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      Man Utd stars head off for FA Cup final with one big-money signing desperate to break his dreaded ‘Curse of Wembley’

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      MASON MOUNT will be desperate to break the dreaded “curse of Wembley” at this afternoon’s FA Cup final.Manchester United will do all they can to stop local rivals City from securing the double in a mouthwatering clash.Mason Mount will be desperate to break the dreaded ‘curse of Wembley’ at todays FA Cup finalCredit: GettyMount has made six appearances at Wembley and lost all six timesCredit: GettyMan Utd head to Wembley to face local rivals Man City at the FA Cup finalThe Mason Mount Wembley “curse” reflects back to the ex-Chelsea midifelder’s apparent bad luck when he played at the iconic stadium.Mount has suffered a number of defeats both for club and country including a notable penalty shootout defeat to Liverpool in the 2022 FA Cup final.In the shootout, the 25-year-old player missed leading to sudden death. Kostas Tsimikas then had the opportunity to step up and secure the trophy for the Reds.READ MORE ON MAN UTDThe Red Devils star was also in the losing side of the 2020 and 2021 FA Cup finals as well as the 2022 Carabao Cup final and suffered another defeat with his former side Derby in 2019.Mount has lost six finals at Wembley, four of which have come as a Chelsea player.The England international is also on the hunt to grab his first goal at Wembley having failed to find the back of the next in all six appearances.Having come up the ranks in Chelsea’s academy, Mount broke through into the senior side in 2017.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSThen successful loan spells at Vitesse and Derby County saw himself become a key man under Frank Lampard.But last summer he left Stamford Bridge for Old Trafford for £60million which angered a lot of Blues fans.Ten Hag’s six worst defeats as Man Utd managerHowever his debut season for the Red Devils has been plagued with injury – limiting him to just 19 appearances and one goal this campaign.Mount’s Wembley record
      May 27, 2019

      Aston Villa 2-1 Derby – Championship play-offs

      August 1, 2020

      Arsenal 2-1 Chelsea – FA Cup

      May 15, 2021

      Chelsea 0-1 Leicester – FA Cup

      July 11, 2021

      Italy 1-1 England (Italy win 3-2 on pens) – Euro 2020

      February 27, 2022

      Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool (Liverpool win 11-10 on pens) – Carabao Cup

      May 14, 2022

      Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool (Liverpool win 6-5 on pens) FA Cup

      THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY..The Sun is your go to destination for the best football, boxing and MMA news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video.Like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TheSunFootball and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSunFootball. More

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      Arsenal’s ‘next Yaya Toure’ reveals he will QUIT club on permanent transfer after talks with Gunners chiefs

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      ARSENAL prospect Albert Sambi Lokonga is keen to leave the club.The midfielder, 24, was once touted as the next Yaya Youre by compatriot Vincent Kompany.Albert Sambi Lokonga failed to live up to expectationsCredit: PAThe midfielder spent last season on loan with LutonCredit: GettyBut he struggled for game time with the Gunners since arriving from Anderlecht in 2021 and spent last season on loan with relegated Luton.Now, he has set his sights on a fresh start after holding talks with the Arsenal hierarchy.Her told BBC Three Counties Radio: “I had a discussion with Arsenal and the conclusion was the best thing for me was to leave the club, so now it’s up to my agent and the club to find something. “I still have a contract there, one year plus a one-year option so let’s see what happens.”READ MORE IN FOOTBALLLokonga arrived at Arsenal for £17million with a blossoming reputation.Former Anderlecht boss Kompany – who is set to join Bayern Munich after a compensation package was agreed – recommended him to Mikel Arteta while the Spaniard was still the No2 at City.He said: “The first thing I did when I saw Sambi is I went to Mikel [Arteta] and also Pep [Guardiola], but Mikel first and said, ‘You got to watch this guy, he’s the new Yaya Toure.’ CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS”I’m not sure I’m doing him a favour saying this stuff.Most read in Football“Look, you know what I like about Sambi, what Yaya did have, is, he wants the ball no matter what. Watch awkward moment glum Arsenal fan walks past army of Chelsea fans outside Stamford Bridge after title heartache_1″If the team is not doing well, give the ball to Sambi. Team doing well? Give the ball to Sambi. “He will never hide away from his responsibilities.”Luton have put together a brutal clearout following their Premier League relegation that has seen a total of 14 players leaving Kenilworth Road.Loan stars Issa Kabore and Lokonga will return to their parent clubs as part of the cull.Meet the Arsenal Wags from Strictly star to a flight attendant
      Tomali Benson – partner of Bukayo Saka
      Benson and Saka have kept information on their relationship largely quiet.
      They do not appear on each others Instagram pages but she was seen speaking to Saka at the 2022 World Cup.
      Helene Spilling – partner of Martin Odegaard
      A professional dancer from Norway who rose to fame in the country’s version of Strictly Come Dancing, the pair were first spotted together at the Football Awards in March 2023.
      Sophie Weber – partner of Kai Havertz
      Weber works as a model and social media influencer and is the most high profile member of the group on online with almost 400,000 followers on Instagram.
      They are childhood sweethearts having grown up in the same neighbourhood.
      Milly White – partner of Ben White
      The couple got engaged in 2022 before tying the knot officially in May last year. They have matching “I love you tattoos” on their wrists. Milly White works as a model.
      Laura Trossard Hilven – partner of Leandro Trossard
      The pair met in 2014 before getting married in 2019.
      They have two sons together, Thiago and Amadeo.
      Lauren Fryer – partner of Declan Rice
      Lauren Fryer and Declan Rice have been together since 2015. She tends to keep a lower profile compared to some of Arsenal’s other Wags but is no less stunning.
      She sadly deleted all pictures on her Instagram after suffering horrific abuse by vile trolls.
      Georgina Ramsdale – partner of Aaron Ramsdale
      Georgina Ramsdale works as a flight attendant.
      The couple got married last June after the Arsenal star proposed in 2022. They originally met in 2019. More

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      Bayern Munich reach agreement with Burnley over compensation for Vincent Kompany after fans stunned by reported amount

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      BAYERN MUNICH have agreed to a deal to take Vincent Kompany away from Burnley.The Bundesliga giants identified the Belgian as the man to take them forwards after a dismal campaign.Burnley manager Vincent Kompany is a wanted manCredit: PABayern Munich endured a shocking seasonCredit: GettySky Sports News claim that Burnley initially demanded £17million for their manager, who has agreed a deal in principle to move to Germany.But the Clarets are believed to have settled for a fee of between £10m and £12m.Fans could not believe the huge sum Burnley were supposedly requesting for Thomas Tuchel’s potential replacement.One replied to the news: “I cant believe Bayern are considering this fraud.”READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAnother simply said: “Wow…””£17m for a manager. The worlds gone mental,” added another.A fourth suggested: “Hold out for as much as we can get Bayern aren’t short of the money.”Kompany, 38, has identified Manchester City trickster Jack Grealish as his top target.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSThe former City star is believed to be a huge fan of the England international.Grealish has fallen down the pecking order at City and could see the switch as a chance to boost his playing time.Best ten new Premier League kits for next seasonHe would link up with England team-mate Harry Kane in a formidable quartet also featuring Jamal Musiala and Leroy Sane.Bayern failed to win a single trophy in Kane’s first season – a rare flop for a club of their stature.And their new manager will be under immediate pressure to usurp Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen as the kings of German football.Kompany earned rave reviews for Burnley’s performances in winning promotion to the Premier League.But he managed just 24 points in 38 games as the Clarets tumbled back into the second tier.Vincent Kompany’s careerVincent Kompany enjoyed a successful playing career before becoming a manager.
      Playing Career:
      Anderlecht

      Appearances: 121
      Goals: 7
      Honours: Belgian First Division x2

      Hamburg

      Appearances: 51
      Goals: 4
      Honours: Uefa Intertoto Cup, 2007

      Manchester City

      Appearances: 360
      Goals: 20
      Honours: Premier League x4, FA Cup x2, EFL Cup x4

      Belgium

      Caps: 89
      Goals: 4

      Managerial career:
      Anderlecht

      Games: 90
      PPG: 1.70

      Burnley

      Games: 96
      PPG: 1.53
      Honours: Championship, 2023 More

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      Mauricio Pochettino seen for first time since Chelsea exit as he meets infamous celebrity chef

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      MUAIRICO POCHETTINO has been spotted for the first time since his Chelsea exit – after heading out to celeb chef Salt Bae’s restaurant.The Argentine left Stamford Bridge on Tuesday by mutual consent after leading the Blues to a sixth place Premier League finish this season.Mauricio Pochettino has been spotted for the first time since his Chelsea exit with Salt BaeCredit: Instagram pochettinoThe Argentine left Stamford Bridge on Tuesday by mutual consentCredit: paPochettino took to Instagram to share a picture from his trip to visit Salt Bae – real name Nusret Gokce.Pochettino’s Instagram story caption read: “Nice to see you my friend! @nusr_et Always top!”The post was shared by the Turkish chef, who shared his own pic from the meeting, declaring the Argentine boss to have a “beautiful family”.He also shared an image of the two of them together, with the caption “Great person amazing coach”.  READ MORE ON FOOTBALLSalt Bae caused fury at the 2022 World Cup after pestering celebrating Argentina players on the pitch to hold the trophy.The restaurateur, whose technique for preparing and seasoning meat became an internet meme, owns Nusr-Et, a chain of luxury steak houses across the world including one in Knightsbridge.And Poch is now enjoying some down time after his time in West London was cut short to one season.The former Spurs man left Chelsea despite securing European football for next season for the Blues.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSSunSport revealed the Blues have held talks with Leicester City boss Enzo Maresca.Who could be Chelsea’s next boss after Pochettino exit?Maresca is one of three leading candidates for the role, alongside Ipswich’s Kieran McKenna and Brentford’s Thomas Frank.Maresca won the Championship with the Foxes last season and has previously had a short stint as manager of Parma as well as working as a coach at West Ham and Man City. More

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      Doomed Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag fights back and claims pundits and fans have ‘no sense of reality’ after horror season

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      ERIK TEN HAG has hit back at his critics amid claims the Manchester United boss is on the brink of the sack.The Dutchman is set to be walking out the door even if the Red Devils beat Man City at the FA Cup final today.Erik ten Hag has hit back at pundits ‘who attack him to look better’Credit: GettyTen Hag is set to be sacked despite if United beat Man City at the FA Cup final todayCredit: GettyUnited’s dismal season is set to cost Ten Hag his job as reports on Friday revealed the 54-year-old will be sacked this weekend.The ex-Ajax man claimed the reason for the slack he has been getting this term is because people see United as an “easy prey”.Ten Hag told Dutch outlet Voetbal International: “The pundits in England want to score, they want to show they are worth the money, and for that Manchester United is an easy prey.”It’s the biggest club in England and possibly in the world. The club is either loved or hated, there is no in-between. READ MORE ON MAN UTD”So when things go bad, they all start talking and talking with very big words.”All this negativism from these so called experts who don’t have the capability to analyse something with facts, but who prefer to attack people to make themselves look better.”And these same people were the ones who gave me a pat on the back last year. “Last year I was able to walk on water, this year I am the worst manager in the Premier League!”Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSAnd fans quickly responded on social media to say “this is full blown war”.While another added: “No truer words Erik, you won my heart.”How Man Utd can beat Man City in FA Cup finalTen Hag, who arrived at Old Trafford in 2022, led the Red Devils to a third-place finish and EFL Cup glory in his first season at the club.But has been unable to build upon that success this term, with United recording their lowest-ever Premier League finish.But in a blast at those who still expect more, he said: “Manchester United won the league for the last time in 2013, 11 years ago. But, still, they expect us to win every game while competing at the top. This club is not ready for that.“We were supposed to start building something and we made the first steps last year, but then you find out how big this club is and that nobody is ever satisfied.”Within the club people were satisfied, but outside the club there was noise by saying I won only the Carabao Cup, lost the FA Cup Final and finished third. Well, then you have no sense of reality. Other clubs had a much better squad.”Amid rumours that United chiefs are ready to move on from Ten Hag the Dutch boss has now claimed the owners “told him directly” that they want to “rebuild with him”.He continued: “They said they want to change everything and that they want to rebuild with me. This is what they told me directly.”Let me be clear. It has been bad. It has been crap. But despite everything, we are going to play an FA Cup final.”READ MORE SUN STORIESUnited have been hit with a number of injuries from the start of the season and saw their defence in particular suffer, which Ten Hag blamed for their poor performance.Ten Hag added: “The injuries have been really crazy. Not long ago I had to start my 15th different centre back duo of the season. I have had 33 different defensive lines this season.”Pundits’ verdict on Ten Hag’s futureWhere do the pundits stand on Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United future?
      Michael Owen – He has to go
      “He cannot, simply cannot, manage this team next season. He’s not good enough.”
      Teddy Sheringham – Might stay if he wins Cup but should go
      “If United win the FA Cup, he could stay. But, for me, changes are needed and United need to get it done sooner than later.”
      Jamie Carragher – Sacked
      “I don’t see how Erik ten Hag stays. It’s just performance after performance.”
      Gary Neville – Stay if he wins the FA Cup
      “To sack a manager who’s won two trophies in his first two seasons at the club I think would be extreme.”
      Louis Saha – On the fence
      “I don’t see it as clearly but they need changes from the players but they need changes from him as well.”
      Alan Shearer – Sacked
      “I believe the future of the Man Utd manager is already determined. Even if they win the FA Cup I think he’s gone.” More

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      Steve Bruce, 63, ready to make return to management after ill-fated Newcastle and West Brom spells

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      STEVE BRUCE wants a return to club management two years after his departure from West Brom.Bruce, 63, isn’t daunted by all the latest managerial exits, as well as those that will soon follow, and insists he is still “itching to get back” at the helm of what would be his 12th team in charge.Steve Bruce wants to return to management after two years as a free agentCredit: RexBruce endured an ill-fated stint at Newcastle and West BromCredit: GettyWriting exclusively for SunSport, the Manchester United legend and former Premier League boss explains why he still has the managerial bug:I WOULD love to be involved with a club again on the management side.This has been my longest break from the game in 46 years after leaving West Brom in October 2022.You’d think the precarious nature of being a football manager might put me off in a week which has seen Mauricio Pochettino surprisingly leave Chelsea.Read More on FootballI saw a crazy fact that there were more Premier League manager departures 48 hours after the end of the league season last Sunday (four) than there were in the whole of the Prem campaign (three).It sums up football management.So why would I still want to be itching to get back on the training pitch and working with players?It’s something inbuilt in me — that adrenaline rush every time Saturday comes round. Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSI am hugely proud to have managed over 1,000 games at 12 clubs.Only five managers since the start of the Premier League in 1992 have taken charge of more matches.Man City WIN the Premier League for record fourth time in a row as they see off Arsenal on tense final dayI would hope to think an owner or CEO would see my experience as key in terms of being part of a management team or at the coal face itself.Steve Bruce’s managerial careerHere’s all the teams Steve Bruce has managed throughout his career:

      Sheffield United (1998-1999)
      Huddersfield (1999-2000)
      Wigan (2001)
      Crystal Palace (2001)
      Birmingham City (2001-2007)
      Wigan (2007-2009)
      Sunderland (2009-2011)
      Hull City (2012-2016)
      Aston Villa (2016-2018)
      Sheffield Wednesday (2019)
      Newcastle (2019-2021)
      West Brom (2022) More

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      Roberto De Zerbi ‘NOT ruled out by Chelsea’ as they work through four-man shortlist to replace Pochettino

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      CHELSEA have not ruled Roberto De Zerbi out as a potential candidate to replace Mauricio Pochettino in the dugout ahead of next term.The Blues are looking for a new manager after Pochettino suddenly left Stamford Bridge after only a season in charge despite leading the club to European qualification.Chelsea have not yet ruled Roberto De Zerbi out as replacement for Mauricio PochettinoCredit: EPAWho could be the next Chelsea manager?

      HERE are the seven names in the running to replace Mauricio Pochettino after his shock exit from Chelsea.
      Roberto De Zerbi
      The Italian left Brighton at the end of the season after a year and a half in charge. He was linked with a host of top jobs earlier in the campaign but a difficult run of results saw him fall out of contention for the likes of Liverpool. De Zerbi’s attacking, front-foot style would be popular at Stamford Bridge.
      Kieran McKenna
      The former Manchester United assistant has led Ipswich to back-to-back promotions from League One to the Premier League. That has seen his stock shoot through the roof and he may be tempted to jump ship for a big job.
      Enzo Maresca
      Maresca was Pep Guardiola’s assistant at Manchester City and has worked wonders at Leicester, settling the ship to send the Foxes back to the Premier League at the first attempt. Appointing a Pep disciple has turned Arsenal into title contenders, so it could work for Chelsea too.
      Hansi Flick
      Flick was one of football’s most in-demand managers after winning the Champions League with Bayern Munich. But it all went wrong in his next role becoming the first manager ever to be sacked by Germany. Now he’s ready to return and could be a smart move for the Blues
      Sebastian Hoeness
      Chelsea fans may not have heard of him, but Hoeness is Germany’s next big thing. Hoeness has transformed Stuttgart from relegation candidates to the second best team in the Bundesliga, finishing above Bayern Munich. Only invincible Bayer Leverkusen got in the way of a miracle.
      Michel
      Michel Sanchez has worked wonders with little Girona in Spain. The minnows were right in the LaLiga title race at Christmas before watching Real Madrid shoot into the distance. But they ran illustrious Catalan neighbours Barcelona all the way for second and are guaranteed a spot on the Champions League. Reports in Spain say that has caught Chelsea’s attention.
      Jose Mourinho
      Still adored by fans at Stamford Bridge, who never warmed to former Spurs boss Pochettino, Mourinho would be a popular pick. Winner of three Premier League with the Blues across two topsy-turvy spells, could he be the man to take Chelsea back to the top?

      According to The Telegraph, the West Londoners have narrowed their search down to four candidates.That includes Leicester’s Enzo Maresca, Ipswich’s Kieran McKenna and Brentford’s Thomas Frank.There has been no confirmation whether or not De Zerbi, 44, is officially the fourth unnamed coach.However, the same source claims the Italian tactician has not yet been chalked off.Read More on FootballNevertheless, the ex-Brighton boss is currently considered to be an “outlier”.If Chelsea signed De Zerbi then the Seagulls could still be due around £5million in compensation, which is much cheaper than the £15m he would have cost if he was still working at the Amex Stadium.The ex-Shakhtar Donetsk manager would have to demonstrate that he could work within Chelsea’s club structure and cooperate with sporting directors Paul Winstanley as well as Laurence Stewart.This comes after De Zerbi expressed frustration in the Brighton model last season while many within football view him as a challenging character.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSNevertheless, there is still no clear favourite to replace Pochettino at the helm.However, Maresca, McKenna and Frank all have internal support within Chelsea.Who could be Chelsea’s next boss after Pochettino exit?Director of recruitment and talent Joe Shields worked with Maresca at Manchester City when the Italian was Pep Guardiola’s assistant manager at a time when Cole Palmer played under him.McKenna’s stunning progress at Ipswich has been tracked by the Premier League giants for some time.And Chelsea’s incoming set-piece specialist Bernardo Cueva worked closely with Frank at Brentford.But De Zerbi is well known by director of global recruitment Sam Jewell as they worked together at Brighton.Moises Caicedo also played under him last season whereas Mykhailo Mudryk and the Italian head coach go way back during their time together at Shakhtar.Chelsea are beyond a laughing stockBy Andy Dillon
      CHELSEA’S longest serving manager under the club’s new owners has left by mutual consent.
      The fact that Mauricio Pochettino lasted only 325 days underlines what a basket case of a club it has become.
      You might expect a manager to lose his job after five games WITHOUT a win but only Chelsea could lose theirs after five wins on the spin.
      When the supporters wrote an open letter to chairman Todd Boehly and his sidekick Behdad Eghbali in March, they expressed fears that their beloved Chelsea was becoming a ‘laughing stock on and off the pitch’.
      It is way beyond that now with the departure of the manager who finally looked to be getting a tune out of a squad branded ‘£1billion bottle jobs’ just over two months ago as they crashed to defeat against Liverpool’s youth team in the Carabao Cup Final.
      Read Andy Dillon’s full take on the sacking of Pochettino and what it means here. More

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      Luton release 14 PLAYERS including long-serving star in ruthless squad cull after relegation from Premier League

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      LUTON TOWN have put together a brutal clearout following their Premier League relegation that has seen a total of 14 players leaving Kenilworth Road.Luton finished 18th in the Prem table with six points separating them from safety and will be returning to the Championship just a year after their stunning promotion.Long-serving star Dan Potts has left Luton Town after the club’s relegationCredit: GettyLuke Berry will be leaving Luton Town after his contract runs outCredit: AlamyThe Hatters’ manager Rob Edwards will have to do it all over again but will be without long-serving duo Dan Potts and Luke Berry this time around.Potts, 30, has been with the club since 2015 while Berry, 31, joined in 2017Both veterans will be leaving once their contracts expire on June 30.They will be joined by Fred Onyedinma, Elliot Thorpe and Admiral Muskwe, whose deals also run out next month.Read More on FootballMeanwhile, Josh Allen, Tobias Braney, Oliver Camis, Archie Heron, Millar Matthews-Lewis and Ben Tompkins have been released.And Will Houghton, Max Scott and Marcus Warren will be leaving the club’s academy.Issa Kabore and Albert Sambi Lokonga will be returning to their parent clubs at Manchester City and Arsenal respectively at the end of their loan stints. Meanwhile, Allan Campbell, Ryan Giles, Tom Holmes, John McAtee, Aribim Pepple, Dion Pereira, Joe Taylor, Jack Walton and Louie Watson’s loan deals away will expire next month.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSLuton continue talks over a new contract with Gabe Osho, whose deal runs out next month, after the relegated club exercised its option to extend James Shea’s stint.Extended terms have been accepted by Under-21 stars Jack Bateson, Josh Odell-Bature, Jacob Pinnington and Dominic Dos Santos Martins.Huge pitch invasion as Man City win title despite players begging supporters not to and Gary Neville calls it a ‘shame’And from the Under-18s, Claude Kayibanda and Jack Lorentzen-Jones have accepted their offers of professional contracts, while Tyrell Giwa’s scholarship has been extended for a third year.Under-16 aces Archie Shepherd, Benedict Benagr, Charlie Booth, Christian Chigozie, Harry Fox, Kyron Roberts-Edema, Leon Routh, Lucas Thomas and Samuel Hincapie Alfonso have been offered first-year scholarships.Luton Town’s released listHere’s who Luton Town have released after their Premier League relegation:

      Dan Potts
      Luke Berry
      Fred Onyedinma
      Elliot Thorpe
      Admiral Muskwe
      Josh Allen
      Tobias Braney
      Oliver Camis
      Archie Heron
      Millar Matthews-Lewis
      Ben Tompkins
      Will Houghton
      Max Scott
      Marcus Warren More