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      Mo Salah made secret pact with Arne Slot before the season that helped Liverpool win Premier League title

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      MO SALAH and Arne Slot made the secret pact that took Liverpool to the title and made him Player of the Year.The campaign began with Anfield shrouded in doubts – especially over whether Salah would sign a new deal and how Slot might handle the strain of being Jurgen Klopp’s successor.Mo Salah and Arne Slot made a pact at the start of the seasonCredit: EPABut Salah revealed how he was certain he could make the Dutchman a Prem champ in exchange for a pledge from the new manager.Slot kept his word and so did the Kop’s Egyptian king as he reveals how over a series of discussions between the pair he declared: “I was very honest.“I told him: ‘with me, you are going to win the Premier League but I have to feel really comfortable with the way we play.’“He was very honest with me, we had a few honest conversations and he said to me: ‘OK, I will get the best out of you. I will put you in a situation where you feel comfortable but I need you to provide the numbers’.”READ MORE ON FOOTBALLProvide those numbers Salah, just crowned the Football Writers Association’s player of the year for a third time, certainly did.In what became a cruise to the crown he has set a new Prem high for a 38 – game season of 28 goals and 18 assists.He needs two more goal involvements in tomorrow’s last game of the season against Crystal Palace to claim history by overtaking the joint record of 47 held by Alan Shearer and Andy Cole set over 42 matches.JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSWhat’s more Salah will spend at least two more seasons with Liverpool having agreed a near – £400,000 a week new deal when he admits that the one pre – season doubt he did have was whether the club would come up with the numbers to make him stay.Most read in FootballPart of his concern was over the fact that owners Fenway Sports Group had always made age a number for older players.Cheeky Mo Salah reveals Liverpool’s Premier League title felt way better without Klopp, Mane and FirminoHe explained: “There is always a time either now or later when it is going to happen (Salah leaving) but I love this club.“I always wanted to stay but I know my value and I was waiting for the club to arrive to the right point where me and the club are both going to be happy so that’s why the contracts took so long.“Based on the club history, because the club treated players of 30 or 31 in different ways I wasn’t clear in my head that I was going to stay 100 percent.”Salah, who has equalled Thierry Henry’s record of three FWA awards, couldn’t be happier with the way it has all worked out for him – and for the former Feyenoord manager.His content is based not only on his own personal pride over what he says was a “crazy season, a crazy year” but also on the warm respect he has developed for Slot.The 32-year-old stresses: “It’s so special, I have a good relationship with him and I am very respectful towards him and his staff because we all work really hard.“At the beginning, we had that conversation, he asked me for stuff he wanted me to do.“I asked him and put me in the positions and situations where I can really provide numbers and our relationship is very good and it’s working well.“And he has improved me, absolutely. Now he will have to deal with me a bit longer!“I’ve always believed there’s always room to improve and I think he did it very well and you see the numbers this year and I feel very happy about it.Salah has been incredible this seasonCredit: ReutersHe is set to win the Premier League Golden Boot yet againCredit: Reuters“I would give him half the credit and the other half to my teammates because they always help me in the situations to give me the ball or be at the right spot so they can pass the ball and I score.”Salah also speaks warmly of the bond he has always had with the fans, even throughout a campaign of questions over whether he would go, or like skipper Virgil van Dijk, also sign on for another two years.He says: “My relationship with the fans, I see it as very special.“They see me as an honest guy and they could see that straight away.“I think that’s why our relationship is special and that’s why they love me. I don’t hide the stuff, I always share.”He has improved me, absolutely. Now he will have to deal with me a bit longer!Mo Salah on Arne SlotHaving picked up the FWA prize at an awards dinner on Thursday night he can now look forward to an even brighter future with Slot – and makes another vow.He says: “One game to go, I broke the record for 38 games so I am going to go fully focused for the last game and hopefully I can get two goals or assists.“So I go again next year to break records again!”There are no doubts for him that he can keep doing so either, even if he turns 33 next month.The daddy of them all throughout Liverpool’s Prem history insists: “People need to realise that in the last five or ten years players start hitting their peak when they are 30 and upwards.“When they have more experience and can manage their emotions and can provide big numbers.Read More on The Sun“Football has changed now, people take care of themselves, if you try to do everything right you are going to play until you decide it’s time to retire.“I said the other day I will probably play until I’m 39, 40 … until the kids tell you: ‘It’s OK, you leave football now and you stay with us!” More

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      ‘Very different to Wrexham’ – Gary Neville and David Beckham WON’T pour millions into Salford as they outline ‘project’

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      MANCHESTER UNITED legend Gary Neville outlined the plan he and David Beckham have for Salford City after their recent takeover of the club.Neville and Beckham, both 50, led a new consortium and gained control of the League Two side earlier this month by buying out shares from fellow Class of 92 icons Nicky Butt, Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs and Phil Neville. Manchester United legend Gary Neville outlined the plan he and David Beckham have for Salford CityBeckham and Neville completed the takeover of Salford earlier this monthNeville insists he and Beckham won’t pour millions in SalfordThe United greats have teamed up with businessman Declan Kelly and Lawn Tennis Association chairman Lord Mervyn Davies after major backer Peter Lim stepped away last year. The former England internationals have big plans as they are determined to get the League Two outfit in the Championship within the next five years.Ever since their arrival in 2014, Salford got promoted from the Northern Premier League Division One North to the EFL in five years, but they have remained in the fourth tier ever since.Neville told The Overlap Fan Debate, on behalf of Sky Bet: “Shares in a football club for most owners, other than the passion and the feelings you get from it, you’re a reliability from an investment perspective more than an asset.Read More on Football”We’ve put money into Salford and in January we just thought we needed to get a group of people involved, who we could trust.”Me and Becks [Beckham] agreed that we would put money in for the next four or five years, which is a commitment we’ve all made.”Salford City won’t be changing the budget – to reverse out of the model we already have, you need two or three years. “You can’t go from investing to becoming sustainable that quick – you need to look at players’ contracts for three years and you’ve generally got a model that you’ve built which you can’t come away from.”Most read in EFLCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSSuccessful celebrity-owned clubs have risen to prominence in recent years and many are hoping Salford will follow suit.Wrexham have earned three successive promotions from the National League to the Championship under Hollywood celebrity owners Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds.’Were we not good enough-‘ – Man Utd legend Roy Keane takes cheeky dig at David Beckham over 50th birthday snubAnd Birmingham won the League One title this season and will join the Red Dragons in the second division with NFL legend Tom Brady as minority owner.However, Neville is adamant things will be “very different” compared to Wrexham and Birmingham.The Man Utd hero insists millions will not be poured but instead he and Beckham will focus on turning the club into a “good football project” that will be very close to the local community.Neville added: “We just need to change the model of the club slightly, in fact quite a bit. It’s very different than Wrexham and Birmingham – you’re talking about millions going into those clubs. “That’s not what we’re looking to do with Salford. We want Salford to be a good football project.”Salford City has the cheapest ticket prices in the EFL. On day one, I committed to the fans that we would be the most affordable and accessible football club. I’d rather go down than do that [be unsustainable].”Neville is adamant Salford won’t follow Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds’ example with WrexhamThe same goes for Birmingham City, where NFL legend Tom Brady is a minority owner More

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      Sky Sports pundit makes Ruben Amorim sacking prediction amid Man Utd’s ‘most complicated post-Sir Alex Ferguson dilemma’

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      LIVERPOOL icon Jamie Carragher has claimed that Manchester United must start to consider Ruben Amorim’s future at Old Trafford.The Red Devils have endured a terrible season which took another bad turn on Wendesday.Jamie Carragher believes Ruben Amorim’s future is in doubtCredit: PARuben Amorim and Man Utd lost the Europa League final to TottenhamCredit: GettyUnited suffered a 1-0 loss to Spurs in the Europa League final, leaving them without European football ahead of the 2025-26 campaign.As a result, they will miss out on £100million worth of revenue from a cut in sponsorship income, TV earnings and gate receipts.To make matters worse, United could finish the Premier League season as low as 17th in the table – just one place above the relegation zone.Amid the club’s ongoing woes, Sky Sports pundit Carragher believes that United officials must start questioning whether or not Amorim is the right man to carry the club forward.READ MORE ON MAN UTDIn his column for The Telegraph this week, he wrote: “At some point during their post-season review of a dire campaign, someone in the Manchester United boardroom will need the courage to ask the toughest question: ‘Did we appoint the wrong manager at the wrong time?'”Sir Jim Ratcliffe may still believe Ruben Amorim is one of the best young coaches of his generation.”He may think that, had Amorim not joined United last November, he would have been hired by another top European club and excelled.”He may also be sure that if United had the same funds to rebuild the team as Amorim’s predecessors had at their disposal, it would be a question of when, not if, United return to the top of the English and European game.Most read in FootballJoin SUN CLUB for the Man Utd Files every Thursday plusin-depth coverage and exclusives from Old Trafford”But in the aftermath of a dismal Europa League final defeat by Tottenham Hotspur, the dilemma around Amorim is more complicated than for any of those who have tried and failed at Old Trafford since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement.”Carragher added: “The much-anticipated tactical innovations, and development of younger players, have been non-existent.Ruben Amorim offers to quit Man Utd ‘without any conversation about compensation’ if board want him goneThe Red Devils could finish as low as 17th in the Premier League tableCredit: Getty”The only successful game-changing strategy Amorim has offered is throwing Harry Maguire up front for the final few minutes of European games.”The Liverpool icon concluded by suggesting that while United might back Amorim now, they will have to reassess if the club endure a slow start to the 2025-26 campaign: “At United, the board appears to be more sympathetic than ruthless, but that will not last if there is no sign of improvement after a full pre-season.”So far, every big call of the Ratcliffe era has backfired. Ten Hag kept his job after a shock FA Cup final win. Amorim is likely to be backed after a shocking cup final performance.”Once more, it feels like United are keeping the faith more in hope than expectation.”United face Aston Villa on the final day of the season this weekend.The Red Devils then jet off to Malaysia for a post-season friendly against ASEAN All-Stars. More

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      Thomas Tuchel hints Phil Foden is still affected by vile Man Utd chants about his mum as he explains England absence

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      THOMAS TUCHEL has revealed why he left Phil Foden out of the latest England squad.The Manchester City ace was a surprise omission from the latest Three Lions announcement on Friday morning.Thomas Tuchel has revealed why Phil Foden has been left out of the England squadCredit: PAFoden was subjected to vile chants about his mum during the Manchester Derby in AprilCredit: AlamyTuchel has claimed that “injury and performance” factors are behind his absence from the upcoming international break.But he also appeared to suggest that Foden remains affected by the offensive chants he was subjected to about his mum during the Manchester Derby in April.Tuchel told talkSPORT: “It’s a little bit different, because Phil had difficult times in his last camp. I loved Phil as a person in the camp, he was fantastic.”I love his talent and the ability that he showed in training with us, simply outstanding. There’s no doubt about it.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”He struggled even before last camp to show it in the club, he struggled with in camp to feel the freedom and the excitement that is part of his game.”Things were not so easy for him, they became a bit more complicated after the Manchester derby.”On a personal level what happened in the Manchester derby with the fans, and then also on a physical level that he’s still suffering from ankle problems, cannot get rid of it.”So putting all in the mix, we thought it’s better. It’s the moment now for Phil to take a breath, to not be with us, which was also very hard for because I admire him a lot, and I like him a lot.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS”But we thought it’s better he took care of his ankle, fully pain free, and no reason for holding back and being fit for the Club World Cup.”So it was a mix between injury and performance wise.”New footage shows Phil Foden’s reaction to Man Utd fans’ sick chant aimed at his mum The Man City star recently opened up about his injury issues and mental healthCredit: GettyFoden was on the receiving end of vile chants about his mum during the 0-0 draw between Manchester United and Man City at Old Trafford earlier this year.City boss Pep Guardiola condemned the shocking treatment of the midfielder at full-time, stating: “It was a lack of class. We are so exposed in football — managers, owners and players especially.”I don’t understand the mind of the people involving the mum of Phil.”It’s a lack of integrity, class, and they should be ashamed.”Foden has experienced a drop in form this season and recently put it down to mental burnout and injury problems.He said: “It’s been a frustrating season for me. I’ve had a lot of things going on off the pitch mentally. It’s one of them, sometimes there’s things in life that are bigger than football.”This season I’ve struggled a little bit. Hopefully come next year I can get my head mentally right and get back where I left off the season before, because I know what I’m capable of doing and the quality I have.”The club have been so supportive, I can’t thank them enough. I know if everything was okay, I’d definitely be better on the field.”Sometimes things happen and you have to deal with it and move on.”Obviously it’s a difficult situation for me with the internationals right around the corner. It’s something we have to speak about with the club and national team, to see if it’s better to rest and get my ankle fully 100 percent back how I want it.”I just don’t know at the moment, it’s a conversation to be had and we’ll see what happens.”I just need a few weeks off, without playing football, and obviously I can’t get it at the moment. It’s a bit frustrating to play with niggles like this.”A lot of people don’t know what football players have to go through, and play with. I’ve had a lot of ankle pain and playing with it in the last couple of months. Some people don’t see what we go through.”Read More on The SunAlongside Foden, the likes of Harry Maguire and Jarrod Bowen have missed out on a place in the squad.Marc Guehi and Marcus Rashford are unavailable due to injury, with Adam Wharton dropping down to the Under-21s. More

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      ‘Like walking into a luxury spa’ – Nuno Espirito Santo plays handpan in his office, reveals Nottingham Forest star

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      NOTTINGHAM FOREST manager Nuno Espirito Santo has adopted a very unusual hobby during his time in charge at City Ground.Nuno, 51, joined Forest in December 2023 and has taken the club by storm by leading them to their first European qualification in 30 years after a turbulent debut season that saw him barely escaping relegation.Nottingham Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo has adopted an unusual hobbyNuno plays the handpan in his office to unwind and meet Forest’s demandsAccording to The Athletic, however, it’s not just the performances on the pitch that have left everyone at Nottingham fascinated with the Portuguese tactician.But it’s also the fact that the ex-Wolves boss has proven to be a very multi-layered person.The former Tottenham boss is well-known as a composed, disciplined and soft-spoken person when he speaks in front of the cameras.But behind the scenes he shows various different attributes as former team-mates remember him as a daredevil, who loves deep-sea diving, as well as a dressing room joker.Read More on FootballForest captain Ryan Yates also revealed Nuno has become famous for his love of music.One of the first things the ex-Porto star did when he signed with Forest was locating a music shop in Nottingham that could find him a percussion instrument known as a handpan.The handpan produces soothing sounds when tapping or drumming against its steel edges as it perches on the knee and looks like a huge metallic shell. And it has become quite common for people to hear these melodic sounds from the manager’s office.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSYates told The Athletic: “Is that [handpan] what it’s called?“I went for a chat with him and I just sat there while he was playing it for five, 10 minutes. Taiwo Awoniyi health update with Nottingham Forest star recovering in hospital after emergency abdominal surgery”It was incredible — like walking into a luxury spa or a five-star hotel. I thought I was going to fall asleep!”Yates insists this is just one of many things that show what a “very special man” Nuno is.The midfielder also praised the former goalkeeper’s stunning job at Forest as he led them to the FA Cup semi-finals as well this season.Yates added: “He’s a very special man. He’s very different to anyone I’ve come across before. But, more than anything, he’s obviously incredible at his job. “It’s incredible for the club to orchestrate Forest to their first European success in 30 years. It speaks for itself. Incredible.”Nuno is now gearing up for Sunday’s crunch home clash with Chelsea in the final fixture of the 2024-25 Premier League season needing a victory and other results to go his way in order to secure Champions League qualification.Read More on The SunNottingham saw their Champions League hopes suffering a devastating blow two weeks ago when they drew 2-2 with Leicester at City Ground.The game made headlines after Taiwo Awoniyi’s horror injury which led to owner Evangelos Marinakis having an intense talk with Nuno in front of the cameras at full-time as the Greek supremo was very unhappy with the way that incident was handled by the medical team. More

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      Alejandro Garnacho ‘set for showdown talks with Man Utd’ and unhappy star ‘has no relationship with Ruben Amorim’

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      ALEJANDRO GARNACHO is set to meet with Manchester United representatives this week to discuss a potential exit.The 20-year-old was left furious after being limited to just 20 minutes of match time in the 1-0 Europa League final defeat to Spurs on Wednesday.Alejandro Garnacho is set for showdown talks with Man UtdCredit: GettyHe said: “I’ve played every round until I reached the final, but I only played 20 minutes today.”I’ll enjoy the summer and then we’ll see.”His brother then added fuel to the fire by suggesting the winger had been “thrown under the bus” by Ruben Amorim in Bilbao.Garnacho has become increasingly frustrated with the United head coach in recent months.READ MORE ON MAN UTDAnd ESPN report that he no longer has a good relationship with him.The winger and his representatives are expected to meet with United officials in the coming days to discuss a move away.Man Utd chiefs are understood to be willing to negotiate a sale if a suitable offer arrives. Garnacho has been unhappy with his squad role in the second half of the season.Most read in FootballJoin SUN CLUB for the Man Utd Files every Thursday plusin-depth coverage and exclusives from Old TraffordHe is also dissatisfied with how Amorim managed the situation around his selection for the Europa League final.Man Utd reportedly want around £60million for the Argentina international.’What did he expect?’ – Sir Alex Ferguson looks ‘absolutely disgusted’ in new footage from Man Utd Europa League lossChelsea have been heavily linked with a move for him since January.Napoli are also understood to be interested.ESPN has also claimed that Garnacho’s representatives expect more interest from Premier League rivals and Saudi Pro League clubs. More

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      Florian Wirtz ‘house-hunting in Liverpool with Bayern chiefs fearing worst as Reds set to offer more than German giants’

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      BAYER LEVERKUSEN star Florian Wirtz is reportedly house-hunting in Liverpool amid an ongoing bidding war for his signature.Wirtz, 22, has attracted interest from a host of elite clubs, including Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Manchester City and of course the Reds after two stunning campaigns at Leverkusen.Bayer Leverkusen star Florian Wirtz is reportedly house-hunting in LiverpoolLiverpool’s bid for Wirtz is causing ‘a bit of fear’ within Bayern Munich’s campThe playmaker was one of the key reasons behind the German giants’ undefeated Double-winning run last season before amassing a total of 16 goals and 15 assists in 45 appearances this term.Bayern have been posing as favourites to land the Germany international during the summer transfer window.According to transfer insider Christian Falk, however, Liverpool appear to be stealing a march on the newly-crowned German champions.Falk claims the Merseysiders are the likeliest to come the closest to Wirtz’s astronomical €150million (£126m) release clause, which means they could eclipse the Premier League’s transfer record of £115m.Read More on FootballThe journalist also reports that Liverpool’s intense interest is having an effect on the German and that has led him to look at accommodation in the city.That has caused “a bit of fear” within the Bayern camp which is forcing them to take swift action.The Bavarians are not keen on meeting Wirtz’s expensive asking price or matching Liverpool’s bid.But Vincent Kompany’s side are planning a big meeting with the player and his family, including his father Hans-Joachim who is also his agent.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSThe two parties will meet at club executive Uli Hoeness’ house in Tegernsee.Bayern will try and fork out a deal with Wirtz’s family that will prove more attractive than Liverpool’s offer in terms of personal terms.Leverkusen star Jeremie Frimpong reveals why he snubbed Liverpool and chose Man City last time Reds tried to sign himThe Bundesliga giants are planning to use Hoeness’ influence as the Leverkusen star’s dad is the same age as the legendary forward and he thus grew up admiring him.Bayern and Liverpool received a massive transfer boost recently when Man City pulled out of the transfer race.Real’s interest, on the other hand, isn’t worrying the German table-toppers as much as the Prem champions’ bid. More

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      Man Utd’s squad value PLUMMETS by £407million as flop signings’ shocking new price-tags revealed after horror season

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      MANCHESTER UNITED may well have put every member of their squad up for sale.But their woeful season means the club’s signings have dropped more than £400MILLION in market value.Manchester United’s entire squad is up for saleCredit: GettyBruno Fernandes is the most valuable member of the squad at £47m – tied with Kobbie Mainoo and Leny YoroCredit: GettyUnited’s painful defeat by Tottenham in the Europa League final put a dour, sour note on the end of a dreadful campaign.And as the two finalists battle to avoid finishing 17th in the Premier League on Sunday, the Red Devils will not play in Europe next term for the first time since 2014-15.Sir Jim Ratcliffe has already referenced the dire state of United’s financial situation – with the club’s share value plummeting by 60 per cent and reports they are on the brink of breaching PSR rules.Failing to qualify for the Champions League will cost the club another £100m.READ MORE ON MAN UTDNow it is understood the entire playing squad are available for transfers in the summer – including captain Bruno Fernandes.Fernandes said after defeat in Bilbao: “I’ve always said I will be here until the club says to me that it’s time to go.”In the day that the club thinks that I’m too much or it’s time to part ways, football is like this, you never know it. But I’ve always said it and I keep my word in the same way.”If the club thinks it’s time to part ways because they want to do some cashing in or whatever, it’s what it is, and football sometimes is like this.”Most read in FootballJoin SUN CLUB for the Man Utd Files every Thursday plusin-depth coverage and exclusives from Old TraffordBut United can forget about recouping much of the massive transfer fees they splashed out on the current squad – with a total drop off of £407m in value, according to Transfermarkt’s latest figures.Academy graduates Kobbie Mainoo (£47m), Marcus Rashford (£42m) and Alejandro Garnacho (£38m) were left out of the figures as they came through the youth system, while those out of contract in the summer were excluded, too.Maguire and Romero in post-match scrap as Man Utd and Tottenham stars’ battle continues after Europa League finalMainoo is the joint-most valuable member of the team alongside Fernandes and Leny Yoro.But the whopping disparity between the transfer fees United paid for this crop of players and their current market value makes for bleak reading.The biggest drop-offs are the £72m for Harry Maguire (£85m to £13m), £68m for Antony (£85m to £17m), £60m for Casemiro (£70m to £10m) and £47m for Jadon Sancho (£73m to £26m) – two of whom were shipped out on loan when deemed surplus to requirements.Mason Mount is down £36m (£60m to £24m) while Rasmus Hojlund has fallen £34m from £72m to £38m.Luke Shaw, Lisandro Martinez and Andre Onana are all worth £20m less than the amount the Red Devils paid for them.Even Amad Diallo, the only bright spark in the Europa League final, has lost value from when United paid £37m for him – he is now worth £34m.Read More on The SunIncredibly, just two first-team signings in the United team now have a market value higher than their transfer fee.They are Diogo Dalot, who is up £11m from £19m to £30m, and Noussair Mazraoui, up £10m from £17m to £27m.Harry Maguire arrived for £85m in 2019 but is now worth £13mCredit: Getty – ContributorAntony’s current value is £17m – down a whopping £68mCredit: GettyOnly Noussair Mazraoui and Diogo Dalot have gone up in valueCredit: PAMan Utd ratings: Diallo best player in Europa League final but Hojlund out of his depthAMAD DIALLO’S fizzing first-half display was little consolation for Manchester United in a dismal 1-0 Europa League final loss to Tottenham.Rasmus Hojlund’s plight up front continued in one of the worst European showpieces for many years – as both sides showed why they will finish in the Premier League lower reaches.Spurs clinched it from virtually their first opportunity – on 42 minutes.Brennan Johnson bundled in Pape Sarr’s inswinging cross, with United left-back Luke Shaw also getting a touch on the way.The Red Devils dictated possession more and more after the break, with Leny Yoro stretching to test Guglielmo Vicario from a free-kick.But United’s chances only arrived regularly in the final quarter of a patchy contest.The Red Devils belatedly piled on the pressure in the seven minutes of stoppage time, but Spurs just held on.Here’s how SunSport’s Dave Courtnadge rated United on a miserable night individually and collectively for Ruben Amorim’s men… More