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      Ryan Giggs says Rashford ‘has the weight of the world on his shoulders’ and wants to see Man Utd outcast ‘smiling again’

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      RYAN GIGGS has warned Marcus Rashford he must rediscover his smile and love of football if he wants to get his career back on track.Welsh legend Giggs was on Manchester United’s coaching staff when the forward broke through in 2016 and says he looks like he has the ‘weight of the world on his shoulders’.Ryan Giggs wants to see Marcus Rashford smiling againCredit: GettyThe Man Utd misfit is hoping for a new lease of life at Aston VillaCredit: GettyGiggs gave Rashford his big break as assistant to Louis van GaalCredit: Getty – ContributorUnited let Rashford, 27, join Aston Villa on loan on Sunday after boss Ruben Amorim made it clear he will not pick him. Giggsy, 51, said: “Everyone will remember that smile and that enjoyment and freedom when he first came through — but he doesn’t look like that now.“He’s a human being and he just doesn’t look happy. He looks like he’s got the world on his shoulders.“He needs to play with that freedom and enjoyment that got him to where he is now.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”It may be more than nine years ago but Giggs remembers the day very clearly.Early in 2016, Giggs and Louis van Gaal had just finished leading a first-team training session and wandered across to one of the youth team pitches at Manchester United’s Carrington HQ.Between them, Red Devils boss LVG and his No 2 thought they had seen it all during their long careers in the game.But almost immediately one lad in particular caught their eye.Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSHe had only just turned 18 but was fearless, scored all types of goals and had “a bit of everything”.More than anything, though, they were struck by his smile, his enthusiasm and the way he played the game with such freedom.Roy Keane breaks silence on Marcus Rashford’s shock transfer to Aston Villa and has MAJOR concernVan Gaal and Giggs looked at each other and knew straight away he had to be promoted to the first team.That lad was Marcus Rashford.Within weeks he was scoring goals for the first team and seemed destined for a glittering career with his boyhood club.But almost a decade on, he was shown the door by the Red Devils on Sunday.And Giggs is puzzled to see the England striker with ‘the weight of  the world on his shoulders’ — and that engaging smile nowhere to be seen.Recalling the first time he spotted Rashford, United legend Giggsy said: “It was basically a small-sided, eight-versus-eight game.“We saw Marcus go past a few players and put it in the bottom corner and then score another goal.“Me and Louis just looked at each other and went, ‘We’ve got to pick this lad — he’s too good’.“He came into the first team and, of course, scored on his debut and everyone will remember that smile, that enjoyment and that freedom.“He had a bit of everything. He was brave, he had no fear, he would take players on and would score all types of goals.”Thirteen-time Prem winner Giggs  spent more than two decades as a player at Old Trafford and is always thrilled to see a kid come through the ranks.So he is sorry to see Rashford — who joined Aston Villa on loan — losing his way. Welsh wing wizard Giggs said: “United need young players coming through, one of their own and it just felt that he was the next one.“But for whatever reason, he’s had a decent career but he’s never gone on to be what I thought he would be.“More so than anything, he’s a human being and he just doesn’t look happy.“He looks like he’s got the world on his shoulders.“And I don’t know why, because the lad who I saw and who I coached didn’t have the world on his shoulders.“He just played with freedom, he loved the club and was a great lad but he just doesn’t look it now.”While Rashford’s future now looks to lie away from the Theatre of Dreams, Giggs is hoping the 27-year-old forward can rediscover his love of the game.He added: “Hopefully, he will find where he was ten years ago and never forget that it is the best job in the world.Rashford needs to play with that freedom and that enjoyment that got him to where he is nowRyan Giggs“You should enjoy it because it will soon be over — you’ve got to try to enjoy every minute of it.“He needs to play with that freedom and that enjoyment that got him to where he is now — and hopefully he does that.”United coach Ruben Amorim has been critical of Rashford’s efforts in training ever since he took over as manager in November after Erik ten Hag was sacked the month before.And Giggs said the secret to his own long shelf life at Old Trafford was the hard work he put in at Carrington when things were not going his way.He added: “I played 20-odd years and you do have highs and you do have lows.“But if I was ever struggling I would go back to the training ground and make sure that  during the week I ate right, I rested, I trained properly and did all the right things and it soon comes back.“You also need help from your team-mates, your coaches and your manager.“But, ultimately, you’ve to do it yourself.“If I was ever not playing great I would ask one of the coaches to do dribbling drills or ask a keeper to go in the net.“Or ask Gary Neville to do five one-v-ones with me which was to build my confidence.”GIGGS OPENS UPThe Old Trafford icon was speaking this week at a Q&A with Nobby Stiles’ son John, at an Evening with Ryan Giggs at the BAWA in Bristol.Giggs explained how he worries United are too reliant on the young players — which  is very different to when the legendary Class of ’92 emerged.The winger hit the big time under Sir Alex Ferguson along with team-mates David Beckham, Gary and Phil Neville, Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt.Giggsy  added: “Now you’re  asking players who are young and just starting out on their careers to be the difference and to be the difference every week. That’s very difficult for 18, 19, 20-year-old lads.“You need a squad and you need a team and I know I reference it a lot but for the Class of ’92, we were nothing without the big professionals, the most experienced professionals, around us and we had a lot of help.”As a former winger, the Welshman has been excited by the emergence of Alejandro Garnacho, 20, and 22-year-old Amad Diallo in recent years.The pair have provided rare moments of light for United in an otherwise dark few years following the retirement of legendary gaffer Fergie.Salford co-owner Giggs said: “United has a rich history of wingers and players who express themselves, young players who come into the team and make things happen and those two players do that.“The ones who have stood out over the last year or so are Garnacho and Diallo.“They are the United players who seem to make things happen, even though this system doesn’t necessarily suit Garnacho.READ MORE SUN STORIES“You still feel as though things are going to happen, even though he’s not been brilliant this season.“Last season, Garnacho was very good and Diallo has probably been the shining light this season.” More

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      I’m a Man Utd legend who managed Premier League title winners – now I’m proud to be taking over at England’s worst club

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      MARK HUGHES insists pride will always come before a fall for him as he bids to resurrect his career.The Manchester United legend takes charge of his first game at rock–bottom Carlisle today as convinced as ever that he can still be a top manager again.Mark Hughes is back in management with lowly CarlisleIt’s his first job since being sacked by Bradford in October 2023Credit: RexHughes enjoyed a stellar playing career with the likes of Man UtdCredit: Getty – ContributorThe 61-year-old was sacked by fellow League Two club Bradford in October 2023 — that P45 followed those handed to him by Southampton, Stoke, QPR and Manchester City.Now Hughes, who has also bossed Wales and Fulham, finds himself as far down the EFL food chain as it gets.Yet Sparky stressed to SunSport: “I have never lost belief in myself and there’s that pride in you that makes you want to go again.“I had a fantastic time as a player at United, at other places like United, Barcelona, Bayern and Chelsea — but standing on the touchline in charge of your own team at three o’clock on a Saturday afternoon is something else again.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL“I’ve always said to myself that if a job comes along that I believe I can do then I’ll go for it and the level doesn’t matter. A lot of my pals thought I was mad to go to Bradford and they were saying, ‘I told you so’ after I got the sack.“But I left convinced that I was treated unfairly.“It just didn’t make any sense to get rid of me because things were starting to come together in what was only my first full season there.“After that experience, some might have simply decided they’d had enough of the life of a manager.Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS“But it only made me more determined to get back on the horse somewhere else and show I can be a success again.”Ironically, the Welshman frequently played golf with former Cumbrians boss Keith Curle during his time out of the game.Where are they now: The unusual careers of former footballersMark Hughes’ amazing careerPlaying careerMan Utd, 1983-1986: 121 games, 47 goalsBarcelona, 1986-1987: 36 games, 5 goalsBayern Munich (loan), 1987-1988: 23 games, 7 goalsMan Utd, 1988-1995: 352 games, 116 goalsChelsea, 1995-1998: 123 games, 39 goalsSouthampton, 1998-2000: 61 games, 2 goalsEverton, 1999-2000: 19 games, 1 goalBlackburn, 2000-2002: 64 games, 7 goalsWales, 1984-1999: 72 games, 16 goalsTrophiesMan Utd: Premier League x2, FA Cup x3, League Cup, Charity Shield x3, European Cup Winners’ Cup, European Super CupChelsea: FA Cup, League Cup, Uefa Cup Winners’ CupBlackburn: League CupManagerial careerWales, 1999-2004: P41 W12 D15 L14Blackburn, 2004-2008: P188 W82 D47 L59Man City, 2008-2009: P77 W36 D16 L25Fulham, 2010-2011: P43 W14 D16 L13QPR, Jan 2012-Nov 2012: P34 W8 D6 L20Stoke, 2013-2018: P200 W71 D48 L81Southampton, Mar 2018-Dec 2018: P27 W5 D10 L12Bradford City, 2022-2023: P82 W31 D26 L25Carlisle, 2025-Present: P0 W0 D0 L0Before Craig Bellamy replaced Rob Page last summer, Hughes was interested in doing another stint in charge of his country. Now he finds himself as the shock successor to Mike Williamson. Former MK Dons gaffer Williamson only took over from Paul Simpson in September and was allowed to bring in seven new players in last month’s transfer window.Hughes returns to the dugout against Grimsby at Blundell Park today with Carlisle marooned at the foot of the table and on a run of five defeats in their last six games.His biggest success as a manager was taking Stoke to a Prem-high finish of ninth three seasons in a row, before being axed in January 2018.Now the task is to save Carlisle from dropping into the National League after the club approached him at the start of the week.Sparky said: “Things accelerated after that and up the motorway I went on Thursday and got on the training pitch.“It was great to be back, even if it’s not a great situation to come into.READ MORE SUN STORIES“It’s my job to maybe instil a little bit more confidence in the group. I suspect that’s a big factor at the moment.“But that can turn very quickly with a couple of results, so the sooner we get those then the better for the whole group.” More

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      We have GOT to take death threats to referees seriously… we shouldn’t assume it ‘won’t happen’ in Premier League

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      YOU have to be a special sort of thug to threaten a referee with death.It’s impossible to imagine how any spectator could wield a knife or point a firearm at a man because he disagrees with a football decision.Michael Oliver received death threats after sending Myles Lewis-Skelly off against WolvesCredit: PALewis-Skelly was sent off for a foul on Matt DohertyCredit: PABut it does happen and in this mixed-up world no threat to kill should be ignored.Several football officials have been murdered by bullet or blade in the US, Colombia, Somalia, Argentina and several other countries in the last dozen years.And we should not assume it could not  happen here, evidence of more than 2,500 reported assaults recently in grassroots football points to the grim possibility.Believe it or not, one recent attack followed an Under-7s game and another was on a 17-year-old assistant ref.Read More in FootballFootball is a passionate game. It is mostly played fairly on the pitch.In the professional game fortunately there are precautions in the ground and outside, supervised by the police and stewards.And Premier League chief football officer Tony Scholes recently claimed that the rest of the world regarded our refereeing as “a model they would like to follow”.Correct this may be but Scholes would not wish any country to approve of the treatment of referee Michael Oliver who suffered “death threats” after Arsenal’s game against Wolves at Molineux.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSOliver sent off Myles Lewis-Skelly for a foul on Wolves defender Matt Doherty.VAR supported the call, leading to fury among Arsenal supporters.’Serious problems at PGMOL’ Ex-Prem ref blasts VAR after baffling decisions at Liverpool and WolvesThe red card was controversial but could not excuse threats of physical attacks of any type.Refs in all sports must be a protected species from violence or gross abuse.Oliver’s response has been restrained and next week he is in charge of Wednesday’s Merseyside derby between Everton and Liverpool.Fortunately there have been no threats towards the VAR assistant ref Darren England.He supported Oliver’s decision — one that, to be honest, seemed perhaps a notch above the  usual verdict for similar offences.A point to be made here — football is a game of great passion but when players’ react angrily to refs decisions, it does stir the rage of a number of hot-blooded supporters.And a few of them are evil enough to threaten refs with injury and even death.My view is that overall the Premier League refereeing standards are high, although conclusions involving VAR are over-elaborate — as if the ref were a chess master studying a key move.Commenting on a new report on Premier League refereeing, Scholes said that the vast majority of decisions were being made more quickly.Notably, VAR was faster and in use less often than in past seasons.The red card decision was eventually overturned by the FACredit: GettySixty-four errors had been made by refs in key incidents after 23 matchweeks this season, down from 80 in 2023-24 over the same number.Only four of 70 VAR interventions were incorrect — four too many in my book.For spectators, protracted delays are the most irritating part of VAR.And that has long made me wonder whether VAR is good value — even with the alleged improvement in accuracy and delivery at only 20 seconds.Can we be confident this figure is stopwatch precise?It wouldn’t feel like it for many of us sitting in the stands awaiting the VAR decisions.The general tone of Scholes’ comments seems fair, though and he will surely agree with the view that refs must remain aware that the drama of actual play should not spoiled by repeated stoppages, or incorrect calls.The importance of accurate refereeing should never be underestimated, either.READ MORE SUN STORIESOne bad decision can lead to some serious repercussions.Lost points, relegation, missing out on Europe, and, god help us, death threats — none of which are welcome. More

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      Roy Keane breaks silence on Marcus Rashford’s shock transfer to Aston Villa and has MAJOR concern

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      MANCHESTER UNITED legend Roy Keane questioned Marcus Rashford’s shock decision to join Aston Villa.Rashford, 27, left United after two decades with the club as he fell out of favour soon after the arrival of new manager Ruben Amorim.Roy Keane questioned Marcus Rashford’s move to Aston Villa from Manchester UnitedCredit: ITVRashford joined Villa after falling out of favour at Man UtdCredit: GettySince December 12, Amorim left the star forward out of his squad for every game apart from one, in which he was an unused sub.The Portuguese head coach then suggested he was so unhappy with the way the England international trained he’d rather pick 63-year-old goalkeeping coach Jorge Vital instead.That led to Rashford joining Villa on loan during this past January transfer window.And Amorim admitted he could not get United’s fallen star to buy into his plan.Read More on Man UtdRashford is looking to regain his former goalscoring prowess at Villa Park.But Keane is not convinced Unai Emery’s side will turn the Man Utd academy graduate’s career around.The popular pundit questioned how Rashford will manage to get his “hunger” back at Villa after losing it at Old Trafford.Keane told ITV before United’s FA Cup clash with Leicester: “It is sad but has been on the cards the last year or two. Clearly they didn’t get on.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS”The strange things is I thought he’d go abroad for a new adventure, but to go to Villa surprised me. “If he has lost the hunger at United, how is he going to get it at Aston Villa?”Aston Villa boss Unai Emery opens up on how Marcus Rashford has trained after shock loan transfer from Man Utd Rashford could make his debut with Villa on Sunday’s FA Cup clash against Tottenham in front of his new team’s home crowd. More

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      Man City boss Pep Guardiola APOLOGISES to Jack Grealish with England man playing just 604 Premier League minutes

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      MANCHESTER CITY manager Pep Guardiola is “so sorry” Jack Grealish isn’t playing enough this season.Grealish, 29, became the most expensive British signing in Premier League history four years ago when he joined City from Aston Villa following a staggering £100million deal.Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola apologised to Jack Grealish for his lack of minutesCredit: GettyGrealish has been struggling for a place in Man City’s starting line-upCredit: RexThe versatile forward hit the ground running under Guardiola, 54, and he was a key part of the treble-winning side during the 2022-23 campaign.However, the England international has significantly slowed down the last two seasons, something that led to a heartbreaking omission from England’s Euro 2024 squad last summer.Grealish has only managed a mere two goals and four assists in 22 appearances across all competitions this term – that adds up to just 604 Premier League minutes.The ex-Villa star hasn’t been part of Guardiola’s starting line-up since January 11 when the Citizens demolished Salford City 8-0 in the FA Cup.Read More on FootballGrealish will be hoping to start in the competition’s fourth round on Saturday at Leyton Orient where the Catalan tactician can rotate.Guardiola addressed the issue with an apparent public apology to his player.However, the City boss insists this is not personal and instead this comes down to better displays by the likes of Jeremy Doku and especially Savinho.Guardiola said: “I’m so sorry he doesn’t get the minutes that maybe he deserves.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS”But [in] the end, the contributions from Jeremy or Savinho have been massive this season, this is the only reason why.”It’s not personal, or [that] I don’t like Jack, or I don’t have confidence in him.Brilliant moment Jack Grealish joins Aston Villa fans in Bruges pub on FaceTime after being dropped from Man City squad”Of course when you play one player more minutes than another, you have more confidence [than him] right now. “But I know his attributes, it’s just for the fact that for the impact of Savinho.It’s [Savinho’s] first season; his impact in goals, and assists, the last game at Arsenal made an incredible step-up defensively and challenging duels. And this is the reason why.”SunSport revealed that Grealish’s lack of minutes at the Etihad led to interest from Borussia Dortmund and Inter Milan during the January transfer window amid doubts about his Man City future. More

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      Aston Villa boss Unai Emery opens up on how Marcus Rashford has trained after shock loan transfer from Man Utd

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      ASTON VILLA manager Unai Emery has lifted the lid on how Marcus Rashford has been training after his dramatic exit from Manchester United.Rashford, 27, left United under a cloud after two decades with the club as he fell out of favour soon after the arrival of new manager Ruben Amorim.Marcus Rashford was criticised by Ruben Amorim for the way he trained at Manchester UnitedCredit: Aston VillaAston Villa boss Unai Emery is very happy with the way Rashford trainsCredit: GettySince December 12, Amorim left the star forward out of his squad for every game apart from one, in which he was an unused substitute.The Portuguese tactician then suggested he was so unhappy with the way the England international trained he’d rather pick 63-year-old goalkeeping coach Jorge Vital instead.That led to Rashford joining Villa on loan during the January transfer window.And Amorim admitted he could not get the United star to buy into his plan.Read More on Man UtdHowever, Emery insists he is very happy with the way Rashford trains under him.The Spanish tactician, who pushed hard for that signing, described his new player’s efforts as “fantastic”.Emery said: “Today he trained fantastic, tomorrow again, Sunday match. “We will enjoy each step and then the future is only building with the present.”Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSRashford is looking to regain his former goalscoring prominence during his temporary stint at Villa, which could become permanent in June.The United academy graduate could make his debut against Tottenham in the FA Cup on Sunday at Villa Park.Marcus Rashford says joining Aston Villa from Man Utd was an easy decisionAnd Emery, who convinced Rashford to join him after a long phone call, is relishing the challenge of helping his new player regain top form.The Villa boss added: “I’m very happy with the window we did, I’m very happy with him,””The conversation I had with him was a very normal conversation with a player and coach, speaking about football.”I only want the best football from him. As a person as well into the dressing room like one more player helping us.”I think his potential is huge potential to exploit. I don’t want to know the reason he is leaving from Manchester but I am very happy keeping him here.”I am very happy to try to exploit and help him recover his performances, individually and collectively. My challenge with him is huge. His challenge with us is exciting.” More

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      ‘He’ll kill you!’ – Man Utd star opens up on Ruben Amorim’s zero tolerance approach towards lazy players in training

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      LENY YORO has opened up over Ruben Amorim’s zero-tolerance approach towards lazy players in training.The Manchester United boss has shown it’s his way or the highway after packing Marcus Rashford out on loan to Aston Villa.Ruben Amorim’s brutal training demands have been revealedCredit: PALeny Yoro says all Man Utd players are expected to work to the highest standardsCredit: GettyMarcus Rashford felt the wrath of Amorim for his lack of effort and is now at Aston VillaCredit: ReutersA key man under former manager Erik ten Hag, Rashford was quickly axed by Amorim after failing to match the intensity demanded at Carrington.It saw the forward linked with some of Europe’s top clubs.But in the end it was Aston Villa, eight points above United in the Premier League table, who won the race for Rashford.Amorim has since wished the ace good luck while insisting he could not find a way back for Rashford in United’s squad due to his lack of work ethic.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAnd defender Yoro has now lifted the lid on Amorim’s no-nonsense approach to life on the training field.Admitting the tactician has a zero-tolerance policy for passengers, Yoro told Rio Ferdinand’s podcast: “I have a really good relationship with Amorim.“I just try to do what he asks me to do. He’s big on communication with the players because he played at a top level.“He’s been at a lot of clubs so he knows your feelings when you’re not playing or when you have a bad game.Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS“He knows how to speak with you and that’s really important for me. In training, it’s really, I would say, hard. But it’s important.“We have a lot of training and, for him, training is really important because you play the game like you train. Why Marcus Rashford could be perfect fit for Aston Villa after Man Utd transfer“The most important thing is to be really good in training. If you are not working, if you are lazy, he won’t like you — he’ll kill you!“It’s normal because you play like you train. He’s really strict on this because, to win games and trophies, you need to be disciplined outside the pitch. You need to be punctual.” More

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      Tottenham’s Europa League squad announced with £200,000-a-week star and £12.5m signing left OUT

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      TOTTENHAM have announced their renewed Europa League squad… and there are a few surprises.Spurs punched their ticket straight into the Last 16 after finishing fourth in the league phase.Tottenham have left two major names out of their renewed Europa League squadCredit: ReutersTimo Werner was omitted from Tottenham’s Europa League squadCredit: GettyTottenham January signing Antonin Kinsky was also axedCredit: GettyThe North Londoners were allowed to make three changes to the squad ahead of the knockouts.Manager Ange Postecoglou added two January signings in Kevin Danso and Mathys Tel.Danso, 26, moved to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on loan from Lens with an obligation to buy for around £21million.Tel, 19, also joined on loan from Bayern Munich with an option to buy for about £52m, which would then lead to a six-year contract.Read More on FootballThe forward initially rejected Tottenham but changed his mind after a long phone call with Postecoglou, who won him over after he explained how he plans to use him on the pitch.Danso and Tel were joined in the Europa League squad by Djed Spence, who has shone bright this season amid Spurs’ injury hell, as the third change.Postecoglou had to make two major omissions to make space for the aforementioned trio.That led to Timo Werner and another January signing in Antonin Kinsky being axed.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSKinsky, 21, joined Tottenham from Slavia Prague after a £12.5m deal as an emergency transfer following Guglielmo Vicario’s injury and a series of gaffes from back-up goalkeeper Fraser Forster last month.However, Vicario is expected to return from an ankle injury and Postecoglou decided to have Brandon Austin as the Italian shot-stopper’s back-up after also axing Forster.’Horrendous’ – Jamie Carragher reveals moment Postecoglou’s Tottenham reign changed and they’ve been ‘awful’ ever sinceWerner has fallen down the pecking order following a series of below-par performances.The winger, who earns about £200,000 per week amid his loan stint from RB Leipzig, recently received some brutal criticism from Postecoglou, who claimed: “He wasn’t playing anywhere near the level he should”.The Germany international is also dealing with a hamstring injury, which could have contributed to his omission.Radu Dragusin has also been axed following a knee injury that could sideline him for the rest of the season.Tottenham Europa League squad 2024/25Here’s Tottenham’s renewed Europa League squad for the knockouts stage:Goalkeepers: Vicario, Austin, Whiteman, GunterDefenders: Danso, Udogie, Romero, Porro, Spence, Davies, Van de Ven, Dorrington, Cassanova, King, HardyMidfielders: Bissouma, Maddison, Gray, Bergvall, Kulusevski, Johnson, Odobert, Sarr, Bentancur, Moore, Hall, Kyerematen, OlusesiForwards: Son, Richarlison, Tel, Solanke, Lankshear, Scarlett, Ajayi, Williams-Barnett More