Premier League

SIR JIM RATCLIFFE’S sidekick Dave Brailsford showed every emotion possible as he was spotted in the Old Trafford stands during Manchester United’s incredible 3-2 comeback win over Aston Villa.The two sirs are plotting a major Old Trafford shake-up following Ratcliffe’s 25 per cent takeover of the club – once football chiefs ratify the deal.
Sir Dave Brailsford’s appearance soon changed as Man Utd went 2-0 downCredit: PA
Brailsford initially looked more relaxed than fans – but not for longCredit: Reuters
It was briefly smiles for Brailsford but he soon realised he faces a massive jobCredit: Reuters
And they won’t see a better example of the rollercoaster drama they face than the Boxing Day belter in the Premier League.
Brailsford smiled widely in the early stages – until the former Team GB cycling supremo realised how tough a job he might face to install the winning culture he is famed for.
John McGinn and Leander Dendoncker put Villa up 2-0 up inside the first half-hour as the Red Devils’ recent struggles under Erik ten Hag continued.
Alejandro Garnacho then struck twice after the break to level – before Rasmus Hojlund brought the house down with a United winner courtesy of his first ever Prem goal.
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Brailsford’s face turned to stone when he saw Villa thrive.
One viewer claimed the executive was “seeing just how big a job INEOS has on its hands at United”.
The fan added: “Yet again a collapse after going behind, fans booing, away fans mocking – utterly toothless in attack.”
Another posted: “In front of Brailsford. Get the PLAYERS AND STAFF gone.”
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And a third noted the 59-year-old’s changing expression as he wrote: “His face says everything.”
Brailsford is expected to land a key position alongside a new sporting director – with Newcastle’s Dan Ashworth favourite for that position.
INEOS Director of Sport Brailsford has had big roles at both football clubs the company own – Switzerland’s FC Lausanne-Sport and Nice in France.
And fed-up fans were even more furious as Villa cruised into half-time still 2-0 up.
One joked of the INEOS investment: “The regret starts here.”
And many wondered if the future of manager Ten Hag was now in imminent danger.
But, like Brailsford’s face, that all changed as United roared back to victory.
One fan wrote: “We aren’t done out here yet, MY MANAGER till the very, very end.”
A second added: “Erik ten Hag was, is and will ever be the man of the situation. Trust the process.” More

SIR JIM RATCLIFFE’S Manchester United reign got off to a horror star as angry fans BOOED Erik ten Hag’s Boxing Day flops.The Red Devils hosted title chasers Aston Villa in the first game since Ratcliffe’s 25 per cent takeover was announced.
Man Utd fans booed as their team went 2-0 down to Aston Villa inside 26 minutesCredit: PA
Erik ten Hag was left feeling the heat at Old TraffordCredit: AFP
But despite mounting an incredible second-half comeback for a 3-2 win, United had clearly been feasting on too much turkey as they were giving a stuffing by Unai Emery’s men in the first 26 minutes.
John McGinn netted an incredible free-kick after Leon Bailey distracted Andre Onana in the build-up.
And minutes later Leander Dendoncker fired in his first-ever Villa goal, nearly 18 months after joining from Wolves.
The two goals left United looking down the barrel of just one win in their last eight games, with five of those being defeats.
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And it got too much for Old Trafford fans to bear, with many showing their anger by loudly booing United’s dud players.
Manager Ten Hag cut a desolate figure on the touchline as he struggled to summon a response.
But while the half-time whistle bought some respite from Villa’s attack, the jeers rang out even louder from home supporters.
United’s display will have done little to encourage Ratcliffe.
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Sir Jim Ratcliffe was not in attendance after his 25 per cent takeoverCredit: Reuters
His right-hand man Sir Dave Brailsford was watching stony-faced from the standsCredit: PA
The British billionaire was not in attendance on Tuesday night.
However, his right-hand man Sir Dave Brailsford was sat in the stands.
And he went from smiling to stony-faced as the Theatre of Dreams transformed into the Theatre of Screams.
Fans at home certainly felt those in attendance had every right to boo.
One said: “Fans pay hundreds to be here, they can boo if they want.”
Another declared: “Fans are losing money while these players earn bank, we deserve to boo them.”
One noted: “To hear boos is pretty damning.”
Another added: “The boos say it all.”
United thought they had found a way back into the game early in the second half when Alejandro Garnacho hit the back of the net.
But a VAR intervention deemed the winger offside, ruling his effort out in the process.
However, there were no doubts when Garnacho scored in the 58th minute to halve United’s deficit.
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The Argentine was at it again 12 minutes later as he buried another effort in the Villa goal for 2-2.
And Rasmus Hojlund ended up netting his first-ever Premier League goal to seal a famous 3-2 comeback win. More

LUTON boss Rob Edwards has revealed club captain Tom Lockyer is in “really good spirits” as he issued an update on his condition.Lockyer, 29, suffered a cardiac arrest on the pitch during the Hatters’ clash with Bournemouth earlier this month.
Tom Lockyer suffered a cardiac arrest during Luton’s clash with BournemouthCredit: Alamy
Rob Edwards has issued an update on Lockyer’s conditionCredit: Rex
Last week, the Welsh centre-back was discharged from hospital as he continues his recovery.
And Edwards, 41, gave a positive update before Luton’s huge 3-2 win over Sheffield United on Boxing Day.
Speaking to Amazon Prime, he said: “He’s good, thanks for asking. We’ve been in touch as we have everyday since it happened. 
“He’s in really good spirits, he’s incredibly brave and he’s got a lot of support around him.
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“He watched the game the other day and he was cheering us on from home so yeah, he’s doing well.”
Since the horrific incident involving Lockyer, Luton have won both Premier League games against Newcastle and Sheffield United.
And Edwards admitted the team have used the emotion from the ordeal involving Lockyer.
He said: “It was nice to be able to beat Newcastle after the week we had because it had been incredibly emotional for all concerned.
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Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu, left, and Carlton Morris, right, holding Lockyer’s shirt up to the fansCredit: Reuters
“I want the players playing with emotion, I like the players doing that as long as it doesn’t take it over the edge. 
“Players, clubs, fans and especially these two teams today, they want to see them on the front foot. I want my players to play with passion. We want to maintain that. 
“I spoke about it after Newcastle that everything Tom embodies – being brave and aggressive – that is us and Luton Town anyway so it’s about harnessing that and trying to keep that going without taking it over the edge.”
Meanwhile, striker Carlton Morris, who held up Lockyer’s shirt to the Luton fans after their Boxing Day win, added: “I speak to Locks every day at the moment.
“We miss him dearly every day as a squad. My boy. I spoke to him literally yesterday about how important this period could be and momentum for us. 
“He’s behind us every step of the way. He’s here in spirit.”
Luton are now just one point from safety on 15 points.
Next up for Edwards’ men is a home game against Chelsea on Saturday. More

FULHAM keeper Bernd Leno pushed a BALLBOY during his side’s 3-0 defeat at Bournemouth.The former Arsenal shot-stopper, 31, went to receive a ball from behind the goal during the latter stages of the match when the Cottagers trailed 2-0.
Bernd Leno grabbed the ball off the ballboy and then pushed himCredit: Prime video

The action enraged the Bournemouth fans behind the goalCredit: Prime video
But when the young boy walked over to hand Leno the ball, the keeper grabbed it and pushed him away.
This led to the Bournemouth fans furiously jeering the Fulham man – who had already been booked.
But he avoided any form of punishment from the referee.
And it was the Fulham bench who continued to bemoan what they felt were delaying tactics from the Bournemouth ballboy.
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Leno eventually went over to apologise to him after a security guard had already checked he was alright.
The boy responded: “Yeah I’m OK.”
Reacting to the bizarre moment, one football fan said: “Imagine pushing this kid! Bernd Leno is an utter disgrace!
“What an Idjhiiioooot 🤯 You just can’t do that for such a young ballboy.”
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While another added: “Imagine pushing a young ball boy when you’re a giant grown man. Disgusting!”
A third replied: ” Hows Leno pushing a kid looool? Send him off man.”
And a fourth responded: “You [Leno] should apologise to that boy, you’re a disgrace to football, should pick on someone your own size.”
Bournemouth won the game 3-0 thanks to goals from Justin Kluivert, Dominic Solanke and Luis Sinisterra.
It continues the Cherries’ fine run under Andoni Iraola as they move into the top half of the Premier League table.
Meanwhile, Fulham sit 13th and are just six points adrift of the relegation places. More

SIR JIM RATCLIFFE could cut as many as 300 jobs at Manchester United, according to reports.The British billionaire, 71, completed his £1.3bn 25 per cent takeover of the club on Christmas Eve.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe finally completed his partial takeover on Christmas EveCredit: PA
The move, which is now being legally signed off, will see Ratcliffe pump £237million into the club following his takeover.
This cash boost is to be spent on infrastructure, however, and will not affect the transfer budget.
In order to maximise funds for recruiting players within Financial Fair Play guidelines, Ratcliffe is set to conduct a streamlining exercise – starting with members of staff.
United are thought to employ around 1,000 people behind the scenes.
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According to The Guardian, Ratcliffe will send an external auditor to Carrington next month in order to evaluate the club’s “structure and expenditure”.
It’s thought that as many as 300 jobs could subsequently be at risk, with senior managers having been told the importance of “cost discipline”.
As part of the evaluation phase, Ratcliffe is set to send two of his most trusted lieutenants to keep an eye on goings on at the club next month.
Ineos’ director of sport Dave Brailsford and CEO Jean-Claude Blanc will head to Carrington tasked with assessing the football operation.
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According to the Mail, Brailsford and Blanc will place every football department under scrutiny.
They claim that data analysis, recovery, psychology and injury prevention are among the departments that will be closely watched.
It has also been stressed that Ratcliffe doesn’t want to “rush” into any decisions.
United have had a poor season thus far, sitting eighth in the Premier League and having been eliminated from the Carabao Cup and Champions League early.
Erik ten Hag’s side host Aston Villa this evening, hoping to snap a streak of four games in all competitions without scoring a goal – their worst since 1992.
Upon completing his partial takeover, Ratcliffe penned an open letter to United fans, hinting that he could make big changes.
It read: “I wanted to write to you at this time given the critical role of the fans to the future of Manchester United as we recognise our responsibility as custodians of the club on your behalf.
“I believe we can bring sporting success on the pitch to complement the undoubted commercial success the club has enjoyed.
“It will require time and patience alongside rigour and the highest level of professional management. You are ambitious for Man Utd and so are we.
“There are no guarantees in sport, and change can inevitably take time but we are in it for the long-term and together we want to help take Man Utd back to where it belongs, at the very top of English European and world football.
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“I take that responsibility very seriously.
“Please note that, as with any deal, it is subject to the usual regulatory sign-off process and therefore we do not expect to speak publicly about club matters until after the deal has completed.”
Dave Brailsford will assess goings on at CarringtonCredit: AFP
Brailsford will be joined by Jean-Claude BlancCredit: AFP More

DWIGHT YORKE has slammed Manchester United and admitted he has stopped watching them this season.The Red Devils have had a tough first half of the season, having crashed out the Champions League and Carabao Cup.
Dwight Yorke no longer wants to watch Man Utd playCredit: Getty
United have lost 12 games this seasonCredit: Alamy
The club sit eighth in the Premier League table and they have lost 12 matches in all competitions this season.
United have failed to score in five of their last six games ahead of their Boxing Day clash against Aston Villa.
And the poor performances frustrate Yorke so much that he has decided to not tune in for games.
He told the Daily Mail: “Watching United has been a struggle, there’s no two ways about that.
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“I’m not going to lie, I’ve walked away from the game, refused to watch for a bit and just try to catch up on highlights rather than sit through the 90 minutes.”
Yorke was part of the 1999 squad that won the Treble under Sir Alex Ferguson.
Rivals Manchester City matched the feat last season and it has only further annoyed the 52-year-old former striker.
Yorke added: “I still haven’t forgotten the fact that we allowed City to repeat history, winning our Treble, because we had a chance to stop them at Wembley [in the FA Cup final] and we didn’t.
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“The players didn’t do what they were supposed to do to protect the biggest legacy of the football club.
“So I’m a bit miffed by that and I haven’t really recovered from it.”
Yorke also hit out at the “inconsistency” this season and believes getting knocked out of Europe has damaged the players’ confidence. More