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      Ex-Man Utd coach explains why ‘party animal’ Anderson was a flop and how Fergie ‘wanted to hit him with a stick’

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      A FORMER Manchester United coach has revealed why “party animal” Anderson never succeeded at the club and how Sir Alex Ferguson “wanted to hit him with a stick”.Mick Clegg, who has also revealed how Fergie was good at boxing and that Roy Keane did not like Teddy Sheringham, was employed as a Power Development Trainer by the Red Devils.
      Mick Clegg (centre) worked at United under FergieCredit: Getty
      The Brazilian midfielder struggled with fitness and injuries at Man UtdCredit: Getty
      It was while he was working at Old Trafford that the club splashed out to sign Brazilian midfield star Anderson from Porto after he was spotted by the manager’s brother Martin Ferguson.
      He came with much promise after winning the “Golden Boy” award two years before his arrival.
      But despite winning the Premier League four times and the Champions League, the South American struggled overall to make an impact at United due to injury and fitness issues.
      He eventually returned to his homeland with Internacional in 2018.
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      Now Clegg, who spent four years from 2007 working with Anderson, has provided an insight into what the issues were.
      He told The Athletic: “Anderson was one. You could never find a nicer person, he was popular with everyone but he was a lazy bleeder.
      “He always had his excuses. I used to have a stick and I said to Alex Ferguson very early on, if he carries on, I’m going to hit him with my bleeding stick.
      “Fergie couldn’t believe it. ‘Don’t you dare. He cost me a lot of money. You can’t be hitting one of my players, are you mad?’
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      “Then, six weeks later, Fergie came to find me. ‘Where’s that bloody stick? Give me that stick. I want to hit him’.”
      Clegg added: “Anderson was more than capable of being an absolute stormer of a player. He just needed his head knocking. He didn’t keep fit.
      “He chose not to put in the work, so it’s hard to have too much sympathy for him. He was a party animal.”
      Sir Alex Ferguson ‘wanted to hit Anderson with a stick’Credit: Getty More

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      Champions League winner ‘keen on Tottenham job’ with Conte set for exit and club concerned about rehiring Pochettino

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      FORMER Barcelona manger Luis Enrique is “keen” on becoming Tottenham manager, according to reports.Spurs boss Antonio Conte’s time in charge of the club appears to be coming to an end following his side’s insipid Champions League exit at the hands of AC Milan.
      Antonio Conte is set to depart Tottenham before the start of next seasonCredit: Rex
      Ex-Barcelona and Spain boss Luis Enrique is being linked with the vacancyCredit: Getty
      And it now seems to be a matter of time before he is replaced in North London.
      SunSport exclusively revealed on Thursday that Spurs face a battle to persuade Thomas Tuchel to take the job.
      Ex-Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino, 51, is another name that has been heavily linked with the role.
      Spurs fans could be heard singing the Argentine’s name as they made their way out of the ground following their European exit earlier this week.
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      But, according to The Times, there are concerns among club chiefs about rehiring Pochettino – who was sacked in 2019 after a five-year stint.
      And Spanish coach Enrique, 52, is now being mooted as an alternative option.
      The former Barcelona and Spain national team boss is understood to be “keen” on assuming the position.
      It comes three months after he was sacked by his country’s FA following a last-16 exit at the World Cup at the hands of Morocco.
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      Enrique won nine trophies during his three seasons with Barcelona including two LaLiga titles, three Copa del Reys and the Champions League.
      He boasts the highest win percentage of any Barca head coach since 2000 at 76.2 per cent.
      Meanwhile, Spurs are still seeking a first piece of silverware since 2008.
      Exits from the FA Cup and Champions League mean they will be made to wait until at least 2024 to lift a trophy.
      It remains to be seen when Conte will depart the club, with his contract up at the end of the season.
      Tottenham’s performance and result at home to Nottingham Forest on Saturday is set to determine how long he will stay at the helm.
      Mauricio Pochettino is thought to be keen on a return to TottenhamCredit: The Mega Agency More

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      Stunning Man Utd Wag leaves little to the imagination in figure-hugging dress as she glams up for Chris Brown concert

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      MAJA LINDELOF left little to the imagination as she glammed up for a Chris Brown concert.The wife of Man United defender Victor Lindelof went to the show at the AO Arena in Manchester with Melanie Da Cruz, Anthony Martial’s wife.
      Man Utd’s Victor Lindelof’s stunning wife Maja Lindelof wow fans on social mediaCredit: Instagram / @majanilssonlindelof
      She had a new hairstyle and a figure-hugging dressCredit: Instagram / @majanilssonlindelof
      She was having a girl’s night out alongside Anthony Martial’s wife Melanie Da CruzCredit: Instagram / @melaniedvcruz
      They went to a Chris Brown concert at Manchester’s AO ArenaCredit: Instagram / @majanilssonlindelof
      But her outfit caught the attention as she wore a figure-hugging dress.
      The dress is showing some skin of her right shoulder, while the other arm is sleeved.
      Maja also had a new hairstyle for the show as she showed off her bangs on Instagram for her 241k followers.
      And fans loved the style as one said: “I love love love thisssss.”
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      A second commented: “Smash it lass.”
      A third wrote: “So beautiful.”
      While a fourth added: “The bangs are banging! You look beautiful.”
      Melanie on the other hand wore a white crop top under a denim jacket and some baggy jeans.
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      While the pair were enjoying their night, their partners were also having a good time as Man United beat Real Betis in the Europa League at Old Trafford.
      Lindelof was an unused sub on the night while Martial was not in the squad as he closes on his return from injury.
      She shared pics of her outside on InstagramCredit: Instagram / @majanilssonlindelof
      Maja has been married to Lindelof since 2018Credit: Instagram / @majanilssonlindelof More

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      I ‘lived unnaturally’ playing football at the highest level, claims ex-Chelsea star Gonzalo Higuain

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      GONZALO HIGUAIN says he’s “lived unnaturally” playing top-level football for the last 15 years.That’s because the former Chelsea star claims players “don’t have the same rights” as ordinary folk when it comes to criticism.
      Gonzalo Higuain has opened up over his ‘unnatural life’ as a footballerCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Higuain, now 35, has played for some of football’s top clubs during a glittering career which started at River Plate.
      The ex-Blues striker also starred at Real Madrid, Napoli, Juventus and AC Milan.
      And Higuain finished his career in America with David Beckham’s Inter Miami.
      The former Argentina star has amassed numerous goals and trophies – not to mention a vast sum of money.
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      But there’s one thing Higuain wishes he had received more of – respect.
      The hitman reckons once footballers start playing at the highest level, they instantly becoming dehumanised.
      Higuain complains he “can’t go out on the street” after having a bad game due to the insults that come his way.
      But after a lifetime of criticism when he hasn’t performed, Higuain now insists he will “no longer tolerate it.”
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      He told TyC Sports last year: “I said that I lived 15 years unnaturally. People think that we have an easy life, and no, not at all.
      “We don’t have the same right that you go down the street, they insult you and you can’t react, because if you do, the impact is double. 
      “If you lose a game, If you miss a goal or lose an important game, you can’t go out on the street.
      “The soccer player lives conditioned by a result. It’s a sport, a job, and it shouldn’t be confused. We’re all human.
      “I find it very unfair to have lived 15 years in the elite and not have been able to react to moments when I had to bow my head to insults and disrespect. At this time in my life I can’t tolerate it anymore.
      “I no longer tolerate ignoring, disrespect or aggression. I never suffered them in person, only because of anonymous people on social networks. But I’m sure this will end when they have to show their faces. 
      “Today jokes are made with everything kinds of things, but we have to be aware of what is generated, because with five seconds in front of a computer you can ruin a person’s life.
      “I am in one of the best moments of my life. The only thing that matters in football is success and not the journey that one takes.
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      “I’m already at a point in my life where neither praise makes me feel better nor criticism makes me feel worse. The most important thing is balance, and when one is calm with oneself, the other is secondary.
      “I am calm because I gave my life and more for the Argentine National Team. I am proud of what I gave for the National Team and I do not regret anything at all.” More

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      Martin Keown blasts Arsenal star for ‘killing everybody’ with his indecision and says team-mates should ‘take him out’

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      MARTIN KEOWN has slammed Arsenal goalkeeper Matt Turner after his mistake led to a goal against Sporting Lisbon.The keeper has only played two games since the turn of the year and his rustiness showed for Sporting’s equaliser.
      Martin Keown slammed Matt Turner’s indecisiveness against Sporting LisbonCredit: Getty
      The goalkeeper initially started to come for a corner whipped into the six-yard box
      He then backpedalled and was caught in no man’s land as Goncalo Inacio headed in
      A corner was played into the six-yard box by former Tottenham player Marcus Edwards and Turner should have collected the ball.
      He even started to come out before quickly backpeddling, allowing Goncalo Inacio to head in unchallenged.
      Keown questioned the American on BT Sport, saying his actions also made it more difficult for one of his team-mates to clear the ball.
      He said: “Really he’s killed everyone, because he’s started to come and then doesn’t. But [Jakub] Kiwior, too, he’s got to do a little bit more than that.
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      “What I’ll be saying though if I’m playing regularly with this keeper is I’m going to have to go and head things. I can’t really trust him. There he has come and win it and be dominant and he didn’t do it.
      “He had a first scary moments in the first half. He’s got to come and be dominant and win the ball from the corner, but he didn’t do it.
      “If you look, the goalkeeper comes and then he backs off. He kills the central defenders.
      “I tell you what I’d do when I’m playing for the next one, I’m coming, I’m heading that. I’ll take my own goalkeeper out because I can’t rely on him.”
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      Mikel Arteta also criticised his side’s defending in the 2-2 draw, warning his players they need to be more alert on set-pieces.
      The Gunners have only conceded five goals from set-pieces in the Premier League, one more than Manchester City, but it is an area Arteta is aiming to improve after Bournemouth also profited from a corner last weekend.
      After the game Arteta said: “Sometimes the opponents and really good at what they do.
      “When they get the delivery right, in the right space, it’s just half a centimetre sometimes whether you get that header out of the box or if it goes in.
      “It’s true that it’s something that we must improve dramatically in the next few games if you want to keep winning games.” More

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      I was an Arsenal Invincible – but after retiring I set up a successful fruit and veg business

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      AN ARSENAL Invincibles star looks a new man with grey hair and a beard a decade on after retiring from football – and he now runs a successful fruit and veg business.The 47-year-old goalkeeper played for the Gunners for two years between 2002-04.
      The ex-goalkeeper (right) played five times for ArsenalCredit: twitter@shaabanrami
      The 16-capped Swede was at the North London club for two yearsCredit: Instagram/rami.fresh
      He was a part of Arsenal’s Invincibles but didn’t pick up a 2004 medalCredit: Instagram/rami.fresh
      He now runs a fruit and veg business out of SwedenCredit: Instagram/rami.fresh
      He made just five appearances for the North London club.
      The 16-capped Swede was a part of Arsenal’s squad that went unbeaten in the 2003-04 but didn’t pick up a Premier League medal.
      He was also loaned to West Ham in January 2004 before being released by Arsenal in the summer.
      A year was then spent at Brighton before playing in Norway and then finishing his career at Hammarby IF in 2012 in his home country.
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      But a decade on since his retirement, now rocking grey hair and a beard, the ex-Prem footballer is in the fresh food business.
      His company is a specialist in the supply from Egypt of fruit and vegetables segment.
      Rami Fresh are based in Sweden and offer an assortment of fruit and vegetables from the best farms in Egypt.
      And the mystery footballer can be revealed as… Rami Shaaban.
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      Shaaban still pays attention to football and is good friends with fellow Swede and ex-Arsenal team-mate Freddie Ljungberg.
      He was also pleased to see Arsenal dominate Tottenham in the North London Derby last weekend.
      Sharing a throwback picture of Thierry Henry’s iconic knee slide from Arsenal’s 3-0 win over Spurs in 2002, he tweeted: “It’s this kind of day today!”
      Shaaban started in the iconic 2002 win over Tottenham, where the game ended 3-0Credit: PA:Press Association
      Shaaban still keeps an eye on football, and Arsenal, despite running his successful businessCredit: EPA More

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      Juventus legend Chiellini confesses he was a ‘fool’ to snub Arsenal’s £66k-a-year offer when he was just 16-years-old

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      FORMER Juventus centre-back Giorgio Chiellini has lifted the lid on his failed move to Arsenal in 2001 and says he was a “fool” to reject the club.The ex-Italy international claims the Gunners offered him a huge salary when he was just 16, but felt it would be a betrayal to leave Livorno.
      Giorgio Chiellini has revealed he turned down the chance to join Arsenal in 2001Credit: Getty Images – Getty
      Arsene Wenger was keen to bring the defender to North London, but Chiellini has revealed he was too loyal to Livorno, a decision he now regrets.
      The nine-time Serie A champion has stated that he was offered a whopping 200million Italian Lira-a-year by Arsenal, which was roughly around £66,000-per-year.
      Speaking to So Foot via Goal in February 2021 about his failed move, the 38-year-old said: “In hindsight, I was a fool to decline that offer.
      “I was 16, I played in Serie C, I got a huge offer for just under 200 million lira-a-season.
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      “I didn’t feel ready. If I had accepted, it would have given the impression of betraying Livorno.”
      Chiellini would leave the following year for Roma, before linking up with Juventus 15 years ago.
      He received 117 caps for Italy before retiring from international football earlier this year.
      The centre-back then also bidded farewell to Juve in 2022, as he joined Los Angeles FC.
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      Chiellini could have ended up at Arsenal later in his career after Robin van Persie revealed he urged Wenger to sign him, however his plea was ignored.
      On the Effe Relativeren Podcast last year, the ex-Gunners skipper said: “At a given moment I felt called upon to say what Arsenal could do better in order to win the league.
      “I felt we lacked a winning mentality, and asked Arsene Wenger to sign Giorgio Chiellini.
      “I have played against him a few times, and he is a genuine winner. You could see that when he played against Holland a few weeks ago.
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      “He is 36-years-old, but he’ll dish out nine elbows every game with a smile on his face. He’ll keep smiling and never get a yellow card.
      “You need those types of winners and killers in your side. I felt we should get him.” More

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      Richarlison should be BANISHED to Tottenham U18s after incredible moan about Antonio Conte, slams pundit

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      GABBY AGBONLAHOR has slammed Risharlison and thinks he should be banished to the U18s following his rant about Antonio Conte’s team selection.The Brazilian forward hit out at the Italian after he was benched for Tottenham’s Champions League defeat to AC Milan.
      Gabby Agbonlahor has hit out at Richarlison over his rant at Antonio ConteCredit: The Sun
      He thinks that Richarlison should train with the U18sCredit: Alamy
      Richarlison believed that he should have started the game following his appearances against West Ham and Chelsea.
      He said: “That’s what I didn’t understand, too [being a substitute]. It was going well, in a good sequence, two wins against West Ham and Chelsea.

      “Suddenly, [assistant boss Cristian Stellini] put me on the bench, against Wolverhampton he put me on for five minutes. I asked why? They didn’t tell me anything.
      “Let’s see what [Conte] will say tomorrow, but there are no fools here either, I’m a professional, I work every day and I want to play. There are minutes left, time left.
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      “This season, excuse the word, it’s been s***, because I don’t have minutes, I suffered a little with the injury. But, when I enter the field, I give my life. I came from two games well, I think that’s it, I think I should have played and I don’t have to cry about it.”
      And his outburst has caused Agbonlahor to take aim at him with his overall performance since making his £60million move to Tottenham from Everton last summer.
      He told talkSPORT: “Richarlison, £60 million he cost. Premier League goals zero, assists, two.
      “Always moaning, always rolling around on the floor.
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      “He’s come out and said he’s had a positive moment and say’s Conte put me on the bench. His positive moment is two games, zero goals – I don’t’ get it?
      “Positive for £60m is a couple of goals, a couple of assists. So don’t be moaning when you’re not performing when you’re given a chance.
      “If I’m Conte and Conte looks like that kind of manager, I’m sure his boots and kit are in the U18 dressing room this morning.”
      The 25-year-old has featured 25 times for the North London side this season but has only scored twice, both of which came in the Champions League. More