Premier League

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

ARSENAL fought back from two goals down to secure a valuable point at Anfield.Liverpool tore Mikel Arteta’s side apart in a blistering first 20 minutes after the Gunners wasted early chances.Mikel Merino did not impress in midfieldCredit: GettyGabriel Martinelli looked miles better when moving inside to the No9 roleCredit: AFPBut they showed their character to fightback and they are now almost certain to get Champions League football.Here is how SunSport’s Alex Smith rated the Arsenal performances…David Raya – 7Liverpool ran riot in the first-half and carved Arsenal apart with ease, it could have been three or four if it was not for two brilliant saves from Raya.He kept the score down by getting in the way of efforts from Luis Diaz and Curtis Jones. Proved to be the springboard for the Gunners’ comeback. READ MORE IN FOOTBALLBen White – 4Did not cover himself in glory for Cody Gakpo’s opener. Started too high up the pitch and was never getting back for the ball over the top.Then switched off and didn’t get back to the right-back position, completely caught out by Liverpool’s quick throw-in and Andy Robertson crossed from acres of space.Does not look like the same player since returning from injury. William Saliba – 5Momentarily switched off for Diaz’s goal and it proved costly.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSStrangely stopped tracking the Colombian, perhaps thinking the ball was running through to Raya. But Diaz didn’t stop moving and it was an easy tap-in for him.Jakub Kiwior – 5His days at Arsenal appear numbered and he was OK today.Did get caught out by Liverpool’s direct balls and a tad slow to react for the goals, but his zipped passes were impressive.Myles Lewis-Skelly – 6Tidy on the ball as usual and has a real knack of winning fouls when under pressure. Incredibly press resistant. But the teenager needs to work on his one vs one defending if he is to remain at left-back. Booked for one of his classic panic fouls on Mo Salah – gets beaten and then drags the winger back cynically. Thomas Partey – 3Was tasked with trying to win the ball back high up the pitch, which he did before him and Leandro Trossard both bizarrely ran away from the ball.The problem came when Liverpool played through Arsenal’s press or went direct – Partey did not have the speed or energy to get back in transition. Have seen snails run back faster. Overran by Liverpool’s midfield.Mikel Merino – 3Are we sure he is a midfielder and not a striker?Unconvincing and looked way too slow in the centre of the park. Really struggled with the pace and intensity of the Liverpool team.Clumsily gave the ball away on the edge of his own box and then committed a bad foul in panic. Correctly red carded. Showed his poacher’s instinct to follow in after Alisson palmed out Martin Odegaard’s shot.Martin Odegaard – 7Tidy in possession with some nice touches and he finally had a shot, which led to Arsenal’s equaliser.Odegaard plays safe and sideways too often and it took until his team were 2-0 down before he started to play the passes we know he can play. Unlucky not to win it with his late effort.Bukayo Saka – 6His open goal miss against PSG may still have been in his mind when a huge chance fell his way when the score was 0-0.A Nicolas Jover special set-piece created the chance for Saka, which he snatched at and pulled agonisingly wide. Not as sharp as usual but always a threat when cutting onto his left foot. Liverpool got away with being overly physical with him, unlucky not to win free-kicks.Leandro Trossard – 5Was lively. Always looking to get on the ball and make something happen. Nice cross for Martinelli’s header.But is simply not a striker and was only useful when drifting away from the typical No9 position.He takes far too many touches, eventually getting crowded out and surrounded by Liverpool players. Frustrating. Gabriel Martinelli – 7Was on the scoresheet and works incredibly hard. Looked better when moving centrally in the second-half and made a couple of really nice runs. Deserves a start down the middle to see what he can do as he is not a title-winning winger as he does not beat his full-back enough. SUBS:Riccardo Calafiori (for White, 78 minutes) – 6Put himself about in the closing stages.Read More on The SunKieran Tierney (for Trossard, 78 minutes) – 6Good late tackle on Salah late on. Oleksandr Zinchenko (for Saka 88 minutes) – 6Arteta needed a fifth player on the pitch who could play left-back to see out the game. More