Premier League

MARCUS RASHFORD has again been left out of Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United matchday squad.The forward, 27, will not feature as the Red Devils take on Bournemouth this afternoon.Marcus Rashford has been dropped by boss Ruben AmorimCredit: GettyRashford has now been left out entirely for three matches in a row, not even making the bench in United’s last two games against Manchester City and Tottenham.His most recent appearance came in the 2-1 Europa League win over Viktoria Plzen on December 12, where he was hauled off for eventual matchwinner Rasmus Hojlund after 56 minutes. Asked about Rashford after Thursday’s 4-3 defeat at Spurs, Amorim said: “We are better with Marcus Rashford, that is simple, and we will try different things to push Marcus to the best levels he showed in the past.”This kind of club needs big talent and he’s a big talent, so he just needs to perform at the highest level and that is my focus. I just want to help Marcus.READ MORE ON MAN UTD”Nothing has changed. We believe in Marcus. Marcus is a player of Manchester United, so there’s no change.”Per the MEN’s Tyrone Marshall, Rashford is in attendance at Old Trafford this afternoon.Earlier this week, Rashford gave an unauthorised interview during a surprise visit to his old primary school.He said: “Personally, I think I’m ready for a new challenge and the next steps.”Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSSunSport understands that some members of United’s squad were left unhappy with Rashford’s interview.Last month, The Sun reported that Rashford had been going on dates with Love Island star Grace Jackson.Ian Wright’s impassioned defence of Marcus Rashford against fans ‘desperate to see him fail’Yesterday it was revealed that Grace has ended their relationship.A source said: “Grace realised that Marcus wasn’t serious about her and has unfollowed him on Instagram.“She realised there was no future so she has decided to cut ties.“When the opportunity arose to take part in Love Island All Stars this winter Grace jumped at the chance, she is still young in her career and is keen to maximise the exposure to help with her modelling work and net campaign deals.“If she finds love on the show that’s a bonus, especially since she didn’t meet a suitable match in the summer.“As far as she is concerned it’s Marcus’ loss, she is putting her best foot forward and can’t wait to enjoy some winter sun in gloomy January.”Rashford is under contract with United until the summer of 2028.READ MORE SUN STORIESThe Red Devils could allow the forward to move on loan to a team outside the Premier League in January.Teams in Spain, France and Germany are all monitoring Rashford’s situation ahead of next month’s transfer window.Rashford, 27, had been on dates with Grace JacksonCredit: GETTYWhy Rashford joining Arsenal is perfect fitBy Martin LiptonMARCUS RASHFORD is at a crossroads.But now the England star has to make the biggest choice he has ever faced – does he care about cash, or about his career?Rashford’s shock admission that he is “ready for a new challenge” after some two decades under the Manchester United umbrella has altered the dynamic around his future.That Rashford might not fit the blueprint of Ruben Amorim – who has now responded to Rashford’s comments – was not exactly a surprise.The Portuguese coach prefers a 3-4-3 formation but appears to have settled on Rasmus Hojlund as his starting central striker and wants two “narrow” inside forwards, with the width coming from the wing-backs.Rashford has always wanted to play through the middle but is often at his best exploiting spaces out wide – and that skillset does not necessarily suit the way Amorim wants to play.Even so, going public with his evident dissatisfaction at being bombed entirely from the squad for the Manchester derby was a major move, even if he vowed there would be “no hard feelings” if he does leave his boyhood club.In truth, Rashford has been leaving United almost from the moment he signed that new £325,000 per week contract in 2023.Something was broken in his connection to the club. His form dropped, his threat dissipated, his issues with the hierarchy deepened.When Erik ten Hag dropped him for hosting a birthday party after a derby defeat, and he later pulled a sickie to miss the FA Cup game with Newport, it felt even then that the writing was on the wall.The facts suggest the love affair has ended. After scoring 30 in all competitions to earn that new deal, he has scored just 15 in the 18 months since it was signed.Amorim’s arrival seems merely to have accelerated what was increasingly inevitable.Now, though, it is up to Rashford to determine what his future will bring.If it is only about the money, then his options might be somewhat limited.It is hard to see a Prem rival coughing up the same £16.9m annual salary – although Rashford’s comments have probably knocked £20m-plus off any transfer fee, even next month.But Real Madrid have their fill of big-money strikers and Barcelona’s budget remains restricted by La Liga financial controls.In Europe, then, that probably leaves PSG – but a move to a one-club league.Or, in the wider world, he could follow the likes of Ivan Toney, Cristiano Ronaldo, Roberto Firmino and Co and head to the Saudi desert.Lucrative, yep. Certainly a different environment – and that may be exactly what Rashford both wants and needs. But the football? Not in a million years.What Rashford needs, above all, is to be able to play for trophies and showcase his talents.There is no better stage than the Premier League – which has far more global eyeballs on it than any other domestic competition.And in that Premier League there is one club crying out for a goalscoring No 9, especially if he can also play down the left channel to balance out the side and widen its threat.Rashford has always been more Longsight than London.Yet Arsenal, and Mikel Arteta, might be the perfect fit.The Gunners’ lack of a proper scorer is one of the major factors many fans feel has hurt their title challenge this year.Gabriel Jesus has never been a natural finisher, while Kai Havertz is still a converted midfielder.And while the link-up between Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka makes their right flank deadly, faith in Gabriel Martinelli on the left is waning.There have not been too many who succeeded at Arsenal after leaving United – although Danny Welbeck was not a flop.Rashford has all the attributes to change that history, if he can reproduce what everybody knows is inside him.And by breaking free, giving himself the chance to start all over, Rashford can make a point to Amorim that will resonate for a very long time. 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ERLING HAALAND claims he is to blame for Manchester City’s dismal slump.The £51.4million Norwegian striker insists the players still have total faith in under-fire boss Pep Guardiola — despite a NINTH defeat in 12 games yesterday.Erling Haaland admits he is to blame for Man City’s poor seasonCredit: GettyThe striker insists the squad remain behind Pep GuardiolaCredit: GettyAnd City’s No 9 confessed: “I haven’t been good enough and haven’t delivered for City this season. I have to do better.“I’m looking at myself, I haven’t been doing things good enough, I haven’t been scoring my chances. It’s not good enough from me.”Haaland, 24, has scored a phenomenal 108 goals in 122 City games — but has found the net just once in his last six.He added: “We’re not able to win matches any more, we can’t control them like we used to.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL“We used to control them way more. But in defining moments I’m failing to score and I’ll do everything I can to turn this around.“We know how important confidence is and it affects every human being.“That is how it is, we have to stay positive even though it is difficult.”This is the worst run of ex-Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss Guardiola’s entire managerial career.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSBut Haaland added: “We still believe in him. He has won the Premier League six times in seven years, so we’ll never forget that.“He will find the solutions. He has been doing that every single year.Man City manager Pep Guardiola sings song for Barcelona’s 125th birthday“We have to work harder than ever. We just lost a game, another one.”Defeat leaves the four-in-a-row champions sixth in the table — NINE points behind leaders Liverpool, who have TWO games in hand.Goals from Jhon Duran and one-time Etihad hopeful Morgan Rogers put Villa two-up. Before Phil Foden opened his account for the season with a late consolation goal.Guardiola admits there is no defence for his side’s shocking form but does not blame Haaland.He said: “I don’t agree with him. Without Erling we would be even worse.“But I do like players to be that way.  It’s our only chance to get better.“There are two options — I judge myself, the only other situation is blame.“I don’t agree with Erling as he tried and he needs to be delivered the ball in the right spots.“I have never pointed at players in nine years because it would be easy for me to do that.“We dropped as a team in the second half but not from any particular player.“Now we must recover. We are struggling to score and are conceding goals.“We don’t have a defence for it and the results are not good.“It’s not about me, it’s about what we can do to get the results back.”READ MORE SUN STORIESVilla chief Unai Emery admitted his side sensed City were low on self-belief.He said: “We did fantastic with the chances we created. While the confidence was increasing for us, the confidence for them was going down.” More

MARCUS RASHFORD has lost the dressing room after insisting he wants to leave Manchester United.The wantaway star stunned his team-mates on Tuesday by saying he was ready for a “new challenge”.Marcus Rashford has alienated his team-mates after saying he wants a new challengeCredit: GettyRashford’s team-mates are fuming over his revelatory interview this weekCredit: ReutersIt came just two days after boss Ruben Amorim dropped him from the squad for the derby clash with Manchester City.United shocked their rivals by coming back from 1-0 down to win 2-1 after scoring twice in three minutes, including an injury-time winner from Amad Diallo.Rashford, who was watching the game from home, later posted a picture on social media congratulating United.His message was liked by several of his team-mates including captain Bruno Fernandes and defender Diogo Dalot.READ MORE ON MAN UTDBut some of the squad were left dismayed when the 27-year-old striker gave an unauthorised interview during a surprise visit to his old primary school.He said: “Personally, I think I’m ready for a new challenge and the next steps.”The comments overshadowed United’s victory over City and also disrupted the mood of the camp ahead of the Carabao Cup quarter-final at Tottenham on Thursday, which they lost 4-3.A source said: “Some of the players are really annoyed at what Marcus said and why he chose to say it at that time.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS“They were all buzzing after beating City and then he basically put in a transfer request after being dropped for one game.“He’s not got many close friends in the squad anymore after the likes of Paul Pogba and Jesse Lingard left, so he’s pretty quiet and doesn’t really act as a leader.Ruben Amorim gives Mason Mount injury update after cursed Man Utd star left pitch fighting tears “More is expected of him but he doesn’t seem interested, despite having been in the first team for eight years.”Rashford has scored 138 goals in 426 appearances for the club since making his debut in 2016, having come through the United academy.He signed a £350,000-a-week contract after scoring 30 goals in the 2022-23 campaign. But he has struggled to replicate that form, scoring just four times in the Prem so far this season.Manager Amorim has left the door open to Rashford staying.Why Rashford joining Arsenal is perfect fitBy Martin LiptonMARCUS RASHFORD is at a crossroads.But now the England star has to make the biggest choice he has ever faced – does he care about cash, or about his career?Rashford’s shock admission that he is “ready for a new challenge” after some two decades under the Manchester United umbrella has altered the dynamic around his future.That Rashford might not fit the blueprint of Ruben Amorim – who has now responded to Rashford’s comments – was not exactly a surprise.The Portuguese coach prefers a 3-4-3 formation but appears to have settled on Rasmus Hojlund as his starting central striker and wants two “narrow” inside forwards, with the width coming from the wing-backs.Rashford has always wanted to play through the middle but is often at his best exploiting spaces out wide – and that skillset does not necessarily suit the way Amorim wants to play.Even so, going public with his evident dissatisfaction at being bombed entirely from the squad for the Manchester derby was a major move, even if he vowed there would be “no hard feelings” if he does leave his boyhood club.In truth, Rashford has been leaving United almost from the moment he signed that new £325,000 per week contract in 2023.Something was broken in his connection to the club. His form dropped, his threat dissipated, his issues with the hierarchy deepened.When Erik ten Hag dropped him for hosting a birthday party after a derby defeat, and he later pulled a sickie to miss the FA Cup game with Newport, it felt even then that the writing was on the wall.The facts suggest the love affair has ended. After scoring 30 in all competitions to earn that new deal, he has scored just 15 in the 18 months since it was signed.Amorim’s arrival seems merely to have accelerated what was increasingly inevitable.Now, though, it is up to Rashford to determine what his future will bring.If it is only about the money, then his options might be somewhat limited.It is hard to see a Prem rival coughing up the same £16.9m annual salary – although Rashford’s comments have probably knocked £20m-plus off any transfer fee, even next month.But Real Madrid have their fill of big-money strikers and Barcelona’s budget remains restricted by La Liga financial controls.In Europe, then, that probably leaves PSG – but a move to a one-club league.Or, in the wider world, he could follow the likes of Ivan Toney, Cristiano Ronaldo, Roberto Firmino and Co and head to the Saudi desert.Lucrative, yep. Certainly a different environment – and that may be exactly what Rashford both wants and needs. But the football? Not in a million years.What Rashford needs, above all, is to be able to play for trophies and showcase his talents.There is no better stage than the Premier League – which has far more global eyeballs on it than any other domestic competition.And in that Premier League there is one club crying out for a goalscoring No 9, especially if he can also play down the left channel to balance out the side and widen its threat.Rashford has always been more Longsight than London.Yet Arsenal, and Mikel Arteta, might be the perfect fit.The Gunners’ lack of a proper scorer is one of the major factors many fans feel has hurt their title challenge this year.Gabriel Jesus has never been a natural finisher, while Kai Havertz is still a converted midfielder.And while the link-up between Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka makes their right flank deadly, faith in Gabriel Martinelli on the left is waning.There have not been too many who succeeded at Arsenal after leaving United – although Danny Welbeck was not a flop.Rashford has all the attributes to change that history, if he can reproduce what everybody knows is inside him.And by breaking free, giving himself the chance to start all over, Rashford can make a point to Amorim that will resonate for a very long time.He said: “This kind of club needs big talent and he’s a big talent, so he just needs to perform at the highest level and that is my focus. I just want to help Marcus.“We are better with Marcus Rashford, that is simple and we will try different things to push Marcus to the best levels he showed in the past. And that’s all.”Rashford, who was also left out of the squad at Spurs on Thursday, is fit for United’s Premier League game against Bournemouth at Old Trafford today. More

SOUTHAMPTON have appointed Ivan Juric days after axing Russell Martin.The Saints are cut adrift at the bottom of the Premier League and Russell was giving his marching orders following a 5-0 defeat to Tottenham.Southampton have appointed Ivan JuricCredit: GettyThey have wasted no time in finding his successor, hiring Juric on an 18-month contract.Juric, 49, arrives after being sacked by Roma in November – less than two months after taking charge of the Serie A side.The Croatian has been in management for ten years but never coached outside of Italy.He said after putting pen to paper: “I’m very pleased. I think it’s a really big challenge but I’m very optimistic because I saw a team that can do better.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL“It’s important to immediately be connected with the fans. I want an aggressive team and I think that fans of Southampton will like that.”Juric also had spells at Mantova, Crotone, and Hellas Verona, and he had three separate back-to-back stints at Genoa between 2016 and 2018.His most successful reign came at Torino between 2021 and 2024, winning 44 games of 122 games in charge.He is now tasked with keeping Southampton in the Premier League -his new side nine points off safety after winning just one match in 16.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSJuric’s 18-month contract includes a summer break clause, and a two-year option to extend that will be triggered should Saints stay up.Juric, a former Croatia international, is known for driving a hard line on fitness with his players while his playing style is less reliant on the playing out from the back style preferred by Martin.Disgusted Southampton fans stream out of St Mary’s 27 minutes into Tottenham clash after going 4-0 down More