Premier League

MANCHESTER UNITED flops looked miserable as they were called into Carrington for an early morning training session.Erik ten Hag is pulling out all the stops in a desperate attempt to turn things around at the club.Antony did not look happy about being called in early for trainingCredit: ZenpixCasemiro also appeared looking glumCredit: ZenpixErik ten Hag arrived at Carrington at 7amCredit: ZenpixUnited’s dismal season sunk to a new low on Monday as they were humiliated 4-0 by Crystal Palace, their 13th Premier League defeat of the season.Ten Hag has responded by calling his players in early for training, with the United boss arriving at Carrington at 7am.But some stars do not look too enthusiastic about the early rise, with Casemiro and Antony appearing stony-faced as they arrived at the training ground.Erik ten Hag is fighting for his United future amid rumours new owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe is planning a change, with Gareth Southgate linked.READ MORE ON MAN UTDAnd he is not the only one whose position at Old Trafford is tenuous, with the Red Devils said to be open to selling all but three members of their squad.The young trio of Kobbie Mainoo, Rasmus Hojlund and Alejandro Garnacho are the only stars that will not be sold under any circumstances.That is because they are deemed to be the future at Old Trafford.Casemiro is one player likely to leave this summer with Jamie Carragher telling the Brazilian to quit the club after his dire display against Palace.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSSunSport’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.

He said: “He should be thinking ‘I need to go to the MLS or Saudi’. I’m deadly serious. He’s ageing, the people around him they need to tell him this has to stop.”We are watching one of the greats of the modern time playing in one of the best midfields we’ve seen who dominated Europe.Sir Jim Ratcliffe turns Man Utd toxic”Him holding, [Toni] Kroos to one side [Luka] Modric to the other was one of the best midfields. Could easily go up against the Barcelona midfield we all loved (with) [Sergio] Busquets, Xavi and [Andres] Iniesta.”He’s been an absolute great. I am nowhere near on a level of what that man has achieved. Champions Leagues, playing for Brazil, playing for Real Madrid.”But I always remember something when I retired myself, there was a saying I always remember as a footballer – ‘leave the football before the football leaves you’.”The football has left him at this top level he needs to call it a day at this level of football and move.” More

TODD BOEHLY has dropped a major hint over Mauricio Pochettino’s future after revealing the huge change he’s seen in Chelsea’s last two matches.The Blues appeared to have turned a corner in recent weeks after finally pushing themselves into the European spots.Todd Boehly has dropped a huge hint over Mauricio Pochettino’s future at ChelseaCredit: GettyChelsea appear to have turned a corner under their Argentine bossCredit: GettyChelsea sit seventh in the table after losing just one of their last 12 Premier League games.And their last two results saw them smash seven past London rivals Tottenham and West Ham while keeping consecutive clean sheets.Chelsea first dismantled Spurs at Stamford Bridge, winning 2-0 to do the double over their neighbours.They then thrashed West Ham at home 5-0, producing a silky performance along the way.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLChelsea now face final matches against Nottingham Forest, Brighton and Bournemouth as they make a play to finish sixth.And that could see Pochettino remain in the hot seat after previously coming under fire from disgruntled fans.Just several weeks ago, he was feeling the pressure after a dismal 5-0 defeat to Arsenal.But Chelsea chairman Boehly claims the performances against Spurs and West Ham have heralded a major change in attitude.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSHe reckons the atmosphere has improved considerably following the Blues’ climb up the table.And the American’s positive words hint that Poch is set for a reprieve for at least another season.Ex-Chelsea and England wonderkid now unemployedBoehly said: “We’ve seen the last two and a half games, at least in the second half at Villa (2-2) and Tottenham and West Ham where we played just beautiful football.“It was so fluid, it was exactly the way we drew it up, when we came out of the back, built up and moved up the pitch.“It was very organised and the number of shots we had on board. In those games you could really start to see what we were working on coming together.“Even the commentary has changed over the last two and a half games. I’ve never seen anything change so quickly.”How Pochettino can solve Chelsea’s midfield crisis thanks to the works of a 13th century poetBy Andy Dillon
IT IS HIGHLY unlikely that Mauricio Pochettino is familiar with the work of Rumi.
Whether the renowned Islamic poet and mystic had the tactical dilemmas facing Chelsea’s head coach in mind while dreaming up his scholarly works in 13th century Afghanistan, we will never know.
It’s fair to say Rumi was not a regular in The Shed at Stamford Bridge.
Yet one of his most famous quotations strikes right at the heart of Pochettino’s problems trying to transform his team into consistent challengers at the top end of the Premier League.
It was Rumi who wrote so prophetically: “Two birds tied together. They will not be able to fly even though they have four wings.”
He could have scribbled that on the back of his programme from so many of Chelsea’s games this season with regard to Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez.
There is a feeling among regular Chelsea watchers that while it is a blow on a personal level for Fernandez to be ruled out for the rest of the season with his injury problem, it may yet turn to Pochettino’s advantage.
For it allows Caicedo to roam that patch in front of his defence with greater freedom. Both players are exceptional individual talents.
Read Andy Dillon’s take on Chelsea’s midfield in full.
Or check out all of Andy Dillon’s articles. More

DECLAN RICE is too good for Arsenal, claims former England star Teddy Sheringham.The midfielder has been one of the stars of the season following his £100million switch from West Ham.Declan Rice is too good for Arsenal according to Teddy SheringhamCredit: GettyRice has helped Arsenal to the top of the table and Mikel Arteta’s side are on course for their best points tally since 2002.Sheringham believes Rice has made a big difference by adding balance to the Gunners midfield, suggesting he has got the best out of many of his team-mates.He told Genting Casino: “You don’t really care about the £100 million price tag when someone does that well. “I looked at it last year, and I said that he would do the job of both Xhaka and Partey and that’s what he’s done.READ MORE ON ARSENAL”He’s given Arsenal the balance in the midfield that allows them to release two players in front of Declan Rice. “He allows other players to go out and play. Martin Odegaard has a new lease of life with Rice in the team. “Havertz has come alive and he’s fitted into Arsenal’s style – one minute he’s floating about, coming deep, the next he’s scoring headers and acting as a target man, but Rice allows Arsenal to get more out of him too.”Declan lets other players express themselves. He’s that good. I called it last summer. Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS”I knew he would be a fantastic signing for Arsenal, and I think he has transformed Arsenal from a good team into an awesome one.”Hopefully he will move on to one of Real Madrid and Barcelona because he’s too good for Arsenal.”Rice, 25, has been shortlisted for the Footballer of the Year alongside 17 players including team-mates Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka.I used to give Declan Rice compliments on the football pitch… I couldn’t help myself, says Troy DeeneyBy Troy Deeney
THERE are certain people that you come across in football and you know instantly who they are, what they’re about and what the trajectory of their life is going to be.
Anyone who has worked or grown up with Declan Rice knows that he has always been destined for the top.
When he was at West Ham, he was a centre-half who played in midfield purely to help out and ended up excelling.
The way he used to listen and learn from his old captain Mark Noble and be a student of the game was second to none.
And because of that, whenever I interacted with him on a football pitch, I never felt the need to be disrespectful towards him because there was just a pure will to win.
We would tell each other to ‘do one’ every now and again but then I would get these weird moments when he would do something special and I couldn’t help but say, ‘Good touch, mate’.
He had this joyful atmosphere around him which you can see in all of his interviews, even now at Arsenal. You never see him get in trouble, being outlandish, but he has that jokey personality.
He is still quite kiddish at 25, yet with a very serious body and mind in terms of being the best player he can be.
When he was announced as England captain against Belgium, there was no outrage, no shock or surprise or, ‘Why him?’. It was more a sense of, ‘Yeah, that makes sense’.
There is no doubt in my mind that he is in line to take the armband for his country full-time after Harry Kane moves on, alongside his midfield partner Jude Bellingham.
Read Troy Deeney’s column in full.

He also finished second in the voting for the Football Writers Association Footballer of the Year, which Phil Foden won.However Roy Keane has not been impressed by Rice this season, claiming the England midfielder has not “kicked on”.Three ways Declan Rice has become one of the world’s top midfieldersHe said: “I don’t think he’s been great this season, I really don’t. I think he’s not really kicked on.”For all the talk about him, a lot of good PR coming out of West Ham about how much he’s worth, I think he needs to do a lot more. Doesn’t score enough goals, doesn’t get enough assists.” More