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      ‘I’m not happy with what I see’, warns Dutch legend as he slams Erik ten Hag’s Man Utd transfers

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      RAFAEL VAN DER VAART has criticised Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag’s transfer business at Old Trafford.Ten Hag, 54, has signed 21 players that cost a whopping total of £611million during his two-year stint as United manager.Rafael van der Vaart slammed Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United signingsCredit: GettyMan Utd boss Ten Hag has signed many Dutch players and former Ajax starsCredit: GettyVan der Vaart is concerned with Matthijs de Ligt’s move to Man UtdCredit: RexThe Dutchman has landed four compatriots in Tyrel Malacia, Wout Weghorst, Joshua Zirkzee and Matthijs de Ligt who cost a total of £98.7m.He also brought in five players that used to compete under him at Ajax in Andre Onana, Noussair Mazraoui, Lisandro Martinez, Antony and De Ligt who cost a staggering 251.4m.Van der Vaart, 41, is “not the biggest fan” of that strategy because that brings even higher pressure to the manager when results don’t go his way.And United’s performances haven’t improved under the Dutch tactician, who already counts two losses in three Premier League matches this season after the opening victory over Fulham.Read More on Man UtdTen Hag has found himself under fire again and the ex-Tottenham star believes his compatriot will only “survive” at the helm if he gets on a winning run after the international break.Van der Vaart told SunSport: “Yes, it’s tough, I think, he’s been there a few years and really spent a lot of money for his own players, which I don’t really like. “When you as a coach, you bring a lot of Dutch people in or players, I am not the biggest fan of that because when you lose a few times then the pressure is even higher, and the football is also not really getting better. “I saw them against Liverpool, and that, of course, it’s a tough pill to swallow because it’s like the biggest game – like the North London Derby – and you lose without a chance. Most read in Football”Now he needs a lot of wins. Then he will survive but we will have to wait and see.”Van der Vaart is especially concerned with De Ligt’s move to Old Trafford as he is “disappointed” with recent performances.Man Utd wages 2024-25 revealedThe ex-Real Madrid star always thought the centre-back is a “top player” but also considered him to be a “wild” defender when he went for tackles during his time at Ajax under Ten Hag.After stints at Juventus and Bayern Munich, the Netherlands legend is “not happy” with De Ligt’s development as he still notices some similar flaws.Van der Vaart said when asked if De Ligt is the answer to United’s defensive woes: “A few years ago I would say 100 per cent but when he left Ajax , I have to say, I’m a little bit disappointed in his development. “So I think he is quality. He’s fantastic. He’s a great guy. Works hard for your team, the best, top player but he makes too many mistakes. You also need a little bit of luck, and he is in the phase now that he’s really unlucky. And then he’s a little bit wild. “He was a little bit too wild [at Ajax]. So that means, going into tackles.And you think, ‘Hey, stay relaxed. Just look how the situation ends’. “And he went to Italy. Then I found out there he’s gonna learn how to defend. But I’m not happy with what I see.”Players ‘don’t look happy’Van der Vaart is adamant it is very hard for any manager to follow up Sir Alex Ferguson’s trophy-laden 27-year spell at United.However, the former midfielder insists there is still “no energy” at the Red Devils and players “don’t look happy” when they’re playing.Van der Vaart added: “Sometimes it’s difficult to replace the coach who really fits to the culture and everything. And Ferguson was, of course, there for so many years. And he’s also a lot of the times in the stadium, so he never left and that sometimes maybe is difficult. “And the manager struggles with the pressure. But they have good players. They spent a lot of money, but somehow, inside the team, inside the club, it doesn’t work and it’s difficult to say something about that from the outside. READ MORE SUN STORIES”But also, when they play they don’t look happy. It’s not like they are, ‘Oh, nice. We have another game. We’re gonna kill it’. No, it’s all, ‘Oh, s**t, we have to go again’. No energy.”Rafael van der Vaart was speaking on behalf of BetMGM. Play the new £1million Golden Goals game this season by predicting Premier League scores at https://www.betmgm.co.uk. BeGambleAware 18+Erik ten Hag’s Man Utd signingsHere’s the full list of all the Manchester United signings that have taken place under manager Erik ten Hag:Antony – £85m Rasmus Hojlund – £72m Casemiro – £70m Mason Mount – £60m Lisandro Martinez – £57m (Further £2.2m in solidarity payments to Martinez’s former clubs)Leny Yoro – £52m (plus £6m in add-ons)Manuel Ugarte – £50.8Andre Onana – £47.2mMatthijs de Ligt – £43m Joshua Zirkzee – £36mNoussair Mazraoui – £17mTyrell Malacia – £14.6mAltay Bayindir – £4.3mChristian Eriksen – FreeJonny Evans – FreeSofyan Amrabat – Loan (£8.5m)Sergio Reguilon – Loan (No fee)Marcel Sabitzer – Loan (Undisclosed or No fee)Wout Weghorst – Loan (£2.5m compensation to cancel Besiktas loan, £2.6m fee to Burnley)Martin Dubravka – Loan (£2m)Jack Butland – Loan (Undisclosed or No fee) More

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      Brighton star Joel Veltman left ‘amazed’ by Declan Rice’s comments after Arsenal star’s controversial red card

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      BRIGHTON defender Joel Veltman has admitted he felt Declan Rice’s sending off was “quite harsh” and revealed he was “amazed” by the Arsenal man’s reaction.England midfielder Rice, 25, was dismissed with the Gunners leading 1-0 against the Seagulls at the Emirates last month.Joel Veltman has spoken out about Declan Rice’s red cardRice was dismissed for kicking the ball away before Veltman followed through on to his legCredit: GettyRice remonstrated with the dismissal but the Premier League later confirmed it was the correct decisionCredit: ReutersHe was shown a second yellow card for kicking the ball away as Veltman attempted to take a quick free-kick.The Dutch right-back subsequently missed the ball and took out the Arsenal man, but referee Chris Kavanagh spotted Rice’s discrete gamesmanship and sent him packing.Arsenal went on to draw the game 1-1 as Joao Pedro levelled for the visitors.The Premier League’s “Key Match Incident” team reviewed the red and deemed the decision to be correct.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLYet that has not stopped Veltman from insisting the punishment may have been too severe.Speaking to Sky Sports, he said: “For me, it goes really far, with like comments on social media.”We have a new game day coming up, so I don’t want to say a lot about it.”The only thing I can say is that I didn’t want to kick him. It’s just he kicked it away, I kicked him.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSMeet North London derby WagsARSENAL travel to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for the North London derby on Sunday.So with that in mind, SunSport has put together a piece looking at 10 of the players’ partners ahead of the game.One Arsenal man is with a woman who had a romance and daughter with Hollywood star Jude Law.Another Gunners player is married to a competitive twerker who goes by the stage name Redheaded.And one Spurs star convinced his partner to move to England from Los Angeles when they got together – before they went on to have three children.Click here to read the full story.”I find it quite harsh as well. If you see my reaction, you can look back, I was not going to the referee to get him a second yellow, I was going to him ‘Why did you kick it? I’m sorry I kicked you’.”Veltman also praised Rice for his comments after the game in which he admitted the laws of the game dictate he had to be sent off.Premier League panel reveal why referee was right to send off Arsenal star Declan Rice against BrightonVeltman added: “I think he gave an amazing comment. I think that’s what personally surprised me about him, how he commented in the media after.”He said like ‘I don’t need to kick it, I need to know better’. That’s an amazing personality, I think, from him.”Rice, who is now suspended for this Sunday’s North London derby, told the club website: “I was shocked, I think you could see in my face I was shocked.”He’s obviously gone over… I’ve not sprinted back in front of him and smashed the ball away.”I’ve touched the ball with the outside of my foot. But look, this is the laws of the game.”If you touch ball away, even a little bit, obviously it’s a red card after my challenge in the first half which I fully accept was a 50-50 that I didn’t win.” More

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      Cristiano Ronaldo appears to bury the hatchet with Gary Neville after two years after awkward Sky Sports snub

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      CRISTIANO RONALDO appears to have buried the hatchet with Gary Neville — two years after his awkward snub live on Sky Sports.Ronaldo and Neville were teammates at Manchester United for six years between 2003 and 2009.Cristiano Ronaldo appears to have buried the hatchet with former Man Utd team-mate Gary NevilleCredit: PAThe pair rowed after Ronaldo snubbed Neville live on TV in 2022During their time together they won three Premier League titles and a Champions League.But their relationship soured after Ronaldo completed a sensational return to United in 2021.At the start of the 2022/23 campaign, Neville urged Ronnie to “stand up now and speak” after the striker promised a bombshell tell-all.The Portugal legend then had a bust-up with new boss Erik ten Hag after being dropped from the starting XI.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAnd in October 2022, Ronaldo brutally blanked Neville live on Sky Sports ahead of United’s 1-0 win over West Ham.A month later Ronaldo’s Red Devils contract was no more.He spilled the beans on his tempestuous relationship with Ten Hag in a sit-down with The Sun columnist and TalkTV star Piers Morgan.But Ronaldo also let rip at Neville, accusing the former right-back of criticising him to get more fame before declaring the TV pundit was no friend of his.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSNeville came out in defence of Ten Hag as he accused “petulant” Ronaldo of “sulking and stomping.”However, Ronaldo — who now plays in Saudi Arabia for Al-Nassr — looks to be over the spat after naming Neville as a Man United legend who the club and Ten Hag would be wise to listen to.Piers Morgan slams ‘complete idiot’ Erik ten Hag in astonishing rant against Man Utd boss about Cristiano RonaldoRonaldo appeared on Rio Ferdinand’s podcastCredit: YouTube/Rio Ferdinand PresentsAppearing on the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast, he cited Neville alongside Paul Scholes, Roy Keane and Sir Alex Ferguson as icons who Sir Jim Ratcliffe should be taking advice from in his attempts to rebuild United.But it could be new assistant Ruud van Nistelrooy who ends up keeping Ten Hag in a job.Ronaldo explained: “If Ten Hag listen to Ruud, maybe he can (help himself). I think it can help a lot because he knows the club and the club should listen (to) the guys who were there. “You [Rio] or Roy Keane or Paul Scholes or Gary Neville, whatever, Sir Alex Ferguson. You cannot, you cannot rebuild a club without knowledge. Not guys who work in office. They understand. Cristiano Ronaldo’s red cardsRonaldo picked up his 12th career red card against Al-HilalAston Villa vs MAN UTD (2004) – Yellow cards for diving and chipping goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen after the whistle had gone.Man City vs MAN UTD (2006) – Straight red card for a high tackle on former United legend Andy Cole, of all people.Portsmouth vs MAN UTD (2007) – Straight red card for headbutting midfielder Richard Hughes.Man City vs MAN UTD (2008) – Yellow card for a cynical foul on Shaun Wright-Phillips, second yellow for a deliberate handball.REAL MADRID vs Almeria (2009) – Ronaldo’s first home red card. One yellow for taking his shirt off to celebrate a goal. A second yellow for aiming a kick at midfielder Juanma Ortiz.REAL MADRID vs Malaga (2010) – Straight red card for a stray elbow which fractured defender Patrick Mtiliga’s nose. Ronaldo said afterwards: “If he wasn’t 5 foot 6, I might have caught him in the chest.”REAL MADRID vs Atletico Madrid (2013) – Ronaldo received a straight red card for a high kick in Atleti captain Gabi’s face as Real lost the Copa del Rey final 2-1 on home soil.Athletic Bilbao vs REAL MADRID (2014) – Straight red card for striking an opponent in the face during a skirmish before a corner.Cordoba vs REAL MADRID (2015) – Straight red card for kicking left-back Edimar and pushing centre-back Jose Angel CrespoBarcelona vs REAL MADRID (2017) – Ronaldo made it a red card in the Manchester derby, Madrid derby and El Clasico in the 2017 Spanish Super Cup. The Portugal star received yellow cards for removing his shirt to celebrate a goal at the Nou Camp and diving. He made matters worse by aiming a slight push at the referee after getting sent off.Valencia vs JUVENTUS (2018) – Controversial red card after defender Jeison Murillo threw himself to the ground as the pair jostled for position.Al-Hilal vs AL-NASSR (2024) – Little doubt about this one as Ronaldo appeared to swing his elbow twice at defender Ali Al-Bulayhi.“The people who understand the football, it was, 99 per cent is the people who were there in the dressing room. They know how to deal with the players. It’s the people who understand these things. “So I believe that Ruud is going to help because he was inside the club. He knows the club. He knows the fans. If the coach listens to him, I think they can improve a little bit the club.”Ronaldo, who scored 27 goals in 54 outings during his second United spell, also used the time to slam Ten Hag’s management style.He added: “As I told you, Manchester, they need to rebuild everything, in my opinion.“The coach, they say they cannot compete to win the League and Champions League.READ MORE SUN STORIES“(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.” More

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      Tottenham looking to avoid unwanted Premier League record against bitter rivals Arsenal this weekend

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      TOTTENHAM will hope to avoid an unwanted Premier League record against bitter rivals Arsenals this weekend.Spurs will host the Gunners this Sunday but will not want to face another home defeat to Mikel Arteta’s side.Tottenham will hope to avoid an unwanted Premier League record against bitter rivals Arsenals this weekendCredit: The TimesSpurs have scored an own goal on their last three home matches against the GunnersCredit: GettyArsenal are heading to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium hoping for their third consecutive victory on their rivals’ turf, in a bid to keep up with league leaders Manchester City and Liverpool.Spurs’ recent 2-1 defeat to Newcastle has added extra pressure to this weekend’s match, as they currently sit tenth in the table after three games.For Ange Postecoglou’s team to return to winning ways, they must overcome an own-goal challenge.Tottenham have scored an own goal in each of their last three Premier League encounters with Arsenal.READ MORE FOOTBALLSo spurs will be eager to avoid breaking that unwanted record as no team has ever conceded four own goals in consecutive matches against the same opponent.In their April match, Pierre Emile-Hojbjerg inadvertently headed a corner into his own net, giving Arsenal the lead in their 3-2 win.This incident came after Cristian Romero scored an own goal in the 2-2 draw at the Emirates last September.Prior to that, former Spurs goalkeeper Hugo Lloris fumbled Bukayo Saka’s cross, turning it into his own net.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSAll three own goals have actually stemmed from Saka’s dynamic play on Arsenal’s right wing.Postecoglou will therefore want to make sure his biggest rivals do not get an early advantage and avoid similar mistakes.Arsenal fans raging as ‘smug’ Norway boss ‘cracks joke’ about Martin Odegaard’s devastating injury on live TVArsenal are looking to bounce back in Sunday’s match after a 1-1 draw at home against Brighton last month.Arteta is concerned about the fitness of captain Martin Odegaard, who limped off during Norway’s 2-1 victory over Austria on Monday night.The 25-year-old has returned to London for tests after what seems to be an ankle sprain.The Spaniard will also be without new signing Riccardo Calafiori due to injury, and Declan Rice will miss the short trip due to suspension. More

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      Cristiano Ronaldo slams Ten Hag over things ‘you cannot say’ and tells him to listen to Van Nistelrooy to help Man Utd

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      CRISTIANO RONALDO has slammed Erik ten Hag for saying things “you cannot say” and told him why he MUST listen to Manchester United legend and coach Ruud van Nistelrooy.Ronaldo, 39, lasted less than half a season under the Dutchman at Old Trafford after the pair had a major bust-up.Cristiano Ronaldo has hit out at Manchester United manager Erik ten HagCredit: RexRonaldo has warned his old boss to heed the advice of assistant Ruud van NistelrooyCredit: GettyThe star’s contract was eventually terminated in November 2022, with Ronaldo blasting his former boss in an astonishing interview with The Sun columnist Piers Morgan on TalkTV.Ronnie has since gone on to become a superstar in Saudi Arabia with Al-Nassr.Ten Hag, meanwhile, has scooped the Carabao Cup and FA Cup.But the tactician – who has just been targeted in a fresh attack by Morgan – is yet to mount a title challenge, with United finishing a disappointing eighth last season.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAnd despite the Red Devils undergoing a major backroom upheaval following Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s minority takeover, Ronaldo still feels United need to “rebuild everything” as he took a hugely critical swipe at Ten Hag’s approach to management.Speaking on the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast, Ronaldo said: “As I told you, Manchester, they need to rebuild everything, in my opinion.“The coach, they say they cannot compete to win the League and Champions League.“(As) Manchester United coach, you cannot say that you’re not going to fight to win the League or Champions League. Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS“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.”Part of the reshuffle at United saw Old Trafford icon Van Nistelrooy arrive as one of Ten Hag’s new assistants.Van Nistelrooy’s return to Man Utd could be final act of redemption after explosive exit and Sir Alex Ferguson fallout The Overlap Sky NEWS_1Ronaldo was appearing on Rio Ferdinand’s podcastCredit: YouTube/Rio Ferdinand PresentsThe former striker knows all about the demands of the United faithful after scoring 150 goals while winning a Premier League title.And Ronaldo has warned Ten Hag not to ignore Van Nistelrooy’s words of wisdom, as he is much more aware of what is required to lead the dugout at the Theatre of Dreams.That’s despite the Dutch assistant making him cry during an argument shortly after his father’s death in 2005.SunSport exclusively revealed yesterday that Van Nistelrooy is favourite to replace Ten Hag should the former Ajax manager be sacked.Ronaldo added: “If Ten Hag listen to Ruud, maybe he can (help himself). I think it can help a lot because he knows the club and the club should listen (to) the guys who were there. “You [Rio] or Roy Keane or Paul Scholes or Gary Neville, whatever, Sir Alex Ferguson. You cannot, you cannot rebuild a club without knowledge. Not guys who work in office. They understand. “The people who understand the football, it was, 99 per cent is the people who were there in the dressing room. They know how to deal with the players. It’s the people who understand these things. “So I believe that Ruud is going to help because he was inside the club. He knows the club. He knows the fans. If the coach listens to him, I think they can improve a little bit the club.”Van Nistelrooy’s former PSV Eindhoven coach Javier Rabanal certainly feels he’d be a perfect fit to manage United, telling SunSport yesterday: “Ruud had a great connection with the players and it was great to see the relationship he had with everyone, from top to bottom.“Although he was an elite footballer, a world legend, he is such a humble guy and so calm and unaffected by difficult moments.”That doesn’t mean he wasn’t demanding but working with him was a pleasure. He was so infectious and created a really positive environment.“Perhaps another person with that standing in football would have a massive ego. But he just knows how to talk to people and enthuse them.“What really impressed me was he was available for anything, at any time for anyone and when he spoke, it was with real feeling, and I know he touched the players’ hearts.”Meanwhile, on the huge project awaiting new football director Ratcliffe, Ronaldo declared: “This club needs time to rebuild because it’s still one of the best clubs in the world, but they need to change. They understand that. This is the only way. “This is why they show, they start to change again, the structure of the club, the president, the infrastructures and everything. The owners of the club. “They’re investing in the training ground…So I’m happy because [things are changing] I’m not happy the way it all happened, but in the same way, we cannot control some points of our life sometimes, but it’s done, already done.”Ronaldo also reflected on his second stint at United between 2021 and 2022, which yielded 27 goals in 54 outings.He said: “When I was back at Man United, I was very happy. I was one of the best scorers.READ MORE SUN STORIES“I did unbelievable things with the club. My first season aged 37, I was the third best scorer in the league.“I scored all the group stage, I scored every game. Even in the league I scored 17 or 18 goals. I did amazing.”Cristiano Ronaldo’s red cardsRonaldo picked up his 12th career red card against Al-HilalAston Villa vs MAN UTD (2004) – Yellow cards for diving and chipping goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen after the whistle had gone.Man City vs MAN UTD (2006) – Straight red card for a high tackle on former United legend Andy Cole, of all people.Portsmouth vs MAN UTD (2007) – Straight red card for headbutting midfielder Richard Hughes.Man City vs MAN UTD (2008) – Yellow card for a cynical foul on Shaun Wright-Phillips, second yellow for a deliberate handball.REAL MADRID vs Almeria (2009) – Ronaldo’s first home red card. One yellow for taking his shirt off to celebrate a goal. A second yellow for aiming a kick at midfielder Juanma Ortiz.REAL MADRID vs Malaga (2010) – Straight red card for a stray elbow which fractured defender Patrick Mtiliga’s nose. Ronaldo said afterwards: “If he wasn’t 5 foot 6, I might have caught him in the chest.”REAL MADRID vs Atletico Madrid (2013) – Ronaldo received a straight red card for a high kick in Atleti captain Gabi’s face as Real lost the Copa del Rey final 2-1 on home soil.Athletic Bilbao vs REAL MADRID (2014) – Straight red card for striking an opponent in the face during a skirmish before a corner.Cordoba vs REAL MADRID (2015) – Straight red card for kicking left-back Edimar and pushing centre-back Jose Angel CrespoBarcelona vs REAL MADRID (2017) – Ronaldo made it a red card in the Manchester derby, Madrid derby and El Clasico in the 2017 Spanish Super Cup. The Portugal star received yellow cards for removing his shirt to celebrate a goal at the Nou Camp and diving. He made matters worse by aiming a slight push at the referee after getting sent off.Valencia vs JUVENTUS (2018) – Controversial red card after defender Jeison Murillo threw himself to the ground as the pair jostled for position.Al-Hilal vs AL-NASSR (2024) – Little doubt about this one as Ronaldo appeared to swing his elbow twice at defender Ali Al-Bulayhi. More

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      Fans are only just realising hidden detail in Everton’s stadium as club say ‘once you see it, you can’t unsee it’

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      EVERTON fans have been left stunned after discovering a small sentimental detail included in Goodison Park.The Toffees are playing their final season at the famous stadium as they prepare to move to their new ground after 133 years.The steps at Goodison Park are shaped like Prince Rupert’s TowerCredit: GettyFans are only just realising the subtle detail in Everton’s stadiumCredit: GettyPrince Rupert’s Tower is one of two Georgian lock-ups whichs still exists in LiverpoolCredit: GettyThe shape of the tower is on Everton’s away shirt for the 2024/25 seasonCredit: RexYet despite having played host to Everton for more than a century, some supporters had not realised the stairs in The Philip Carter Park Stand were built in the shape of Prince Rupert’s Tower.Prince Rupert’s Tower is a village lock-up on Everton Brow which was originally used to hold minor criminals and drunks overnight.The 18th-century structure is one of two Georgian lock-ups still standing in Liverpool – the other being Wavertree.It was saved by Everton in 1997 when they paid £15,000 for the tower to be restored.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLA motif of the tower was first used one the club’s crest in 1938 and has been ever-present on their badge since the 1970s.Their away shirts for the 2024/25 season also have the shape of the tower as their crest.And fans on social media were quick to voice their amazement at having never previously spotted the meaning behind the Goodison Park steps.One said: “I’ve only just realised at 22 years old… are the stairs on the Park End meant to be shaped like Price Rupert’s Tower?”Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSIt is this yellow part of the stand above the entrance/exit which is shaped like the towerCredit: GettyThe tower was first put on the Everton badge back in 1938Credit: GettyAnother added: “Ffs I am so old I remember when that stand was built and I didn’t realise that until today.”A third responded: “Well I never knew that!”Meet the new Wags of the Premier League season, from a Belgian interior designer to a Portuguese modelWhile a fourth replied: “How have I not noticed this?”Everton shared one of the reactions on Instagram and added photos of both the stairs and tower, along with the caption: “Once you see it, you can’t unsee it. 🧐” More

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      Martin Odegaard all-but ruled OUT of Tottenham clash as Norway doctor gives injury update on Arsenal star

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      ARSENAL captain Martin Odegaard has been all-but ruled out of this weekend’s North London Derby.The 25-year-old suffered an ankle injury during Norway’s Nations League clash with Austria on Monday.Martin Odegaard suffered an injury to his ankle on MondayCredit: GettyNorway’s doctor now claims he could be sidelined for three weeksCredit: SplashHe limped off the pitch in tears following a challenge from Christoph Baumgartner and was later seen on crutches while boarding a flight back to London.The midfielder is yet to be officially ruled out of Sunday’s Premier League clash with Tottenham but Norway’s team doctor has suggested he will be sidelined for three weeks.Ola Sand told Norwegian newspaper VG: “Such ankle injuries often take at least three weeks. Anything other than that is just a bonus. And then it can take longer.”The Gunners are already short in midfield ahead of the Spurs clash.READ MORE ON ARSENALDeclan Rice is serving a one-match suspension after being sent off against Brighton two weeks ago.The England international received a second yellow card after kicking the ball away in the second half.Summer signing Riccardo Calafiori also suffered an injury scare while on international duty for Italy last week.The full-back was caught in a freak incident with France winger Ousmane Dembele on Friday.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSDembele appeared to catch the back of Calafiori’s leg after being tackled by Alessandro Bastoni.Arsenal’s makeshift midfield against Tottenham could involve one player shifting backwards.Arsenal fans raging as ‘smug’ Norway boss ‘cracks joke’ about Martin Odegaard’s devastating injury on live TVKai Havertz could be forced from his striker’s role into a deeper position.Or wonderkid Ethan Nwaneri, 17, could be parachuted in.Mikel Arteta could take a gamble by moving Leandro Trossard as a false nine, presenting an opportunity for Raheem Sterling to make his debut on the left.Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli will also be hoping to take advantage if Havertz is dropped deeper. More

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      Kylian Mbappe ‘reached agreement to join Premier League giants before Real Madrid transfer but PSG wanted £338MILLION’

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      KYLIAN MBAPPE reportedly reached an agreement to join Liverpool two years ago.But the move fell through after Paris Saint-Germain demanded an eye-watering £338million transfer fee.Kylian Mbappe was reportedly set to join Liverpool in 2022 before PSG demanded a £338m feeCredit: GettyMbappe, 25, left the French giants for Real Madrid this summer in a stunning free transfer after seven years in Paris.The World Cup winner left on rocky terms after initially being left out of Luis Enrique’s squad at the start of the season.Mbappe had come close to joining Real for free in 2022 before penning a new short-term contract.And PSG were unhappy they were not able to receive a fee for their star man, who cost £150m when he joined from Monaco in 2017.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLHowever, L’Equipe claims the Ligue 1 champs almost cashed in on Mbappe two years ago, shortly after he signed his new contract.It’s said that the striker quickly became unhappy with PSG’s transfer business, having allegedly been promised the arrivals of Robert Lewandowski and Bernardo Silva.With deadline day approaching, Mbappe requested a late exit.And that saw bids arrive from both Liverpool and Real.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSIt’s reckoned Mbappe went as far as to agree personal terms on a contract with Liverpool that would eventually allow him to join Real in the near future.Jurgen Klopp’s side were even willing to pay £169m to get a deal over the line.Watch Cristiano Ronaldo play ‘pick the better player’ out of stars including David Beckham, Ryan Giggs and MbappeBut PSG put a stop to proceedings when they demanded DOUBLE that fee — totalling a world-record £338m.Liverpool withdrew their offer, while Real also failed to follow through with an official bid.And the rest is history with Mbappe seeing out his PSG contract to join Los Blancos for free.However, it’s noted by Get French Football News that PSG denied L’Equipe’s story, claiming Liverpool “could not have the funds to sign Mbappe.”Kylian Mbappe ‘snaps up £15m mansion in Beckham’s old neighbourhood’ next door to Real Madrid legend and Hollywood starBy Gerard CouzensKYLIAN MBAPPE has reportedly splashed out more than £15million on a mansion in Madrid.The French superstar, whose drawn-out transfer to Real Madrid has finally being confirmed, is said to have finalised the purchase late last month.Respected Spanish daily La Razon says the house he has bought is in the exclusive Madrid suburb of La Moraleja, where David Beckham spent most of his time living when he was in the Spanish capital.And it says his neighbours will include former Real Madrid legend Sergio Ramos and his stunning model wife Pilar Rubio as well as Hollywood star Richard Gere and his Spanish publicist wife Alejandra Silva.La Razon said Mbappe had considered the gated estate of La Finca where Jude Bellingham lives and Cristiano Ronaldo still owns property as an option.But it reported the 25-year-old, who threw an extravagant party for 250 guests at a stylish Italian restaurant a short walk from the Eiffel Tower, ended up opting for La Moraleja a 15-minute drive from Real Madrid’s Valdebebas training complex because it was “more comfortable.”Read more on Mbappe’s property hunt. More