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      Sir Jim Ratcliffe slammed over ‘laughable’ start to Man Utd reign as Gary Lineker reveals ‘the worst thing of all’

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      SIR JIM RATCLIFFE has been slammed over his “laughable” start at Manchester United. The British billionaire completed a 25 per cent takeover at Old Trafford in December and assumed control of football operations.Sir Jim Ratcliffehas been slammed over his ‘laughable’ start at Manchester UnitedCredit: GettyDan Ashworth left his role as sporting directorCredit: PAErik ten Hag was sacked as Utd bossCredit: GettyBut things have gone from bad to worse with sporting director Dan Ashworth’s exit the latest to cause controversy in the red half of Manchester. It followed less than two months after Erik ten Hag was sacked with Premier League legend Alan Shearer full of criticism. He said on The Rest is Football podcast: “It’s not a good look at all for them is it?”It’s pretty bloody embarrassing what’s gone on with Dan Ashworth leaving and the decisions that since they’ve been in there in terms of the money that they’ve spent.READ MORE ON MAN UTD”The decisions that they’ve made with Ten Hag extending his contract, sacking him, paying him off, giving him the players that they have in the summer, then getting rid of him.”Then putting Dan Ashworth on gardening leave, getting him out of Newcastle, paying compensation for him, then getting rid of him after five months.”It is laughable really, it’s such a terrible look. So yeah, I dunno, it’s not a good look.”Ratcliffe sanctioned five big signings since his arrival last year. Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSInside Man Utd chaos with Dan Ashworth axed just five months into jobBy Neil Custis The blame game has another victim as things go from bad to worse at Old Trafford.Manchester United’s first sporting director, Dan Ashworth, arrived in the summer and is gone before Christmas.SunSport exclusively revealed in November that there was trouble at mill.That the new senior management team were already blaming each other for the mess the club were in.Chief executive Omar Berrada and Ashworth were trying to wash their hands of it all, claiming they had arrived too late after serving their gardening leave.New part owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe said making decisions was all down to them.Meanwhile, Jason Wilcox thought it was all a mess under previous boss Erik ten Hag but was part of the team that encouraged him to stay after every other candidate ran for cover.Defeat Nottingham Forest in December, after their second-half capitulation at Arsenal a few days previously, proved too much.READ MORE ON MAN UTD’S CHAOS Man Utd signings under Sir Jim Ratcliffe Leny Yoro: £52mManuel Ugarte: £42mMatthijs de Ligt: £45m Noussair Mazraoui: £15m Joshua Zirkzee: £36.5m.Leny Yoro cost £52million, Manuel Ugarte was signed for £42m, Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui both joined from Bayern Munich for £60m and Joshua Zirkzee was £36.5m. And Gary Lineker believes the wasteful spending is among United’s biggest sins under Ratcliffe – who hired Ruben Amorim as Ten Hag’s successor.Sir Alex Ferguson saved my Man Utd career with 10-word comment after I started going out every night, says Rio Ferdinand He said: “Ultimately, the worst thing of all is the recruitment and the amount of money that they’ve paid out for players that have not realised what they obviously thought was good potential.”So it just shows you down to football, whoever comes in you’ve got to get that side of it right. “Whatever your budget and it’s not easy because you can never be sure how a player’s going to perform at a football club till he gets there.”But Micah Richards argued: “The only thing I would say on that one, in their defence the players that they’ve bought at the time were playing really well.”Where I think they’ve got it wrong is they’ve not bought players for a system, they’ve just bought individuals who have not performed which has just made them look ridiculous.”If you look at someone like Antony, when he was at Ajax he was on fire but where was he playing? READ MORE SUN STORIES”And the new manager now, he likes to play three at the back, four in midfield and three up front, what is his strategy going forward now?”That is what we have to see because you’re right Gary, there’s been a lot of big decisions that have just been awful.”Alan Shearer, Gary Lineker and Micah Richards criticised Man UtdCredit: The Rest Is Football More

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      Sir Alex Ferguson ‘steps in to make sure legendary Man Utd boss’s family keep director’s box privileges’

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      LEGENDARY Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has reportedly stepped in to make sure the family of Sir Matt Busby have kept their privileges at Old Trafford.Busby, who managed United for 24 years between 1945 and 1969, passed away in 1994 but members of his family have since been gifted complimentary season tickets in the Sir Bobby Charlton Stand.Sir Alex Ferguson has stepped in to help the Busby familyCredit: GettySir Matt Busby passed away in 1994 but his family have been given complimentary season tickets each yearCredit: Hulton Archive – GettyThe seats had been located next to the directors’ box and have access to a lounge.However, it’s understood they were moved to a different area of the stand as part of a restructure earlier this year and the Busbsys lost their hospitality table as a result.According to the Daily Mail, they were concerned over a lack of communication from United.But Ferguson intervened and spoke to Omar Berrada, the club’s chief executive, and chief operating officer Collette Roche to ensure the family were still taken care of.Read More on Man UtdThey were subsequently given access to the directors’ bar again.Sources say there was never an intention to withdraw the privileges.They also claim the Busbys will always be welcome at Old Trafford.An insider told the Mail: “There are two things you don’t touch at United – one is Fergie and the other is the Busbys.”Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSNew United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has ruffled some feathers with his cost-cutting attempts in recent months.He removed Ferguson from his ambassadorial role in October and stopped paying his £2million annual salary.’I nearly fainted!’ – Sir Alex Ferguson reveals the £630,000 signing that ‘took my breath away’Ratcliffe also axed 250 members of staff including comms man John Allen, who has worked at United for 25 years, as well as the club historian and a much-loved kit man.And the Telegraph claimed this week that the new chief has also replaced staff bonuses with a voucher.Rather than each member of staff receiving £100 extra ahead of the festive season, they have now been given a £40 voucher for M&S.What Man Utd said on hiring EACH of their post-Fergie managersDavid Moyes”All the skills needed to build on United’s phenomenal legacy.”Louis van Gaal”One of the outstanding managers in the game today.”Jose Mourinho”Quite simply the best manager in the game today.”Ole Gunnar Solskjaer “A wealth of experience, with a desire to give young players their chance and a deep understanding of the culture of the club.”Erik ten Hag”One of the most exciting and successful coaches in Europe.”Ruben Amorim “One of the most exciting and highly rated young coaches in European football.” More

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      Liverpool have a secret weapon in bid to win Premier League title – and he’s only played 20 minutes this season

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      LIVERPOOL have a secret weapon as they bid to turn their Premier League lead into a title.Arne Slot has a player who is earning a reputation as the ideal man to bring on to close out a game.Wataru Endo is a Liverpool super-sub but was left on the bench for the draw against NewcastleCredit: Rex FeaturesEndo#s game time has been extremely limitedCredit: ReutersBut the Kop boss failed to give Wataru Endo a late cameo against Newcastle.And some Liverpool fans reckon it cost the Reds two points as Fabian Schar grabbed a last-minute equaliser in the 3-3 thriller at St James’ Park last week.Supersubs like David Fairclough and Divock Origi have gone down in Anfield folklore.But bit-part player Endo has made his mark by helping to stop goals rather than score them, despite playing only 20 minutes of top-flight football this season.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe most popular sport in Endo’s homeland of Japan is baseball.Like a closing pitcher brought in from the bull pen to stop the opposition batters from scoring at the end of a match on the diamond, Endo has proved effective as a substitute at shutting down games and seeing Liverpool over the line.The Reds have conceded only once during the Japan captain’s 15 appearances as a replacement in the Premier League since he arrived from VfB Stuttgart in summer 2023.FOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSThat was the stoppage-time own goal by Joel Matip which handed Tottenham a 2-1 victory in September 2023.Most read in FootballThe game was overshadowed by controversy because of a VAR cock-up that led to Luis Diaz’s first-half goal for Liverpool being wrongly disallowed.Gary Neville tells Jamie Carragher to ‘f off’ after Liverpool legend performs incredible U-turn on ‘selfish’ SalahEndo has been brought on 11 times since and the Reds have not let in a single goal.And the only other top-flight match Liverpool have lost after the midfielder’s introduction was the 2-0 defeat at Everton in April, when the Toffees scored both their goals before his arrival.Overall, Endo’s record as a Premier League sub is played 15, won 11, drawn two, lost two, across a total of 149 minutes of football.His only top-flight goal was the 87th-minute equaliser against Fulham in December last year, four minutes after coming on for Ryan Gravenberch.And a minute later Trent Alexander-Arnold scored what turned out to be the winner in a 4-3 victory.Endo, 31, has been on the field for only 20 minutes in the Premier League this season, across six substitute appearances.But Reds fans will wonder whether his energy and combativeness would have allowed them to see out another come-from-behind win at Newcastle in their last Premier League match.Slot has had a brilliant start as Liverpool boss, guiding the team clear at the top of the league in his debut season after replacing Jurgen Klopp.But one area where the Reds are lagging behind is in substitutions changing games.Slot bottom of the leagueIn fact, Slot is bottom of the table of Premier League bosses for making an attacking impact with substitutions.So far the Dutchman has made 56 changes in 14 games, but none of his replacements have scored and only three times has a sub created a goal.At the other end of the table is Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola, whose 72 substitutes have produced seven goals and 13 assists between them.Slot could quite reasonably argue that Liverpool are sitting top of the league because he gets his starting XI right and makes changes mainly to stop the opposition from coming back into games, rather than to score more goals.Maybe the Kop boss missed a trick by not bringing Endo on against Newcastle.But Liverpool continue to be linked with Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi, after failing to land the Spain midfielder in the summer.READ MORE SUN STORIESGravenberch has been a revelation in the No 6 role under Slot, which has been a big factor in the lack of opportunities for Endo.If the Japan star is still at the club after January, he may yet have an important role to play as Liverpool try to close out a record-equalling 20th English title win.Arne Slot’s substitutions have failed to make an impactCredit: PA More

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      Four Man City stars including Haaland and Grealish ‘miss penalties against NO KEEPER’ in bizarre training live stream

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      MANCHESTER CITY stars including Erling Haaland and Jack Grealish missed penalties in training… despite NO GOALKEEPER being between the sticks.The Cityzens have struggled for form in recent weeks and now fans have another reason to mock the team.Erling Haaland clipped the post with his effortCredit: Manchester City FCC via X formerly TwitterJack Grealish was also wayward with his effortCredit: Manchester City FCC via X formerly TwitterCity are back in Champions League action on Wednesday as they travel to Juventus, and they decided to live stream a training session.Plenty of fans tuned in to see the stars put though their paces – but the eagle-eyed among them noticed FOUR players completely miss the target with practice penalties.Phil Foden stepped up first and blazed over from 12 yards, before Ilkay Gundogan clipped the post.Grealish then emulated Foden with his attempt before Haaland also appeared to hit the post.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLIt is possible the City stars were attempting to hit the woodwork with their efforts, but that did not prevent fans from poking fun.One reacted saying: “That team is cursed 😂 Enjoy the Championship.”Another added: “They actually might be cursed 😂😂😂”A third wrote: “I’m crying man 🤣”Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSAnd another commented: “Nooo wayyyy!!! 😂”City have won just one of their previous nine matches and face two more huge games this week in Juventus and Manchester United.’Who the f*** do you think you are?’ Man City told after ‘making outrageous bid for Lionel Messi by accident’ More

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      Ange Postecoglou set for fiercest reception yet after boos against Bournemouth and Chelsea – and NOT from Tottenham fans

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      ANGE POSTECOGLOU is braced for a red-hot reception in the Europa League on Thursday – and NOT from Tottenham fans.After enduring personal abuse at Bournemouth last Thursday and more jeers after the Chelsea capitulation on Sunday, the big Aussie now returns to Glasgow.Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou is facing a hostile environment by Rangers fansCredit: RexPostecoglou was booed by Tottenham fans after the games with Bournemouth and ChelseaCredit: GettyPostecoglou remains beloved by Celtic fans after winning FIVE trophies in two years – and catching the eye of Daniel Levy.But after snatching the Premiership title from Rangers in two glory-laden years in Scotland, he’ll know exactly what to expect when Spurs arrive at Ibrox for the Battle of Britain.Celtic legend Frank McAvennie told SunSport: “The Rangers fans will give him pelters.“He’ll know that and he’ll know there will be a little bit of humour in there, too.Read More on Football“He’ll be getting the old ‘You’re getting sacked in the morning’ chants.Ange will take it and he’ll understand why he’s getting it.“Spurs have been magnificent in 20-minute spells – then lost the games.“The players have let him down. They have been guilty of not concentrating for 90 minutes and leaking goals.“But Ange will relish going back to Ibrox for a big game – and one he’ll need to win. I can’t see the Tottenham fans having it if they don’t beat Rangers.”Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSAfter the 4-3 home loss to Chelsea – when they led 2-0 – Postecoglou was cut to 4/1 to be the next Premier League manager to be axed.It’s all a far cry from his two-year spell at Celtic, when we won the Double in his first season and the Treble in 2022/23.Ange Postecoglou reacts to Tottenham’s 4-3 loss to Chelsea Those triumphs – and previous title wins in Australia and Japan – convinced Levy he was the right fit for North London.But his journey to the East End of Glasgow was a far more complicated route filled with plenty of twists and turns.With Neil Lennon gone and Steven Gerrard having ended Hoops’ hopes of a tenth straight title, the Celtic hierarchy wanted a big-name boss in the summer of 2021.They doggedly pursued Eddie Howe, who had left Bournemouth and was yet to join the Saudi revolution at Newcastle United.A deal for Howe appeared close, only to collapse at the last minute and leave Celtic looking elsewhere for a saviour.Postecoglou was in the J-League with Yokohama F Marinos, one of the City Group’s network of clubs.Ange’s Celtic successHe had worked closely with City Group recruitment guru Mark Lawwell, son of Peter – then Celts’ chief executive and now chairman.And Postecoglou’s dynamic style of play ticked several boxes for the Celtic board and their fans.McAvennie recalled: “I was delighted with everything Ange did at Celtic.“Yes, we’ve now got Brendan Rodgers but I still think of Ange from time to time.“And I’m sure Ange thinks of his time at Celtic, too. It did him the world of good.“The pressure of having to win every game at Celtic probably prepared him for the pressure he’s now under at Tottenham.Rough start“People talk about him being in trouble if he loses this game but the same could be said for Rangers manager Philippe Clement.“If he loses to Tottenham then loses to Celtic in the Premier Sports Cup final at Hampden on Sunday, the heat will be on him.”Postecoglou faced three Rangers bosses in two years in Glasgow, with Gerrard quitting for Aston Villa, Giovanni van Bronckhorst axed despite winning a Scottish Cup and reaching a Europa League final then Michael Beale appointed.Ironically, he didn’t enjoy the same swashbuckling start as at Spurs 16 months ago.He was knocked out of the Champions League qualifiers by a mediocre Midtjylland team before losing his league opener at Hearts.He lost his first trip to Ibrox, albeit he won there later in the season as Celts edged closer to the title – his only victory in four trips across Glasgow.’We Never Stop’By then, he’d returned to the J-League to inject pace and purpose into the side with Kyogo Furuhashi, Reo Hatate and Daizen Maeda all signing.Cameron Carter-Vickers had arrived from Spurs, initially on loan, to stiffen the defence in front of Joe Hart.Portuguese winger Jota and Denmark midfielder Matt O’Riley were bought for £8million and later sold to Al-Ittihad and Brighton for £50m.Postecoglou’s ‘We Never Stop’ mantra was adopted by the Hoops’ faithful and became a slogan which underlined every success.McAvennie added: “Ange changed the team completely. He signed players who stepped up to the mark.“He got together with Peter Lawwell at the start and everything just clicked.“We’d never have known about Kyogo, Hatate or Maeda without Ange.“The same could probably be said about Jota, who was in Benfica’s B team. He changed everything about Celtic for the better.”Alas, things have now gone from bad to worse for the big Aussie at Spurs.READ MORE SUN STORIESDefeat in Glasgow would be tougher to take than the rocky reception he’s guaranteed from Rangers fans.But as McAvennie says: “Being a West Ham man myself, I couldn’t care less about Tottenham…”Rangers fans remember Postecoglou’s success with rivals CelticCredit: Getty More

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      ‘Time to see if he was serious’ – Fans call for Jose Mourinho to stick to his word with Millwall hunting for new manager

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      MILLWALL fans are calling on Jose Mourinho to keep his word after he jokingly suggested he would be keen to take over at the Den.The Lions are looking for a new manager after Neil Harris quit for the second time, after doing the same thing back in 2019.Jose Mourinho recently named Millwall as a surprise club he’d consider managingCredit: GettyMillwall fans haven’t forgotten Mourinho’s statement and are calling for him to keep his wordCredit: GettyHarris will roll credits on his second stint, which lasted 10 months, after Saturday’s clash at Middlesbrough, which means he will also be in charge of Millwall on Wednesday against Sheffield United.Mourinho suggested in October that he would love a return to English football after stints with Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham.And the Special One named Millwall as a surprise club he would consider as they are are close to his London home.The Fenerbahce boss said when asked if he’d manage teams fighting relegation: “Millwall. Millwall. I just cross the bridge from my house! Millwall.”Read More on FootballMillwall fans haven’t forgotten the ex-Real Madrid manager’s statement and took to social media urging him to take up this opportunity and follow through with what he said.One fan tweeted: “Jose we await your arrival.”Another commented: “Guess it’s time to see if Mourinho was serious after all.”A third wrote: “Mourinho called it on. He’ll have to step up now or look silly.”Most read in FootballThis fan said: “Jose Mourinho, a man can dream.”And that one stated: “Jose Mourinho is taking over from Neil Harris at Millwall… You heard it here first.”Jose Mourinho wildly drags his own Fenerbahce assistant by his hood and shoves him away during bizarre goal celebrationHowever, Mourinho admitted that his statement was just in good humour as he confirmed he is not interested in taking over clubs that are fighting relegation.Millwall are currently 11th in the Championship table and quite safe from the drop, but did risk relegation last season.Mourinho added: “I’m never going to a team fighting relegation. It’s too hard.“It’s more difficult than playing for titles. It has to be very hard emotionally because it’s something that changes lives.“I think it’s brave guys that do it. I had three clubs in England, four different periods and I love it.“My family lives in London. London is home so one day I have to be back unless no one wants me.“But don’t get me wrong, for the next two years no one will take me from Fenerbahce.” More

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      Former Chelsea wonderkid who was ‘poached from Leeds’ that resulted in £5m out-of-court settlement wakes up unemployed

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      FORMER Chelsea ace Michael Woods has become a free agent at the age of 34 after leaving a non-league outfit.Woods burst onto the scene in 2006 when the Blues signed him from Leeds along with fellow prospect Tom Taiwo.Former Chelsea prospect Michael Woods is now a free agent at the age of 34Credit: GettyWoods spent the last few years at non-league clubsCredit: Getty – ContributorThat led to a clash between the West Londoners’ hierarchy and their former owner Ken Bates, who was the Whites’ chairman at the time.Bates accused Chelsea of making illegal approaches and even branded then owner Roman Abramovich and Co as “a bunch of shysters from Siberia”.The businessman then labelled an initial offer of £200,000 as “insulting” and called for the Premier League giants to face a points deduction, transfer ban or suspension from European competitions.Eventually, Bates accepted £5million compensation in an out-of-court settlement with Abramovich’s side.Read More on FootballHowever, neither Leeds academy graduate managed to stand out at Stamford Bridge.Taiwo retired at 29 due to injury, while Woods only managed two senior appearances during his five-year spell at Chelsea.The midfielder, though, also dealt with injury setbacks as two years into his stay he was told he may never play football again after a serious knee injury in a reserve fixture. And just ten minutes into his comeback appearance, the ex-England youth international dislocated his ankle.Most read in FootballOngoing struggles to break into the first team, with Frank Lampard and Michael Essien ahead of him in the pecking order, led to a loan stint at Notts County in 2010 and his eventual departure a year later.Woods didn’t return to action for another year when he signed with Yeovil Town in 2012.Premier League club to make history by wearing AI-generated kit designed by fans However, the central midfielder struggled to settle and went on to play for the likes of Doncaster Rovers, Harrogate Town, Hartlepool United, Dover Athletic, York City and South Shields.Eventually, Woods spent six months at Blyth Spartans in the seventh division.However, the club confirmed the player is no longer on their books with a short statement that read: “Blyth Spartans can confirm that midfielder Michael Woods has departed the club.” More

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      Why is Chelsea vs Brentford kicking off at 7pm instead of 4.30pm this Sunday?

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      CHELSEA’S West London derby clash with Brentford will kick off at 7pm this Sunday.The unique kick-off time was confirmed by the Premier League in October.Chelsea enjoyed a 4-3 win over Tottenham last weekendCredit: AlamyThomas Frank will take his Brentford side to Chelsea this SundayCredit: RexThe match was originally scheduled to take place at 3pm on Saturday.It has not been selected for live television coverage in the UK.But due to Chelsea’s participation in the Europa Conference League on Thursday, the date of their Brentford clash was forced to be moved.The Blues face a long trip to Kazakhstan to face Astana on Thursday.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLChelsea’s match against the Kazakh side will kick off at 3:30pm UK time.Enzo Maresca’s side will have to undergo a more than 7,000-mile round trip to play in the game.Ordinarily, Sundays are dominated by Sky Sports’ two Super Sunday selections.This week Brighton’s derby clash with Crystal Palace will air on Sky Sports Main Event at 2pm, before the Manchester derby kicks off at 4:30pm.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSTNT Sports’ slot is usually on Saturday at 12:30pm.This weekend they have chosen Tottenham’s trip to Southampton for live coverage.Watch Thomas Frank’s incredible Brentford speech after beating Newcastle Due to Spurs’ participation in the Europa League, however, the match has had to be moved to Sunday.The Saints-Tottenham game could not be scheduled to directly clash with either of Sky Sports’ Sunday matches.And it could not have been given the 12pm slot in consideration of Spurs’ tight European turnaround.Ange Postecoglou’s men travel to Glasgow to face Rangers on Thursday night.So with these factors in mind, the game was moved to the unusual 7pm slot on Sunday.And for similar reasons, Chelsea vs Brentford has taken the same kick-off time.Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham will travel to Southampton this SundayCredit: Rex More