Premier League

MASON MOUNT and Andre Onana both performed their initiation songs during Manchester United’s summer trip to Las Vegas, according to reports.The summer arrivals both joined the Red Devils in time to link up with their US pre-season tour.
Mason Mount joined Man United from Chelsea in the summerCredit: Getty
Andre Onana performed his favourite song in Las VegasCredit: Getty
As is customary for new players, they both got up in front of their new team-mates to belt out a tune.
Mount’s Sin City performance has so far been kept under wraps.
According to the Mail, however, Onana’s song choice has been revealed.
They claim that the Cameroon star performed his favourite tune Alleluia by French group Les Medecins de Medeline.
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Both songs were performed at The Westin hotel in Vegas.
United’s other new arrivals arrived too late in the window to join in the Vegas festivities.
Jonny Evans was only on a short-term deal and largely playing with the Red Devils’ academy players at the time.
While Rasmus Hojlund, Sofyan Amrabat, Sergio Reguilon and Altay Bayindir all joined late on in the window.
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Regular customs would have suggested that their initiations would instead be performed during United’s first European trip of the season, which came against Bayern Munich last month.
The Red Devils were “too busy” during the trip, however, meaning the songs would have to wait.
It’s claimed that there are still plans in the works to make the quintet get up and perform.
United’s next European away game will be against Copenhagen on November 8 – Hojlund’s hometown. More

MICAH RICHARDS vowed to “smash” Frank Lampard after he snubbed him in the tunnel before a league game.The incident happened before Manchester City were thrashed 6-0 by Chelsea in 2007 – a result Richards blamed himself for.
Micah Richards promised to hurt Frank Lampard during their 2007 league clashCredit: EPA
This comes as Lampard blanked Richards in the tunnel before the gameCredit: 2007 Getty Images
The 35-year-old made 245 appearances for City in his career after breaking into the first team as a highly-promising young defender.
His performances saw him make the England squad for first time in 2006.
And Richards – now a Sky Sports pundit -reflected on how senior players gave him the cold shoulder when domestic football resumed.
He mulled over one game against Chelsea, which came just after he had been on England duty, and how Lampard got inside his head.
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He told the Rest is Football podcast: “So because I’m in England now I feel like I’m one of the guys.
“Gerrard is my mate and Lampard is too. So we finish international break and we were playing Chelsea away.
“Stamford Bridge is a horrible place to go and we used to get tonked there all the time. 
“We were in the tunnel lining up and as you’re saying hello to everyone, I tried to say hello to Frank Lampard and he blanks me.
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“So now I’m in my own head, aren’t I? I’m thinking I’m going to smash him the first chance I get.”
However, despite Richards’ best hopes to use Lampard’s apparent snub as a motivational tool, the defender went onto explain how it had the opposite effect.
He added:  “Honestly, the highlights in that game it was about 6-0 to Chelsea and I’m at fault for at least five of the goals.”
The conversation left hosts Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer in stitches.
The Match of the Day pundit went onto admit that Lampard later apologetically explained that he was in the “zone”.
Other stars of England’s golden generation have previously gone into the bitter rivalries that hampered the national side’s success.
Including Lampard and Rio Ferdinand, who stopped talking to each other after they left West Ham. More

PAOLO DI CANIO has revealed he snubbed the chance to join Roberto Mancini’s coaching set-up with the Saudi Arabia national team.The former Manchester City title-winning manager stepped down as Italy boss in August just two years after lifting the Euros.
Roberto Mancini is manager of the Saudi Arabia national teamCredit: AFP
Paolo Di Canio turned down the chance to join the Saudi Arabian coaching set-upCredit: Reuters
Mancini reportedly put pen to paper on a staggering £77million deal that runs for three years.
The 58-year-old approached Di Canio to offer him a role as a coach but the West Ham legend turned it down.
He explained to La Stampa why he rejected the job, saying: “I didn’t just say no to oil money, because it would have been an important experience in an environment that wants to grow and establish itself, like I do myself.
“Mancini didn’t offer me a minor role, he wanted me as a second coach on the pitch to train and improve the players.
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“His courtship made me proud, especially given that we aren’t particularly close: a few games of padel, a chat and not a lot more, so if he thought about me, it’s because he believes in my ideas and my work.
“I want to thank him, it wasn’t easy to decide. I contemplated it for a long time and in the end I chose to follow my heart.”
Di Canio has not been a coach since managing Sunderland in 2013.
He guided the club to Premier League safety before being reportedly sacked due to a training ground bust-up with his players just five games into the new season.
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The controversial Italian also managed Swindon two years previously, firing them to the League Two title.
Di Canio played for Lazio, Juventus, Napoli, AC Milan and Celtic during his playing days.
But he best remembered for his time at West Ham, where he scored 51 goals in 141 games.
Saudi Arabia are without a win in their four matches since Mancini took to the dugout.
DI Canio has legendary status at West HamCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd More

REECE JAMES is a doubt for this weekend’s Premier League clash between Chelsea and Arsenal, according to reports.The defender suffered a hamstring injury in August and has spent the last seven weeks on the sidelines.
Reece James suffered another injury in training over 10 days agoCredit: Getty
He missed the chance to make a return to Mauricio Pochettino’s matchday squad earlier this month against Burnley due to a suspension.
Last month, James was charged with using “insulting or abusive” language when speaking to an official after Chelsea’s 1-0 defeat to Aston Villa and subsequently handed a one-match ban.
The England star was expected to make his return this weekend against Arsenal.
However, he has been hit with another injury setback.
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According to football reporter Nathan Gissing, James sustained another injury in training over 10 days ago.
He underwent a scan which was deemed fine, but he has since been training alone and is expected to miss Saturday’s match.
Despite the setback, James is optimistic that he has avoided another major injury.
That means Malo Gusto, who is due to return from his suspension, is expected to start on the right.
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Gusto was handed a three-match ban last month after being sent off for a dangerous foul on Lucas Digne during Chelsea’s Premier League clash with Aston Villa.
He subsequently missed games against Brighton, Fulham and Burnley – all of which the Blues won.
The Frenchman is set to line up alongside Levi Colwill, Thiago Silva and Marc Cucurella in defence.
Meanwhile, Arsenal are set to have several players return this weekend.
Bukayo Saka – who withdrew from the England squad last week – is likely to return to the squad after missing the Gunners’ clash with Manchester City.
Gabriel Martinelli is set to start after scoring the decisive goal in the 1-0 win over Pep Guardiola’s side.
And Thomas Partey could also be named in the starting line-up after returning to full fitness.
Malo Gusto is set to return to the squad this weekendCredit: Alamy More