Premier League

ALEX IWOBI has released the music video for his second single “What’s Luv?”The Fulham star, 28, launched his music career with debut EP “Don’t Shoot” earlier this year.Alex Iwobi has released his new singleCredit: X / alexiwobiThe Fulham star has released the music video for his new trackCredit: X / alexiwobiIwobi, 28, loved using music to express himself off the pitchCredit: X / alexiwobiIwobi’s fellow footballers Chuba Akpom and Medy Elito also featured on “Don’t Shoot”.The former Arsenal midfielder’s second track is described as “a celebration of his African roots with a blend of Afro–Swing mixed with Rap”.For the song, Iwobi collaborated with pal SPKS and MBrown.The Nigeria international has described music as an ideal outlet for him off the pitch.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLHe said: “Music has always been a passion of mine, and a way for me to express myself away from football, music is a great tool and I’ve always used it as a productive way to share how I feel.”Historically no Premier League player has brought out music with their name and face attached to it, but I like to be different and make a difference.“Growing up in an area of London that is challenging for some people, I know how hard it can be and I’m grateful to have aplatform to try and make a difference.”I don’t want young people to feel they have to fit in just one box. I want them to be encouraged to achieve their dreams, to put their focus into positive things.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSIwobi has been in good form for Fulham this seasonCredit: Reuters”Creating music doesn’t take anything away from my football, it actually helps me switch off.”I will always work hard and try to improve in my sport, but this is a good use of my spare time.”Former Arsenal star to make history as he launches new career alongside forgotten ex-Gunners ace Fans on social media have been loving Iwobi’s second release.One wrote: “Great retirement plan. And it’s not nonsense.”While a second gushed: “Ok Iwobi this is a vibe. Permission to help u push it.”A third gushed: “This is a solid jam.”And another added: “Banger off and on the pitch!!!”Iwobi has been in good form for Fulham this season.READ MORE SUN STORIESLast time out he scored on his return to Everton as the Cottagers earned a 1-1 draw.Marco Silva’s side will return to action on Monday night when they host Brentford in a West London derby.Who are these famous footballers? More

PEP GUARDIOLA was certain about Manchester City’s future when he was quizzed about it last week.He said that everything was in place for the incredible success story under him to continue long after he was gone.Man City must be prepared for Pep Guardiola’s exit and not make the same mistakes as Man UtdCredit: GettyThe Red Devils have failed to recover ever since Sir Alex Ferguson leftCredit: PA:Press AssociationBecause have no doubt about it, Guardiola could be gone at the end of this season.Already he has stayed at the Etihad longer than people thought he might and there is nothing else to prove, nothing more to achieve.But the belief that things will just continue when he goes could well be misplaced.Let us not forget that it may be no small coincidence that director of football Txiki Begiristain, 60, has already stated that he is definitely on his way next summer.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThis is not even taking into account what punishment may come the Manchester club’s way due to the charges of 130 financial rule breaches that are on their doorstep.Although I have my doubts anything will ever come of that.There are haunting parallels for City supporters over what has happened down the road when an era came to an end.There was a similar arrogance at Old Trafford that things would just continue because, well, they were Manchester United.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSSenior figures would scoff at the suggestion that with Sir Alex gone they might now do a Liverpool and take decades to regain their place on their perch.Now, with already 11 years gone they remain further away than ever.Sir Alex Ferguson phoned and tried to convince me to join Man Utd – but their transfer plan made me say noThat belief that it would just continue saw the Red Devils take their eye off the ball.When Sir Alex went in 2013, the United that was so dominant went with him. Now, titles were won at City before Guardiola under Roberto Mancini in 2012 and two years later when Manuel Pellegrini was boss.But the startling dominance that the club has achieved under this manager since 2016 sets him apart.Have no doubt it is down to him, nobody else, just him.His energy to continue getting the best out of players is remarkable and continues unabated.Not only does he, with Begiristain, source and buy great players he makes them better.Txiki Begiristain’s exit is already set to shake things up massively at CityCredit: GettyThe future of star man Erling Haaland remains unclearCredit: AlamyHis standards never drop. You just have to watch the Spaniard on the sidelines.But that level of intensity can wear anyone down.Even at Bayern Munich they claimed everyone was basically frazzled after his time there.The man himself will need a rest and maybe the club and players too.You look at this team, much like United of old, and there are certain players that simply cannot be replaced like for like.Star midfielder Kevin De Bruyne, 33, is unlikely to still be at the club beyond this season.The incredible Kyle Walker at 34 cannot continue rampaging up and down that wing.FUTURE QUESTIONSErling Haaland is only 24 but there has been no secret about his desire to one day end up at Real Madrid.Guardiola has turned John Stones from an average centre-back into one of the best players in Europe but he is already 30.There is still much more to come from Rodri who is 28 but how will this ACL injury impact him going forward?In any case how can you guarantee that he and these City players will react in the same way to a new boss when 53-year-old Guardiola does go?Down the road, when Sir Alex went it was like the tough head-master had gone and a young supply teacher was in.Remember that, at school, when everyone just took the mick. That’s what happened at United.Everything had been achieved, the team was coming to an end and basically nobody could be bothered anymore, everyone was knackered with it all.Fergie axe comes at the right time – and he knows itBy Phil ThomasIT is over a decade since he left the dugout but Sir Alex Ferguson has lost none of his sense of timing.When to sell, when to buy, when to change and ultimately when to go, Fergie has always been in a class of his own.Over the years there were countless decisions which had everyone scratching their head — but Sir Alex always knew the time was right.Some were more obvious than others. Like the night Manchester United won the Treble on the back of his substitutions.Others less so, like the summer of 1995 when terrace legends Mark Hughes, Paul Ince and Andrei  Kanchelskis were sold at the peak of their powers.The whole of football thought the manager had lost his marbles.But Fergie knew better, as he chose that year to unleash his “you win nothing with kids” Double heroes.Just as he knew best when it came to right-hand men.Brian Kidd, Steve McClaren, Archie Knox and Co — an endless list of world-class coaches who all came and went.And, of course, the biggest decision of all. Calling time on 26 years in which he had gone from the brink of the bullet to English football’s greatest-ever gaffer.The majority of people are convinced Ferguson stepped down because he knew United’s era of dominance was over.Maybe not the nosedive to come but certainly that an almighty rebuild was just around the corner. Another mass overhaul, yet not one he was prepared to oversee.Now another end has arrived. Not as dramatic or as out-of-nowhere, admittedly, but an end nonetheless.Next summer Fergie will leave his 12-year role as global ambassador. Many see it as the most ruthless swing of Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s cost-cutting axe — and they are wrong.For while he is trying to save every penny in making United great again —  how’s that going, Sir Jim? — Ferguson has not suddenly and callously been told he is surplus to requirements.This decision was a two-way call. An amicable parting. Football’s own conscious uncoupling, in Chris  Martin and Gwyneth Paltrow lingo.And not, incidentally, a departure which means we will no longer see Fergie at Old Trafford on a matchday.That  simply  will  not  happen.   He  will still be there rain, wind or shine . . .Only now as a high-profile non-executive director, rather than a man with the ear — and the sway — behind the owners’ biggest decisions.Like he was when urging United to re-sign Cristiano Ronaldo in 2021.Admittedly not his finest hour, rather an indication of the influence he still retained.Back then, until just before  Ratcliffe and his Ineos team arrived, in fact, Ferguson had the owners’ ear. Almost a hotline to the Glazer family, you could say.And those days are done.Not that Sir Alex is bereft at the thought. For a start, some of the staff sackings have enraged the Scot — long-serving photographer John Peters and kitman Alec Wylie, for example.This is not a cosy-cosy relationship with Ratcliffe being severed.If anything, it is closer to the opposite. And as Fergie the Red, in every sense The Boss — those who played under him still call him that  — knows, trousering £2million or so a year in such tight times is not a good look.Fair enough, not an amount anyone would turn down in normal circumstances.Yet when many in the steerage class are losing their livelihoods, it is not something that would have sat well with him.There is also the practical side of things as well.At the end of December, Sir Alex will be 83 years old, albeit still a freakishly fit 83 years old.Yet even though the grey matter remains oh-so-sharp and the mind clear as a bell, the bones grow creakier and even Superman had to put his feet up on occasion.That does not mean you will not see shots of Fergie alongside Ratcliffe at various points — Sir Jim loves too much the associated glamour of being pictured with the greatest.But any idea of Sir Alex having an emperor’s thumbs-down power has gone for good — and quite frankly that is something which suits both sides.The fans, meanwhile, had grown so used to success that it was basically expected.Sir Alex was frustrated in the belief that people thought silverware just kept arriving without any work going into it.He didn’t like how the atmosphere could dip because people just sat back and waited for the win rather than roared their team on.Last weekend when City beat Southampton 1-0, friends of mine described the spectacle as “boring”.Another said that the team had “lost it’s fizz”. Have they too become complacent?City could easily lose it’s fizz without Guardiola because there is no obvious candidate to take up the reins.There are plenty of clubs snapping at their heels as well. Liverpool and Arsenal will not go away, Chelsea for all the apparent chaos at Stamford Bridge will always be there.READ MORE SUN STORIESTottenham might have their day and just look at what Unai Emery is doing at Aston Villa.As City’s less than noisy neighbours will tell you, nothing is a given. More

RUUD VAN NISTELROOY has called on Ruben Amorim to let him stay at Manchester United and help take the club back to the top.Van Nistelrooy’s position as an assistant manager is under threat now Erik ten Hag has gone with Amorim planning to bring his own backroom team in.Ruud van Nistelrooy wants to stay on as a United assistantSporting Lisbon manager Ruben Amorim is set to become United’s permanent bossBut the interim boss, who oversaw a 5-2 Carabao Cup victory over Leicester on Wednesday, says he has the ability and knowledge of United to help him as part of that new management team.Van Nistelrooy said: “I decided to come back here for a very important reason.“I came as an assistant to help the club move forward and I’m still motivated to do so in any capacity.”I’m very motivated to stay here and help the club forward, that’s my absolute goal.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS“It’s gonna be a short job as an interim, that was communicated very clear, I was happy with that, I will then go back to my assistant contract that I have here for this season and next.“When a new manager is signing and conversations take place we have to see how things develop.”Van Nistelrooy was given the interim job after Ten Hag was sacked just three months into his third season after winning the Carabao Cup and FA Cup in his two full campaigns in charge.And Van Nistelrooy revealed the manager was emotional about having to leave.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSHe said: “He is very disappointed and touched. I really felt he loved and cared for the club.“He wanted to bring this club forward and that’s why we connected. That is why it hurt that he had to leave, but he was also proud of the achievements with the club winning two cups.Ruben Amorim showed flashes of a young Jose Mourinho is his latest press conference – and teased a big announcement“In the end it’s also clear in football it’s the results and Erik also said that.“In pre-season we had new staff, it was very positive, and we were working hard to bring the club forward.“Obviously there are things you can’t explain sometimes.“I remember the Brighton goal we scored that was ruled out, then you concede and it’s 2-1.“There’ve been so many games we could’ve got a better result; at Palace, West Ham, Fenerbahce and Porto, but it’s about results this game, that’s our jobs.”The club legend scored 150 goals in 219 games and was understandably given a warm welcome when he took his place in the dugout on Wednesday.He will be back there for Chelsea’s visit on Sunday and probably two more games before the current Sporting Lisbon boss takes the reins after the next international break in mid-November.The former PSV Eindhoven gaffer admitted it was strange to be in the Old Trafford dugout 18 years after he left the club as a player.He said: “I left in 2006, oh my God what a long time ago.“But it was special to come back to the club and city I loved so much and still do, I enjoy being around Manchester and enjoy being around players and staff here.“It’s the other side, being a football player or manager or assistant, it’s complete opposite sides.“I’m standing in front of the team, talking to them about what Manchester United is about, playing at Old Trafford, what songs are being sung by the fans and why.“You try to transmit that lovely feeling of playing for this club and it is a proud moment to do that and share it with the players.”Not surprisingly he turned to his former boss Sir Alex Ferguson for advice before the game.The pair fell out, leading to Van Nistelrooy’s exit back in 2006 but have long since made up.He said: “We spoke about my situation and the team. Most of all he wished me luck. It is always great to speak to him.”Ten Hag spent £600million in his time as boss including another £200million this last summer.It has left many wondering if it was money well spent but Van Nistelrooy wants to show it was.Van Nistelrooy said: “I think what is important is to get the maximum from these players. READ MORE SUN STORIES“This Premier League season, and all the other games we are going to play, will give us a very good and clear picture where the club is.“It is a big challenge, everybody is convinced with this group of players that we can and have to perform better than we have at the moment.” More