Premier League

KOBBIE MAINOO is a fitness doubt for Manchester United’s clash with Brentford this evening.The teenager reported back to Carrington earlier this week after making his first England start against Belgium on Tuesday night.Kobbie Mainoo is a doubt for tonight’s clash with BrentfordCredit: GettyFollowing his player of the match performance in the 2-2 draw, Mainoo began to feel unwell.According to the Mail, he sat out of Man Utd training on Thursday through illness.Mainoo, 18, did report for duty at Carrington yesterday.But it is so far unclear if he will be able to feature from the start in West London.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAhead of the game, boss Erik ten Hag said of Mainoo’s status: “I don’t know, we hope.”Today he is here, not fully recovered but we still have many hours before tomorrow with kick off at 8pm.”United made an unusual tweak to their travel arrangements for the trip to Brentford to give Mainoo every chance of playing.Having missed the start of the season with an ankle injury, Mainoo has since become a mainstay of Ten Hag’s midfield.Most read in FootballHe has started their last 12 Premier League games, featuring in 14 in total this season.BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERTen Hag, 54, was impressed by Mainoo’s international emergence with England over the last fortnight.But the Dutchman has also pledged to keep his starlet grounded.Home Wins – Alex FergusonHe said: “So far, he handles it very well and if he crosses the line, I as a manager and we as coaches will interfere.”Should Mainoo be unavailable, Ten Hag could turn to Christian Eriksen to start in midfield.While on international duty with Denmark, Eriksen told Danish outlet Tipsbladet: “I have previously stated that I am not satisfied with not playing, but it’s not something that keeps me up at night.”The team is performing, and I must respect the role I have alongside. For my part, it has been about working hard and focusing on being fresh for every game, and I am.”It is easier now to accept my role than it would have been before.”I have had a conversation with Erik about being unhappy with the situation and wanting to play as much as possible, but I am available and need to be available for the team, which I am and always will be.” More

MOHAMMED KUDUS has singled out Luke Shaw as his toughest opponent in the Premier League.The clashes between West Ham and Manchester United resulted in a 2-0 win for the Hammers at the London Stadium followed by a 3-0 defeat at Old Trafford.Mohammed Kudus has singled out Luke Shaw as his toughest opponent in the Premier LeagueCredit: AlamyKudus has faced Shaw at both home and away this seasonCredit: RexOn both occasions the Ghana international was faced with Shaw’s defensive prowess.But the 23-year-old told the Times that none of the games this season have been easy and the Premier League standard surpasses that of the Eredivise where he previously played for Ajax.He said: “You can’t underrate any team. Every game is difficult. When I was at Ajax, if you went in 60 per cent, 70 per cent you were still going to win. “But here even the small teams can surprise. Every game is work time and you can’t switch off. I love it, you know.”READ MORE IN FOOTBALLShaw has been out of action since suffering a hamstring problem two months ago.And Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate admitted this week that it was “highly unlikely” that he could rely on him for the Euros this summer.But United manager Erik ten Hag has revealed the 28-year-old will be back in action sooner rather than later.Meanwhile, Kudus could have joined the ranks of the Red Devils star, as he was previously part of Ten Hag’s former side at Ajax. Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERThe Dutchman has a reputation for recruiting players from his former club. However, when the opportunity arose to buy a winger Ten Hag chose Antony instead. The Tap In West Ham’s Moyes Out fans should ‘be careful what they wish for’ ft. Tony CotteeUnfortunately, the Brazilian has not lived up to his £82m price tag since joining the Red Devils.Antony has score just two goals this season for the Red Devils.In his debut season for David Moyes’ side, Kudus has been instrumental, scoring 11 goals with six in the Premier League.When he finds the back of the net, fans can anticipate his infamous “Kudus celebration”, which several players have now emulated. During this unique celebration, the Ghanaian sits on an advertising board, facing the pitch, with his back to the crowd — a memorable sight for West Ham supporters.And many stars has been spotted copying the celebration such as United trio Rasmus Hojlund, Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo.Kudus joked that if players continue to copy him they will have to start paying taxes.He said: “I wanted to do something out of the box because most celebrations are pretty normal, sliding and stuff. “I wanted to add more meaning to me scoring. It’s all about sitting down, resting after scoring a goal, but literally there’s no deeper meaning than that.”Even when I [first] did it there were talks that people were doing it before, though I didn’t see anybody doing it that way. “But, yeah, [other players] are allowed to do it — but soon they will have to start paying taxes.”West Ham return to action on Saturday when they face Newcastle at St James’ Park.READ MORE SUN STORIESThey also still remain in line for Europa League glory after making it through to the quarter-finals.Looking to add on their Conference League triumph from last season, David Moyes’ side will face Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen in the last eight next month. Kudus said he is going to charge ‘taxes’ for player who copy his famous goal celebrationCredit: Getty More

KOBBIE MAINOO is very calm and collected on the pitch and can cope with his newly-found Three Lions fame off it.Manchester United’s prodigy is the talk of English football after he delivered a man-of-the-match display in Tuesday’s 2-2 draw with Belgium at Wembley.Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag with Kobbie MainooCredit: EPAThe 18-year-old midfielder had only made his debut as a substitute against Brazil just three days earlier.But Red Devils boss Erik ten Hag will come down hard on his teen star if Mainoo loses any focus in the countdown to the Euro 2024 finals.Ten Hag said: “So far, he handles it very well.”And if he crosses the line, I as a manager, we as coaches, will interfere but so far it is not necessary because just he wants to play football.READ MORE ON Man Utd”He wants to win, improve, have fun on the pitch, be dominant, dictate the game and win the game.”Everything that we’ve seen with his club he reproduced in an England shirt which isn’t always the case.”He’s very calm, receives the ball so well under pressure, strong, and the benefits with the ball were clear to see.”You can see he is taking everything in, talking to him tactically he seems able to take all those concepts on — you can see his comfort with the ball and receiving in tight areas.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS”We are happy we have a player like him in our squad.”He can really contribute and be the player who can make us play the way we want.”Home Wins – Alex FergusonMainoo’s name was already a buzzword within Old Trafford before he was called up from the England Under-21 squad by Three Lions head coach Gareth Southgate.The midfielder missed United training on Thursday through illness but Ten Hag is optimistic he will be fit for tonight’s clash at Brentford.And he seems a cert to get a seat on the plane for this summer’s tournament in Germany.The teenage sensation was praised as “hugely exciting” by Southgate as he was paired with Arsenal’s Declan Rice in a joint holding midfield role despite having still made only 15 Prem appearances for United.Ten Hag says nobody has batted an eyelid at Mainoo’s stand-out performances this season.The Dutchman added: “We are not surprised. He was very good but we know what he is capable of, how he can very quickly adapt to high levels.”It looks very natural, we are very happy for him and are proud because it’s a great compliment and good news for the academy to bring up a player so young going into the national team.”Ten Hag revealed he told Mainoo he was taking him to stardom THIRTEEN months ago, during the club’s Carabao Cup celebrations at Wembley.The United boss revealed: “I remember what I said, ‘Your day will come. We are going to win trophies together and your day is coming when you will be part of it on the pitch.”We are going there together with this club and we are in the process to develop and we are here to win titles.”So take this moment, take that experience, and now you know where you are fighting for.” While Mainoo is flying, striker Marcus Rashford is under pressure to make Southgate’s squad.It followed a cameo appearance against Brazil, while he failed to get off the bench versus Belgium.But Ten Hag is confident Rashford can produce a big finish to the season.He said: “The final decision is up to the manager of England and there is a lot of competition in his position, of course.”But he will have a lot of credit because he contributed so many times fantastically for England and he wants to be there.READ MORE SUN STORIES”He wants to win with us, to win trophies and to be in the Champions League.”Absolutely, he wants to contribute and he wants to perform.”Marcus Rashford has received Ten Hag’s backingCredit: Reuters More

NOTTINGHAM FOREST’S Taiwo Awoniyi had overcome numerous obstacles to reach the pinnacle of English football.From having to make his own boots from others people have thrown away to a long-forgotten spell at Liverpool, the 26-year-old’s journey is truly inspiring.Nottingham Forest’s Taiwo Awoniyi’s inspiring journey started with him sewing his own boots togetherCredit: GettyAwoniyi never played for Liverpool but it was his spell at Union Berlin that changed his career foreverCredit: GettyIn 2015 the Nigerian international arrived at Anfield on a £400,000 move.After spending six years at Liverpool without making a senior appearance due to work permit issues, Awoniyi embarked on a series of loan spells to clubs across Europe.Seven temporary moves included FSV Frankfurt, Gent and Mainz, but it was his life-changing move to Union Berlin in 2021 that changed everything for the forward.Awoniyi told The Times: “It was frustrating because every summer I’d be in pre-season training at Liverpool waiting to see how it goes with the permit.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL“I hadn’t played for my national team or in any of Europe’s top five leagues.“In the end I’d have to go out on loan, but in life I have been in more difficult situations than that.”I’ve always believed I would play in the Premier League. It has always been my biggest target as a football player.”It was during his time at Union Berlin that he finally caught the eye of Forest as Awoniyi scored 18 goals in all competitions for the Bundesliga side in the 2021-22 season.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERAnd during the summer of 2022, he emerged as a top priority target for the East Midlands side.Steve Cooper’s side then decided to take their leap of faith and made Awoniyi their record signing in a £17million deal – a figure now overtaken by Morgan Gibbs-White.Nottingham Forest hit with four point deduction and plunged into Premier League relegation zoneRise to stardomBut Awoniyi’s journey to the City Ground is a testament to his unwavering faith and determination.His resilience is a story re-told by many Nigerians whom Awoniyi looked up to as a youngster including Jay-Jay Okocha, Nwankwo Kanu, and John Obi Mikel.Awoniyi, a devout Christian, grew up in Ilorin, Nigeria, where life was not so easy for an aspiring footballer.At times his family were unable to afford the football boots Taiwo needed to play. They would do their best, but there were moments when Awoniyi was forced to get creative.Awoniyi would sew his own boots as a kid training in NigeriaCredit: AFP – GettyWhen others would discard their boots because of the wear and tear, he would sew them together again. He continued: “One year I had to walk for about an hour to get to the training camp. It comes with a lot of difficulties. Back in the day, sometimes I even had to make my own football shoes.Taiwo AwoniyiThe Times”My dad had retired so we lived further away. We also had to worry about what we were eating and drinking.“I remember my dad bought me a football shoe and when it tore, I was forced to look for an alternative myself by going in search of a waste shoe being thrown away.“I found one with Nike logo, I removed the logo and joined it with the shoe, all my friend at United Academy were amazed at how I was able to create it then.”His resilience and hard work paid off as he rose through the ranks to represent his country at the U17 World Cup in 2013, where he played a crucial role in Nigeria’s victory after scoring four goals in the tournament.He also represented Nigeria at the 2015 FIFA U20 World Cup in New Zealand after winning the 2015 African U20 Championship in Senegal.And that’s when Jurgen Klopp was mesmerised by Awoniyi and signed the then-18-year-old, who had been playing at Nigeria’s Imperial Soccer Academy.Life at ForestFast forward to today, Awoniyi has made an immediate impact for Forest.In his home debut, he scored his first Premier League goal in a 1–0 win against West Ham United.And then in October, he scored the winning goal in a 1–0 home win against former club Liverpool.Towards the end of the season, he scored six goals in four games, including the winner in a 1–0 home victory over Arsenal on 20 May 2023 that preserved the club’s Premier League status.The forward has been instrumental for Forest since he arrived in 2022Credit: AlamyOn 18 August 2023, Awoniyi became the first Forest player to score in six consecutive Premier League matches since Stan Collymore in April 1995.This term has not been so smooth after Forest’s leading scorer had to undergo groin surgery Awoniyi first suffered the injury in October and aggravated it while on international duty with Nigeria, forcing him to withdraw from their squad in November.After scoring 16 goals in 44 Premier League appearances, the striker hopes to continue playing in first-tier football next season.READ MORE SUN STORIESBut since Forest suffered a four-point deduction due to breaching Profit and Sustainability regulations they are facing a tough relegation battle.Nuno Espirito Santo’s side will take on Crystal Palace at the City Ground on Saturday in a crucial clash to move themselves up in the table.Taiwo Awoniyi’s football timeline

Signed for Liverpool 2015-2021 on a £400,000 deal
Frankfurt (on loan) 2015-16
NEC (on loan) 2016-17
Mouscron (on loan) 2017-18
Gent (on loan) 2018-19
Mouscron (on loan) 2019
Mainz (on loan) 2019-20
Union Berlin (on loan) 2020-21
Then signed a permanent deal worth £6.5million at Union Berlin 2021-22
Nottingham Forest then made him club record signing worth £17million in 2022. More