Premier League

GRAEME SOUNESS has claimed Manchester United had “their trousers taken” with two major flop transfers.The Red Devils signed Raphael Varane from Real Madrid for £41million in 2021 and Casemiro for £70m in 2022.Graeme Souness has claimed Manchester United had ‘their trousers taken’ with two transfersCredit: ReutersUnited signed Raphael Varane from Real Madrid for £41m in 2021 and Casemiro for £70m in 2022Credit: GettyVarane, 28, who won four Champions League at Los Blancos was allowed to leave the Bernabeu due to his age and ongoing injury issues.And a year later United then secured ageing midfielder Casemiro, 32, from Real Madrid.Both stars have been underwhelming since their move to Old Trafford with Varane sidelined many times due to injury and Casemiro’s increasing lack of mobility becoming an issue at the club.Souness has slammed the Red Devils transfer once again after he labelled Casemiro a “steady Eddie” after his arrival 18 months ago.READ MORE ON MAN UTDThe Liverpool legend said his previous comments were justified and added United had their “trousers taken” because of the price they paid for the two flop signings.Speaking on William Hill’s Three Up Front podcast, the Souness stated via the MEN: “Yeah he [Casemiro] can point to the medals which he won but he was a bit-player in a very special team. “I never saw him coming to United and being the difference. I saw him as ‘he’s okay, not a big player’.”I think they’ve had their trousers taken with both Raphael Varane and him. If you’ve got something to offer Real Madrid don’t sell you.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS”Real Madrid sold Raphael Varane and Casemiro to Man United. They [United] paid a premium and I’m sure they’re on lots of money those two and it’s a football decision, that I feel, they got wrong again.Varane has just 67 appearances during his three seasons at the club but has missed a chunk of games again this campaign due to a muscle injury.Roy Keane says he’d rather play a reserve or youth team player over Casemiro after Man Utd star’s shocker against PalaceSouness continued: “Casemiro has been found out, not stitched up. If you’re a big player and you’ve got the chance to go United, you’re going to take it to make them better.”In his first term at the club, the Brazil captain thrived netting seven times from central midfield. But in the turn of a year, his form dropped off after an injury in the early part of the season and suffered woeful performances against Liverpool and Crystal Palace. More

GARY NEVILLE clashed with Roy Keane as he labelled West Ham stars “idiots”.The Hammers announced earlier this week that manager David Moyes will leave the club this summer.Roy Keane slammed West Ham’s playersCredit: YOUTUBE /The OverlapGary Neville joked his old team-mate has had a ‘falling out’ with the Hammers squadCredit: YOUTUBE /The OverlapAnd West Ham fans are set to give their boss a huge send off after their final home game of the season against Luton on Saturday.Predicting the scores of this weekend’s fixtures on The Overlap’s Stick to Football show Neville felt Moyes would say goodbye with a win.The Manchester United legend said: “I think they will give him an amazing reception and I think the players will be up for it.”But due to them suffering an embarrassing 5-0 loss to Chelsea last Sunday, Keane interjected: “Why didn’t they thank him last week?READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”We’ll be up for it this week, forget last week by the way. Idiots.”Neville hit back: “I’m not defending West Ham’s players, I’m just saying there will be a thank you type environment.”Keane predicted that Luton would win 2-1 as his old team-mate joked he was only saying that because “he’s had a falling out with the West Ham players.”But the no-nonsense Irishman continued as he ranted: “Yeah, they are officially a joke. Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS”We turn up when we want. We needed a change of manager. That’s why they never win nothing.”However, one of the reasons why Neville is expecting Moyes to get a huge send off is due to the club lifting the Europa Conference League trophy last season.’Don’t get all excited’ – Roy Keane and Ian Wright in heated F-word bust-up as co-star forced to play peacemakerEx-Real Madrid and Wolves boss Julen Lopetegui is set to replace Moyes in the dugout.The 57-year-old has agreed terms with the club and is set to be unveiled as the new manager at the end of the season.Inside David Moyes’ West Ham exit as Hammers boss rowed with technical director and had contract offer withdrawBy Jack Rosser
REGARDLESS of how it has ended, David Moyes leaves West Ham a club great and a history-maker.
The Scot, 61, did not want to go like this, his departure confirmed before the end of the season with his squad in a spiral and rows with the technical director.
Moyes has insisted all year long that he would wait until the summer to make a decision on his future on his own terms – but that option has been taken away from him.
These final months and weeks have clouded a tenure at the London Stadium which no one saw coming – and could be quickly missed if the next steps are not carefully taken.
Having been overlooked after keeping West Ham in the Premier League during his first spell in East London, Moyes returned in December 2019 to keep them afloat once more.
The ex-Manchester United manager did just that and then took the Hammers to heights they could not have imagined.
Click HERE to read the full column. More

JOSE MOURINHO reckons Son Heung-min could follow Harry Kane out the Tottenham exit door and join one of the “best teams in the world”.The Special One managed South Korean icon Son during his stint as Spurs boss between 2019-2021.Jose Mourinho reckons Son Heung-min could follow Harry Kane out the Tottenham exit doorCredit: EPAMourinho managed the South Korean icon during his stint as Spurs boss from 2019-2021Credit: AFPThe Special One says Son could join one of the ‘best teams in the world’Credit: APCaptain Son, 31, has a year remaining on his Spurs contract and is one of the club’s greatest players of the Premier League era, scoring 162 goals in 405 appearances.Former Chelsea boss Mourinho, who is out of work since his sacking at Roma earlier this year, told EA Sports FC Online: “I look at Son as one of the best players in the world.“Maybe Tottenham supporters they are not going to be happy with what I’m going to say, it’s not of course disrespect. “He [Son] could win titles, he could play for the best teams.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL“He could be playing in England for Man City, for Liverpool, for Chelsea. “It could be abroad, playing in one of the top teams.“He has this modern mobility of the attacking players. “He can play through the middle, he can play from the sides, can be wide, to come inside. Can be inside.”Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSSon’s former attacking partner Kane left Spurs last summer to join Bayern Munich in a £104million deal.Asked if he ever talked to Son about a possible departure from N17 during his time bossing Spurs, Mourinho replied: “No, because when I was at Tottenham I wanted him to stay at Tottenham.”Son Heung-min gently places his microphone on a table after TNT Sports interviewIn 2013, he moved to Bayer Leverkusen for a club record £8.6million, signing for Tottenham for £22 million two years later and becoming the most expensive Asian player in history.Despite his personal success in north London – becoming the top Asian goalscorer in both Premier League and Champions League history – he has no team silverware to show for his nine-year tenure at Spurs.The South Korean icon has only made it to one Champions League final and one Carabao Cup final both of which Tottenham lost. More

ROY KEANE has slammed Casemiro and says Manchester United should play a YOUTH TEAM player ahead of him.The Red Devils delivered a shocking performance on Monday night as they were thrashed 4-0 by Crystal Palace.Roy Keane has slammed Casemiro after Manchester United’s 4-0 defeat to Crystal PalaceCredit: YouTube / The OverlapThe Brazilian midfielder was singled out for the Red Devils’ shocking performance at Selhurst ParkCredit: AFPBut Keane singled out the Brazilian for criticism on the Stick to Football podcast, brought to you by Sky Bet.Casemiro was skinned by Michael Olise for the opener and was left flat on his back.The Brazilian played at a centre-half and was dribbled past on eight occasions throughout the match.This marks the highest number of times a player has been beaten in a single Premier League game this season.READ MORE ON MAN UTDAnd Keane was quick to criticise the fallen legend, saying: “Of all the players at Manchester United, including the reserves and youth team, if there was one player I wouldn’t play at centre-half against Crystal Palace, he’d be the on. “Aaron Wan-Bissaka or someone else!“Crystal Palace were really at it [against Manchester United] and everyone would look at it and think Palace away on a Monday night is going to be a tough night and Casemiro was isolated. “He was isolated by his own fault, because he wasn’t getting people around him, and you have to take responsibility for that.  Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS“But if we’re talking about it being a team game, structure-this and structure-that, playing between the lines.”That’s all well and good but when you’re up against it, you need your teammates around you. There’s the whole idea of playing in a team.” Jamie Carragher tells Casemiro ‘this needs to stop’ and Man Utd flop needs to quit club after Crystal Palace horror showThis came after Jamie Carragher said it was time the Brazil captain “called it a day” on his glittering career on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football.The Liverpool legend said Casemiro should consider a transfer to the MLS or the Saudi league as he is, in his view, no longer a top-level midfielder.Casemiro was one of Erik ten Hag’s first statement signing and joined from Real Madrid for £70million in 2022.He is one of United’s top earners and is believed to be on around £350,000-a-week.SunSport’s verdict on Man Utd flopsSir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos have a busy summer ahead to get Man Utd’s squad in order for next season. Below SunSport gives it verdict on how they should deal with the Red Devils flops this summer.
Andre Onana – STAY: After a dodgy start at Old Trafford Onana has proven to be one of the more reliable members of the squad this season despite being peppered with shots constantly.
Altay Bayindir – GO: Reports in February suggested Bayindir was unhappy with his bit part role at Man Utd amid interest from Turkish giants Galatasaray. If profit can be made on a sale then it should be done.
Tom Heaton – STAY: Veteran goalkeeper Heaton, 38, is a reliable back-up and is on a relatively small wage at the club. So long as he is happy it makes sense to keep him.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka – GO: Wan-Bissaka, 26, has never managed to make the right-back position his own. With his contract up in 2025 it makes sense to cash in now.
Diogo Dalot – STAY: Dalot, 26, has been one of Man Utd’s most consistent performers this season.
Raphael Varane – GO: If it wasn’t for his injury record there would be a strong shout to keep Varane, but costs need to be cut to allow the squad to be freshened up.
Harry Maguire – GO: Maguire has showed he has the right character to be at Man Utd but overall ability and desired profile are another matter, with Maguire too slow to play in a high line defence.
Lisandro Martinez – STAY: Martinez, 26, is second to none in terms of build up play. He needs a long-term defensive partner on the right side and to cut out the injuries which have plagued him this season.
Jonny Evans – GO: Veteran campaigner Evans could easily be on the stay list if he was only going to be a bit part player. But he has shown his advanced years at times this season.
Victor Lindelof – GO:  Lindelof, 29, has been reliable if not unremarkable in his Man Utd career. He has one year left on his contract so should be moved on if a decent transfer fee can be got for him.
Willy Kambwala – STAY: He should be given the opportunity to mature for a few years behind a senior CB pairing before stepping into the first team as a starter or being moved on.
Luke Shaw – GO: One of the Premier League’s best left-backs when fit, Shaw has been a good servant when available. But alas that has been his Achilles heel once again this season.
Tyrell Malacia – STAY: Malacia, 24, was decent enough to earn some merit in his first season at Man Utd before injury ended his season and inadvertently led to his second season being a write off.
Sofyan Amrabat – GO: Amrabat, 27, looked like a world beater at the Qatar World Cup with Morocco. But he’s had an underwhelming season in England and his loan spell will almost certainly not be made permanent.
Casemiro – GO: An alarming physical decline has seen him turn from key star to burden. If a club is willing to buy the 32-year-old – who has two more years on his contract – then United should snatch their hand off.
Christian Eriksen – GO: Eriksen proved a useful asset and Ineos should look to bring in another player with similar traits, but frankly his legs have looked gone towards the end of this season.
Kobbie Mainoo – STAY: The first of the so-called untouchables, Mainoo has been a rare glimmer of hope in the Red Devils midfield this season.
Mason Mount – STAY: Mount can be given the benefit of the doubt until summer 2025 at least after a debut season riddled with injury.
Scott McTominay – STAY: McTominay, 27, has proven himself to be a brilliant plan B off the bench this season, and that is exactly why Ineos should look to keep him.
Bruno Fernandes – STAY: Man Utd’s best player since his arrival just over four years ago, Fernandes, 29, remains second-to-none when it comes to creating chances while his tenacity boosts those around him.
Antony – GO: There’s a case to argue that Antony may be the worst pound-for-pound signing in Premier League history. Despite some memorable moments he simply isn’t Man Utd quality.
Anthony Martial – GO: Ultimately Martial needs to be let go when his deal runs out this summer after an appalling injury record of late.
Marcus Rashford – STAY: As easy as it would be to say Rashford should leave the club this summer, it is difficult to look at the market and find many available players capable of scoring 30 goals a season.
Alejandro Garnacho – STAY: Another third of the untouchables trio, Garnacho has made the right-wing his own since coming into it. He’s a raw talent but has shown he has the quality to improve.
Rasmus Hojlund – STAY: A slow burner in his first Man Utd season, the 21-year-old has often been starved of supply which has led to him being unable to get the goals his movement and unselfish play often merits.
Amad Diallo – STAY: In the fleeting moments he has been on the pitch for Man Utd this season, Diallo has looked dangerous and exciting. He should be given a chance to flourish with some proper chances in the first team across a whole season.

The midfielder brought a wealth of experience with him to United, having won five Champions League titles with Madrid and three Spanish leagues.Getting rid of him could prove tricky, given that he is on huge wages and still has two years left on his deal,.United also have the option to extend his contract by another year. More

JULEN LOPETEGUI has not been bold enough to have a sneaky tour of his new East London workplace yet.Because if the incoming West Ham boss has, he might not be quite so keen to replace the man who ended the club’s 43-year wait for a trophy and, by and large, removed the soft underbelly of the Irons.Julen Lopetegui is set to take over at West HamCredit: GettyDavid Moyes will oversee his final home match at London Stadium on SaturdayCredit: PACurrent chief David Moyes, coming to the end of a remarkable 4½-year reign, should receive a rousing send-off in his final home game against Luton on Saturday.More than 60,000 claret and blue Cockneys will, for once, channel entirely positive emotion towards a coach who has perennially struggled to convince the purists he is the right man for the job.Love will pour down from the sweeping curve of the London Stadium.Of course, Moyes might not hear it because most fans are so far away from the dugout they need weapons-grade binoculars to point him out in the distance.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThat has been forgotten for a large part of the past three seasons in particular as West Ham enjoyed successive and successful European campaigns.Winning the trophy that enables cocky fans to sing of being ‘champions of Europe’. Having the general feeling that the team would no longer roll over at home for the visits of Arsenal, Manchester City and Liverpool.All that achieved under Moyes made them forget that they have by far the worst home ground in the entire Prem.A stadium totally unfit for staging regular football matches.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSOne that can work on big European nights when the fans have electrified their voices in the nearby Carpenters Arms before kick-off.But one which drains your soul during routine home games against the likes of Burnley or Everton.David Moyes reveals why Declan Rice is behind West Ham’s horror run of formA home ground where giant trampolines separate fans from the action.With temporary seating and scaffolding trying to bring the players and crowd closer.When West Ham are playing badly but winning, issues with the rented stadium are pushed aside.If they are playing badly and losing, the whole festering sore surfaces and the frustration will be aimed once more at chairman David Sullivan and vice-chair Karren Brady.It wasn’t long ago that fans were invading the pitch, that 8,000 protested against the owners, that Sullivan was hit in the eye by a coin thrown from the crowd. Moyes has been an effective human shield with his consistent, if not entirely pretty, brand of success.This is what incoming boss Lopetegui has to contend with.West Ham are facing a season minus the giddying effect of European football. It’s the Carabao Cup second round for the new man next term.For a former manager of Real Madrid, it’s a sobering proposition.Moyes knew what West Ham needed, even if it wasn’t always what the fans wanted. He hasn’t been perfect but those managers are few and far between.This season there have been some horrendous results.Chelsea last Sunday springs to mind, as does Arsenal and Crystal Palace.Moyes’ regime has been slowly disintegrating for months.Signings haven’t come off. He hasn’t cracked it with the centre-forward his team badly needs to take over in time from Michail Antonio. That is countered by the acquisitions of Mohammed Kudus and Edson Alvarez.There have also been some great results — Spurs and Arsenal away, Manchester United at home.A crust of reliability has been constructed. Lopetegui needs that new manager bounce. But not on one of those trampolines.HONOURED while avoiding tax, now laying down the law to ordinary staff at Manchester United.Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s recent diktats to rank-and-file workers at the club come straight from the Tory textbook of how not to manage people.Page one being pick on those at the bottom of the food chain, not the multi-millionaire manager or players who are the ones really letting United down.Lecturing the IT geeks about untidiness in their office is a dangerous game. Graham from the helpdesk will save everybody’s life at some point.And there is a simple solution to claims the Under-18 and U21 dressing rooms are in a state — give them a dustpan and brush.Apart from the fact United have not had a decent sweeper for years, it will ingrain a sense of humility and cleanliness in mind and body that may just pay off in a few years.Sir Jim Ratcliffe risked the wrath of Graham from ITCredit: AlamySHAUN MURPHY was right in a TV debate on whether snooker should quit its famous Crucible home.Having listened to veiled threats the World Championship will move to China or Saudi Arabia if Sheffield does not upgrade its iconic theatre, or find an alternative venue in the city, former world champThe Magician asked one simple question: “So just where are these supposed offers?”He is right as snooker’s bosses should come out and put on public display any concrete bids to host the tournament elsewhere.That’s if they really want to be taken seriously.Shaun Murphy has asked for clarity from snooker chiefsCredit: GettyA DETAILED report this week maps the green credentials of all 20 Premier League teams.Sport Positive’s exhaustive work got clubs to reveal what they are doing to reduce the considerable carbon footprint made by the richest league in the world.It’s easy to bash Manchester City, who will no doubt continue flying to Dubai for pre-season and warm-weather training.But, while they could all do more, the biggest clubs in the country are slowly starting to grasp the idea of climate change.As you would expect, switched-on Brighton are leading the way, with free travel for fans inside a designated zone around the Amex Stadium on production of a match ticket.However, seven clubs have sustainable transport policies in place, six have net zero targets — and that’s nothing to do with scoring goals.All have vegan food options on their menus, which, if the resultant wind power can be harnessed, could power the floodlights, too!READ MORE SUN STORIESBrighton have been green machines this seasonCredit: GettyANGE POSTECOGLOU faces ‘Hobson’s choice’ next week.Spurs really need a win but beating Manchester City at home could hand hated rivals Arsenal the Prem title.No way the Tottenham boss will want to chuck it in but their fans in the boozer might not see it that way.Ange Postecoglou will be under pressure from many Tottenham fans to… lose to Man City next weekCredit: Getty More

EVERTON’S fading hopes of rescue from potential financial disaster looks set to lay in the hands of a consortium the club REJECTED last year.The under-pressure Toffees owner Farhad Moshiri is facing having to go cap in hand to New York-based MSP Sports Capital after the reality of the doomed offer from his preferred bidders became clear.Farhad Moshiri agreed a deal to sell Everton to 777 Partners last SeptemberCredit: Getty Images – GettyJosh Wander’s 777 Partners have been hit by legal actions in the US and EuropeCredit: AFPMoshiri has been desperate to complete the planned £550million deal he agreed with troubled 777 Partners last September.But Prem bosses have refused to ratify the agreement over worries the Miami-based company does not have the cash to meet its obligations.Now, 777 Partners and boss Josh Wander have been hit by a welter of legal actions in the US and Europe, with the possibility of being stripped of their ownership of Belgian club Standard Liege next week.It means Moshiri, who has ignored calls from fans to seek a new option as the club floats towards the financial rocks, may be forced to accept a reduced offer to avoid administration.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLMoshiri, long term ally of sanctioned Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov, appears to have belatedly realised the 777 deal is dead in the water.And once he ends those negotiations his only realistic way out is to get a rumoured new offer from MSP — told they were not wanted last year.MSP, headed by Jahm Najafi — vice-chairman of the McLaren F1 team and the NBA’s Phoenix Suns — was in talks over taking a 25 per cent stake in the Toffees in March 2023.That proposed deal fell through after Rights and Media Funding — which lent £225m to the Merseysiders —  objected over security fears.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSMSP are owed £160m, with 777 Partners due £192m.It is understood that MSP will step in if a takeover is viable.Premier League manager features in hit music video as fans say ‘this is the greatest thing I’ve ever seen’If they don’t, the club could go into administration with a nine-point Prem penalty.Everton currently sit 15th in the Premier League table, having docked eight points this season across two separate charges.THE PSR STATE OF PLAYWhere clubs in danger stand…
Everton
Initial 10 point deduction for 2021-22 breaches reduced to six points on appeal. Now deducted a further two points.
Manchester City
Etihad club emphatically denies the 115 allegations laid against them in February 2023. The lengthy Commission case has been scheduled to start in October or November but a final decision is not expected until March or April 2025.
Chelsea
Blues chiefs flagged up illicit payments made to agents and others during the Roman Abramovich era. Fined £8.6m by Uefa but still to be formally charged by the Prem despite an ongoing investigation.
Leicester
Foxes breached Prem PSR loss limits last season but did not have to report their 2022-23 accounts until this month because of their relegation. That puts the timetable back and means that they will probably face a Prem points deduction next term. More