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    The PlayStation game that fuelled Man Utd’s success with stars like Cristiano Ronaldo even dedicating celebration to it

    RIO FERDINAND has revealed that playing a PlayStation game fuelled Manchester United’s success during his time at the club. The 44-year-old spent 12 years at Old Trafford following his move from Leeds in 2002 winning six Premier League titles and the Champions League.
    Rio Ferdinand has revealed a major part of United’s success was down to a PlayStation gameCredit: Getty
    Ferdinand and Ronaldo dedicated a goal celebration to the gameCredit: Reuters
    They would play Socom on PSP
    Ferdinand played with some of the best players in the world during his time at United and was managed by the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson but actually puts the team’s success down to a PlayStation game.
    Speaking to former team-mate Ben Foster on the Fozcast the pair reminisced over how the United squad were obsessed with the game Socom.
    Foster said: ” We always used to play a game it was at Man United, on the PSP for those younger listeners it was a handheld PlayStation, we would play Socom – an old school Call of Duty – we used to spend hours on this game didn’t we.”
    Ferdinand added that there was disappointment if the journey to away matches was less than an hour.
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    He said: “If we were doing an hours journey, ah that’s not long enough you need like a two or three hour one so we can get amongst it, like two teams six versus six or five versus five, most of our squad other than the oldies like Gary Neville, Edwin and Giggsy.
    “I actually still say part of us winning and our culture was down to that game. Trust me because we were all together in it, like hating each other at times and arguing, people throwing PSP’s it was unbelievable.”
    Ferdinand revealed that the obsession went so far they even did goal celebrations dedicated to the game.
    He said: “It was unbelievable we scored goals right, me Cristiano, Kieran Richardson, we done a celebration after one of the goals in testament to the game it was unreal honestly.”
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    The pair recalled how each player had a nickname with Foster known as ‘Haywire’ and Rio as ‘Brap.’
    The obsession wasn’t just confined to United they also played it on England duty.
    Foster said: “We got into it so much right, like with England for example there would be a wall we would go in separate rooms but we would have to sit with our backs against the wall just so we’re close to the wall so it would go through the wall.
    “You can’t let them hear us because I’m in that room there or there, so what I would do from time is time you would have to go and revive your team mates, so if somebody died you would have to go and revive them.
    “I would wait until I have killed somebody down there.”
    Ferdinand said of Foster: “He was the most selfish player ever, goalkeeper.”
    Foster responded: “Lone wolf, so anyway I would watch him he’s got revived, his mate has gone and revived him and then boom two more kills mate and then I would wait for somebody else to come and get them, easy pickings it was gold though.” More

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    Arsenal legend Ray Parlour tells ‘unbelievable’ Dele Alli to ‘take a look at himself’ and rediscover former magic

    ARSENAL legend Ray Parlour has admitted he’s baffled by Dele Alli’s decline.Former England star Alli was one of Europe’s top midfielders during his time at Tottenham.
    Alli endured a disappointing loan spell at Turkish side BesiktasCredit: Getty
    Alli has returned to Everton to assess his future after suffering a hip injuryCredit: Getty
    The 27-year-old has since been sold to Everton and, this season, has suffered a nightmare loan spell at Besiktas.
    Alli has been ruled out for the rest of the season with a hip muscle injury and sent home from his miserable stint in Turkey.
    He was even accused of going AWOL by Besiktas boss Senol Gunes last month, which Alli denied.
    And, this week, he was pictured surrounded by laughing gas canisters and with a balloon in his mouth.
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    Speaking to TalkSPORT Arsenal invincible Parlour said that he’s unsure where it is going wrong for the former Spurs man.
    He said: “He has to have a look at himself and say ‘Where do I want to go in my career? Do I want to get back into working hard?’
    “It’s such a shame what’s happened with Dele Alli. What a player he was. I was at the game against Crystal Palace where he scored a brilliant goal for Spurs, on his chest. Unbelievable.
    “A really top class talent. I don’t know what’s happened with his career, I really don’t.”
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    Parlour questioned whether Alli still had that “buzz” for the game and said many players “fall out of love” with it and are just motivated by the money.
    He added: “Whether it’s hunger, whether it’s that he doesn’t like football anymore. Some players don’t like football, they fall out of love with football. 
    “It’s a job for them at the end of the day. I mean, where does he go from here? He’s 27 years old.
    “He should be in his prime now. He should probably be in that England squad if he kept his form going, he’d be in that midfield area for England.
    “You can argue money talks. He’s earned lots of money in his career.
    “I didn’t play for money. You play for enjoyment, going out playing in front of fans, being successful. Money comes with that.
    “It’s all about what you do on the pitch. You go home and say ‘I really enjoyed that game! What a game, three points again, crowd were fantastic! ‘
    “The buzz you get from walking on that pitch is amazing. 
    “You could get two-hundred grand a week, it wouldn’t matter to me. It’s that buzz you get.
    “I’m sure Dele is the same. He’s not getting that buzz now. 
    “I don’t know where he goes from here on which is a shame because what a talent he was.”
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    Tottenham ‘to DROP Hugo Lloris to bench as Spurs chief targets shock transfer for £40m-rated superstar goalkeeper’

    TOTTENHAM are ready to DROP Hugo Lloris as the club eye a transfer for Napoli goalkeeper Alex Meret, according to reports.The 36-year-old is the current club captain and he is into his 11th season at Spurs.
    Hugo Lloris could be dropped to the bench if Tottenham land a new goalkeeper this summerCredit: Getty
    Alex Meret is wanted by TottenhamCredit: Alamy
    However, Tottenham are looking for a new younger No1 and are lining up a £40million deal for Meret.
    NapoliCalcioLive claim that even if the Italian arrives, Lloris will not leave the club.
    Instead, he is likely to be benched for next season.
    Tottenham are said to be preparing to speak to the Meret’s representatives ahead of a summer move.
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    Napoli would not like to lose him but are aware the stopper’s contract expires at the end of next season.
    The report states that Spurs have been massively impressed by Meret, who has kept 17 clean sheets in 37 games for the Serie A leaders in all competitions.
    The 26-year-old has helped Napoli gain an incredible 16-point advantage at the top of the table and make the Champions League quarter-final.
    Meret has been capped by Italy three times in his career.
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    It appears that Spurs chief Daniel Levy is ready to open negotiations despite it being unclear who will manage the club next season.
    Antonio Conte was sacked after his explosive rant and Crisitian Stellini is in interim charge until the end of the campaign.
    Champions League football could help tempt Meret to North London and Spurs currently sit in fifth place, three points behind Newcastle and Manchester United in third and fourth respectively.
    Tottenham face Bournemouth on Saturday before huge clashes with the Red Devils and the Toon this month. More

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    I’m a former Arsenal star who joined AC Milan – I was struck by humble Maldini’s simple act of kindness when we met

    MATHIEU FLAMINI has revealed that he was “struck by humility” when he joined AC Milan.The retired French midfielder moved to the Italian giants on a free transfer from Arsenal in 2008.
    Mathieu Flamini (second in from the right) signed for AC Milan in 2008Credit: Getty
    He was welcomed in by Paolo MaldiniCredit: AFP
    And he has now spoken about his first encounter with the stars of AC Milan, such as Paolo Maldini.
    Flamini also revealed that the Italian legend gave him his phone number immediately after arriving.
    He told The Athletic: “Walking into the dressing room was exciting. I was struck by their humility.
    “I remember arriving and Paolo was sitting next to me. He gave me his number and said ‘If you need anything, you call me’.
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    “The humility and kindness of those champions struck me the most.
    “To be a football legend and also be so humble, so open, and act with such simplicity taught me a lot. It was a learning experience every day.”
    Flamini spent five years at the San Siro and won the Serie A title during the 2010/11 campaign, but playing in Italy was always a dream for him.
    He added: “I always wanted to play in Italy.
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    “When I had the opportunity to go there, I thought I would grow as a player and as a human being.
    “I would go to Italy, where we have roots, so it was a way of discovering myself to go back to my origins.”
    The Arsenal cult-hero also suggested that he would be interested in one day buying the North London club.
    He said: “We’ll see what the future is made of. I’m a believer.
    “If you want something very much, the universe usually brings it to you. Let’s see what the universe will bring.” More

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    Man Utd star Antony left red-faced by Arsenal’s ‘worst ever signing’ after tough first season

    ANTONY is at risk of being outperformed by Arsenal flop Nicolas Pepe’s debut season in England.The Brazilian winger joined Manchester United from Ajax last summer for £85.5million but is yet to show his best form in the Premier League.
    Antony has struggled to perform to his best since joining Man UnitedCredit: Getty
    His stats this season are worse than Arsenal flops Nicolas Pepe’s debut campaign in EnglandCredit: Reuters
    Like Antony, Pepe was signed for a large fee, £72m, but struggled to live up to expectations and was labelled the club’s ‘worst ever signing’.
    However, when his stats are compared to the output of Antony, he did not do too badly.
    In his debut campaign, Pepe played 42 times for the Gunners in all competitions, scoring eight goals and providing ten assists.
    This works out to a goal contribution every 150 minutes that he played in the 2019/20 campaign.
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    Pepe was able to do this during a turbulent time at the club which saw Unai Emery sacked.
    Interim boss Freddie Ljungberg replaced the Spaniard and then current boss Mikel Arteta was appointed.
    Whereas Antony has had the luxury of only playing for Erik ten Hag, who he also worked for at Ajax.
    But he is performing well below Pepe’s record as he is averaging a goal contribution every 230 minutes.
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    He has made 33 appearances in all competitions this season but has only scored seven goals and provided one assist.
    While Pepe won the FA Cup in his first season in England, Antony could still top the Ivorian’s trophy haul.
    There is one glimmer of hope for Antony as he has already picked up a winners medal as Man United won the Carabao Cup and the club are still competing for the FA Cup and Europa League.
    However, it seems unlikely that Antony will match the stats Pepe was able to produce.
    Pepe was deemed a flop at the club and is currently trying to rebuild his confidence while on loan at Ligue 1 side Nice. More

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    Bayern star thought Rio Ferdinand was a ‘lunatic’ as he was held back in explosive row with Man Utd boss Alex Ferguson

    RIO FERDINAND has recalled a blazing row with Sir Alex Ferguson that left Bayern Munich stars stunned.Legendary Manchester United boss Fergie was known for his infamous ‘hairdryer treatment’.
    Rio Ferdinand spent 12 years at Old Trafford but remembers one row with Sir Alex FergusonCredit: Getty
    Fergie was renowned for his ‘hairdryer’ treatmentCredit: AFP
    But the Scot was on the other end of it one night – when Ferdinand disagreed with a substitution in a loss to the German giants.
    And Ferdinand, 44, has revealed Bayern star Mark van Bommel thought he was a “lunatic” after witnessing the argument.
    Speaking to former team-mate Ben Foster on the Fozcast, Ferdinand said: “I remember he made a substitution in the game that I didn’t agree with.
    “I think Scholesy got sent off or something like that happened and he made a substitution and I was out on the pitch like ‘what are you doing?’.
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    “We were winning 1-0 at the time by the way and they came back, scored and then scored the winner late on.
    “After the game I remember walking off the pitch and I was screaming, going nuts in the changing room and the tunnel.
    “I remember Van Bommel, the Bayern player, looking at me thinking what is going on with this guy, lunatic.”
    Ferdinand recalls the moment he entered the dressing room after the game.
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    He added: “I came in and I remember it being quite quiet. I was just lost in my own thoughts.
    “I remember Gary Neville holding my arm and saying ‘Rio you ain’t going to win this one just stop’.
    “Then Vidic on the way home was like ‘Rio, you know sometimes you have got to pick your argument’.”
    And Ferdinand revealed Ferguson was not in a forgiving mood when he went to apologise.
    He said: “I went in the next day, I went in early and went to his office to apologise.
    “I remember Van Bommel, the Bayern player, looking at me thinking what is going on with this guy, lunatic.”Rio Ferdinand
    “I went to his office and just said gaffer and he said who is it and I said Rio and he shouted what do you want and he went again. I came in to apologise and he went again and went nuts.
    “Like seriously you took the piss how dare you in front of the team, question me. Listen I agree I still believe what I said is right but the timing I should have waited when it was me and you alone so I apologise, but he was great.
    “There was never any hangover for stuff like that, he would have an argument with you and then a day or two later he would cool off and it would be fine.” 
    During his time at Old Trafford, Ferdinand won six Premier League titles and the Champions League. More

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    Jose Mourinho ‘offered mega-money deal to become Cristiano Ronaldo’s new Al Nassr manager’

    JOSE MOURINHO has reportedly been offered a big money deal to be the next manager at Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr.Reports this morning have claimed the Saudi Arabian club have sacked boss Rudi Garcia.
    Mourinho has had plenty of ups and downs since taking over at Roma in 2021Credit: Getty
    And it is now claimed that Roma boss Mourinho, who managed Ronaldo at Real Madrid, could be next in line for the job.
    Mourinho’s contract with Roma expires in 2024.
    But Calciomercato journalist Rudy Galetti reports that the legendary Portuguese coach is “seriously thinking” about the role.
    He would reportedly be handed a whopping contract of £52m-a-year by the mega-rich club.
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    Al-Nassr are looking to make waves in football and announced the signing of Ronaldo, 38, at the end of 2022.
    While the forward has not struggled for goals, Al-Nassr still find themselves three points off the pace in the Saudi Pro League.
    Garcia is reported to have had a falling out with his players, potentially opening up a vacancy for Mourinho.
    The 60-year-old has a complicated relationship with Ronaldo.
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    Angel Di Maria claimed they once had a dressing room fight after the star winger was accused of laziness at Real Madrid.
    But tensions definitely seemed to have cooled with Ronaldo reportedly wanting Mourinho as the Portugal manager before Roberto Martinez got the gig.

    They were at the Bernabeu for three years together and won the La Liga title in the 2011-12 season.
    Even by his high standards, Ronaldo enjoyed an outstanding year and scored 46 goals in 38 league games.
    His old rival Lionel Messi still managed to beat him in the scoring charts by getting 50 La Liga goals but his Barcelona side finished 9 points behind. More

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    Mathieu Flamini hints at shock Arsenal takeover after setting up £10BILLION company

    MATHIEU FLAMINI has hinted that he could try and buy Arsenal in the future.In 2010, the former club star launched start-up GFBiochemicals as a side-project to his football career.
    Mathieu Flamini has hinted at taking over ArsenalCredit: https://www.instagram.com/mathieuflamini/
    He played 246 time for the GunnersCredit: Reuters
    Stan Kroenke currently owns the North London clubCredit: PA
    Some 13 years on, Flamini has kept a 60 per cent stake in the business – while landing the CEO job.
    The Paris-based company’s aim was to find a green alternative to petrochemicals, which can be found in plastics, rubber, and even shower gel.
    According to Forbes, the former Arsenal star – who was a Champions League runner-up with the Premier League club – now has a net worth of £10billion.
    This worth would be enough to buy a significant percentage of a major football club, and he has been asked about the prospect of buying one of his former clubs.
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    He told The Athletic: “Obviously, those clubs [Arsenal and Marseille] have a special place in my heart.
    “I never forget where I come from. 

    “In life, you never know but it’s all about the right opportunity. I’m a real believer in the right time, right place, right people.
    “We’ll see what the future is made of. I’m a believer.
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    “If you want something very much, the universe usually brings it to you.
    “Let’s see what the universe will bring.”
    Flamini spent seven years at Arsenal across two different spells with the club.
    He made 168 Premier League appearances for Arsenal and won three FA Cups. More