Premier League

MANCHESTER UNITED laid down a marker ahead of tomorrow’s crunch Premier League clash against Liverpool as the Red Devils’ U18s thumped their bitter rivals 9-1.And one of United’s young stars even mimicked Wayne Rooney’s iconic boxing celebration from nine years ago after being PUNCHED in the face in the previous meeting.Man Utd’s U18s beat Liverpool’s kids 9-1 ahead of Sunday’s Premier League game at Old TraffordCredit: RexThe last time United U18’s played Liverpool Ethan Wheatley was punched in the face.Today he scored against Liverpool and responded with this celebration. Outstanding. 👊🔴 pic.twitter.com/94F4K5XrZQ— Paul 𝕏 Manc Bald and Bred (@MufcWonItAll2) April 6, 2024

Erik ten Hag’s senior Red Devils welcome Jurgen Klopp’s table toppers to Old Trafford on Sunday and will look to put a dent in their title ambitions.United have plenty of work to do after suffering a heartbreaking 4-3 defeat against Chelsea on Thursday.But United’s kids showed that victory is possible as they thrashed their Liverpool counterparts in Merseyside on Saturday.James Scanlon opened the scoring in the first minute for United before Ethan Wheatley’s brace made it 3-0.READ MORE ON MAN UTDThe hitman had been involved for all the wrong reasons in January’s previous meeting between the sides, which ended 4-3 to United.He was punched in the face by opponent Luca Furnell-Gill, who managed to escape punishment on the day.And after netting in Saturday’s match, Wheatley poked fun at the incident by mimicking United legend Rooney’s boxing celebration against Tottenham in 2015.Wazza famously delivered several upper-cuts to the air before falling flat on his back in a 3-0 win under Louis van Gaal.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERThat iconic moment was inspired after Rooney had been KO’d in a kitchen play-fight after a drinking session with Phil Bardsley.And Wheatley could not resist delivering a similar celebration in an equally passionate manner as United’s kids took full control at Liverpool.Erik ten Hag discusses Liverpool v Man UtdMan Utd’s goalscorers in 9-1 winAll the players who hit the target against Liverpool’s kids

James Scanlon x2
Ethan Wheatley x3
Ethan Williams
Gabriee Biancheri x2
Aston Missin

Ethan Williams then scored for United to make it 4-0 before Liverpool pulled one back through Joe Bradshaw.But United’s youngsters were not about to collapse like the senior side.Wheatley completed his hat-trick on the hour mark for 5-1, before Scanlon bagged his second of the day.Sub Gabriele Biancheri made it 7-1 before quickly helping himself to another goal.And Ashton Missin put the finishing touches on the 9-1 win with a beauty from outside the penalty area.However, United fans fear Liverpool will look to get their revenge by besting Erik ten Hag’s first team at the Theatre of Dreams tomorrow.One said: “United’s senior team will pay for this.”Another declared: “Now the senior team will have to pay for this.”One noted: “The senior team will pay on Sunday.”READ MORE SUN STORIESAnother boomed: “The future is bright.”One added: “They’d wash our first team I’m not even joking.”Man Utd’s last six meetings with Liverpool
24 Oct 2021 – Man Utd 0-5 Liverpool – The Reds raced into a 4-0 lead by half-time before Mo Salah completed his Old Trafford hat-trick and a frustrated Paul Pogba got sent off for a horror tackle
19 Apr 2022 – Liverpool 4-0 Man Utd – Another comprehensive victory for Jurgen Klopp’s side with goals from Luis Diaz, Mo Salah (two) and Sadio Mane
22 Aug 2022 – Man Utd 2-1 Liverpool – Erik ten Hag’s first Premier League win as United boss came thanks to a superb performance with Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford on target
5 Mar 2023 – Liverpool 7-0 Man Utd – A memorable afternoon for Liverpool fans as Cody Gakpo, Darwin Nunez and Mo Salah all got doubles and Bobby Firmino completed the rout
17 Dec 2023 – Liverpool 0-0 Man Utd – The Reds racked up 34 shots but none of them found the net before Diogo Dalot saw red in bizarre fashion
17 Mar 2024 – Man Utd 4-3 Liverpool – This ding-dong of a thrilling FA Cup quarter-final went to extra-time, where Amad Diallo was the hero in the 121st minute More

MANCHESTER CITY’S goalkeeper Ederson was spotted being “grim” on the bench as he picked his nose and spat on the floor live on TV.In today’s 4-2 victory for City against Crystal Palace, the shot-stopper returned to the teamsheet after hobbling off injured during their clash against Liverpool.Ederson was caught being ‘grim’ during City’s victory against Crystal PalaceCredit: TNT SPORTSMoments later Ederson was then spotted spitting on the floorCredit: TNT SPORTSEderson has been injured since limping off the pitch during City’s clash against LiverpoolCredit: PAStefan Ortega has been deputising the absence of the Brazillian as he recovers from his blow last month.Today marked Ederson’s return as he was spotted on Pep Guardiola’s bench at Selhurst Park. But Ortega has been flourishing in the limelight as he performed impressive footwork against Palace’s Jean-Philippe Mateta to deny him the chance of scoring.Meanwhile, Ederson was seen getting up to all sorts in the dugout during the game, as the TNT Sports cameraman panned to the 30-year-old who appeared to pick his nose.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe camera then decided to flick back to him moments later and he was caught spitting on the floor.Co-commentator Lucy Ward said: “He’s picked his nose and spat the two times we have shown him. So we are not showing him again.”Fans also immediately noticed the ex-Benfica star and took to Twitter to slam the keeper’s manners.BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKEROne fan said: “TNT keep putting the camera on Ederson and he’s always doin something grim hahahaha. Rly need the whole world to see him picking his nose & spittin on the floor I guess.Most read in FootballAnother added: “The timing on these ederson snips are insane.”Man City boss Pep Guardiola says top-class Phil Foden can do whatever he wants in footballA third then hilariously compared the two keepers: “Ortega with a filthy Cruyff turn, camera cuts to Ederson picking his nose.”Then a very angry fan said: “Wtf is wrong with Ederson? Every time the camera cuts to him, he is either picking his nose or spitting on the ground?”While a fifth fan joked: “Camera’s panned to Ederson twice – once he’s picking his bogeys and then spits out a huge grog.”City secured a crucial win which sits seem currently second in the table with Liverpool ahead only on goal difference going into their clash against Manchester United.Guardiola’s squad have seven games left of the season and will next to be on top form to win all of their matches to win a historic fourth consecutive league title. More

LIVERPOOL legend Michael Owen wanted to return to Anfield in 2009 but joined fierce rivals Manchester United instead.The Balloon d’Or winner came through the ranks at the Reds and had a glittering eight years in the first team.Michael Owen wanted to return to Liverpool in 2009 but joined rivals Man Utd insteadCredit: PA:Press AssociationOwen came through the ranks at Liverpool and spent eight years in the first-teamCredit: Action Images – ReutersThe former forward stayed at United for three seasonsCredit: PA:Press AssociationOwen, 44, left Liverpool in 2004 to sign for La Liga giants Real Madrid.But after just one season at the Bernabeu, he returned to the Premier League with Newcastle.The former forward had an injury-hit four seasons at the Magpies and when his contract expired in 2009 he set sights on a return to Anfield. However, the Reds did not want him back as they signed David N’Gog a year prior meaning Owen made a controversial move to rivals Man Utd.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLHe signed a two-year deal at United under Sir Alex Ferguson who hailed Owen as a “world-class forward with a proven goalscoring record at the highest level”.In 2020, Owen told BBC Radio 5 Live: “I was leaving Newcastle and the first thing I did was phone Carra [Jamie Carragher] and said ‘speak to Rafa Benitez’. “Carra got back to me and said ‘no, he’s about to sign someone’. I think it was David N’Gog, but he had already had some great players in the team and basically, they didn’t need another centre-forward.”My agent then spoke to virtually every club on the planet to see who was interested and the options were Hull City, Everton and Manchester United. Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKER”You can imagine my thought process go to Everton, get hated, go to Man United and get hated as well.”As soon as I heard United were in for me I thought, obviously first choice would be Liverpool and to go back there but if Liverpool aren’t going to want me and these are all my options then wow.Michael Owen heartbreakingly admits he prays every single night for cure for rare disease that has blinded his son James”Manchester United in the Champions League, I don’t have to move, I know loads of the lads. It was a brilliant move.”I couldn’t believe my luck when United came in for me. Here’s me, regressing as a player in my own mind and still the champions of England wanted to sign me. I was absolutely buzzing when they wanted me.”Owen made 52 appearances for the Red Devils and scored 17 goals during his three years at Old Trafford, as well as winning his only Premier League title.The ex-England striker then spent one term at Stoke before hanging up his boots in 2013.In the most recent episode of The Overlap Jamie Carragher brought up Owen wanting to return to Anfield and he said: “I’m aware of the situation when he went to Man Utd.”He wanted to come back to Liverpool.”Liverpool did not want Owen back as they signed David Ngog a year priorCredit: PA:Press AssociationOwen’s stats at Liverpool and Man Utd

Liverpool 1996-2004

Appearances – 297
Goals – 158
Trophies – 6

Man Utd 2009-2012

Appearances – 52
Goals – 17
Trophies – 3 More

CHELSEA’S clash against Sheffield United kicks off at the unusual time of 5.30pm.The Blues are desperate to secure a European spot after their nail-biting 4-3 victory against Manchester United on Thursday.Chelsea fans are in dissaray after seeing the kick off time change against Sheffiled Utd on SundayCredit: RexChelsea are coming off the back of a thriller 4-3 victory against Man UtdCredit: GettyMauricio Pochettino’s side will want to build on the win against the Red Devils on Sunday’s visit to Bramall Lane.But Chelsea supporters were baffled after discovering the kick-off time was moved to 5.30pm.The match was initially scheduled to kick off at 1.30pm.Having originally been scheduled before Man United vs Liverpool, a request from the Blades has seen it moved to after instead.A statement on the Premier League website read: “The Premier League fixture between Sheffield United and Chelsea has been moved from 13.30 to 17.30 BST on Sunday 7 April.“This is due to a request from the home Club. This kick-off time has been selected to allow adequate return travel for visiting supporters.”The Chelsea Supporters Trust later revealed that the request from Chris Wilder’s team was due to a potential clash with the Sheffield Half Marathon – which takes place earlier that same day.Sunday fixtures typically take place at 2pm or 4.30pm.Most read in FootballChelsea are on a six-game unbeaten run following their incredible win over United – the club’s longest in 18 months.BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKEROn Thursday Poch’s side looked set to lose that streak in the 98th minute at Stamford Bridge but Cole Palmer scored two in the dying minutes to turn the result around.The result saw them go tenth in the table and in with a chance of sealing a spot in Europe.Casemiro becomes fan favourite at CHELSEA as video of Man Utd star being ‘thoroughly nice’ to Blues supporters emergesSeventh-placed West Ham, who have played two more games, are only two points ahead. More

PHIL FODEN has revealed his favourite position and the surprise comparison his team-mates have made.There has been much debate over where the Manchester City star should play for England at Euro 2024 this summer.Phil Foden has revealed his favourite positionCredit: EPAFoden netted a screamer to complete his hat-trick versus VillaCredit: EPAFoden has featured on either flank and as a No10 for Pep Guardiola’s side this season.While playing centrally behind the striker, the 23-year-old scored a magnificent hat-trick in a 4-1 hammering of Aston Villa.And after inspiring City to victory, Foden was asked where he plays best, telling TNT Sports: “I seem to have some really technical play in the pockets and out wide, I can do that job but I prefer it in the middle.”This year, I’m growing into the game. The manager spoke on showing rhythm and slowing the game down. I’ve added that to my game.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”He said, ‘you’ll grow into that position’. Before I was going so quick, attacking every action. Now I’m getting the balance just right.”I’m always trying to arrive in the box, that’s where the goals are at.”You get at least five a season by arriving into the box late. So I’ve been working on all aspects of my game in the midfield. Still a lot of improve on, but I’m enjoying that position.”On Foden as a No10, Guardiola said: “When he plays in central positions, he has a sense of goals. He has goals in his veins and we have to use them.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS”He can do whatever he wants. I think he is a really top-class player. We know it.”He has to be focused, sometimes he is a bit distracted. But he has a natural talent a gift, a gift that is special.”How does Gareth Southgate solve Phil Foden dilemma, with Jack Grealish possibly missing out on Euro 2024But Foden may have to settle for a spot on the left-wing for England at the Euros as it is a problem position for Gareth Southgate.Marcus Rashford has struggled for form this season at Manchester United, as has Jack Grealish at City, leaving the boss with a huge selection dilemma.There is also the issue of trying to fit Jude Bellingham into the side after his impressive campaign at Real Madrid from the attacking central midfield area that Foden prefers.The Stockport-born superstar scored a brilliant long-range goal against Villa to complete his hat-trick.He got up off the deck to win the ball back after thinking he was fouled and fired the ball into the top corner from outside the box.His goal reminded Grealish of Wayne Rooney’s iconic strike for Manchester United versus Newcastle in 2005.Foden said: “When I was running off celebrating [that goal] I was with Jack and he said ‘Wayne Rooney goal’. That’s what it reminded him of.” More