Premier League

DEJAN KULUSEVSKI has revealed the advice Cristiano Ronaldo gave him — which has only just sunk in four years later.Tottenham star Kulusevski and Al-Nassr ace Ronaldo graced the pitch together for Juventus during a brief spell in the 2020/21 campaign.Dejan Kulusevski has revealed the piece of advice given to him at Juventus by Cristiano RonaldoCredit: AFPThe pair spent a season together in ItalyCredit: GettyWinger Kulusevski was hailed as Juve’s next bright spark.While Ronaldo, who is still starring for club and country, continued to bang in the goals as their striker ahead of a shock return to Manchester United.Both men are now continuing to forge their own path, with Kulusevski eager to replicate Ronnie’s success in the Premier League.And he is now taking to heart a piece of advice given to him by the Portuguese great all those years ago.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLRonaldo loves dishing out tips and tricks to talented youngsters, having been one himself at Old Trafford under Sir Alex Ferguson.And he gave Kulusevski a seven-word hint that the Swede is only now beginning to understand.Tottenham’s midfield ace said: “To not be satisfied with being good, but to be the best every day. That’s the only thing that matters. As hard as it is to try to be the best.”I think that you learn over time, that you begin to understand much more about how the world and the brain work. You can’t be 17 and know everything.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS”Yes, I always change. I’m starting to get to know my body. When I was younger, I didn’t understand when Ronaldo told me: ‘You will get to know your body’. Because I didn’t know my body then.”But now I’m starting to understand my strengths and weaknesses, how I can improve. So I feel like everything is getting easier.Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag steals famous Cristiano Ronaldo quote but refuses to name him as furious spat rages onTottenham ace Kulusevski admits it’s taken a while for the message to sink inCredit: AlamyRonaldo previously criticised Man Utd youngsters for not listening to himCredit: Reuters”I know how to train the day before a match, two days before a match, what to do when I’m tired and so on. All the little details that in the end make a big difference.”However, not all future footballers have taken Ronaldo’s words of wisdom on board.After leaving United two years ago, he famously blasted their current crop of youngsters for not listening to him during his second spell.He told Piers Morgan: “It’s a little bit of a shame because they have the best examples in front of their eyes, and they don’t at least copy what you did.“For me it’s weird because I always looked to see the best players in Ruud van Nistelrooy, Roy Keane, Rio Ferdinand and Ryan Giggs — that is why I have the success that I have and the longevity.“They don’t care, some of them yes but most of them no. They’re not going to have longevity, it’s impossible.”Ronaldo also told ex-teammate Ferdinand for that reason, he has no intention of becoming a coach.He said last month: “For me it will be difficult one day to be a coach, because I don’t have passions for this generation.“It’s difficult, especially in football, because they don’t take advice by our experience.“They think they know everything, they think the phones will give you good education, TikTok, Instagram.READ MORE SUN STORIES“I have other things to worry about, another chapter of my life that is a business part that I’m excited about.“It will be a challenge to me and learn other areas I don’t know, be more involved in my business and I think will be good.” More

MANCHESTER UNITED have stopped paying legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson’s £2million-a-year salary.Red Devils co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has cut costs by removing Fergie from his ambassadorial role.Manchester United will no longer pay Sir Alex Ferguson his £2million per yearCredit: PASir Jim Ratcliffe and Sir Alex in the directors’ box ahead of the home loss to Spurs this seasonHe will still act as a non-executive member of the board and be welcome at games.Ferguson, 82, won 38 trophies including 13 Premier League titles and two Champions Leagues during his 27 years as Man Utd manager.Just five months after leaving in 2013, he signed a deal to become a global ambassador worth £2.16m per year.Now that deal has been torn up as Ferguson steps away from his time-consuming ambassadorial duties.It was an amicable decision between both parties.It is claimed Ratcliffe met with Ferguson in person to tell him cost-cutting measures will include no longer paying him his seven-figure salary.Man Utd will continue to employ him as a non-executive director – and he will always be welcome at matches.Ferguson, who turns 83 in December, will not receive payments from the club beyond the end of the season.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSSir Alex Ferguson’s trophy haul at Man UtdAll the trophies Sir Alex Ferguson won as Manchester United manager:Premier League x13FA Cup x5League Cup x4Champions League x2European Cuper Winners’ CupEuropean Super CupIntercontinental CupClub World CupIt is the latest attempt from Ratcliffe to reduce costs after a number of other cutbacks – which also reportedly includes cancelling the Christmas party. Last month, it was revealed he is letting go of 250 employees at the club.I didn’t like Sir Alex Ferguson – but what legendary Man Utd boss did after I quit football will never leave meHe has also cancelled senior Man Utd staff’s private cars and reduced lunch privileges on match-days.The decision to cut Fergie’s salary comes after Ratcliffe was pictured sat alongside the iconic manager when he attended his first Man Utd game as co-owner back in January.Ratcliffe later said: “He [Fergie] was the first person I met when I went up there which I think was the second week of January and I had a meeting from 9am to 10am at his house and I left at 1pm.”He never stopped. He’s got a lot of experience, a lot of stories to tell and a lot of thoughts about the club.”Meanwhile, Thomas Tuchel is being linked with succeeding Ten Hag should the Dutchman be sacked.However, The Telegraph understand the German coach is also in talks to become the next England manager. More

ARSENAL fans are hoping Real Madrid scouts watched William Saliba after his disastrous performance against Belgium.The defender lined up for France but had a first half to forget in Brussels.William Saliba had a nightmare first half against BelgiumCredit: APThe defender conceded a penalty after fouling Lois OpendaCredit: ReutersSaliba, left, lost the striker as he headed homeThe Arsenal star was at fault for Belgium’s goal and he also conceded a penalty.Saliba tried to close down Lois Openda inside the area but slipped and brought down the Belgium striker, though Aston Villa star Youri Tielemans missed the penalty.Fans noticed Saliba was even at fault in the build-up as he played Openda onside, and he did not cover himself in glory just before half-time either.The centre-back was caught in possession as he tried to start a run from deep, before losing track of Openda who was able to head in unmarked.READ MORE ON ARSENALFans were quick to criticise the 23-year-old with one saying: “Saliba disasterclass.”How to cure England’s Bellingham, Foden and Palmer headacheA third wrote: “He let him onside and conceded the pen what a horror show.”Real Madrid have reportedly sent scouts to watch Saliba following his impressive start to the campaign for Arsenal.BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSAnd Gunners fans were left hoping they watched his display against Belgium as he displayed weaknesses the Premier League rarely sees.Most read in FootballOne Arsenal supporter said: “Saliba playing like s**t on the world stage which means Madrid won’t come in for him.”Arsene Wenger was ‘lucky’ at Arsenal and ‘not a football man’ says Souness in extraordinary blast at ex-Arsenal boss Another added: “Saliba is such a real one for putting up this stinker to ward off Real Madrid’s scouts ❤️”Saliba performed better after half-time and helped France secure a 2-1 win, despite them having Aurelien Tchouameni sent off 15 minutes from time. More

MANCHESTER UNITED could be forced to play Jonny Evans in an unusual position against Brentford.The defender was supposed to be a back-up this season but he has been drafted in to play due to another injury crisis at the club.Jonny Evans could be set for a new role against BrentfordCredit: GettyErik ten Hag has a tricky decision to make due to a defensive crisisCredit: GettyDefenders Leny Yoro, Tyrell Malacia, Luke Shaw, Harry Maguire and now Noussair Mazraoui are all sidelined with injury.That means Diogo Dalot is the only fit defender who is able to play at left-back.And with Mazraoui out injured Dalot could have to switch flanks, with Evans filling in at left-back.Another option for Erik ten Hag is to play Lisandro Martinez in that role, meaning Evans would continue in his natural position in central defence alongside Matthijs de Ligt.READ MORE ON MAN UTDVictor Lindelof could also be drafted into the side after replacing the injured Mazraoui against Aston Villa.That is Lindelof’s only appearance so far this season but would be able to play at right-back, with Dalot continuing on the left.Evans, 36, is one of United’s most senior players and he claimed the recent pressure on Ten Hag is not helping the squad.He said: “The other night [after the 3-3 draw with Porto] he got a bit emotional, you could see it on him, letting that game slip away.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS”You could see everyone was running into the ground to get a half decent result.”It does affect the players. It’s on our minds too.A day in the life of workaholic Ten Hag revealed by ex-Man Utd coach who jokes ‘his wife is on verge of divorcing him'”I think the more experience I’ve got in my career I’ve made sure I do everything you do to be ready and give everything I can to the team.” More