Premier League

FORMER Manchester United star Diego Forlan is set to make his professional tennis debut next month.The Uruguayan, 45, excelled at both football and tennis while growing up.Diego Forlan has been playing 45+ events on the ITF Tour this yearCredit: Septimo Game via XForlan, now 45, plays tennis left-handed, despite being right-footedCredit: GettyHaving hung up his boots in 2019 following an illustrious football career, Forlan has since turned his attention towards his other great sporting passion.This year, the former striker has competed in three 45+ events on tennis’ ITF Tour and is ranked No108 in that category.He has now been handed the opportunity to play on the professional circuit, after being awarded a doubles wildcard into next month’s Uruguay Open.Taking place in Forlan’s hometown of Montevideo, the Uruguay Open is on the ATP Challenger Tour, tennis’ second tier circuit.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLFor the event, the former Uruguay international has bagged himself an impressive partner.Forlan will play alongside Federico Coria, who has extensive experience of playing in tennis’ biggest events, having featured in all four Grand Slams this year.The 32-year-old is currently ranked No101 in the world, and as recently as last year was in the top 50.Earlier this year he beat former British No1 Cameron Norrie.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSForlan is set to play alongside tennis professional Federico CoriaCredit: ATPAnd he has tennis pedigree in his family, with brother Guillermo  having reached the Roland Garros final in 2004.Upon news of his partnership with Forlan being announced, Coria wrote on Instagram: “Uffff, the double of the year.”Ex-Man Utd star Diego Forlan shows off new look as he discusses his role as a FIFA museum ambassadorEarlier this year, Forlan spoke of his tennis exploits with The Athletic.He said: “I need something where I can run. Golf, you play in beautiful places — I like it and I still do it, but I need something different, something more similar to football. I started training and playing tennis and I was getting better and better.”At first, I would play the top players at the club and players from around Uruguay and it was easy for them to beat me. Then it became more difficult. Now I can win. At the club tournaments, I was losing in the first round, now I’m winning a lot of them.”Forlan played 98 times for Man Utd between 2002 and 2004, scoring 17 goals.He went on to excel in LaLiga with both Villarreal and Atletico Madrid – while earning 112 caps for his country, scoring 36 goals.In addition to tennis, Forlan has also tried his hand at football management since hanging up his boots.He took charge of Uruguayan side Penarol in 2020, before a spell with Atenas the following year.Forlan is not the first decorated former footballer to be awarded an opportunity to play on the ATP Challenger Tour.READ MORE SUN STORIESIn 2017, Italian icon Paolo Maldini was handed a wildcard to play in a Challenger event in Milan aged 49.Alongside partner Stefano Landonio, Maldini was beaten 6-1, 6-1 by Tomasz Bednarek and David Pel.Paolo Maldini played on the ATP Challenger Tour in 2017Credit: AFP or licensors More

MANCHESTER UNITED have shared their plans for a possible move away from Old Trafford.Ineos have envisioned a new 100,000-seat state-of-the-art stadium being built on the current Old Trafford site.Manchester United have released pics of what the regeneration could look likeCredit: https://www.manutd.com/enA new Old Trafford could cost £2billion to buildCredit: https://www.manutd.com/enThe new stadium could seat 100,000 fansCredit: https://www.manutd.com/enThe club released the first pictures of what the proposed new arena could look like last month.And now Man Utd will host several fan focus groups to give supporters their say on the future of Old Trafford, report Manchester Evening News.A fan consultation phase is part of the regeneration project and fans were contacted with a survey last month.Man Utd want thousands of fans to respond so the club understands what supporters want from a world class stadium.READ MORE ON MAN UTDThe club are still yet to decide on whether there will be a complete new build or a redevelopment of Old Trafford.Sir Jim Ratcliffe wants to build a new ground on the land adjacent to Old Trafford and pics of what the stadium could look like have been released.The computer generated images have a circular “New Trafford” with a huge roof seen from a bird’s eye view.Another snap shows a massive Man Utd badge on the side of the ground as red lights brighten a path full of fans walking to the turnstiles.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSWhat we know about the ‘new’ Old TraffordMANCHESTER UNITED plan to build a new stadium rather than redevelop Old Trafford.The decision was made after a number of fact-finding missions to other stadiums including the Bernabeu and Nou Camp.The cost of the project is expected to be a staggering £2billion.A capacity of 100,000 is expected.It is felt that a club of United’s standing should have a new state-of-the-art facility.The new stadium will be built on land adjacent to the Red Devils’ current home.United are looking to not only build a stadium but regenerate the area of Trafford where the ground will stand.There had been plans to KEEP Old Trafford rather than demolish it, and use it as a scaled down second venue.However, it’s looking increasing likely that it will in fact be entirely demolished.The club consulted with 30,000 fans about what to do and believe there is roughly a 50-50 split on staying or moving.The club have appointed the architects Foster + Partners to come up with a “masterplan”. The company were behind Wembley Stadium.Old Trafford has been United’s home since 1910.The target is for completion by 2030. A closer look from a building next to the arena features a gallery and huge windows that look out to a park and statues of United legends.Foster + Partners, who designed Wembley Stadium, are the architects that have made the latest drawings.Sir Jim Ratcliffe says Man Utd’s ‘Wembley of the North’ could be 100,000-seat mega-stadium if they leave Old TraffordThey have also put together a map of what the area could look like, with the “urban regeneration” spreading across the whole of the Trafford Park region.The regeneration project could cost £2billion with new houses, commercial areas and improved transport links all part of the proposal. More

OLEKSANDR ZINCHENKO has lifted the lid on Mikel Arteta’s latest bizarre team-bonding exercise.The Arsenal boss, 42, has shown down the years that he is not afraid to think outside the box.Oleksandr Zinchenko has opened up about Mikel Arteta’s motivational techniquesCredit: GettyThe Spaniard, 42, is never afraid to think outside the boxCredit: AFPIn 2022, fans were left baffled as it emerged Arteta had boomed “You’ll Never Walk Alone” out of speakers while players trained ahead of a game against Liverpool at Anfield.More recently, the Spaniard hired a team of pickpockets to swipe his stars’ belongings during a dinner – in a bid to teach his players the importance of staying alert at all times.He was also dubbed the “David Brent of the Premier League” after coming up with a new motivational word – “collaboretition” – a combination of collaboration and competition.In his latest wacky exercise, Arteta hired a professional football freestyler to show up one of his players.READ MORE ON ARSENALSpeaking to The Guardian, Zinchenko revealed: “We stayed at the same hotel before a match, and we knew all the waiters.”But there was a new guy that day. So before we go to the stadium [Arteta] said: ‘OK guys, let me wake you up, because we need energy.”Last time, Alex, we played staff against players and you beat [the set-piece coach] Nicolas [Jover]. Let’s do it the same, but freestyling.”Everyone was like: ‘What? For sure, Alex will beat him, blah blah blah’. Nico started to do something with the ball and then suddenly it looks like he got an injury. It was so obvious but weird.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS”Then they called the new waiter. We didn’t know he was a professional freestyler.”He destroyed me with his tricks and all of us were in deep shock. But then we were all laughing and we went to the game with good energy.”Former Man Utd star Wayne Rooney thinks Arteta is copying his management skills Zinchenko, 27, has scarcely played this season due to a calf injury.He has made just two appearances for the Gunners, and none since the 1-1 draw with Brighton on August 31.The Ukrainian was back on the bench for the 2-0 defeat at Bournemouth last weekend, however, and could be in contention to feature against former side Shakhtar Donetsk this evening.Zinchenko was on Shakhtar’s books as a teenager, before leaving to join Russian side FC Ufa in a bid to secure first team football. More

FORMER Chelsea star Carl Magnay worked with Jose Mourinho and Carlo Ancelotti but praised another manager for having the biggest influence on his career.The defender won a contract at Chelsea after winning the second series of Sky show Football Icon.Carl Magnay saw many managers at work at ChelseaCredit: GettyThe former defender is now in charge of GatesheadCredit: Instagram @gfc_officialHe beat many hopefuls to secure a place in the Blues squad in 2007, and saw plenty of change at the club before leaving on permanent basis in 2011 without making an appearance.Magnay, 35, saw several high profile managers come and go including Mourinho, Ancelotti, Luiz Filipe Scolari and Avram Grant.He said of the experience in an interview with Chronicle Live: “That was a strange one because from an early age I’ve always been interested in coaching and see the manager styles. “Mourinho was a really intimidating character.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”He had the respect of the players undoubtedly, when he’d walk into a room you’d sit upright and make sure you checked yourself. He had that presence and that aura about him.”I was there when Carlo Ancelotti was there – who I really liked – I thought he had more of a personal approach with his players and was very organised with his set-ups, similar to Mourinho. “Then there was Andre Villas-Boas who tried to change things quite drastically.”However none of those managers impacted Magnay as much as his reserve manager at the time – Brendan Rodgers.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSThe former full-back praised the now Celtic boss for his detail on the training pitch and revealed he uses his tricks at Gateshead, having taking charge of the National League side this month.Magnay continued: “The biggest influence on my career, without a doubt, was Brendan Rodgers. The History Of Chelsea’s Logo “He was my reserve manager for two-and-a-half years and he was incredible. His content with his sessions but also his personable approach, he’s someone that I take a lot of into my work now.” More