Premier League

SIR ALEX FERGUSON’S brutal reaction to Nani after he was the victim of a horror challenge from Jamie Carragher has been revealed.The infamous incident occurred in 2011 at Anfield during Liverpool’s 3-1 victory over Manchester United.
Nani was left in tears after a brutal challenge from Jamie Carragher in 2011Credit: Getty
Sir Alex Ferguson had a brutal response when he saw his winger cryingCredit: Alamy
During the feisty first half, Reds legend Carragher lunged at United’s Portuguese winger and was duly booked for the X-rated challenge.
Nani’s shin was left with a gaping wound, forcing him to be taken off at half-time, as his team-mates raced over to confront Carragher.
However, now an ex-colleague has recalled how their anger turned to embarrassment when they saw tears running down Nani’s cheeks – which led to a fierce Fergie response.
Patrice Evra, speaking to Rio Ferdinand on the FIVE podcast, said: “You remember Anfield when Nani got tackled by Jamie Carragher?
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“I remember he got butchered he nearly broke his leg.
“We started fighting with Liverpool players, Steven Gerrard, and then Scholsey [Paul Scholes] came and he saw Nani crying. He said ‘f*** that, let’s go’.
‘”After that Ferguson gave him two weeks off because he says he needed to recover from that because we were waiting for him because in that team we didn’t care we were ready to kill him.
“Because you know someone crying at Anfield… and even Ferguson, you remember when he said: ‘I hope your legs are f*****g broken I really hope your legs are broken’.”
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Evra added: “Ferguson always wanted to kill Nani when he was falling on the floor, saying you can’t be a United player and doing that.”
Ferdinand added: “We all run over because it was such a bad tackle and everyone’s pushing.
“Scholesy came and looked at Nani and saw him crying and said ‘nah’, and walked off, just walked off. He said he ‘can’t defend that’.” More

Ex-Aston Villa star Karim El Ahmadi has proved he doesn’t just possess an educated right foot… by becoming a mind coach for young players.The former Morocco midfielder, 38, is back for his third spell with Feyenoord – but this time to help the club’s starlets overcome nerves that left him “petrified” on the pitch.
Karim El Ahmadi has returned to Dutch giants Feyenoord to help their youngsters overcome the nerves that beset his own playing careerCredit: INSTAGRAM
Ex-midfield anchorman El Ahmadi was with Aston Villa from 2012-2014Credit: Getty
El Ahmadi netted three goals in 56 games for Villa before rejoining the Dutch giants in 2014, then seeing out his playing days with Saudi club Al-Ittihad Club.
And after quitting as a player last year he drew on the abuse he took while a player to become a counsellor to Feyenoord’s youngsters.
He said: “Mental coaching is so important for young players.  I only began playing well once I stopped letting criticism drive me crazy.
“In my role as a counsellor to Feyenoord’s players I work to ensure that they no longer have to suffer doubts and uncertainty.
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“I think it is great to be able to help young players on their way, by using my experience of top-level football.
“It can be relentlessly tough at times.  I experienced it at first hand when I joined the club from FC Twente in 2008.
“I was petrified by nerves.  I had to face tons of criticism, and was all of a sudden no good.
“I even felt guilty towards the Feyenoord fans, as I had cost £4million and not shown my best form.
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“It would have helped me had someone told me: ‘Karim, keep your confidence up – everything will be OK’.
“In this regard I could say that my time in Rotterdam made me grow up.”
Dutch-born El Ahmadi amassed 66 caps for Morocco and played at the 2018 World Cup finals.
He won an Eredivisie title and two Dutch FA Cups with Feyenoord and was Holland’s Player of the Year in 2017. More

REAL MADRID are reportedly looking to make Mikel Arteta their next manager.And the Spaniard could raid Arsenal for three superstars should he replace Carlo Ancelotti this summer.
Mikel Arteta could sign three Arsenal players if he takes charge at Real MadridCredit: Getty
The current Los Blancos boss is under huge pressure after falling nine points behind Barcelona in the title race.
Real are still firmly in the Champions League hunt after a 5-2 drubbing of Liverpool two weeks ago.
But their shortcomings in LaLiga could cost Ancelotti his job at the end of the season.
And it’s reckoned Arteta is top of Real’s list as he potentially leads Arsenal to their first Premier League crown in almost 20 years.
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Should the ex-Man City assistant wind up at the Bernabeu, he is likely to implement his tried-and-trusted 4-2-3-1 formation.
And Arteta, who signed a new Emirates deal last summer, would surely be tempted to try for three of Arsenal’s best players in the transfer market.
Thibaut Courtois is undoubtedly Real’s No1 between the sticks.
Eder Militao and David Alaba would provide defensive support on the flanks while also drifting into central midfield when the team’s in possession.
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Antonio Rudiger is another current Real star who would likely keep his place under Arteta.
But the ex-Chelsea star could find himself partnering William Saliba at the back.
Arsenal are keen to tie the French star down to a new contract following his brilliant season.
But Saliba will be mindful it took until his fourth year at the Emirates to finally break into the starting XI.
And he could jump at the chance to join Arteta in the Spanish capital.
Real’s midfield would likely see the biggest overhaul as Toni Kroos and Luka Modric approach the end of their careers.
Aurelian Tchouameni’s presence is already a given, while it’s believed Real want to beat Liverpool in the race for Borussia Dortmund star Jude Bellingham.

Martin Odegaard, William Saliba and Bukayo Saka could all be snapped up by ArtetaCredit: Reuters
And Arteta could complete a new-look trio by bringing Martin Odegaard back to the club.
The Norwegian was famously snapped up by Real when he was just 14 years old but failed to make a proper impact.
Odegaard has transformed into a star player at Arsenal, even taking the captaincy.
And with just two years left on his deal, the playmaker could be tempted by a second spell at Real to put things right.
Up top, Arteta knows it would be madness to drop either Karim Benzema or Vinicius Jr.
But with Marco Asensio and Eden Hazard set to leave this summer, and Rodrygo yet to fully settle, he may want a new right winger.
And there would be no better fit than Bukayo Saka, who is now one of the Premier League’s best players.
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Like Saliba, he too is in contract talks with Arsenal over a lucrative extension.
But the chance to play for Arteta in Real’s famous white kit could also be too good to turn down. More

ARSENAL fans have been left disgusted by the look of a shish kebab served by the club. The Gunners may be winning regularly on the pitch but things are not going so well in the stadium concourses.
Arsenal fans have been left horrified by a kebab on sale at the stadiumCredit: Twitter / @FootyScran
The kebab served on pitta bread alongside lettuce, onion and a sauce sets fans back £8.
And it is safe to say not many are appetized after it was posted online by Footy Scran.
One fan took to Twitter, saying: “Reminds me of when I walked my dog yesterday.”
Another reacted: “Suspicious-looking.”
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A third commented: “Arsenal should lose the league just for this.”
More said: “More like sheesh! Kebab.”
Although one defended the kebab: “The picture makes it look pretty bad but those are actually decent (had one on Saturday).”
This is not the first time Arsenal supporters have been left staggered by the food on offer at the Emirates Stadium.
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A portion of better-looking chilli and chips had fans in disbelief – due to the eye-watering £13 price-tag.
They are not the only Premier League club to get criticism over what’s on the menu for stadium visitors.
A chicken burger served at Aston Villa was labelled “criminal”.
Meanwhile, West Ham did not have better luck with their take on the same meal with it being slammed as “grim”.
Maybe the key to good food is going further down the football pyramid after an “outstanding” double bacon cheeseburger served at Ashton Town went viral. More