agence France Presse, been charged with complicity in an “abuse of power” case this month relating to a key vote.And finally, Al-Khelaifi – who has failed to deliver the Champions League since his appointment in 2011 – has expressed his frustration that PSG will leave the Parc des Princes and look for a new stadium after the city’s mayor confirmed it was not for sale. United are struggling on and off the pitchCredit: AlamyFans are unhappy with the way the club is being runCredit: AFPNasser Al-Khelaifi may see United as a new venture if he quits PSGCredit: AP More

IF YOU wanted confirmation that Leicester City are heading back to the Championship  — this was it.Ruud van Nistelrooy’s beaten Foxes became the first team in top-flight history to suffer SIX defeats in a row at home in the same season without scoring a single goal during the run.Leicester lost their sixth home match in a row without scoring a goalCredit: PABrentford won 4-0 at the King PowerCredit: GettyPressure is building on Ruud van NistelrooyCredit: ReutersThis was just all too easy for Brentford, who were three goals up before the break.And the crowd reaction was predictable as fans turned on the club’s board again after the Foxes’ season went from bad to worse.Some supporters were leaving their seats before the half-hour mark as Brentford scored at will and had an effort disallowed for Keane Lewis-Potter’s handball.Quite where this leaves the club now is unclear.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLSurvival is still possible — but not with this kind of chaotic defending.It is difficult to see where Leicester’s next win is coming from.But, tellingly, fans are not yet calling for Van Nistelrooy’s head, although he is no better than previous manager Steve Cooper, who was sacked to make way for the Dutchman.Supporters want change — in particular director of football Jon Rudkin, who has been targeted continually from the stands.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSAnother managerial change would seem pointless with this squad, so Van Nistelrooy will have to beat the odds if Leicester are to stay up.By the end of the game, the storm clouds were gathering at the King Power Stadium as heavy rain fell, which pretty much summed up the state Leicester are in at the moment.Arsenal post new footage of Mikel Merino goal… but supporters are more interested in what Leicester fans are doingBut the Bees’ dominance cannot be ignored and summed up their run of form away from home.This was a fourth win in a row on the road for Thomas Frank’s side — and they are unbeaten in five away trips.Ironically, Leicester started well and could have had two goals in the first five minutes.Keeper Mark Flekken had to save well from Woyo Coulibaly, on his full debut, and skipper Jamie Vardy after a pacy break from the Foxes legend. But that was as good as it got for Leicester as Frank’s men picked them off.Brentford took a 17th-minute lead when Boubakary Soumare lost the ball and Mikkel Damsgaard floated a pass through for Yoane Wissa to score from inside the six-yard box.Vardy brought another save from Flekken but Brentford were two up after 27 minutes thanks to a superb finish from Bryan Mbeumo from the edge of the area.A few Foxes fans chanted, “You’re not fit to wear the shirt” and their mood was not improved as the Bees added a third five minutes later.Mbeumo’s free-kick was lifted into the mix and Christian Norgaard headed in.Coulibaly’s frustration boiled over as he wiped out Norgaard with a reckless tackle but only a received a yellow card.He was lucky not to see red and Van Nistelrooy took him off at half-time. Brentford could have had more — Kristoffer Ajer headed against the post and Foxes keeper Mads Hermansen stopped Wout Faes from scoring an own goal.There were ironic cheers from home fans after 55 minutes when the ineffective Jordan Ayew was replaced by Facundo Buonanotte.Hermansen pulled off an excellent save from sub Yehor Yarmoliuk’s header but the Bees’ fourth finally arrived with two minutes left.Mbeumo’s effort was saved but sub Fabio Carvalho forced the ball over the line — sparking angry words between keeper Hermansen and team-mate Soumare.READ MORE SUN STORIESBy the end, thousands of Leicester supporters had left the stadium with the faithful Bees singing “we’ve got more fans than you” and “you’re getting sacked in the morning”.And as Frank’s men coasted to an impressive win, Van Nistelrooy looked like he had the weight of the world on his shoulders as he trudged back to the dressing room.Yoane Wissa bundled in the opener for the BeesCredit: AlamyBryan Mbeumo curled home for 2-0Credit: RexChristian Norgaard headed in the third on 32 minutesCredit: RexFabio Carvalho wrapped up the win with a fourth just before the endCredit: RexIt could have been worse as Keane Lewis-Potter had a goal ruled out for handball and the Bees hit the postCredit: ReutersWissa and Mbeumo linked up once againCredit: ReutersPlenty of fans walked out earlyCredit: PAVan Nistelrooy is not having things his own wayCredit: ReutersLeicester are enduring a nightmare run of formCredit: PA More

CHRISTIAN ERIKSEN will return for Manchester United with Ruben Amorim admitting he caused a false heart scare.The Danish midfielder suffered a cardiac arrest at Euro 2020 but subsequently made an amazing recovery after having an Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD) fitted.Ruben Amorim admitted he caused a misunderstanding about Christian Eriksen’s healthCredit: ReutersThe Man Utd boss appeared to unintentionally suggest that must be ‘careful’ due to his ‘heart situation’Credit: AFPBut after Sunday’s 1-0 defeat at Tottenham boss Amorim brought up Eriksen’s heart issue when he missed the game through illness.Amorim said at the time: “Of course has the heart situation and we have to be really careful with that.”It’s nothing about the heart! I’m just saying the heart rate has to be controlled because he has a fever.”Amorim’s words created a surge of get-well messages and Eriksen then went on social media to clear matters upRead More on Man UtdThe 33-year-old, fit again for Saturday’s clash with Everton along with Leny Yoro and Manuel Ugarte declared: “I just wanted to thank everyone for the get well messages I’ve been receiving after missing the Spurs game.”I picked up a virus like many people do at this time of year. Nothing serious and soon ready to get back to training.”An apologetic Amorim stressed: “With Chris it was a misunderstanding, really clear on that.”He’s healthy and he’s ready to play for many years at a high level. My limitations are explaining the injuries.”Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSUnited face Everton below their rivals for the first time since David Moyes, now back at Goodison, took charge of his last game as Old Trafford boss – following an April 2014 2-0 loss to the Toffees.Amorim takes his side to Merseyside having lost eight of his last 12 league games but is up-beat, saying he is now hearing a different more confident noise from his players.Why Haaland & Mac Allister will decide Man City vs Liverpool – Experts’ best bets | Weekend WagerThey have struggled to adapt to his 3-4-3 tactical philosophy but he says: “What I see in training is they are improving and creating relationships.“Even the sounds of the training is different. We have to use that in the game and see it in the game and take that step.“We are bonding and we understand the we want to play, but in the game we struggle a lot.“The sound is when you making an exercise you feel the sound, people are talking and asking for the ball and give directions.“If you spend your life as a football player even the sound of the training is important.“So training, good, but I know we have issues when we play. We have to take how we train now into the games.”Man Utd ratings v SpursMANCHESTER UNITED slipped to a 12th defeat in the Premier League with Rasmus Hojlund coming under fire again.Here’s how SunSport’s Katherine Walsh rated the Manchester United players against an underachieving Spurs side – who are now three places above them in 12th – in North London.Andre Onana – 3United can’t do anything with him between the sticks. Can’t be trusted to collect anything.His opposite number Vicario showed him a thing or two after returning for the first time since Spurs thrashed Man City in November.At fault for the first goal when he palmed out a relatively weak bouncing shot into Maddison’s path in the 13th minute.Noussair Mazraoui – 5An OK performance. Clever link-up play with Zirkzee but couldn’t get hold of Spence down the left-hand side.Pulled out an excellent cross for the Dutchman’s headed chance late-on.Matthijs de Ligt – 6His clearance stopped an obvious 2-0 before the half-an-hour mark.Harry Maguire – 5A mixed bag. Long ball over the top for Hojlund’s chance in opening 10 minutes and went on a few attacking runs himself in the first half.Did well to stop Dejan Kulusevski from having a go at the edge of the box. But bizarrely stopped in his tracks when a cross came flying into Son later on.Diogo Dalot – 6A difficult afternoon for the Portugal international as Son and Djed Spence left him for dead a few times.Hesitated when asked to shoot from five yards to make it 1-0 but helped Onana out with some clearances too.Patrick Dorgu – 4A Prem debut to forget. He was almost invisible from the left-hand side. And lacked quality when asked to get involved more in the second half.Was stupidly caught offside with Bruno Fernandes offloading a stunning cross pitch pass and booked late-on.Casemiro – 5Looked every bit a player that hasn’t played Premier League football for two months. Unsurprisingly booked for a late one on Son.Bizarrely dropped to the turf asking for a free-kick when nobody touched him. Was forced to play 89 minutes with eight teenagers on the bench. A difficult afternoon, indeed.Bruno Fernandes – 5Interceptions and breaking up play is not a part of the captain’s game. An uncharacteristically poor cross left United open on the counter.Did get back to stop Son from having a shot at Onana on the hour mark and started ticking in attack in the final 20 minutes.Alejandro Garnacho – 4Looked shaky and cut a frustrated figure after blazing over an absolute SITTER from 10 yards to level the scores.A bit of a shocker and looked a completely different player to the one who got United into the fifth-round of the FA Cup last week.Woke up a bit in the second half as Vicario kept him at bay with several superb stops. But the 20-year-old is clearly better off the bench.Joshua Zirkzee – 6The best of a desperately poor front three. There’s a street player in there and he’s great with his touches at times.But curled wide from 23 yards, stuck a header wide in the 70th minute and kicked an air shot in the final five minutes.Rasmus Hojlund – 3Is Hojlund the worst No 9 in United’s recent history?The young Dane, who was unlucky to have a chance saved by Vicario, was second best in every loose ball and kept losing possession.He was even caught offside after a pass from an Onana goal-kick in the first half – how often do you see that happen? More

MANCHESTER UNITED chief Omar Berrada has warned staff they face being sacked if they continue to leak information about the club.The Red Devils’ CEO made the threat in a 580-word email to employees this week.Omar Berrada has warned staff who leak news will be firedCredit: PASir Jim Ratcliffe’s United reign has been plagued by poor performances on the pitch.Erik ten Hag was sacked earlier this season, with successor Ruben Amorim taking them even lower down the table.While off the pitch, around 250 staff have been made redundant in a bid to reduce spending.And now, those who remain have been warned that “additional measures” have been put in place to prevent any further leaking of updates.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLSunSport exclusively revealed that the the club could make up to 200 more redundancies in the following weeks and months.But despite acknowledging the unsettling conditions, chief executive Berrada told staff that anyone caught leaking information to the media will be sacked.An email seen by the Telegraph read: “Anyone disclosing information outside of the club is breaching their obligations of confidentiality, and we are very clear that this will be considered gross misconduct.“To protect the club and its colleagues, additional measures are being put in place to prevent future breaches of confidentiality and also identify any persons responsible.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS“Journalists are extremely well-versed in gathering information from multiple sources.”United have not commented on the email sent out by Berrada.Europa League last 16 draw sees Man Utd face Real Sociedad and Tottenham take on AZ Alkmaar It came in the same week that debt levels at the club hit the £1billion mark.The figure rose after United spent £10.4million on sacking Erik ten Hag and his staff.The club spent a similar amount to bring in Amorim mid-season.While Dan Ashworth’s exit as sporting director cost £4.1m as total revenue dropped by 12 per cent over the quarter. More

SUNSPORT’S Weekend Wager uses in-depth stats and razor-sharp analysis to bring you the best value bets from the upcoming bumper weekend of sport.Joining our very own Will Pugh on this week’s show is football journalist Toni Afoke and betting expert Sam Rosbottom.Manchester City are set to take on Liverpool this SundayCredit: AFPThe panel analyse this weekend’s biggest Premier League matches, including Manchester City’s mouthwatering tussle with Liverpool.While they also cast expert eyes over Everton’s clash with Manchester United.The gang then cast their attentions towards Riyadh, and this Saturday’s huge rematch between Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol.Check out all our best bets for the weekend below:READ MORE IN FOOTBALLManchester City vs LiverpoolToni Afoke: Alexis Mac Allister fouled 2+ times – 7/5″I’m going for Alexis McAllister to be fouled two or more times.”That’s at a price of 7-5.”The reason I’ve gone for this is McAllister’s been fouled 14 times in the last 10 games in all competitions and also 11 times in his last six Premier League starts.Most read in Football”So if you do the maths, that’s practically twice in a game.”He’s going to be going up against Nico Gonzalez as well, who’s a massive physical presence and that City midfield just doesn’t have the legs anymore.”Alexis Mac Allister is not afraid to put himself aboutCredit: AlamyWill Pugh: Less than 2.5 goals – 15/8″I am going less than 2.5 goals in the game, 15-8. I know it’s a little bit dull and it’s one of those, it’s not a 90 minute bet either, which I don’t normally like, it could be all over after 20 minutes.”But a little bit of insight from you before the show, Sam, got me thinking that this might be a bit of an omen.”This is the first time in 15 years that Liverpool are favourites to win at the Etihad. And the last time that happened in 2010, the game finished 0-0.”Like loads of football fans up and down the country, I’m used to looking forward to these games, getting all caught up in the hype as Sky Sports or TNT are trying to build it up and make us feel that it’s the most important thing ever to happen.”I’ve done that a few times now and I’ve learnt my lesson because the last three times these two teams have come up against each other, there has been less than 2.5 goals in the game.”You always leave afterwards a bit disappointed, feeling like they’ve cancelled each other out. The last time these two played in December 2024, Liverpool won 2-0 at Anfield.”Sam Rosbottom: Erling Haaland 2+ fouls – 7/2If he plays, Erling Haaland to commit two or more fouls at 7-2 is a big price for me.”He’s committed six fouls in his last three league games, which is more than any other City player.”Erling Haaland is often involved in physical battlesCredit: RexSam Rosbottom: Luis Diaz to be fouled 2+ times”Another one I do like is Luis Diaz to be fouled two or more times at 13-8.”He’s been fouled six times in his last three Premier League starts.”Looking at who he could be coming up against as well at right-back for City, (Abdukodir) Khusanov had that disaster game against Chelsea.”Since then I do think he has grown into the shirt. But he has committed six fouls in his last four in all comps.”It could be one of the key battles on Sunday, him versus Diaz. And I can see Diaz being fouled twice.”Luis Diaz is set to be in action on SundayCredit: GettyEverton vs Manchester UnitedToni: Everton winning at half-time – 21/10″I’m going for Everton winning at half-time at 21-10.”The reason I’m doing this is because Everton have been winning at half-time in four of their last five games.”It pains me to bet against my club, but at the end of the day, we’re rubbish.”And United have failed to score in the first-half in 15 of their last 16 matches in all comps.”The only goal that they scored was a first-half penalty in the 3-1 loss to Brighton, which was in January.”David Moyes has had an excellent start to life back at EvertonCredit: RexWill: Everton to win – 13-10″Listen, as we all know, I would build a statue of David Moyes outside London Stadium immediately. Therefore, I’m just going nice and simple with this one. Everton to win at 13-10.”David Moyes has won his last two Premier League home matches vs Manchester United, beating them 1-0 and 2-0 with West Ham in 2023.”He also won his last home league game against United in his first spell in charge of Everton, beating them 1-0 in August 2012.”And quite simply, Everton have won four of their last five Premier League games, which is more wins than they had in their first 20 games of the season. Everton are so good.”Sam: Beto to have two shots on target – 2/1″Something else that I like, Beto is a completely changed player. Man transformed, isn’t he? Under David Moyes.”I know it’s cliche, but he’s like a new signing for them, isn’t he?”A goal every 88 minutes. He scored four in his last three league matches. A shot conversion rate of 40% per cent under Moyes.”So I’m going to go Beto to have two shots on target at 2-1.”He’s had two shots on target in three of his last four games. And I think that’s a nice price for a bet build as well.”Beto has been in fine form for the ToffeesBeterbiev vs Bivol 2Sam: Beterbiev by knockout – 9/5″I’m looking at Beterbiev by knockout in this one at 9-5.”The reason why I like this one is because the guy is a knockout monster.”He’s got a 95 per cent knockout ratio, which is insane. Obviously, going into the bout in October, he was coming off the back of an injury, hadn’t fought for a while.”He’s in a much better place now coming into this one, much more prepared.”Look, don’t get me wrong, Bivol as well is a top class fighter, but I just think in this one, Berturbiev will have that extra little bit more and we could see some real firepower from him.”Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol are set to battle on Saturday nightCredit: GettyRemember to gamble responsiblyA responsible gambler is someone who:Establishes time and monetary limits before playingOnly gambles with money they can afford to loseNever chase their lossesDoesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry, or depressedGamcare – www.gamcare.org.ukGamble Aware – www.gambleaware.orgREAD MORE SUN STORIESFind our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.For help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or go to www.gamstop.co.uk More