Premier League

RUBEN AMORIM all but confirmed he will join Manchester United as he admitted the “soap opera is coming to an end”.The Red Devils are desperate to make the Portuguese gaffer Erik ten Hag’s replacement at Old Trafford.Ruben Amorim hinted the deal is done for him to join Manchester UnitedCredit: PAThe incoming manager was in a good mood in the press conferenceCredit: PAThey will pay the £8.3million release clause to get him out of his current contract at Sporting – plus an extra £4.1m for his loyal backroom staff.And although the appointment has not been confirmed, Amorim hinted it is a done deal. Speaking ahead of tomorrow’s clash with Estrela Amadora, the expected incoming Red Devils manager said: “I know it’s difficult for everyone, but at the end of the game we’ll address it. “I don’t think the president forced me to leave immediately. READ MORE ON FOOTBALL”He’s defending the club’s rights and I’m not getting involved in that, I would never do that. “I think that at the end of the game everyone will be very clear. “The fans may like it or not, but everything will be settled. “We’re adults and things happen sometimes. Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS”We really want to win this game, we really need to win. And at the end of the game we’ll address that issue.”It’s difficult to focus on the games, but I’m managing to do so more. Ruben Amorim responds to questions about Man Utd job after Sporting match “The soap opera is coming to an end, let’s say. The fact that I can’t be so clear creates a lot of difficulty for me.”Amorim then revealed he decided not to watch Ruud van Nistelrooy’s United beat Leicester 5-2 in the Carabao Cup.And instead, he watched tomorrow’s opponents plus United’s rivals Manchester City as they were dumped out of the cup competition by Tottenham.That is because should he remain at Sporting – possibly until the international break due to a 30-day notice period – he would lead his current team against City in the Champions League on Tuesday night. Amorim, who was mentored by Jose Mourinho, added: “I knew the result, but yesterday I watched Amadora.”I also watched Man. City, although there were a lot of changes and it’s not possible to make an assessment for the Champions League game.”Man Utd finally brought an end to Ten Hag’s disastrous spellCredit: GettyThough no confirmation has come, United and Ineos chief Sir Dave Brailsford implied all the negotiations to bring Amorim in are completed.He told fans outside Old Trafford “it’s done” when quizzed by supporters.However, it is looking increasingly unlikely that Amorim will be in the Old Trafford dugout for the visit of Chelsea on Sunday afternoon.That would see Van Nistelrooy take charge once again – following his impressive debut last night. His free-flowing team turned on the style to sweep away Leicester. And the former Holland striker is determined to stay on at Carrington if he is given the chance. Van Nistelrooy said: “I came here as an assistant to help the club.READ MORE SUN STORIES”Now in this role, I’m helping as long as needed.”I’m here to help and serve and give my everything for the club in any capacity with so many people here around me that want the best for the club and that will never change.”Ruud van Nistelrooy led United to a 5-2 win over Leicester as interim bossCredit: GettyRuben Amorim is ‘Mourinho 2.0’ who turned Sporting from ‘walking dead’ into Portuguese champs… he can revive Man UtdWHEN Ruben Amorim took charge of Sporting Lisbon in March 2020, one club official compared their situation to the “walking dead”, writes Jordan Davies.Optimism and hope was at an all-time low.But the Amorim-effect was almost instantaneous, guiding the Portuguese sleeping giants to their first league title for 19 years in 2020/21, losing just once and only conceding 20 goals.Since then, Sporting have lifted another league title in 2023/24 – as well as two League Cups – and currently sit top with nine wins from nine this term.He may be young, but Amorim already has an eye for rebuilding and revitalising fallen super powers with his infectious charisma and intense tactical philosophy that hardly ever wavers. The “walking dead” at Manchester United must be praying for a similar sort of revival.And they may just get it from one of the most talented young coaches on the continent – a man accustomed to breathing new life back into crumbling institutions such as Old Trafford.Amorim has spent the last decade dreaming of one day gracing England’s Premier League, such was his admiration for an ex-United boss in Jose Mourinho growing up.Often nicknamed ‘Mourinho 2.0’, Amorim spent a week with his coaching idol in an internship capacity at United’s Carrington training base in 2018, going on to cite him as his “reference point”.United should not be expecting a mini-Mourinho, as Amorim said himself: “Mourinho is one of a kind. There won’t be another Mourinho. Mourinho is unique.”And yet, you cannot help but compare the two.For all the mismanagement in the Old Trafford hot seats over the years, this would be a real get – finally a slap in the face United’s Prem rivals have no answer for. More

STEVE SIDWELL says he’d rather play with Steven Gerrard than ex-Chelsea team-mate Frank Lampard.The former Blues midfielder spent one season at Stamford Bridge during the 2007/08 campaign, playing 25 times under Jose Mourinho and Avram Grant.Steve Sidwell says he’d rather play alongside Steven Gerrard than Frank LampardCredit: PA:Press AssociationSidwell was unbeaten in his 12 Chelsea appearances alongside Super FrankCredit: RexSidwell did not land a trophy during his brief time at Chelsea, with the club losing the Champions League final to Manchester United on penalties.But the former Reading star did get the chance to line up alongside fan favourite Lampard no less than 12 times.Incredibly, Chelsea did not lose a single game in regulation time with the pair together in midfield.Yet Sidwell chose to ignore his pal and instead plump for Liverpool rival Gerrard in a dream team.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAppearing on Peter Crouch’s podcast, Sidwell was asked who he would prefer to play alongside.The retired ace, who also played for Aston Villa, Fulham, Stoke and Brighton, pondered the question for a moment.But he quickly decided it was Gerrard who took the nod due to his all-action style.Sidwell said: “If it’s me and one other, no doubt, Stevie is unbelievable. He can do absolutely everything.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS“Frank was the deadliest scoring midfielder I’ve ever played with.“If I have to pick in terms of who I would partner best, I’m a holding midfielder that gives license to Frank to go and score goals.Watch Chelsea icon Frank Lampard leave Amazon Prime Video pundits stunned with brutal put down of Arsenal pair“He did it in his career, he didn’t have to defend. If I did it with Stevie I think he’d still get back and defend as well.“It would give him more goals too. I think I’d have to go with Stevie on that one.“I played with Frank and his timings off the ball and runs into the box, he just sort of ghosted and scored goals.“But Stevie would be a perfect match because if the other team was on top he’d come inside and batten down the hatches with me.”Chelsea ratings vs NewcastleCHELSEA were dumped out the Carabao Cup by Newcastle.The 2-0 loss came after the Blues made 11 changes to their starting line-up.SunSport’s Craig Mahood reveals which players might have done enough to keep their place next time.Filip Jorgensen – 6Nervy start when flapping at an early cross and a couple of wayward kicks going out.Struggled in parts with the ball at his feet including a pass straight to Tonali in the first half. Not much to do in the second half.Axel Disasi – 6Looked uncomfortable for large spells at right-back in duels with Joelinton in the first half and couldn’t sort his feet out when scoring an own goal.Didn’t have much defending to do after the break but offered little in attack.Tosin Adarabioyo – 6Best of the back line but not a difficult task. Looks like a player is there if he can get more minutes as marshalled Isak well for much of the contest.Benoit Badiashile – 5Shocker of a pass to Veiga for Newcastle’s opener before being booked for a foul on Krafth.Terrible touch right on half time let Gordon clear and fortunate Willock missed from close range.Marc Cucurella – 6Huffed and puffed down the left-hand side and defended reasonably well against Gordon for most of the night.Tried to link with Mudryk but a frustrating night meant he didn’t get as involved.Enzo Fernandez – 6Chelsea skipper saw plenty of the ball but didn’t create much of note on it.Looked to be missing the creative spark that would normally play alongside him in there.Renato Veiga – 6Largely anonymous in the middle as kept possession moving but was caught on it for the opening Newcastle goal, though not really his fault.Stung the palms of Pope late on but didn’t create much in that position.Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall – 5Should’ve scored in opening 90 seconds with glorious chance.On the fringes of the game throughout and struggled to get involved. Hooked before the hour.Mykhailo Mudryk – 7Quiet first half hour before bursting clear of Krafth later in half. Appeared to gainconfidence in the second half and was a threat when he did get the ball on the left.His final ball missing a few times but would’ve had an assist or two on another evening. Chelsea will be hoping this isn’t a flash in the pan.Joao Felix – 5Another one that showed very, very brief flashes. Should’ve scored when clean through with 15 minutes to go which might’ve changed the game.Frustrations of a difficult night shown when booked for dissent in closing stages.SubsNoni Madueke – 6Replaced ineffective Dewsbury-Hall for the final half hour.Claimed for a penalty when pushed over by Gordon. Was a threat when in possession but struggled against Newcastle’s low block.Replaced ineffective Dewsbury-Hall for the final half hour.Claimed for a penalty when pushed over by Gordon. Was a threat when in possession but struggled against Newcastle’s low block. More

PETER CROUCH has revealed one of his former Stoke team-mates used to “catfish” fans with training videos.Ex-England international Crouch, 43, spent eight years at the Britannia and scored 62 goals in 261 games.Peter Crouch has revealed one former Stoke team-mate used to ‘catfish’ fansCredit: Getty Images – GettyBut during his time at the club he has admitted there was one unnamed individual who created a misleading picture of his training routine.Crouch claims this infuriated him as fans were calling for the player in question to be given game time, but the supporters were unaware he was not putting in the work outside of his social media videos.Speaking on That Peter Crouch Podcast, he said: “There was one player at Stoke that was catfishing and it really annoyed me.”He was on social media doing his stuff with his personal trainer outside the training ground.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”What he was like in the training ground, which we saw first hand, was not the person that we saw getting portrayed.”What annoyed me is that fans were falling for it. They were saying ‘Why is he not playing? He should be playing ahead of him’.”And the players they were saying he should be playing ahead of were working hard, were putting the work in and were doing alright for the team.”So that was something that really annoyed me.”Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSCrouch left Stoke one year after they were relegated down to the Championship.He joined Burnley for six months and retired in 2019 after failing to score in six matches.Dream Team Transfer Recommendations for Gameweek 10In his prime, Crouch bagged 42 goals in 134 games for Liverpool and 24 in 93 for Tottenham.He also boasts an impressive England record having netted 22 goals in 42 matches for his country. More