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      Pep Guardiola insists he’s ‘looking forward’ to Man City hearing as rivals say ‘they SHOULD be punished for 115 charges’

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      PEP GUARDIOLA is looking forward to the start of Manchester City’s trial over their 115 charges.The hearing over the alleged financial irregularities begins on Monday.Pep Guardiola is looking forward to the start of Man City’s trialCredit: RexPotential punishments if they are found guilty include relegation, points deductions and fines.City deny any wrongdoing and are defending their case at an independent inquiry.Guardiola insists he is eagerly anticipating the trial starting and reminded fans that “everyone is innocent until proven guilty”.He said ahead of City’s match against Brentford: “I’m not a lawyer. There are many lawyers in this country but I wait. READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”We’re going to wait and see. What is going to happen is with the independent panel and we will accept the sentence. “I don’t talk about it. I’m happy it starts on Monday and there will be more rumours and we’re going to see. “I know what people are looking for because I have read it for many years but I’ve said everyone is innocent until guilt is proven.”However many believe City should be punished including several Premier League clubs, according to LaLiga president Javier Tebas.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSWhat will happen to Man City?MAN CITY are favourites to win the Premier League title yet again – but there is one elephant in the room that threatens to put the skids under the Etihad giants.Sunsport’s MARTIN LIPTON discusses what the next few months could hold with Head of Sport SHAUN CUSTIS….Custis: So the big question – will there be a resolution this season?Lipton: Yes…. probably! We know the case will start to be dealt with in October or November.It will take at least a month to go through the evidence. So I suspect around March, April time, we will get a result. But that’s where it starts to get tricky.Custis: Why is that?Lipton: If the result is in City’s favour, that’s the end of the matter. They will be cleared. They will have no punishment to face.But if City are found guilty, these will be the heaviest penalties ever imposed by the Premier League.I suspect if they are found guilty, they will be expelled from the league or given a massive points deduction and a huge fine so that they’re not in the Premier League next season.Check out the full discussion on Man City’s future.He said: “I have spoken with many Premier League clubs and most of them understand that City should be sanctioned.”City’s trial could last for two months and a final decision is not expected until next Spring.Premier League’s Biggest Spenders: Top 10 Seasons More

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      Eddie Howe reveals he HASN’T spoken to Paul Mitchell in bombshell admission after Newcastle chief slammed club strategy

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      EDDIE HOWE launched a passionate defence of his Newcastle signings after Paul Mitchell claimed there was “no clear strategy” regarding transfers previously.The Magpies boss also set alarm bells ringing by revealing the Toon chiefs have not spoken since last week’s bombshell interview as he addressed the internal “civil war” talk.Newcastle boss Eddie Howe revealed he hasn’t spoken to Paul MitchellCredit: GettyNewcastle sporting director Mitchell blamed transfer struggles on the previous regimeCredit: GettyNew sporting director Mitchell came in for fierce criticism after failing to deliver Marc Guehi or any other top outfield reinforcements in the summer after replacing Dan Ashworth.However, he pointed the finger of blame at Newcastle’s previous regime for their struggles in the last window and claimed the recruitment set-up he inherited was “not fit for purpose”.But Howe, who played a pivotal role in transforming the squad since taking over in November 2021, hit back and said: “I’m very, very proud of every single player that we signed in that period.“It’s easy to look back on any transfer window and make a judgement on the players that you signed three years down the line. Read More on Football”But, actually, you have to go back to the situation that we were in at those moments and when you’re in the relegation zone and trying to recruit players, that’s not an easy thing to do.“You are also recruiting for the long-term and not just the short-term and I think when you look then that work was good.“Our objective was to stay in the league, and I’m not going to critique every signing, but I’m proud of the body of work that we did and the players that we have now from the legacy of those transfers. I think everybody can hold their heads up very high.”As well as convincing Kieran Trippier to leave Atletico Madrid to help Toon fight relegation in his first season, Howe has also brought in a host of young and hungry talents such as Anthony Gordon, Alexander Isak and Bruno Guimaraes.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSAnd all of them will now be worth considerably more than they were signed for.Howe continued: “I’m very, very proud of those signings and I’ve said all along – and I don’t want to make it about old and new structure – but those signings I played a huge part in.Eddie Howe reveals best striker he’s ever worked with who’s scored 58 times this season while on £75-per-goal bonus“I took ownership of all those signings, whether they were good, bad, I’ll take ownership of that as ultimately I was the final decision maker on those signings.“I was very proud to sign those players and I think they’ve been brilliant signings for where we were and the very long-term future of the club and I really believed in them and still do. I’d certainly like to find a few more of them.“We were in a relegation battle so some of those signings were more short-term in that moment because you needed instant results, relegation wasn’t something we could contemplate.“But, always in the back of my mind with every signing I make, it is always about can they impact the team now and impact the team in the right way in the future.“The key thing now is the future and I’m sure we can get future transfer windows right as ultimately that is the most important thing at any club because to be successful you have to recruit well.”Mitchell also claimed that Howe had played more of a supporting role over the past window than the leading one he had previous, to which the Newcastle boss responded: “I don’t think it’s right for me to make individual comments in reply to Paul’s.“I don’t think that will help our current situation and for me I’m just focusing on the future.”’No contact’Mitchell also said he and Howe spoke for “an hour on the phone” each night, but the latter revealed that the pair have not had any contact since the former’s interview.“I’ve had no contact from Paul,” said Howe. “But I don’t think that is unusual. We’ve got different jobs to do, I’m focusing on the football and the team and he’s focusing on his role.”When pressed on why Mitchell went public with his “not fit for purpose” remarks, Howe replied: “That’s for Paul to answer, I don’t think I can answer for him.“The scouting structure was there, and whatever you think about the structures, the results were very good.”Howe was given the opportunity to respond directly and publicly to the criticism, but stated that “it wasn’t the time or place” to do that.As for rumours regarding internal problems between him and Mitchell, Howe said: “As for civil war stuff, absolutely not in my experience.No ‘civil war’ “But I’m cocooned in my work and absolutely focused on the players and the training and that is what I do every single day that I’m here.“I don’t involve myself in politics. For me, this job is very much about the players that we do have and trying to make the supporters proud every time that we play.“Everything else around that I try not to get involved in.”When asked to rate his “bromance” with Mitchell, Howe said: “I don’t really understand the fascination with our bromance and I don’t think that it has to be that way.“I think it has to be a collaboration and sometimes there are moments – I fall out with Jason [Tindall] a lot and that’s probably the closest bromance I have at the club.READ MORE SUN STORIES“We have healthy debate and argument and that’s never been a problem as long as it’s respectful and for the greater cause, which is always the football club and to try and get results.“There is no issue with that but I think that the collaboration part is the most important thing and it’s got to be teamwork for the ultimate aim.” More

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      Man Utd could have got £500m for Cristiano Ronaldo and that would have been CHEAP, says man who took his number

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      MANCHESTER UNITED could have sold Cristiano Ronaldo for more than £500million when he left the club, Michael Owen has claimed.The Portuguese legend, 39, departed Old Trafford for £80m in 2009 when he joined Real Madrid.Cristiano Ronaldo left Manchester United for £80million in 2009Credit: News Group Newspapers LtdMichael Owen became Man Utd’s new No7 following Ronaldo’s departureCredit: PA:Empics SportHe had scored 118 goals in 292 games for the Red Devils, winning a host of trophies including three Premier League titles and the Champions League.Ronaldo also moved to Spain as a Ballon d’Or winner having collected the 2008 award ahead of Lionel Messi and Fernando Torres.England striker Owen, 44, took the No7 shirt at Man Utd following Ronaldo’s exit having joined in the same summer transfer window.He would go on to score 17 goals in 52 games, struggling to fill the huge shoes of his predecessor.READ MORE ON MAN UTDMeanwhile, Ronaldo scored 450 goals in 438 matches for Real Madrid across a nine-year spell that solidified him as one of the all-time greats.Now Owen has spoken about the price Ronaldo left Man Utd for and how it should have far exceeded the £200m mark set by Neymar – despite the Portuguese superstar’s move happening 15 years ago.Speaking to Genting Casino, he said: “If you look at the transfer record now of over £200million, you’d have to say that Cristiano Ronaldo was worth more than that at Manchester United.”In hindsight, for what he gives you, look at the amount of Champions League medals he’s going to pretty much win you single-handedly, for the amount of shirts and the publicity and the merchandise around the world that he’s going to sell.”Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSHe continued: “In hindsight, I think £500m would be cheap. You could even double that if you look at the goals, the trophies, the shirts, and how much the clubs have benefited from having him there.”Since he played for Real Madrid they’ve thrown hundreds and hundreds of millions on the new stadium, they are in a great financial position.Cristiano Ronaldo and Rio Ferdinand in hysterics as they remember Man Utd nicknames from ‘Shrek’ and ‘SatNav’ to ‘J-Lo'”They’re paying all this money to Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham – a lot of this will have been off the back of the success of Cristiano Ronaldo.”How he’s grown their brand, how he’s won them trophies and made them all this money.”So I guess if you’d said to them at that point how much he would give you for nine seasons, they might say yes to a billion pounds, forget about £80m. £500m would be cheap.”Owen also opened up about how he felt replacing Ronaldo – who returned for a second spell at the club in 2021.He added: “I think because I was at that stage of my career I didn’t feel any pressure in taking Cristiano Ronaldo’s shirt number and that’s what Sir Alex Ferguson said to me.”He said to me when he handed me the number because I had pretty much been there, seen it, done it and played for great teams under the biggest of pressures and won the biggest of trophies. “It was probably in safe hands. I wasn’t going to go into a nightclub and do anything stupid or be disrespectful to the shirt in any way.”I was a pro and people knew my character and knew that it was in safe hands. There also wasn’t the expectation of matching his 40 goals because I was coming to the end of my career.”But I think from the manager’s point of view, he wanted it represented really well. When you look at the players that have worn it in the past, then he wanted it in safe hands and I would like to think I treated it with a lot of respect and that was probably the reason. “I’ve had a bad back since wearing that with the weight of it! But no, on a serious note, it was a huge honour at the time to be offered. And I was definitely not going to say no.”READ MORE SUN STORIESRonaldo recently criticised Man Utd’s ambitions under Erik ten Hag, insisting they need to “rebuild everything”.Ten Hag responded by saying the Al-Nassr forward is “far away in Saudi”. More

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      Forgotten Chelsea ‘bomb squad’ flop finally leaves club on loan after series of permanent £20m transfers collapsed

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      CHELSEA flop David Datro Fofana has finally sealed an exit after a series of deals collapsed this summer.The Ivorian striker, 21, only joined Chelsea from Molde 18 months ago.David Datro Fofana has finally sealed a move away from ChelseaCredit: GettyAnd after loan spells at Union Berlin and Burnley, Blues chiefs put him up for sale.Championship sides Sunderland and Hull attempted to prise Fofana from Stamford Bridge.While newly-promoted Leicester held talks before negotiations collapsed.Fofana’s latest saga saw him almost join Greek side AEK Athens this week.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe youngster was set to join on loan ahead of a potential £20million transfer next summer.But the deal collapsed at the final stages following paperwork issues.However, Fofana has now finally sealed his switch away from Chelsea.Reports claim Turkish side Goztepe are signing him for the season.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSAnd like Athens did, they too have the option to make the deal permanent for £20m in 2025.This time, Chelsea retain a recall option to bring Fofana back in January.Chelsea fans can’t name their OWN PLAYERS after another wild transfer window under owner Todd BoehlyThe move makes Fofana the 41st player to leave London this summer.He had been training with Chelsea’s “bomb squad” under loan coach Carlo Cudicini after returning from Burnley.The Blues managed to offload the majority of big names in the group, with Raheem Sterling, Conor Gallagher and Trevoh Chalobah all securing late moves away.Armando Broja, Angelo Gabriel and Djordje Petrovic were also offloaded.But Ben Chilwell is still with the group after failing to attract any interest.All 41 Chelsea exits this summerIan Maatsen to Borussia Dortmund (£37.5m)Conor Gallagher to Atletico Madrid (£35.5m)Lewis Hall to Newcastle (£28m)Romelu Lukaku to Napoli (£25m)Omari Hutchinson to Ipswich (£20m)Angelo Gabriel to Al-Nassr (£19.5m)Diego Moreira to Strasbourg (£1.5m)David Datro Fofana to Goztepe (Loan)Raheem Sterling to Arsenal (Loan)Lesley Ugochuku to Southampton (Loan)Armando Broja to Everton (Loan)Djordje Petrovic to Strasbourg (Loan)Trevoh Chalobah to Crystal Palace (Loan)Kepa Arrizabalaga to Bournemouth (Loan)Alfie Gilchrist to Sheffield Utd (Loan)Caleb Wiley to Strasbourg (Loan)Andrey Santos to Strasbourg (Loan)Bashir Humphreys to Burnley (Loan)Gabriel Slonina to Barnsley (Loan)Aaron Anselmino to Boca Juniors (Loan)Mike Penders to Genk (Loan)Eddie Beach to Crawley Town (Loan)Teddy Sharman-Lowe to Doncaster Rovers (Loan)Ted Curd to Hampton & Richmond Borough (Loan)Dylan Williams to Burton Albion (Loan)Luke Campbell to Hendon (Loan)Leo Castledine to Shrewsbury Town (Loan)Ronnie Stutter to Burton Albion (Loan)Hakim Ziyech to Galatasaray (Free)Malang Sarr to Lens (Free)Thiago Silva to Fluminense (Free)Tino Anjorin to Empoli (Free)Dion Rankine to Wigan (Free)Charlie Webster to Burton Albion (Free)Jamie Cumming to Oxford United (Free)Michael Golding to Leicester (Free)Mason Barstow to Hull (Free)Chinonso Chibueze to Stoke (Free)Saheed Olagunju to Wolves (Free)Billy Gee to Norwich (Free)Josh Brooking to Dorking Wanderers (Free) More

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      Cristiano Ronaldo and Rio Ferdinand in hysterics as they remember Man Utd nicknames from ‘Shrek’ and ‘SatNav’ to ‘J-Lo’

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      CRISTIANO RONALDO and Rio Ferdinand were beside themselves as they recalled their Manchester United team-mates nicknames.It was Ronaldo who first called Wayne Rooney “Shrek” when the Portgual ace and Ferdinand starred in Sir Alex Ferguson’s side in the 2000s.Cristiano Ronaldo and Rio Ferdinand were in hysterics as they recalled Man Utd nicknamesCredit: XThe two were reunited on Ferdinand’s podcastCredit: XRonaldo and Ferdinand won three Premier League titles and a Champions League together among other major honours.But away from all the trophy triumphs on the pitch, United’s team had a humorous side off it.The pair spoke on the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast a week after the former defender featured on Ronaldo’s first YouTube show.Ferdinand asked: “Can you remember any of the players nicknames at United?”Most read in FootballA smiling Ronaldo replied: “A few. Wazza. Rat. Shrek”, before the two burst out in hysterics. Ferdinand then responded: “I forgot about that, Wazza won’t be happy.”The former England centre-back hilariously revealed that Anderson was called ‘J-Lo’ or ‘Beyonce’ after his team-mates thought he had a “bum”.Nani was called ‘Naanbread’ by Ferdinand, while everybody called Scholesy ‘Ginger’ or ‘SatNav’ for his outrageous passing ability and Gary Neville ‘Busy’.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSJohn O’Shea didn’t have a nickname per se, but Ronaldo used to “kill him in the dressing room”.Ferdinand hilariously coached Ronaldo on: “What did you used to say about O’Shea?”Piers Morgan slams ‘complete idiot’ Erik ten Hag in astonishing rant against Man Utd boss about Cristiano RonaldoThe five-time Ballon d’Or winner cracked up and smiled, before saying: “No bum!”Ronaldo, who also revealed he still “loves United”, also explained how his early years at United changed his perspective and priorities as he developed from a tricky, showboating winger to an out-and-out No9.The Portugal star said: “My mindset changed. Goals became more important than f****** step-overs. “I closed that chapter because I realised goals and helping the team was more important.”Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney formed a lethal partnership during the 2000sThe 39-year-old, who recently notched his 900 career goal, also slammed Erik ten Hag for saying United cannot win the Prem or Champions League.He said: “As Manchester United coach, you cannot say that you’re not going to fight to win the League or Champions League. “You have to be, to mentally say, listen, maybe we don’t have that potential, but I cannot say that. We’re going to try. You have to try. But they need to rebuild everything.”Ten Hag since responded to the dig stating: “Ronaldo said that United can’t win the Premier League. He said this if you read the article.”He’s far away in Saudi, far away from Manchester. Everyone can have an opinion. It’s okay.”READ MORE SUN STORIESElsewhere, Anderson has been hit with a string of controversies and a former team-mate claimed the retired midfielder was obsessed with McDonalds.The Brazilian is also reportedly facing jail time over his reported failure to pay child maintenance. More

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      Arsenal ‘snubbed chance to sign Victor Osimhen after Gunners placed price cap on new striker transfer’

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      ARSENAL turned down the opportunity to sign star striker Victor Osimhen in the summer because they thought he was too expensive.Osimhen, 25, has put the whole world on notice the last four years thanks to some stunning performances with Napoli whom he led to their first Serie A title in 33 years.Arsenal turned down the opportunity to sign Victor Osimhen in the summerCredit: RexArsenal opted against Osimhen because of his staggering release clauseCredit: GettyThe Nigeria international attracted immense interest this past summer transfer window and came close to Chelsea who made him their top target.The Blues made a final bid in the dying hours of the transfer market last month but did not hear back from the centre-forward, while there were even reports of club chiefs flying to Naples to hold talks.Osimhen ended up moving to Galatasaray on loan much to the surprise of everyone after he fell out of favour in Naples and new manager Antonio Conte gave his shirt number to Romelu Lukaku.According to transfer insider Fabrizio Romano, Arsenal also had the chance to land the Nigerian.Read More on ArsenalHowever, the Gunners opted against meeting his staggering release clause, which is said to have cost £109million.The North Londoners also decided against going for a striker altogether with manager Mikel Arteta placing his faith on Kai Havertz as a false nine.That is despite Eddie Nketiah moving to Crystal Palace and Gabriel Jesus still dealing with fitness issues.Arsenal looked determined to land a centre-forward from the top shelf in the early days of the summer transfer window.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSArteta’s side was strongly linked with the likes of Victor Gyokeres and Benjamin Sesko.But Gyokeres and Sesko ultimately stayed put at Sporting Lisbon and RB Leipzig respectively.How superstar Mikel Merino is the final piece of Arsenal’s jigsaw – City should watch outAccording to The Times, however, Arteta looks set to sign a star forward in the next two transfer windows after penning a new deal at the Emirates which ties him until 2027.That could see Arsenal going back for Sesko, while Athletic Bilbao star Nico Williams and Bayern Munich ace Jamal Musiala have also been linked. More

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      Former Man Utd star hints Ten Hag will be SACKED if he loses to Southampton tomorrow with position ‘untenable’

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      ERIK TEN HAG’S job could become “untenable” if Manchester United lose to Southampton on Saturday, according to Louis Saha.Former Red Devils striker Saha, 46, was reflecting on Ten Hag’s latest 3-0 humiliation at the hands of rivals Liverpool.Erik ten Hag could face the sack if United lose to SouthamptonRed Devils cult hero Louis Saha believes his position could become “untenable”United fans are waiting to see a consistent style of play from the Dutchman.Ten Hag’s side have brought last season’s troubles into the new campaign, losing two of their first three games.They were dominated by most opponents, big or small, last term as they faced more than 200 shots on goal – a figure only surpassed by bottom club Sheffield United.And now if Ten Hag does not get his act together against the newly-promoted Saints he could face the sack this weekend, says the former United and Fulham forward.Read more football newsSaha, who was on the United books for four years between 2004 and 2008, was asked if he believes Ten Hag’s job is vulnerable.He told Betfred: “I think so. Against Liverpool, the issue was the performance rather than just the result.”So Erik’s under pressure because the team isn’t playing well. There were no signs during the game that things were going to be fixed.”On Saturday, if Southampton are able to dominate United in the same way that Liverpool dominated last week, then the situation would be untenable for Erik ten Hag.”Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSTen Hag looked set to be sacked prior to last season’s FA Cup final.But United then claimed a 2-1 win over Manchester City at Wembley to save their campaign after placing a record low of eighth in the Premier League table.Erik ten Hag warns Manuel Ugarte could take MONTHS to get fit in further blow to Man Utd fans after Liverpool hammeringSaha also explained that Ten Hag, who was offered a one-year extension, needs to be more tactically versatile.The former Prem striker added: “There’s a lot of people in punditry and the media, as well as the fans, who are seeing things that they can’t understand when they watch United at the moment.”We saw Arne Slot destroy Ten Hag’s tactics in their last game. At this moment, it’s not about personalities, it’s about seeing a plan that the players can identify with and cause damage with.”Saha also revealed that fans need to be more supportive of Marcus Rashford, who needs to do “better”.United travel to Southampton, who have also lost two and won one, on Saturday lunchtime, before hosting Barnsley in the EFL cup on Tuesday.Ten Hag’s last visit to the South coast resulted in a last gasp 2-1 defeat to Brighton last month, courtesy of on-fire Joao Pedro.Nine managers Man Utd considered before keeping Erik ten HagERIK TEN HAG appears to be safe as Man Utd manager, but the Dutchman edged dangerously close to the sack.Here are nine managers Red Devils chiefs are reported to have considered for the job and what allegedly happened with each.Gareth SouthgateEnjoys plenty of support among Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s Ineos chiefs but made clear he wouldn’t talk to any clubs until after Euro 2024. There is yet to be any suggestion that contact was made with the England boss.Kieran McKennaTalks were opened with McKenna’s representatives before the FA Cup final, but the former Man Utd coach opted to sign a new deal with Ipswich after Ten Hag’s Wembley win.Roberto De ZerbiAllegedly sounded out before the FA Cup final with salary expectations discussed. But Ineos chiefs concluded ex-Brighton boss was not the right fit for the project.Thomas FrankBrentford boss met Man Utd representatives the day before the FA Cup final. The Dane also dined with Ratcliffe, Roy Hodgson and Frank Lampard at the launch of a new Ineos car in February.Marco SilvaFulham boss reportedly met Man Utd representatives face-to-face two days before the FA Cup final, around the same time as Ten Hag was conducting his press conference.Mauricio PochettinoFell out of Man Utd’s thinking in the first week of June, despite being a favourite of Sir Alex Ferguson.Thomas TuchelMade a very strong impression and came across well during a Monaco meeting. Personal terms were discussed before the ex-Chelsea and Bayern Munich boss decided to step back from the process.Ruben AmorimSporting boss was discussed by the Man Utd hierarchy but did not make the final reckoning.Roberto MartinezPortugal manager was considered in the early stages. More

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      Erling Haaland to be allowed compassionate leave by Pep Guardiola after death of Man City star’s ‘chief fixer uncle’

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      ERLING HAALAND has been offered compassionate leave following the death of his father’s best friend and his ‘uncle’, Ivar Eggja.The Manchester City striker shared a touching message for his confidant who passed away on Wednesday, aged 59. Erling Haaland has been offered compassionate late by Manchester CityCredit: GettyFollowing the death of his close family friend and ‘uncle’ Ivar EggjaCredit: erling.haaland/instagramHaaland has been told he is free to take a bereavement break by Pep Guardiola.This means the Premier League’s top goalscorer could be absent for Brentford’s visit the Etihad at 3pm on Saturday. Haaland returned from his Nations League break in Norway to train with Man City on Thursday, but Guardiola stresses that family comes first.In March, Haaland bravely played through the heartbreak of losing his paternal grandmother against Copenhagen.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSHer death happened on the same day that he scored a brace against Everton in the Prem.Eggja was best man at Alfie Haaland’s wedding, as they shared a friendship which lasted decades.Seen as a chief fixer for the Haaland family, Eggja was also known as ‘uncle’ to Erling.He became a mentor and adviser to the 24-year-old as he helped him adapt to life at Borussia Dortmund.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSThe golden boot winner took to Instagram to publicly pay his respects to the late Eggja, posting a photo of himself holding his hand as he lay in his hospital bed.Haaland’s caption read: “You are a legend, Ivar. Words cannot describe how much you meant to me! Fans ask ‘how can you not love him?’ after Haaland’s blunt eight-word response to reporter’s fantasy football question”Words cannot describe how much you will be missed. I don’t give a s**t! I don’t give a s**! That’s exactly what I’m going to do.”Thank you for everything, you madman. We will see each other again. Rest in peace.”Eggja was present for Haaland’s unveiling at the Etihad in 2022 and attended last year’s Ballon d’Or ceremony, where Haaland came second behind Lionel Messi.The Norwegian star has enjoyed a sensational start to the season, scoring seven goals in just three games, including back-to-back hat-tricks against Ipswich and West Ham.He bagged the only goal of the game when Thomas Frank’s side last travelled to Man City.Erling paid tribute to Eggja on Instagram this weekCredit: erling.haaland/instagramThe 59-year-old was best friends with Alfie HaalandCredit: erling.haaland/instagram More