Premier League

PETER SCHMEICHEL has slammed Mikel Arteta as a “control freak” who is making Arsenal players “worse”.The Manchester United icon ripped into the Gunners boss before yesterday’s 2-2 draw with Liverpool.Mikel Arteta has been labelled a ‘control freak’Credit: APThe Arsenal boss has been accused of making his players ‘worse’ and ‘confusing them’Credit: GettyPeter Schmeichel blamed Arteta for Arsenal’s trophy droughtCredit: AlamySchmeichel, who was on punditry duty for ViaPlay at Anfield, blamed Arteta for Arsenal once again falling short of winning something this season.The legendary goalkeeper argued that failures on the pitch and in the transfer market are down to the manager.And despite spending £650million on transfers, Arteta’s only piece of silverware is the 2020 FA Cup that he won with his predecessor Unai Emery’s squad.Schmeichel said: “It’s all on Arteta, all. What I’m saying is that he was employed as head coach. He inherited the team and that team is the only team that he has won a trophy with.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”Then it’s his own team now and in the process he’s changed job description so he’s now the manager. “Everything is on him. It’s not recruitment, it’s not the board.”I would urge the viewer whenever they get the opportunity to watch him in the technical area. Arteta is a control freak, he wants his players to play the ball that he wants. He’s directing everything.“You look across to Arne Slot who is so calm. He’s instructed his players in training, instructed the players in the team talk. Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS”Arteta is still playing the game for the players and that would confuse the hell out of me as a football player that you had a coach that wants to direct me for everything I do. “It would confuse me and make me a worse player.”’Those doubts maybe kick in’ – Jamie Carragher hints when Declan Rice will start considering his Arsenal futureArteta cut a frustrated figure on the sidelines yesterday and was seen booting the air in anger while his side trailed 2-0.He then launched a rant after the game when asked what things upset him about Arsenal’s performance.Arteta raged: “A lot of parts, especially defending, the standards that we have and the errors after we gave the ball away.”Very far off it. Really upset, yeah we had a reaction. I hate reaction I like action. I was really, really upset.”What I saw in the first 25 minutes, 35 minutes. Some of the actions… I was killing myself.” More

JOSE MOURINHO is the shock favourite to replace Ruben Amorim as Manchester United manager.Amorim, 40, has endured a nightmare spell since taking over from Erik ten Hag in November. Ruben Amorim threatened to quit as Manchester United managerCredit: ReutersJose Mourinho is the shock early favourite to take over should his compatriot leaveCredit: GettyBut following Sunday’s 2-0 defeat to West Ham at Old Trafford – an all-time record-equalling ninth home loss of the season – Amorim dropped a major bombshell.The Portuguese boss threatened to QUIT if he is unable to turn the horror show around at United, who sit 16th in the Premier League table on 39 points with two games to go. And should Amorim walk away, Mourinho is top of the bookies’ odds to come in.According to Betfair, the Special One is a staggering 4-1 favourite to make a stunning return to Old Trafford and take over from his compatriot.READ MORE ON MAN UTDMourinho, 62, was United boss from May 2016 until December 2018, winning the League Cup and Europa League in 2017 before things turned sour.United did not win another trophy for six years until the 2023 League Cup under Ten Hag, while Mourinho’s only silverware since has been the Conference League with Roma in 2022. The likelihood of Sir Jim Ratcliffe bringing in the current Fenerbahce boss seems slim, especially given his past history with the club. Second on the list is Ipswich’s Kieran McKenna at 7-1.Most read in FootballJoin SUN CLUB for the Man Utd Files every Thursday plusin-depth coverage and exclusives from Old TraffordThe Northern Irishman – who was a coach under Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at United – is still held in high regard despite being unable to avoid relegation with the Tractor Boys. And third with Betfair is 8-1 Gareth Southgate.The former England boss has been out of management since leaving his role with the Three Lions after the Euro 2024 final.In October, he ruled himself out of any dugout jobs for at least 12 months – but may have turned his back on football for good.Southgate – who is writing a book, been a technical observer for Uefa and gave the BBC’s Richard Dimbleby Lecture – said: “I won’t coach in the next year, for sure. I’m certain of that.“I need to give myself time to make good decisions. When you come out of a really big role you need to give your body time, you need to give your mind time.”[Could I return to) club football? Depending on what role that is. I have been fortunate to have worked with fantastic players. You got to have excitement, passion to go to work every day.”Man Utd ratings vs West Ham as Ugarte awful and Mainoo invisible in latest horror showMANCHESTER UNITED dropped to 16th in the Premier League after suffering an embarrassing 2-0 defeat to West Ham at Old Trafford.Ruben Amorim named a strong team for United’s return to domestic duty, but not even Amad Diallo could save the day.United gave fans a lively start, but reverted back to factory settings after the visitors took the lead inside 27 minutes.West Ham picked off United against the run of play, before former Man Utd star Aaron Wan-Bissaka came back to haunt his old club.The full-back fed a clever ball through to Mohammed Kudus, who thrashed a low cross into the six yard box for Tomas Soucek to tap home.United got caught cold again and were the masters of their own undoing, after Kudus pounced on Manuel Ugarte’s mess up to set up Jarrod Bowen, who doubled West Ham’s lead in the 58th minute.Apart from some bright moments from Amad, this was another awful performance from the home side, as West Ham became the SIXTH team to the double over United this season.The Red Devils haven’t haven’t won a Prem game since their 3-0 win at Leicester on March 16, which incidentally was the last team West Ham beat in February.Here’s how SunSport’s Katherine Walsh rated every Man Utd star’s performance at Old Trafford…Thomas Frank was linked with the United job when they looked to find Ten Hag’s successor and the sterling job he has done at Brentford means he remains in contention at 9-1. Ex-Barca boss Xavi (10-1), Marco Silva (11-1), Brendan Rodgers (12-1), Mauricio Pochettino (12-1) and Unai Emery (12-1) are all on the list.And currently at 14-1 is Carlo Ancelotti.The Real Madrid boss looks destined to leave the Bernabeu this summer after the early Champions League exit and Barcelona set to win LaLiga. And if the iconic veteran does not take the Brazil gig, he could bring some much-needed trophy-winning experience and aura to the Old Trafford dugout. Betfair Spokesperson Sam Rosbottom: “Manchester United’s season all rests on next week’s Europa League final, for Ruben Amorim defeat must be unthinkable given how disastrous this season has been, especially since he took charge.”If Spurs win, there could be some questions about his future at Old Trafford, especially after he admitted over the weekend he may walk if things don’t improve early next season. “Looking at who could take over, a return for Jose Mourinho could be on the cards, with the special and experienced one leading the betting at 4-1.Read More on The Sun”Former United first-team coach and current Ipswich manager, Kieran McKenna is also popular in the betting and is the second favourite at 7-1. “While there’s also interest in the likes of Gareth Southgate at 8-1 and Brentford boss Thomas Frank at 9/1, two managers they have been linked heavily with before.”Mourinho won the Europa League with United in 2017Credit: AFP or licensorsGareth Southgate could be in line to return to management with United a year after leaving the England jobCredit: PAKieran McKenna is second favourite with the bookiesCredit: GettyCarlo Ancelotti looks set to be available in the summerCredit: EPA More

MANCHESTER UNITED’S nightmare season took yet another blow with Sunday’s defeat to West Ham.And the horror stats mean the Red Devils have now matched their all-time worst-ever tally for home league losses in a single season.Manchester United are setting unwanted records in this nightmare seasonCredit: APRuben Amorim only arrived in November but is already threatening to quitCredit: GettyThe 2-0 nightmare result against the Hammers left United 16th in the Premier League table with two matches to go – and still yet to reach the 40-point mark. It was their record-equalling ninth home defeat of the season.That is the same number as they managed in the 1930-31 relegation season and also in 1962-63.It has never been managed in the Premier League era – with eight league home losses in 1893-94, 1920-21 and 1961-62. READ MORE ON MAN UTDTo make matters worse, Tomas Soucek’s 26th-minute opener yesterday ensured only one team have gone 1-0 down more times at home than United this Prem term.The West Ham game was the 12th time United have conceded first at Old Trafford.That is level with Ipswich in joint-second with Leicester topping the unwanted table with 15.The Foxes famously lost nine home matches in a row without scoring from mid-December until finally scoring against and beating Southampton on May 3.Most read in FootballJoin SUN CLUB for the Man Utd Files every Thursday plusin-depth coverage and exclusives from Old TraffordEven basement boys Saints have only gone 1-0 down at home 11 times this season – level with Tottenham and West Ham. And Amorim is at risk of setting a new Premier League record for United’s longest winless run.The Red Devils have failed to win any of their last seven league matches.That horror form includes defeats to Nottingham Forest, Newcastle, Wolves, Brentford and West Ham and draws against Manchester City and Bournemouth since beating Leicester on March 16. Sir Alex Ferguson was in charge the only other time United were winless in seven – with that streak ending way back in November 1992. Louis van Gaal went six games without tasting victory up to November 2015 while Ferguson twice (1995 and 2007), Jose Mourinho (2017) and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (2019) each suffered five-match winless runs. United face Chelsea away on Friday night where they could set their new record with eight. And Amorim’s side host Aston Villa on the final day of the season where they will be desperately hoping to not go 1-0 down for a 13th time – and avoid a record-breaking tenth home league defeat of the shocking campaign.Incredibly, either 16th-placed United or 17th-placed Tottenham will play Champions League football next season as they prepare to face off in the Europa League final next Wednesday. But Amorim admitted he may not be in charge at Old Trafford for much longer and is prepared to step down as manager if he cannot turn the disasterclass around. The Portuguese gaffer said: “I don’t want to talk about the players. I’m talking about myself and the culture in the club and the culture in the team. I have that feeling.“We need to change that and we need to be really strong in the summer and to be brave.”Because we cannot have a season like this next year. If the feeling is still here, we should give the space to different persons.”So it’s a big problem that we have here at the club. It’s a decisive moment in the history of the club. We need to address that.”We are losing the feeling that we are a massive club and the feeling that it’s not the biggest thing in the world losing a game at home.”We don’t have that fear anymore and that is the most dangerous thing that a big club can have.”I think it’s a concern. It’s not the players’ fault. It’s my fault, I’m responsible.”If we cannot change that really fast we should give our place to different persons.Read More on The Sun”If you look at the goals that we suffer, we can avoid these goals. The lack of energy, of urgency. That is the most dangerous things in this club.”You can feel it at the beginning of the game. Between our box and opponent’s box there is a lack of urgency. That is something we have to change in this club.”United went down 2-0 at home to West Ham on SundayCredit: GettyTomas Soucek’s goal was the 12th time United went 1-0 down at home in the Premier LeagueCredit: ReutersSir Alex Ferguson went seven matches without a win in 1992Credit: GettyMan Utd ratings vs West Ham as Ugarte awful and Mainoo invisible in latest horror showMANCHESTER UNITED dropped to 16th in the Premier League after suffering an embarrassing 2-0 defeat to West Ham at Old Trafford.Ruben Amorim named a strong team for United’s return to domestic duty, but not even Amad Diallo could save the day.United gave fans a lively start, but reverted back to factory settings after the visitors took the lead inside 27 minutes.West Ham picked off United against the run of play, before former Man Utd star Aaron Wan-Bissaka came back to haunt his old club.The full-back fed a clever ball through to Mohammed Kudus, who thrashed a low cross into the six yard box for Tomas Soucek to tap home.United got caught cold again and were the masters of their own undoing, after Kudus pounced on Manuel Ugarte’s mess up to set up Jarrod Bowen, who doubled West Ham’s lead in the 58th minute.Apart from some bright moments from Amad, this was another awful performance from the home side, as West Ham became the SIXTH team to the double over United this season.The Red Devils haven’t haven’t won a Prem game since their 3-0 win at Leicester on March 16, which incidentally was the last team West Ham beat in February.Here’s how SunSport’s Katherine Walsh rated every Man Utd star’s performance at Old Trafford… More

MIKEL ARTETA slammed the performance of his team after coming back from behind to draw with Liverpool.The Gunners conceded two goals in two minutes and found themselves 2-0 down at the break.Mikel Arteta was critical of his side despite coming from bending to draw 2-2Credit: EPAThe Gunners boss was left ‘upset’ by the performance in the first 25 minutesCredit: APThey fought back with goals from Gabriel Martinelli and Mikel Merino, who was later sent off after picking up two yellow cards.And although Arteta was pleased with the reaction of his players, he fumed that they gave themselves a mountain to climb.The Gunners boss admitted there were “a lot of parts” of his team’s display which upset him.He said: “A lot of parts, especially defending the standards that we have and the errors after we gave the ball away.READ MORE IN ARSENAL”Very far off it. Really upset, yeah we had a reaction. I hate reaction I like action.”I was really really upset.”What I saw in the first 25 minutes, 35 minutes. Some of the actions…I was killing myself.”Arteta was asked about the psychological impact Arsenal’s mid-week Champions League exit at PSG may have had on his players.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSBut he sent a message to his squad – telling them they had to prove they are the best of the rest after missing out on the league title to Liverpool.Arteta also refused to put his team’s performance down to fatigue or injuries, which have had a big impact this season.Jamie Carragher in huge row with Gary Neville over Arsenal title prediction and striker claimBut even ahead of the match he admitted his squad was short of the quality necessary to win the Prem.He said: “There are a lot of factors. We knew from the beginning of the season that our squad was super short.”Being super short we had some players that had a high probability of getting injured, because that’s what they had in the last few seasons.”So we knew that and we cannot do anything about it.”But we will do everything that we can to improve the team and especially improve the players that we already have.”Whatever the market offers to give us a better chance to win for sure we will try to do it.” More

NOTTINGHAM FOREST owner Evangelos Marinakis has released a statement after he stormed onto the pitch and appeared to confront boss Nuno Espirito Santo.The shocking incident occurred as Forest’s Champions League hopes suffered a blow with a 2-2 draw to already relegated Leicester.Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis stormed onto the pitch at the end of the gameCredit: AFPHe confronted Nuno and angrily gestured at himCredit: AFPMarinakis claimed his reaction was ‘natural’Credit: PAA raging Marinakis charged onto the pitch at full-time and was seemingly heading past Nuno.But he then stopped and made angry gestures at the manager as the pair exchange words.Marinakis lost his temper over Taiwo Awoniyi being forced to play on while injured.The striker was hurt after clattering into the post while attempting to slide in and score.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLMedics checked on Awoniyi and he was initially given the thumbs up to play on before changing their minds.In that time, Nuno had used his final substitute to take off Elliot Anderson.Marinakis addressed the issue in a statement, which read: “Today is a day for celebration, because after 30 years Nottingham Forest is now guaranteed to be competing on the European stage once again – a promise I made to our supporters when we achieved promotion.”With two more games to go in the Premier League, we must keep believing and keep dreaming, right to the final kick in the final game.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS”We are extremely proud and close to Nuno and the team, and we must all celebrate the historic achievements of this season.”Everybody – coaching staff, players, supporters and including myself – we were frustrated around the injury of Taiwo and the medical staff’s misjudgement on Taiwo’s ability to continue the game.“This is natural, this is a demonstration of the passion we feel for our club. Let’s all be grateful, passionate and keep on dreaming.”After the game, Nuno said: “It was a tough moment, after the situation with [Taiwo Awoniyi] we had one man less after a misunderstanding.“It’s difficult to control emotions when we had so much expectation on a day like this.”Asked if the Awoniyi situation sparked the Greek chief’s reaction, Nuno confirmed: “Yes, it was because of that. It was a misunderstanding, a miscommunication. I’m sorry, I cannot go much further.“It’s based on emotions, you cannot make a big deal out of it. It happens and it will happen again. With the emotions today, it’s understandable.”Nuno later said in his press conference: “It was a misunderstanding between the coaching and medical department and we were both frustrated.”It is because of the owner’s passion that we are growing as a club. he pushes us. He wants us to do better.Read More on The Sun”If it was the other way round maybe one ago he would say, ‘OK we have the job done that’s normal’.”His desire and passion is to be a big club. Honestly, as a club we owe a lot to the Marinakis family.”Taiwo Awoniyi sustained an injury but was not subbed off due to a ‘miscommunication’Credit: AFP More