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      Man City 0-4 Tottenham LIVE RESULT: Spurs THRASH champions with counter-attacking masterclass as City lose FIVE in a row

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      MANCHESTER CITY have been THRASHED 4-0 by Tottenham in the Premier League. Earlier on today, Chelsea kicked off the action with a 2-1 at Leicester to leap up to third place before Arsenal thrashed Nottingham Forest 3-0. Unai Emery’s Aston Villa drew 2-2 with Crystal Palace, Wolves beat Fulham 4-1 away from home and Brighton held on to overcome Bournemouth.Kick-off times: 3pm/5:30pm GMTTV channels: Sky Sports Main Event/Sky Sports Premier LeagueLive streams: NOW TVFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSKEEP up with all the scores and results from the Premier League with our live blog below…Pep needing rebuild of squadA lot of the key players in this Guardiola squad are getting to the twilight years of their careers.The likes of De Bruyne, Walker, Gundogan and Silva have been pivotal over recent years.Much like Klopp had to do with Liverpool’s ageing midfield, you feel now is the time that the Spaniard needs to rebuild.Copy linkCopiedTottenham tear down Etihad StadiumNobody would have been placing this bet with the bookies today.People hoped that Spurs could take points off Man City but never really believed they could.Postecoglou’s side put in a performance to show just what his side are capable of when they are on their game.Credit: AFPCredit: AFPCopy linkCopiedThings go from bad to worseX (formerly Twitter) has exploded since Man City suffered their fifth defeat in a row.The reactions are that of disbelief and anger.Some people are even calling out the defending champions.Copy linkCopiedGuardiola setting unwanted recordsTwo weeks ago Pep Guardiola lost four consecutive games for the first time in his managerial career.Today he broke that record again as he suffered a fifth defeat.It does not get any easier as their next game in the league is a tricky trip to Anfield on the weekend.They will be hoping they can build some confidence against Feyenoord in the Champions League first.Credit: PACopy linkCopiedHeads drop as City hit new lowHaving dominated the Premier League for so long, Pep Guardiola sides are not used to that losing feeling.They now find themselves in a rut with heads down and confidence nose-diving.Winners are not judged by how well they win but how they react when they are knocked down and beaten, we will see what this side have in that respect over the next few weeks.Credit: PACredit: AFPCopy linkCopiedChampions needing change of luckMan City need to try and turn things around to get them back into this title race.Going to Anfield and beating Liverpool is their only answer right now.As big of an ask as it is, these are the levels required to win Premier League titles.Copy linkCopiedPep’s side leave him feeling MaddJames Maddison controlled the game for Tottenham today.Scoring the opening two goals, he then made a big impact in the second-half with his defensive play.Nobody has earned a man of the match trophy more this season.Copy linkCopiedFT: Man City 0-4 TottenhamIt is a massive win for Spurs on the road today.Nobody gave them a chance of beating the champions.They are proving to be Pep Guardiola’s bogey side this season.Copy linkCopiedFT: Man City 0-4 TottenhamThe referee brings the game to a close.Tottenham have humbled the champions at The Etihad.Man City have now lost five times in a row.Copy linkCopiedMan City 0-4 Tottenham90+4. This is a joy to behold, as long as you are not a Man City fan.What a performance from Tottenham.Werner breaks down the left and squares it to the back post where Johnson slides in to add icing to the cake.Copy linkCopiedGoal – Brennan Johnson (Tottenham)Copy linkCopiedMan City 0-3 Tottenham90+2. De Bruyne puts a teasing cross in towards Haaland.Dragusin gets there first and puts it over his own crossbar.Sums up the day for the big Norwegian.Credit: AFPCopy linkCopiedMan City 0-3 Tottenham90. Bergvall, Werner and Spence all come on for the visitors.They replace Maddison, Udogie and Sarr.We are going to have four added minutes.Copy linkCopiedMan City 0-3 Tottenham88. Kulusevski does brilliantly to turn aaway from Foden and go on the attack.He slides the ball into Johnson, who rounds Ederson, but his shot strikes the post and comes back out.The linesman raises his flag so it would not have counted anyway.Copy linkCopiedMan City 0-3 Tottenham86. This has been a stellar performance from Tottenham.Many wondered if they could keep up these levels for the entire game and they certainly have.Udogie goes down with an injury but gets straight to his feet as the home fans start booing.Copy linkCopiedMan City 0-3 Tottenham84. Akanji tries to bend one in the far corner but Maddison charges out and gets a block in.The Tottenham midfielder is certainly a big contender for man of the match today.What a way to celebrate your birthday.Copy linkCopiedMan City 0-3 Tottenham82. Tottenham fans start singing ‘you’re getting sacked in the morning’ to Pep Guardiola.Top banter.A goal for the hosts now would test the nerves of every Spurs fan in this ground you would think.Copy linkCopiedMan City 0-3 Tottenham80. Sarr cleared the ball and was wiped out by De Bruyne.The Belgian tries to drag him up off the floor and it all kicks off.Both players are shown yellow cards for their troubles.Credit: AFPCopy linkCopiedMan City 0-3 Tottenham78. This could be a massive result in the title race.If Liverpool beat Southampton tomorrow, they could be eight points clear of Guardiola’s side.De Bruyne plays in Haaland but Vicario makes an important stop.Copy linkCopiedMan City 0-3 Tottenham76. Gundogan has a sight of goal but his shot strikes Vicario in the chest.Big chance wasted.Silva kicks out at Maddison and is shown a yellow card.Dreadful challenge.Copy linkCopiedView from SunSport’s Martin Blackburn at The EtihadPedro Porro was on City’s books for three years – but never played a game. In fact he once said Pep Guardiola never even spoke to him. Yet it was his goal which surely put this game beyond the reach of City – and condemned his old ‘boss’ to a fifth straight defeat. The home side had plenty of chances to get back in it but it was one of those night when nothing worked out for them.  But Spurs looked dangerous every time they attack – and fancy more than the three they had. Copy linkCopiedMan City 0-3 Tottenham74. Savinho and Lewis are replaced by De Bruyne and Grealish.Guardiola is in desperate need of a goal to give them a glimmer of hope in this match.Silva beats his man and looks to pick out Haaland but Porro beats him to it and heads clear.Copy linkCopiedMan City 0-3 Tottenham72. It looks like Kevin De Bruyne is about to join the action.Anything but a win will be seen as dropped points today.You cannot see them scoring four goals right now.Copy linkCopiedMan City 0-3 Tottenham70. It was a bit like this in the second-half against Arsenal.Man City are getting a lot of possession but seem lacking ideas in the final third.Tottenham are continuing to graft and keep them out of their penalty area.Credit: PACopy linkCopiedMan City 0-3 Tottenham68. Since Oasis announced their reunion, Man City have rolled back the years to their form from the 1990s.Rodri is sat in the stands watching, wondering what is going on with his team.The hosts are running out of ideas of how to find a goal.Copy linkCopied More

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      Leicester 1 Chelsea 2: Blues go just one point behind Man City with comfortable win that inflicts more misery on Foxes

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      ENZO MARESCA’S jet-lagged duo combined to make his return to Leicester a victorious if not an impressive one.The former Leicester boss went back to the club where he won last season’s Championship title and came away with three points thanks to goals in each half.Nicolas Jackson scored his eighth goal in all competitions this seasonCredit: GettyThe striker finished clinically after 15 minutesCredit: RexEnzo Fernandez headed home for Chelsea’s secondCredit: AFPThe midfielder nodded in a rebound after Jackson’s effort was savedCredit: RexJordan Ayew scored a consolation from the spotCredit: ReutersNicolas Jackson and captain Enzo Fernandez have barely touched down on the Heathrow tarmac following international duty but shrugged off the fatigue to clinch the win.Striker Jackson has been away in Africa playing for Senegal and Fernandez was with Argentina.Yet they came to their manager’s rescue as Chelsea’s weary-looking band of cosmopolitan stars struggled against the wind of Storm Bert to see off struggling Leicester.Jackson scored the first after 15 minutes and Fernandez wrapped it up with 15 to go. The result keeps Chelsea firmly in the top four despite a wobbly performance on the road.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLMaresca is always wary of his squad’s fitness and fatigue levels after an international break.Fernandez in particular was one of the last of his men back from playing for their respective countries after 90 minutes for Argentina against Paraguay in the early hours of Wednesday morning, UK time.England star Cole Palmer played a full 90 minutes on his return to action after withdrawing from international duty because of a knee injury. As did defender Levi Colwill, who went down injured at full-time.Palmer had a great chance to score early in the second half, but his goalbound shot hit team-mate Noni Madueke and rolled wide.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSMaresca always fears the first fixture back following a fortnight with his players spread far and wide around the globe.So it will be a big relief to have come through a painful early kick-off with three points and to emerge from his return to the King Power Stadium triumphant.Leicester were always going to be up against it defensively but they were pretty feeble going forwards too with 37-year-old Jamie Vardy leading the line.However, despite going a goal down when Wout Faes could not quite clear the danger comprehensively under pressure from Jackson, so much of their disappointing first half came from poor passing and breakdowns in the middle third.It didn’t help losing midfielder Harry Winks after only 11 minutes. The former Tottenham player looked to have twisted his ankle falling awkwardly and was replaced by his old White Hart Lane team-mate Oliver Skipp.But Winks had been enjoying a bright start to the game and for a team under the cosh like Leicester to have a key man come off so soon made the struggle uphill even steeper.Faes looked to be the culprit when Maresca’s visitors went ahead four minutes after Winks limped off.His cumbersome attempt at an overhead hook while tangling with Jackson was risky.The ball only went as far as Chelsea skipper Enzo Fernandez charging through and the Argentinian threaded the ball back through to Jackson to latch onto and prod the ball home.Leicester have now gone behind in the last six games. And with confidence low and a relative OAP up front, albeit a classy one in vastly experienced Vardy, conceding first is a big problem.Madueke scored a second for Chelsea but it was ruled out for offside. But how City stopped from being overrun is worthy of praise and a worry for Maresca that his team could not finish this game off long before half-time.Madueke missed a great chance to double the lead with a volley wide, Joao Felix went wide and then high with other chances. No wonder Maresca remains constantly critical of his team’s attacking prowess even though it sits comfortably in the Premier League top four.For failing to kill off games leads to hairy moments like the couple that the home managed to muster just before half time.Both Kasey McAteer and Wilfred Ndidi should have put Chelsea keeper Robert Sanchez under far more pressure than they did with their shots but it was still a warning that the Blues had work to do.Palmer should have put the seal on the game on 54 minutes when Cucurella chipped a shot into the box.It was when Jackson’s first time header was parried by keeper Mads Hermansen but another unforced error by Leicester’s defence left Fernandez unmarked to pretty much fall forwards and head the ball into an empty net from five yards.READ MORE SUN STORIESIt is now five games without a win for the Foxes even though they were handed a late, late lifeline from the penalty spot.Chelsea sub Romeo Lavia tripped Bobby Decordova-Reid and Jordan Ayew rolled home his spot-kick.  More

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      Seven Man Utd stars who should be fearing for their future in January as Ruben Amorim already knows who he doesn’t want

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      RUBEN AMORIM will want to stamp his mark on his new Manchester United squad as soon as possible.The former Sporting boss replaced Erik ten Hag and is preparing to take charge of his first match in charge at Ipswich on Sunday.Ruben Amorim will be weighing up which players he will be willing to let go in JanuaryCredit: GettyHe must make do with the current crop of players for the first few weeks of his tenure until the January transfer window opens.However, even then, it is understood he may not have an abundance of cash to splash to bring in his top targets straight away.And that could therefore see Amorim try and raise some funds by selling off some of the United players that fail to impress or fit into his favoured 3-4-3 system.But who is most at risk of facing the chop and could be heading out of the Old Trafford exit door early in 2025?READ MORE ON FOOTBALLJOSHUA ZIRKZEEJoshua Zirkzee may have only joined United in the summer but may already find himself as the third-choice striker under Amorim.The new manager’s preferred style favours the likes of Marcus Rashford and Rasmus Hojlund and there are concerns Zirkzee won’t fit the mould. It has been a tough start to life at Old Trafford for the Dutch striker, who has just one goal in his opening 17 appearances and allegedly was not even wanted by former boss Erik ten Hag before his £36.5million arrival. United and Zirkzee may decide this has not worked out and allow the 23-year-old to move elsewhere to continue his career before things turn sour. Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSJoshua Zirkzee’s United spell could be over within six monthsCredit: AlamyCHRISTIAN ERIKSENThe Danish midfielder, 32, is out of contract at the end of the season and was linked with leaving last summer. Ten Hag kept Christian Eriksen on but the reality is his game time will be very limited in the Amorim formation and selling the veteran would mean United can get a fee for him.Ruben Amorim gives first Man Utd interview and reveals number one priority to revive fallen giantsChristian Eriksen might be on his way outCredit: AlamyCASEMIROCasemiro’s United career has been turbulent to say the least – but could it be about to fizzle out?The experienced Brazilian, 32, has struggled to have the impact he would have wanted and his impact was waning under Ten Hag.And that could reduce even further if Amorim opts for a midfield duo of Manuel Ugarte and Kobbie Mainoo. He is under contract until 2026 but is United’s top-paid player on a staggering £375,000 per week – meaning shipping him out to the Middle East would be an ideal solution.Casemiro may find his game time limited in the new Amorim systemCredit: ReutersALEJANDRO GARNACHOThis one could ruffle a few feathers but Alejandro Garnacho, 20, could be on his way of Old Trafford, too.The new 3-4-3 formation will likely see two supporting playmakers in behind the main striker – with wing-backs instead of wingers.And that could spell bad news for the Argentine.He is undoubtedly one of the most exciting talents in the Red Devils squad and fans would hate to see him leave.But a big offer for an unfancied star who could generate a huge profit may be appealing for Amorim and his boardroom bosses.Alejandro Garnacho is one the most valuable men in the Red Devils squadCredit: RexAMAD DIALLOSimilarly, Amad Diallo, 22, could find himself out of favour under Amorim.The winger’s contract is also expiring next summer and if Amorim does not want to use him, he may try and convince the club to sell him in January – rather than offer a new contract or let him go for free.Incredibly, Antony could be handed a lifeline at Old Trafford – with early training sessions hinting he could get a new lease of life as a wing-back. Amad Diallo’s future is up in the airCredit: ReutersHARRY MAGUIREAmorim is keen for a 3-4-3 formation with three centre-backs.The reality is Harry Maguire, 31, can play in a back three and has done so previously – including for England at the World Cup.But the reality is also that he will be behind Matthijs de Ligt, Lisandro Martinez and Leny Yoro in the pecking order – plus potentially Luke Shaw if he moves into a left centre-back role.Maguire has been on the cusp of leaving several times and shaving his £190,000 off the weekly wage bill would help the finances. Harry Maguire may be on his way out of the clubCredit: EPAVICTOR LINDELOFOne could be forgiven for forgetting Victor Lindelof, 30, was still on the books at Old Trafford – more than seven years after arriving in 2017.READ MORE SUN STORIESHe will surely not get an extension on his current deal which expires at the end of the season.So trying to flog him in January would present the final chance to get anything for the Swedish defender. Victor Lindelof is way down the pecking order among the centre-backsCredit: Getty More

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      How Marco Silva has quietly restored his reputation at Fulham – and could record best-ever start against Wolves

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      WHEN Marco Silva first took over at Fulham, he had to bat away persistent questions over how much he had to prove in English football after his Everton demise.More than three years later, the Portuguese has masterminded constant progress in West London, has restored his reputation and could make Premier League history this weekend.Marco Silva’s Fulham take on Wolves at Craven Cottage on SaturdayCredit: PAIf his team get a result at home to struggling Wolves on Saturday, Silva will have overseen the best-ever start to a Prem campaign for the Cottagers.It would surpass the 18 points from 12 games managed by Chris Coleman in 2003-04.And it would put him on course to beat the best-ever season haul of 53 points managed in 2008-09 by Roy Hodgson, whose team had only 17 points at that stage in the season.Silva has quietly gone about his business and turned Fulham from perennial yo-yo club into a solid top-flight side with minimum fuss.Most read in FootballAnd while compatriot Ruben Amorim begins his Premier League journey this weekend with Manchester United, Silva’s reemergence as a top-job contender has been going under the radar.Fulham were sure they had landed a gem when they convinced Silva to spearhead their bid to regain their Prem status in 2021, after relegation under Scott Parker.But some supporters were not so sure given how it had gone pear-shaped for Silva in his previous job with Everton 18 months prior.How wrong any were to doubt him, as the diligent former right-back romped to promotion via winning the Championship before managing 10th- and 13th-placed finishes in the top flight with no risk of danger.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSHe has lost some of his best players along the way too.Whether it be talisman Aleksandar Mitrovic leaving for the Saudi riches, Tosin Adarabioyo’s freebie move to neighbours Chelsea or the exit of Joao Paulinha – the best Fulham player of the Premier League in some fans’ eyes – to Bayern Munich.The way he has managed to mitigate those losses gets to the heart of his success.Silva constantly stresses how it is all about the team, never about individuals, and that appears to have reduced the impact of any big-name sale.His honesty with players on how he plans to use them has been effective – particularly with Raul Jimenez and Adama Traore, previously a dynamic duo of Saturday’s opponents Wolves.Silva reinvigorated long-serving players like Tom Cairney and Tim Ream.While transfer business on the likes of Bernd Leno, Calvin Bassey, Andreas Pereira and Emile Smith Rowe has been spot on – and speaks to the productive relationship he has with co-owner and Director of Football Tony Khan.Heurelho Gomes, who played under Silva at Watford in 2017-18, is a huge fan of his old gaffer, praising him for his diligence, tactical acumen and approachability.The Brazilian still remembers being wowed by Silva changing to a 3-4-2-1 formation minutes before kick-off against West Ham back in 2017, which led to a dominant 2-0 win.While on another occasion the ex-Tottenham goalkeeper was in at 7am at the training ground for an MRI on his back – only to be surprised to discover Silva was in there at that time every day.The Brazilian told SunSport in association with thepokies: “He is underrated.“He can coach any club in the Premier League, especially because now he has more experience in the league. “His first season with Watford, it was just a few games, but he did amazing with us. His first season with Everton was amazing. The second season was not as amazing but this depends on the players as well. “He came back with Fulham and did an amazing job, taking Fulham to the Premier League again in first place, then to maintain the club as Fulham, fighting in the top eight is an amazing achievement.READ MORE SUN STORIES“He is able to coach the best clubs in Europe. “Fulham is an amazing club, Everton is an amazing club, Watford as well, but he deserves to be a manager of the top four, top five, top six clubs in England, for sure.” More

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      Liverpool’s Mo Salah is NOT world class… but I can name five players who are, says Troy Deeney

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      I HAVE received a bit of heat this week for some comments on Mohamed Salah — so let me talk you through it.I claimed Salah is NOT world class. Mo Salah is brilliant player, but falls short of being world classTroy Deeney has named five players who could walk into any team in the worldThe Liverpool player is a brilliant winger, his goalscoring numbers are incredible and he has achieved some truly amazing things at the club.But world class? No.Let me make this clear — this is not a personal attack on Salah. I think he is a top player and a great guy.I played against him a lot in my career and can appreciate just how good he is.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSBut trying to be everyone’s friend? That’s not my bag. I will say it how it is.In general, this is about the term “world class” as a whole — what does it actually mean and when can we use it?Firstly, it is a very lucid way to describe a footballer.It’s not like at The Masters when you get your Green Jacket and you are a champion of Augusta forever, regardless of how bad you play afterwards.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSIt is something as a player that takes ages to earn and probably half a season to lose, and then the fight to get it back begins again.Some players — great players — have struggled to earn that title at all during their careers. Top 10 highest-paid Premier League starsGary Neville is one of the most decorated full-backs of all time, but we all considered Roberto Carlos or Cafu to be a level above.Yet if I had Neville’s career behind me, would I care if someone said I wasn’t world class? Of course not.No player is safe from dropping out of this subjective, opinionated category, but there is always a way back.For instance, someone like Kylian Mbappe I would argue is also currently NOT world class. An incredible player, won plenty, got his big move to Real Madrid this summer, but his form has not been at the level of previous seasons.PSG superstar Kylian Mbappe has failed to hit the mark in Madrid so farTo earn and keep that world class tag, I believe you need to be able to transcend your whole team, transcend the game — not simply by having the most shirt sales, but being able to consistently lift a club to glory by yourself.Can Mbappe at 25 get back to being world class? Definitely. But for now, he has some work to do.As for Salah, you can look at his stats — 165 Prem goals in 274 games — and say this and that but ultimately, it is about what he brings to the team and the impact he has season after season, not just in certain games and moments.I was on the end of loads of drubbings at Watford when Salah was amazing for Liverpool.But when we prepared to face them, it was not just a case of “stop Salah and you win”.Changes to the Premier League for 2024/25NOTHING stays the same forever.And that includes the Premier League, which is making a number of tweaks this season.Team news will now be released 75 MINUTES before kick-off, 15 minutes earlier than had been the case before.Things could get crowded on the touchline, with the number of substitutes permitted to warm-up boosted from three players per team to FIVE.There’s also a change to how added time is calculated when a team scores a goal, an update to the ‘multiball’ system and the introduction of semi-automated offsides – but not straight away.Go here to read about all the changes to the Premier League for 2024/25.It was a lot harder when they also had Sadio Mane in the side who, in my opinion, was more effective over that period than Salah.And if we were basing this purely off numbers and goals, then Bruno Fernandes would be one of the best midfielders in the world, but he is not.You see where I am coming from?I can remember Graeme Souness once telling me his theory on whether you were world class, and it was based on whether you could walk into any starting XI in world football.With that in mind, here are the five players currently in world football who, for me, can be deemed world class — who could stroll into any team on the planet and start:READ MORE SUN STORIESSaying all this, it is just my opinion. Someone can turn around and tell me I am wrong and that is absolutely fine.And if Salah is worrying about what  I think, then he is definitely not  world class.Vinicius Junior is one the best wingers in the worldErling Haaland is the best striker in the worldVirgil van Dijk is a world class Prem defender More

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      Ruben Amorim reveals three major changes he wants from Man Utd players as he tells flops ‘there is no second way’

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      RUBEN AMORIM says this Manchester United team are not physically right and need to work harder.The new boss has inherited a Red Devils squad that has posted the club’s worst ever start to a Premier League season leading to the sacking of Erik ten Hag.Ruben Amorim is prepared to put United through their paces to instil his philosophyNow he is tasked to change that.And Amorim said: “We have to improve the physical aspect of the team, that is something we want to improve.“I think we lose the ball too often and we have to keep the ball.“We have to be better running back. I think that is clear for everybody. And we have to be very good in the details.READ MORE ON MAN UTD“Sometimes we are hoping to change a lot of things, big things, I think it’s the small things and we are here to improve on the small things, the way we see football, play as a team, understanding the game in one way,  that is the focus.“I can tell you in the small things I can help a lot these players.”Amorim insists that even though the players have only had a few days working with him, he will change how they play from the start of his first game away to Ipswich on Sunday.He will immediately take risks by employing a 3-4-3 as he stamps his mark on the way United are going to play going forward, right from the off.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSHe said: “As a coach you have to choose one way or another, I choose always 100 percent our way. I choose to risk a bit.“I believe so much in our way of playing, they will believe too. There is no second way.How Ruben Amorim will resurrect Marcus Rashford’s Man United career with subtle position change“We will adapt some players because we don’t have a different profile. “Maybe on Sunday you will see the starting 11 and not feel a lot of change but you will see it in the game and the positioning or where they receive the ball.“It’s not revolution because football is not so different with five players, in the back, three players in the back or four players in the back.“I cannot say evolution because we will have to wait and see but we will play a different type of football, we have our ideas, I’m not saying these are the best ideas, but it’s our way of seeing football.“It’s not evolution or revolution, it’s a change in the way we play football.”“I think we have to improve in a lot of areas, the understanding of the game, I know it’s a different way of playing and we are changing in the middle of the season.”READ MORE SUN STORIESBut he thinks he has the players to do what he wants.He said: “Until they prove me wrong, I believe in the players.”Three Sporting stars Amorim could swoop for after joining Man UtdRUBEN AMORIM has ruled out poaching any of his Sporting Lisbon players in the January transfer window.But the Portuguese side’s chiefs expect Amorim will come calling in the summer – with his cheque book wide open.Here’s are three Sporting starts United could swoop for… but they won’t come cheap:VIKTOR GYOKERESAge: 26Position: StrikerCost: £84millionSwede has shone since joining Sporting last summer from Coventry — catching the eye of all Europe’s top clubs.Hit 43 goals in 50 games last season and boasts 18 strikes already this term.GONCALO INACIOAge: 23Position: DefenderCost: £50millionBall-playing centre-back was handed his debut by Amorim and has since become a key figure in Sporting’s recent title successes.Can also slot in at left-back if required and has 12 caps for Portugal.MORTEN HJULMANDAge: 25Position: MidfieldCost: £40millionDane is one of the top holding midfielders in Portugal — and made skipper by Amorim.He could be the man to replace Casemiro. More

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      West Ham ‘sound out former Champions League final manager’ as Julen Lopetegui ‘has TWO matches to save his job’

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      JULEN LOPETEGUI is not “listening or reading” about any sack speculation amid reports he has TWO matches to save his West Ham job.The Hammers are understood to have already sounded out Edin Terzic, who guided Borussia Dortmund to last season’s Champions League final before leaving the Bundesliga giants.Julen Lopetegui’s future could rest on results vs Newcastle and ArsenalCredit: RexEdin Terzic is rated a prime contender to step in if Lopetegui departsCredit: GettyAnd it’s claimed that should Lopetegui fail to get decent results away to Newcastle on Monday and then at home to Arsenal next Saturday, he will be shown the exit door.Typically, the West Ham hierarchy do not make mid-season firing but the club are 14th in the Premier League with only three wins from 11 matches.Terzic, a former Hammers’ assistant under Slaven Bilic, is regarded as a frontrunner should the Spaniard be replaced.He won the German Cup in his first spell in charge of Dortmund when he was interim chief.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLTerzic then returned to take the permanent position but quit in June this year after finishing fifth. TalkSPORT say West Ham Director of football Tim Steidten is a firm admirer of Terzic and that contact has already been made.It was put to Lopetegui, 58, that his time could soon be over in East London.But he responded: “The only thing I’m focused on is to be able to go to Newcastle in a tough match against a very good team.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS“We have to be ready to improve and to overcome the kinds of difficulties that we are going to have as a team.“The rest of the things, believe me this is football, it’s up to you. I’m not focused on this.Who is Julen Lopetegui?“I’m not listening or reading. I’m focused on working in my daily work to be able to understand what things can happen to be a better team.“The rest of the things are out of my control.“We put all our focus on the things that we can control to be able to work better, with a high demanding, knowing that the players need to do better.“Knowing that the season arrives in May, not November. So, let’s see what happens in two, three months.”Lopetegui – who is without the suspended Edson Alvarez and Mohammed Kudus – said he “talks every week” with chairman and largest shareholder David Sullivan.He added: “Our life is to live under pressure. Our work is like this. That is why we choose this world.“The more important thing is that we are working very hard to be able to improve a lot.“The players have a big commitment to do this. I’m sure that we are going to achieve our levels.“It’s true that we are not happy with the position that we are in but it’s true that we have a lot of time to change this.READ MORE SUN STORIES“We have done good things, but not enough things and we have to do more good things. We have to be able to achieve the best level of all the players.“We have to increase the level of all the team. I’m sure that all the players are involved in this improvement.” More

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      Gary Neville admits ‘I got it wrong’ and apologises over Rashford criticism as Amorim demands Man Utd ‘change’

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      MANCHESTER UNITED icon Gary Neville has apologised for his criticism of Marcus Rashford and Casemiro in the wake of their trip to the USA last week.The duo spent the international break in the States after missing out on a call-up to their respective national teams.Gary Neville apologised for his comments on Marcus Rashford and Casemiro during a chat with Ruben AmorimCredit: YouTube/Sky Sports Premier LeagueRashford flew to New York for an NBA gameCredit: ReutersNeville did not shy away from criticising him and Casemiro, who travelled to Orlando, this weekCredit: PARashford was pictured watching Friday’s NBA clash between the New York Knicks and Brooklyn Nets at Madison Square Garden.Meanwhile, Casemiro flew to Orlando to enjoy a family holiday at Disney World and a Magic game at Kia Center.However, both players received backlash with ex-United defender Neville leading the criticism.Speaking on the Stick to Football podcast, the pundit explained: “The professionalism, looking after your body and making sure you’re best prepared for the next training session is critical to every decision you make during the season.Read More on Man Utd”He has got a mental break, he’s got to get away and has got to rest with friends – then you talk about the choice of venue, how far do you fly, what’s the time difference, is that going to give a jet lag issue, is that going to give a stiffness issue from being on a flight for 12 hours?”This is on Casemiro more than Rashford but if I’m 30 years old and I’m looking after my body – and he’s won five Champions Leagues and is an unbelievable player, but if he was away with Brazil for 10 days, we would say he would struggle this weekend because he’s been away.”They have chosen that international break. If you are talking about the minor details in being as professional as you can be and as prepared you can be for a training session on a Monday night, that isn’t the best choice of venue.”But in a recent interview with new Man Utd boss Ruben Amorim for Sky Sports, he partially took back some of his criticism.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSNeville said: “I made a comment this week about Casemiro and Marcus Rashford travelling to America in their few days off.”It was just me thinking as a Manchester United player when I played here. How Ruben Amorim will resurrect Marcus Rashford’s Man United career with subtle position change”You’ve got a few days off, the club are 13th in the league, the manager has just been sacked, it’s a challenging part of the season and the new manager is about to come in.”And that focus and preparation and every single little detail is really important, and I said I don’t think I’d have chosen that trip to go to America with the time difference. I did get it wrong – they went to New York rather than Portland so I apologise for that. “But there’s still a 5-6 hour time difference, they’re on planes, Casemiro’s 30 years of age.”Amorim insisted it was not his decision to let the duo travel during the break.He even went as far as to suggest he would have banned them from flying.Amorim explained: “I think the main question here is that us, as a club, have to set the standards and have to manage that.”It is my decision if they can have five days [off], three days or three days to rest, you cannot fly.”This is something that us, as a club, have to decide. For me? Yes for sure [he would have banned them].Amorim claimed he would not have let them fly if the decision was up to himCredit: Getty”We cannot put this on the players. They [United] told them they can have five days off so they can fly anywhere because nobody at the club says you cannot fly.”Amorim’s reign at Man Utd will officially begin this weekend when the Red Devils face Ipswich at Portman Road.The ex-Sporting Lisbon manager is determined to change things at Old Trafford, with United currently 13th in the Premier League table.He said: “Call me naive. But I truly believe I am the right guy in the right moment.”I could be wrong but the world still will turn [and] the sun will rise again, I don’t worry about that.”I truly believe I’m the right guy for this job.”In two years you will understand if I am the right man to be in this process.READ MORE SUN STORIES”In two years you can understand if you want to continue on this path or you want to change.”I know if you are at Manchester United you have to win games, so I will not tell you I need a lot of time.”Ruben Amorim leaves Sporting on a highBy Charlie WyettRUBEN AMORIM would have preferred to leave Lisbon in a blaze of glory after winning a third Primeira Liga title.Yet football does not work like that. And in what was surely his final game before taking charge of Manchester United, Amorim prepared to say his goodbyes at a half-empty Estadio Jose Alvalade in a League Cup quarter-final against Nacional.Sporting won 3-1 thanks to  second-half goals by captain  Morten Hjulmand and Viktor Gyokeres, who scored two.Luis Esteves pulled back for Madeira-based Nacional.The stadium  will be a good deal more lively on Tuesday when Manchester City are here for  a Champions League match — although Amorim should by then have his feet firmly under his desk at Old Trafford.Liverpool and Aston Villa were both interested in Europe’s most sought-after coach. Even City could have been a possible destination post-Pep Guardiola.Yet the United job is one Amorim, 39,  could not turn  down — even if not everyone saw it that way at Sporting last night.There is clearly a huge split in the Portuguese club’s fan base over their coach leaving at this stage of the season with many believing he should have seen the job through.Yet Amorim, along with the three-man coaching team who are expected to follow him, leaves a club in a much better state than when he arrived here in 2020.Inside the stadium, there was applause — albeit muted — when his name was read out before the game along with the line-ups.And there did not appear to be any jeers when Amorim shuffled out from the tunnel awkwardly towards the dugout.So, while his departure is hard to take for some, none of the fans will forget his legacy.This is a club which is back as the dominant force in Portugal. Even this term, Sporting have won their first nine league games, scoring 30 goals and conceding just two.They are also eighth in the Champions League table, which is one hell of an effort.In contrast, Lisbon was not exactly hit by League Cup fever last night.Amorim made lots of changes, which saw Sporting’s star man Gyokeres, the former Coventry striker, start on the bench.There was, however, a first appearance in six weeks for former Tottenham winger Marcus Edwards. He is certainly one player who has been transformed by Amorim since arriving at the club from Vitoria in 2022 and will be sorry to see the coach leave.While he changed his team, Amorim stuck with his tried and trusted formation of a back three.It will certainly be something Manchester United’s fans will have to get used to over the  coming months.But looking at the Premier League table, none of them will be complaining about the change. More