Premier League

GARY NEVILLE has said the only good thing about Ruben Amorim is his press conferences.The Sky Sports pundit tore into Manchester United after their 1-0 defeat to Tottenham yesterday. Gary Neville admitted he is struggling to see things to positive about in performancesCredit: GettyNeville said the best bit about Ruben Amorim is his press conferencesCredit: ReutersAmorim has won just four league gamesCredit: Sky SportsAmorim has been unable to turn the club’s form around in his 14 Premier League games so far, picking up just four wins and conceding 23 goals.After United’s latest defeat, Neville was asked if he had seen any reasons to believe Amorim was the right man to bring the glory days back to Old Trafford.He replied: “The best thing about it so far has been actually his press conferences.”Even today after the game, the way in which he communicates his vision and his idea that he wants to succeed at Manchester United and he feels he will get it right.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”I don’t think there is anything on the pitch that I have seen so far, in results or performances, that tell me that we are watching a really good team. “We are not. It is a really poor team this United team.”He [Amorim] has died in a ditch in respect to when he said very early on, I am not going to change my ideas, so now he can’t.”That is an issue in some ways as I do think, with those 11 players out on the pitch, that there is a better way to get them into a system that meant that they felt more comfortable.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS”But he can’t change that now because of what he said previously. “He really sort of stuck his flag in the ground and said that is the way he is going to go down.Ruben Amorim makes blunt admission as Man Utd face cash crisis “The performances are nowhere near good enough and he will know that.”He had a very good team at Sporting Lisbon, a fantastic team. He knows what good looks like.”He knows where he wants to take Manchester United but the problem at this moment in time is that it is just not happening at all.”Neville also took aim at Amorim’s midfield setup on commentary, saying: “The distance between the two central midfield players, see where Casemiro is and where Fernandes is, that cannot be right.”It breaks all rules in football. Absolute madness.”He later continued: “United may win today and may score goals but I have to say that the structure of the team is awful.”The gaps in that midfield between Fernandes and Casemiro.”That’s a tactic, they’ve been asked to do that, Bruno’s been asked to come out to this side and it isn’t right.READ MORE SUN STORIES”Bruno Fernandes is playing right wing, the two of them in midfield are split, it’s embarrassing.”You wouldn’t see this in Under-9s or Under-10s football.”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 boss Ruben Amorim has revealed that Christian Eriksen missed yesterday’s trip to Tottenham due to his “heart situation”.The Danish midfielder, 33, suffered a cardiac arrest while playing at Euro 2020.Christian Eriksen missed yesterday’s trip to former club TottenhamCredit: AFPHe subsequently made an amazing return to action after having an Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD) fitted.After being unwell in the week, Eriksen was not available for Sunday’s 1-0 defeat at former club Spurs.Speaking after the match, Amorim said of the situation: “I think Leny (Yoro) and Chris, they were sick. So they will recover.”Of course Chris has the heart situation and we have to be really careful with that.READ MORE MAN UTD NEWS”It’s nothing about the heart! I’m just saying the heart rate has to be controlled because he has a fever.”Eriksen and Yoro were two of several Man Utd stars to miss out, with Kobbie Mainoo also missing and Amad Diallo having been ruled out for the season.The quartet joined long-term absentees Lisandro Martinez, Mason Mount and Luke Shaw in being sidelined – while Manuel Ugarte, Jonny Evans and Altay Bayindir were also missing.Following his side’s defeat, which leaves them 15th in the Premier League, Amorim didn’t want to hide behind the injuries.Most read in FootballRuben Amorim’s side lost to Spurs for a third time this seasonCredit: GettyHe said: “We still had a starting XI with first-team players. It’s no excuse. It’s not nice when you lose five players in one week, but that’s part of football, part of life.”I believe you have to deserve fortune. At the moment, apparently we don’t deserve it. I don’t believe in fortune coming out of nowhere.”Man Utd player ratings vs Tottenham: Hojlund arguably worst No9 in club’s history as Dorgu has nightmare debutWith Tottenham having suffered with several injury issues of their own in recent months, and the likes of Micky van de Ven, Cristian Romero, Dominic Solanke, Radu Dragusin and Richarlison still out, boss Ange Postecoglou had little pity for Man Utd.He said: “If I check my office, I don’t have any sympathy cards from other managers, so that hasn’t happened. There’s definitely a few.”I could see Ruben there, players out of position, kids on the bench. Well, welcome to my world. But that’s for one game. Now do that for two months.”Do that for two months. Any club. Do that for two months. I thought Man United were good today, considering all that, and we had our days when we were good. We beat Liverpool in this spell.”Man Utd used just one substitute yesterday, with 17-year-old striker Chido Obi-Martin replacing Casemiro very late on.Amorim, 40, will hope to have Eriksen and Yoro back available as the Red Devils travel to in-form Everton this weekend. More

ANTONY scored yet again for loan club Real Betis as he equalled last season’s goal tally for Manchester United in just four games.The Brazilian winger joined his new Spanish club in January on a deal running until the summer.Antony struck another goal for new loan club Real BetisHe has now matched his Man Utd tally from 2023/24 in just four gamesCredit: EPAAntony had been frozen out at United by Ruben Amorim after struggling to fit into his 3-4-3 system.But the £84million flop has hit the ground running in LaLiga.Antony first bagged an assist just 14 minutes into his Betis debut.His performance earned a coveted Man of the Match award.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAnd he followed that up with a goal in his second appearance under ex-Man City boss Manuel Pellegrini.Antony’s second strike came playing for Betis in the Europa Conference League this week.And today saw him hit his third goal for the Spaniards in their 3-0 LaLiga win over Real Sociedad.Antony struck a sumptuous volley from the edge of the box to give his side a second-half lead.Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSAntony was even hailed by LaLiga’s official X account, which posted: “Antony. What a player.”Indeed, the forward now has as many goals in just four games for Betis as he managed throughout the whole of the 2023/24 campaign for United.Antony shows his excitement as he joins Real Betis LaLiga praised Antony on XAnd fans reckon the Red Devils could do with having Antony back right now.That’s after they were beaten 1-0 by fellow strugglers Spurs, with Amorim having to name EIGHT kids on the bench due to injuries.One fan said: “Looks like United binned the wrong players.”Another declared: “You have to ask what is wrong at United.”One noted: “United are a cursed club.”Another added: “Best thing he did was get away from United.”Antony was also presented with the Player of the Match award for the third time in four games. More

GARY NEVILLE reckons Manchester United’s squad is WORSE than Tottenham’s… despite spending nearly half a billion MORE over the last decade.And he claims just ONE Red Devils player would get into the Spurs XI. Manchester United suffered yet another defeat, this time at TottenhamCredit: AlamyRuben Amorim is struggling to get a song out of his depleted squadCredit: AlamyGary Neville reckons a combined XI would feature ten Spurs starsCredit: EPARuben Amorim’s struggling side were beaten 1-0 away in North London on Sunday.James Maddison grabbed the only goal of the game with a rebound.The playmaker then seemingly responded to criticism from Roy Keane with his modified darts celebration. United were forced to name eight teenagers on the bench alongside Victor Lindelof as injuries ravaged the team.READ MORE ON MAN UTDBut regardless of the current injury woes, Neville reckons the Red Devils’ squad is inferior to that of Spurs – despite the massive gulf in spending. Speaking during the debrief on Sky Sports Super Sunday, the former right-back said: “If you take Tottenham’s best players – Porro, Udogie, Van de Ven, Romero, Bissouma, Sarr, Maddison, Kulusevski, Solanke, Son, Johnson, Tel – how many Manchester United players would get into that Tottenham team if everyone was fit?”I think Bruno Fernandes you would want to have in there.”Maybe Amad Diallo but if you’ve got Kulusevski or Amad, to be honest, I’ll probably go Kulusevski. Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS”My point is, every single Tottenham player bar one if they were all available is better than every single Manchester United player.”That’s not being emotional, it’s not ranting, we’ve gone past that now.Man Utd player ratings vs Tottenham: Hojlund arguably worst No9 in club’s history as Dorgu has nightmare debut”It’s just really sad that that’s where Manchester United are currently at.”Since 2016, Manchester United’s net spend on transfers is a whopping £1billion. That includes the £89m club-record purchase of Paul Pogba in 2016 plus Antony (£85.5m), Harry Maguire (£85m), Romelu Lukaku (£75m), Jadon Sancho (£73m) and Rasmus Hojlund (£72m) all arrived in massive deals.Their biggest signing this season was Leny Yoro for up to £52m.United’s record sale remains Cristiano Ronaldo to Real Madrid for £80m in 2009 so the highest fee received in the period since 2016 is the £73m they got from Inter Milan for Romelu Lukaku in 2019.Ironically, the money banked for Mason Greenwood (£26.6m) and Scott McTominay (£25m) in the summer are among the biggest United sales of all time.United have sold £371m worth of players since 2016 – the lowest in the ‘Big Six’ – to take their overall net spend to just about exactly £1bn. In comparison, Tottenham’s net spend is £580m over the same period.That takes into consideration £995m spent on new signings and £415m in sales. Their outlays this season total £145m on record arrival Dominic Solanke (£65m), £40m on Archie Gray, £25m on Wilson Odobert and £12.5m on goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky who came in during January. Other significant signings include Richarlison (£50m), Dejan Kulusevski (£25m), Maddison (£40m), Pedro Porro (£37.3m), Micky van de Ven (£35m) and Brennan Johnson (£47.5m). Harry Kane left for Bayern Munich at the beginning of last season for an initial £86m.Kyle Walker’s move to Manchester City in 2017 was worth around £50m but the biggest sales this season were Oliver Skipp to Leicester (£20m), Emerson Royal to Milan (£12.8m) and Joe Rodon to Leeds (£10m). Add in the 2015-16 figures to take it all the way back a decade and the numbers are even more stark as Tottenham made a small £13m profit in that season while United were down around £45m. And that means the overall difference in spending is a total of approximately £478m in the last ten years.READ MORE SUN STORIESUnited have won five trophies – two FA Cups, two League Cups and a Europa League – compared to zero for Spurs in that time.But now according to Neville, Tottenham seemingly have a better team and are in a stronger position on the field than his old side.Bruno Fernandes got the nod as the solo United representative in the combined XICredit: GettyNeville admitted it is ‘sad’ and he has gone ‘beyond ranting’ about the state of the Red DevilsCredit: GettyMan 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

ANGE POSTECOGLOU fired a warning at Ruben Amorim after Tottenham beat Manchester United.James Maddison’s 13th-minute strike was enough to earn Spurs all three points as they picked up a rare home win.Ange Postecoglou showed no sympathy for Ruben AmorimCredit: GettyThe midfielder had been out for a brief spell due to injury, with Tottenham also welcomed back Destiny Udogie as their injury issues finally eased.That helped them to the win with United also down to bare bones – Victor Lindelof was the only senior player to feature on bench filled with academy stars.Postecoglou had little sympathy for his opposite number given what he has had to deal with in recent weeks, though he did compliment the Red Devils performance.He said post-match: “Man Utd with many injured players? If I check my office, I don’t have any sympathy cards from other coachesREAD MORE ON MAN UTD”He (Amorim)’s had to play players out of position and have kids on the bench. Welcome to my world. It’s one game. Try doing that for two months. “But I thought Man Utd were good today.”United have now lost 12 of their 25 Prem games, the most from their first 15 games since 1973-74, when they were relegated.And pundit Jamie Redknapp believes things will get worse before they get better as he predicted “18 months of pain”.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSHe said: “For what it’s worth on Amorim, I like him. I think he’s got something about him. And I totally get the performances haven’t been good enough.”But I actually like what he’s doing more off the field than actually what he’s doing on the pitch. Because that club needs a change of culture.Spurs fans hold sit-in protest against board and owenrs after Man Utd win”We’ve spoken about how it works. Get people like Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho that have left and one or two others who have had a mention about leaving.”Now, if they’re not going to buy into having a good way of living and coming in and training correctly and being involved and helping the group and create a winning mentality, they’ve got to be surplus to requirements.”I see Manchester United as having still much more pain, even 18 months more pain, because they need to get rid.”Whoever’s been in charge or even managers have gone so far and then they’re panicked and then they’ve gone and bought 30-year-old players that aren’t going to maybe take the club any further forward. I think now they have to take their time.”They’re trying to get… Jermain [Defoe] mentioned getting the best in class. People like Jason Wilcox, they’ve got the guy from Manchester City, the CEO there [Omar Berrada]. They’re trying to do things slowly and I think that’s how they have to do it.” More

MANCHESTER UNITED fans labelled Ruben Amorim a “COWARD” after he waited until “garbage time” to bring on teen sensational Chido Obi-Martin.The 17-year-old was among EIGHT youngsters named on United’s bench for their 1-0 defeat to Tottenham on Sunday.Man Utd fans slammed Ruben Amorim for only bringing on Chido Obi-Martin with minutes leftCredit: ReutersAmorim was unable to prevent United from losing 1-0 at TottenhamCredit: AlamyInjuries to several seniors including Amad Diallo and Kobbie Mainoo meant Ruben Amorim had no option but to call upon United’s kids to make up the numbers.And as a result, the Red Devils boss was reluctant to make any subs as his team attempted to battle back from a 13th minute James Maddison opener.Indeed, Spurs had made all five of their subs when injury time rolled around.By comparison, United had made ZERO changes to their tired team.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLBut in the 91st minute, Amorim decided to roll the dice by throwing on Obi-Martin for Casemiro.The teen striker has been banging in the goals for United’s U18s and has even set new youth league records following a move from Arsenal last summer.However, with just moments remaining in the game against Spurs, Obi-Martin was unable to make an impact on his senior debut.And some fans went online slamming Amorim for waiting so long to make the change.Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSOne said: “90th minute and you sub Chido on? Ruben you are a coward!”Another declared: “Chido Obi garbage time minutes.”‘He’s perfect for Man Utd’ – Neville begs Amorim to re-sign flop strikerOne noted: “Should have been 30 minutes ago.”Another boomed: “Unacceptable from Ruben and sends the wrong message completely.”One decreed: “What was the point bringing him on for three minutes?”Another added: “I can’t forgive Amorim for not making a single sub until the 90th minute.” More