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    Christian Eriksen hands Man Utd major boost with midfielder set to return from injury in ten days ahead of Everton clash

    CHRISTIAN ERIKSEN is ahead of schedule and could be back in action for Manchester United in just ten days.The Danish international midfielder, 31, was expected to be out until May with an ankle injury.
    Christian Eriksen is set to return for Man Utd in just ten daysCredit: Getty
    Christian Eriksen’s leg was in a protective boot after a horror lunge from Andy CarrollCredit: instagram.com/stories/chriseriksen8/3064111786839147795/?hl=en
    Christian Eriksen recently revealed his protective boot was off and he was back in trainingCredit: instagram.com/stories/chriseriksen8/3064111786839147795/?hl=en
    But he has returned to training and there is optimism around the club that he could be available soon.
    While Eriksen is expected to miss United’s next two league games away to Newcastle and at home to Brentford a place on the bench for the visit of Everton on April 8 is now on the radar.
    Speaking during the international break Eriksen said: “It is going well. I have just started being outside with football boots on.
    “And then we take it from there, that is the next step. I have been in the gym for some weeks now and now it is time to do the next rehab session outside.”
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    The former Spurs and Inter Milan midfielder joined United last summer as a free agent after a short spell with Brentford.
    He was in top form until he suffered an ankle injury during the FA Cup win over Reading on January 28 after a heavy challenge from Andy Carroll.
    His return will be a huge boost for manager Erik ten Hag as the Red Devils start their run in with a Cup treble to aim for and a top four spot in the Premier League.
    Ten Hag will be missing Casemiro for the next four league games due to his second red card of the season against Southampton on March 12.
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    Marcel Sabitzer is also an injury doubt after suffering a knee injury on international duty with Austria.
    There is good news surrounding Marcus Rashford who has been back in light training at Carrington.
    He withdrew from the England squad after picking up a knock against Fulham before the international break. More

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    Mason Mount lined up for stunning Bayern Munich transfer to reunite with ex-Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel

    THOMAS TUCHEL is ready to raid former club Chelsea for Mason Mount.Tuchel is back in work with German giants Bayern Munich after being sacked by the Blues in September.
    Thomas Tuchel is a big fan of Mason Mount who was a key part of his Chelsea teamCredit: Getty
    He has only been in the job for a few days and wants at least three or four matches to properly size up his new squad before drawing up transfer plans for the summer.
    But Tuchel is a huge fan of unsettled Mount who is in a contract stand off at Stamford Bridge.
    And there are already early suggestions the six-times European champions will approach Chelsea chairman Todd Boehly about striking a deal in the summer.
    There has been no contact whatsoever between the two parties so far.
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    Tuchel replaced Julian Nagelsmann last Friday with Bayern second in the Bundesliga – one point adrift of leaders Borussia Dortmund.
    Mount, 24, was one his favourite players during the German’s 18 months at Stamford Bridge.
    The player has just over a year left on his current contract and talks have stalled over a new one.
    Mount is recovering from a groin injury at present but is hoping to be fit for Saturday’s Premier League home clash with Aston Villa.
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    At the moment he wants to shelve any distractions from getting back into the team and playing as many games as possible for Chelsea in the remaining two months of the season.
    Tuchel dropped him from his first game in charge as Chelsea boss in January 2021 but came off the bench with seven minutes to go and never looked back.
    He went on to play in six different positions under the manager and supplied the assist for team-mate Kai Havertz to win the Champions League for a second time for Chelsea in the 2021 final against Manchester City.
    Mount has been with Chelsea since he was six years old but with negotiations about a new deal struggling, rival clubs are circling.
    He has already been linked with Premier League rivals Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal.
    Bayern Munich join Italians Juventus as a queue of European titans starts to form with time ticking away on Mount’s deal which expires in June 2024.
    If there is no resolution, Chelsea may well prefer to sell him to a foreign club rather than a fellow English team to avoid facing him in the Premier League. More

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    Son Heung-min is first Tottenham player to break silence on Antonio Conte sacking in emotional interview

    SON HEUNG-MIN has apologised to Antonio Conte for personally not doing more this season.Conte left the club on Sunday night, eight days after slaughtering his “selfish” players in an explosive final press conference after a 3-3 draw at Southampton.
    Son Heung-min has become the first Tottenham player to break his silence on Antonio Conte’s sackingCredit: AFP
    It had been notable how none of Tottenham’s squad had taken to social media to pay tribute to their outgoing boss.
    But Son, 30, has now paid tribute to the “world-class” Italian and said he feels responsible for his exit.
    The South Korean shared the Premier League golden boot last season as he flourished under Conte – but has not come close to hitting the same heights this term.
    Speaking while on international duty, Son said: “I’m very sorry to him. 
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    “He is a world-class manager, we had a great journey together, I thank him a lot. 
    “I do not know how other players are thinking about him, but I’m sorry to him.
    “I should have shown more but I couldn’t. I couldn’t help the team and I feel responsible as he left the club.”
    Conte’s assistant Cristian Stellini has been put in caretaker charge until the end of the season.
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    Spurs have ten games left to hold onto the fourth spot that they currently occupy, having been knocked out of all the cup competitions.
    Conte is back in Italy contemplating his next move. 
    He is expected to be a leading contender for any vacancies that could crop up at the top-end of Serie A this summer, with AC Milan, Inter and Roma all possibly changing bosses.
    Son, who is on 99 Premier League goals, added: “He surely has great ability and experience as a coach and I’m sure he’ll have great success in his other career.
    “Coming back to Spurs, I wish to finish the rest of the season in a great way with my team-mates, for our club.” 
    One man who could follow Conte out of the exit door is Ivan Perisic – should any club be willing to stump up for his sky-high wages.
    The Croat, 34, was signed on a two-year deal last summer by Conte, for whom he had excelled at Inter, but has struggled to replicate those performances in the Premier League.

    Daniel Levy will assess possible successors to Conte between now and the end of the season.
    Julian Nagelsmann, recently sacked by Bayern Munich, is a contender but also a possible candidate for Real Madrid should Carlo Ancelotti leave.
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    Nagelsmann’s close pal Ernst Tanner, who coached the 35-year-old at 1860 Munich and has known him for 20 years, told German media: “Real will certainly be an option again, but in terms of language and his interests, I see England rather as the next and logical step.
    “Whether this has to be Tottenham in all haste, I dare to doubt.” More

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    Premier League cult hero nicknamed ‘The Body’ secures first job in management at just 37

    A FORMER Premier League cult hero nicknamed ‘The Body’ has secured his first job as a manager aged 37.George Elokobi was a popular figure throughout his six-year spell at Wolves.
    George Elokobi understandably earned the nickname ‘The Body’
    Elokobi is most famous for his time at WolvesCredit: Dave Pinegar – The Sun
    And the ripped 6ft centre-back earned a reputation for his incredible physique.
    Now the former defender is hoping to make a name for himself in management after taking the Maidstone United gig.
    Elokobi was caretaker manager following Hakan Hayrettin’s dismissal on January 9.
    He’s now taken the reins on a permanent basis.
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    The Cameroon-born icon is tasked with keeping Maidstone in the National League.
    The Mighty Stones currently sit seven points adrift at the bottom of the table with time running out to avoid an immediate return to National League South.
    Elokobi finished his playing career with Maidstone, captaining the club for three years until his retirement last year.
    That ended a run of non-league clubs including Braintree, Leyton Orient and Aldershot.
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    But it was his spell at Molineux that Elokobi is best remembered.
    He joined from Colchester in 2008 and went on to make 103 appearances for Wolves – including 58 in the Premier League from 2009 to 2012.
    His post-match antics, though, caused as much of a talking point as handling some of the world’s best strikers.
    Elokobi would take his top off on the pitch following the full-time whistle, leaving fans in awe and no doubt team-mates jealous.
    He told the Daily Mail in 2011: “It was a spur-of-the-moment thing. It started with Colchester against Birmingham.
    “I always take my top off now. I’ve got a good physique!
    “Even when it’s cold, as long as my hands are okay, I’m fine. I can’t play when my hands are cold, though.”
    The topless tradition was justified given his bulking physiqueCredit: Getty Images – Getty
    The former defender started out at Colchester and is now Maidstone managerCredit: Getty – Contributor More

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    Mason Greenwood ‘almost left Man Utd’ as his career hangs in the balance after rape case against him was dropped

    MASON Greenwood rejected advances from two huge European clubs before his arrest, insiders claim.It comes as Greenwood allegedly could play for Manchester United again after attempted rape and assault charges against him were dropped.
    Greenwood reportedly raised the prospect of moving to Manchester CityCredit: Reuters
    Greenwood turned down offers to play for Manchester City and Juventus, The Athletic reports.
    He raised the prospect of moving to Manchester City to United staff during tense moments in training.
    When Manchester City directly approached him, Greenwood turned them down.
    He also rejected an approach from Juventus before signing his first professional contract.
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    Greenwood hasn’t played professionally since January 2022 when the Red Devils beat West Ham at Old Trafford.
    He was arrested after a woman made allegations against him.
    He was charged with attempted rape, assault and controlling and coercive behaviour.
    Those charges were dropped last month, with the Crown Prosecution Service blaming the withdrawal of key witnesses and discovery of new material.
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    Greenwood released a statement after the decision, which read: “I am relieved that this matter is now over and I would like to thank my family, loved ones and friends for their support. There will be no further comment.”
    It comes after Greenwood recently learned his partner is pregnant with his first child.
    The £75,000-a-week Manchester United striker is expecting his first child with the university student this summer.
    It is understood Greenwood could face a TV interview as part of a “phased approach” to his comeback.
    And he has held face-to-face meetings with Man Utd bosses since the charges against him were dropped.
    Meanwhile, a top sports lawyer said Greenwood may have lost “millions” after being dropped by major sponsors Nike.
    A PR expert added that any club taking him on, should United let him go, would take on a huge financial risk.
    Despite this, a Champions League team have made “enquiries” over a possible transfer, while Greenwood himself was reported to be eyeing a move abroad to restart his career if he’s dropped by his current club.
    Greenwood rejected advances from two huge European clubsCredit: AFP

    Mason Greenwood leaves court on the first day of his trialCredit: Getty More

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    Man Utd ‘line up £80m Harry Kane transfer offer after club chiefs give Erik ten Hag green light to swoop’

    MANCHESTER UNITED have given Erik ten Hag the green light to bid £80million for Harry Kane, according to reports.And they want to wrap up a deal to sign the England captain before the end of the season.
    Harry Kane could be on his way to Manchester United this summerCredit: Getty
    Erik ten Hag is desperate for a new No9 at Old TraffordCredit: Getty
    The Tottenham striker, 29, is a long-term target for the Red Devils who desperately want a new No9 this summer after axing Cristiano Ronaldo.
    SunSport revealed earlier in March that the Old Trafford club are confident they will land Kane this summer if Tottenham miss out on the top four and the Champions League.
    Spurs have been holding out for £100m – but United hope they will accept an offer below that.
    Now the Mirror report the Red Devils board have sanctioned an £80m opening offer for their priority transfer target.
    It is thought Ten Hag implored his seniors to stump up the cash because he is desperate to secure the striker to transform his side into genuine title contenders and therefore wants to open talks as soon as possible.
    Kane is wanted by plenty of Europe’s top clubs including Bayern Munich, Barcelona and Chelsea – but the report adds his preferred destination is Old Trafford.
    His current £200,000-a-week contract at Tottenham expires in 2024 and he needs to make a decision on his future as his long wait for a trophy goes on.
    Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy understandably wants Kane to stay but knows he must make a shrewd managerial appointment to replace Antonio Conte and convince Kane the North Londoners can fight for silverware.
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    United made contact with Kane’s camp through a third party and were encouraged by the response.
    Kane said in January that there had “not been much talking” with Spurs over a new contract but he was “sure there will be conversations over the coming months”.
    Champions Manchester City are no longer in the running, having failed to land the striker in 2021 as they were quoted a whopping £150m by Levy.
    Now the Spurs chief is set to have to settle for far less than that – or else he risks losing Kane for nothing next year.
    On the international stage, Kane became England’s all-time record goalscorer with his penalty against Italy last week.
    And he took his tally to 55 against Ukraine on Sunday.
    THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY…The Sun is your go to destination for the best football, boxing and MMA news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video.Like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TheSunFootball and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSunFootball. More

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    Arsenal fans fear Bukayo Saka could still quit despite agreeing new long-term deal over ‘curse’ of highest paid player

    ARSENAL fans fear that Bukayo Saka could still leave the club despite agreeing a new long-term contract.The deal will see the England international become the club’s highest-paid player, with a salary of up to £300,000 per week.
    Bukayo Saka has agreed on a new deal at ArsenalCredit: Getty
    Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Mesut Ozil both struggled at Arsenal after signing new deals with the clubCredit: PA:Press Association
    Saka has been in stunning form for the club this season, helping them to the top of the Premier League table.
    The 21-year-old has scored 12 goals and assisted ten more in his 28 league appearances.
    While he has certainly earned his new deal, it does not guarantee his form will continue.
    Former club stars such as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Lukas Podolski and Mesut Ozil all saw their effectiveness fade after signing new contracts.
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    One Arsenal supporter tweeted: “Saka contract curse is pending….”
    While a second asked: “Will Saka beat the “improved contract” curse?”
    However, some were more hopeful, as a third fan added: “Saka about to break our £300,000 big player contract curse.”
    Ozil was a star player for Arsenal and he was awarded with a whooping contract worth £350,000 per week just six months before he was set to leave the club on a free transfer, according to The Mirror.
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    However, the following season, under new manager Unai Emery, he only managed to contribute six goals and three assists.
    The next season he scored one goal before being exiled from the team by manager Mikel Arteta and leaving on a free transfer to Fenerbache in January 2021.
    Aubameyang received a pay rise after helping the club win the FA Cup in 2020.
    But he also went on to fall out with Arteta at the start of the 2021/22 season.
    The Gabon striker was dropped from the squad after a third disciplinary issue in a year. He then left the club in the winter transfer window on a free transfer to Barcelona.
    Podolski might not have been been on a similar wage to the two recent stars but he was among the club’s highest-paid players in 2012.
    Earning £157,000 per week, the German starred in his first season in North London.
    However, in his second campaign, he lost his place in the team after some inconsistent performances.
    He then left the club on loan to Inter Milan in January 2015 and then permanently to Galatasaray in the summer for a measly fee of less than £2million.
    Lukas Podolski also fell victim to the curseCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd More

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    Chelsea star Mateo Kovacic wanted by ex-boss Thomas Tuchel at Bayern Munich on free transfer as contract runs down

    MATEO KOVACIC is reportedly wanted by Thomas Tuchel at Bayern Munich as his contract runs down at Chelsea.The Croatian has been at Stamford Bridge, first on loan and now permanently, since 2018 and is popular with the fanbase.
    Thomas Tuchel is a fan of Mateo Kovacic and started him regularly when he was Chelsea bossCredit: Getty
    But his contract expires in 16 months and he would be available as a free transfer if he does not extend his deal before the end of next season.
    And the Evening Standard report Tuchel, his former manager with the Blues, is among those looking at the star.
    The German was installed as Bayern boss last week, quickly after the shock sacking of Julian Nagelsmann, and has already set his sights on his ex-club.
    Tuchel, who won the Champions League with Chelsea in 2021, is also keen to bring in Blues coach Anthony Barry.
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    The interest in Kovacic goes beyond just his former boss with Manchester City also believed to be a fan of the dynamic midfielder.
    The 28-year-old is seen as an important first-team player and has even served as Chelsea’s captain over the last four games due to absences of major stars like Thiago Silva.
    But manager Graham Potter and chairman Todd Boehly have big decisions to make on outgoings after the club announced a huge loss of £121m earlier this week.
    The London club now face a huge summer clear-out to comply with Financial Fair Play regulations, having spend over £600m on new signings in the last year.
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    Profitable homegrown stars like midfielder Mason Mount, Trevoh Chalobah, Conor Gallagher, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Callum Hudson-Odoi are among the players who the club could potentially sell.
    But one squad member who is expected to stay is N’Golo Kante, who has not played a senior game for Chelsea since August.
    The Frenchman, who turns 32 tomorrow, has been struggling with injury for much of the season but could soon put pen to paper on a contract extension.
    He is on the path back to full fitness with some of his supportive teammates cheering him on at an U21 game earlier this month. More