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    ‘Best for the team’ – Ruben Amorim gives blunt explanation on Marcus Rashford absence as Man Utd outcast seeks transfer

    RUBEN AMORIM has offered a blunt explanation for why Marcus Rashford continues to sit on the sidelines.Rashford, 27, has not featured in Manchester United’s last nine matches in all competitions.Ruben Amorim was asked about Marcus Rashford in his post-match press conferenceRashford, 27, has not featured in more than a monthCredit: ReutersFollowing today’s 3-1 home defeat to Brighton, Amorim was asked if he felt “disappointed or let down” that Rashford was not there to “help the team”.After the Portuguese initially said “no” he was further pressed, given that he has previously stated that Rashford was being left out for training reasons.Amorim, 39, clapped and took a breath, before answering: “Guys. It is his choice [not to play].”I don’t want to focus on this bad moment because in the games we lost, Rashford is not here.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”I don’t want to put this moment on Rashford.”Rashford is out of this moment because he is not playing.”No matter what, I am not going to put out a player I don’t believe is the best for the team.”Rashford has not featured since Man Utd’s 2-1 Europa League victory over Viktoria Plzen on December 12.Most read in FootballSUN BINGO GET £50 BONUS & 50 FREE SPINS TODAYHe has since made the bench just once, and was left as an unused sub during the 2-0 home defeat to Newcastle.The forward scored twice in Amorim’s first Premier League game in charge at Old Trafford, during a 4-0 win over Everton.Which football clubs could Marcus Rashford join?After being left out of the Manchester derby, Rashford revealed in an interview that he is ready for a “new challenge”.The forward has drawn interest from the likes of AC Milan and Borussia Dortmund this month.But it will be difficult for Man Utd to agree a deal, given that Rashford’s weekly salary exceeds £300,000.Closer to home, Tottenham are believed to be considering a loan swoop.Amorim meanwhile hinted that he needs to bring some players in himself – branding his side the “worst Man United team in history”. More

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    Sky Sports brutally troll Ed Sheeran with his own song lyric as musician looks miserable during Ipswich thrashing

    ED SHEERAN was brutally trolled as he watched Ipswich suffer a thrashing against Manchester City.The pop star is a lifelong Tractor Boy and acquired a minority stake in the club last summer.Ed Sheeran watched on glumly as Ipswich were thrashed 6-0Man City ran riot at Portman RoadCredit: RexHe is a regular at Portman Road and looked glum as he watched Pep Guardiola’s side run amock in a 6-0 win.Sheeran, 33, was trolled by Sky Sports with his side 4-0 down just after half-time.A photo of the singer was shared on social media alongside a caption which mocked one of his lyrics.It read: “Loving (football) can hurt sometimes! 🎶”READ MORE IN FOOTBALLSheeran was in a much different mood ahead of kick-off as he bumped into Jack Grealish in the car park outside the ground.He hugged the England star before shaking hands with Manuel Akanji and Erling Haaland. A double from Phil Foden and goals from Mateo Kovacic and Jeremy Doku made for a disappointing afternoon for Sheeran.And things got even worse for Ipswich as Haaland and James McAtee rounded off a resounding win.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSSheeran first became involved with his boyhood club when he sponsored the shirts for the 2021-22 season.That agreement has remained in place ever since, with the singer also owning 1.4 per cent of the club.Ed Sheeran downs drink and gives Ally Pally crowd the middle finger after Ipswich taunt at PDC World Darts Championship Ipswich are in danger of being relegated as they remain in the bottom three after defeat to City.Kieran McKenna’s side are level on points with Wolves in 17th but their goal difference stands at -23 after taking a big hit. More

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    Ipswich 0 Man City 6: Pep Guardiola’s side back to their best as champions ruthlessly demolish naive Tractor Boys

    SO MUCH has been said about Erling Haaland’s unswerving commitment with a ten-year contract at Manchester City.The visiting fans at Portman Road even sang loudly about it as their celebrated striker rolled home his first goal since signing a monstrous contract that runs until 2035.Erling Haaland celebrated his lucrative new deal with a goalCredit: APPhil Foden is back in form and scored twiceCredit: PAIt was an afternoon to forget for IpswichCredit: GettyYet the undoubtedly talented Norwegian is a relative newcomer compared to Phil Foden, who has already clocked up twice that length of service and exhibited yet again why he is such a key player.Smaller in stature than 6ft5 Haaland and like everyone else he has to live in his team-mate’s shadow.Both men were subbed at the same time with the score at 5-0 and the job done just after the hour mark. The City supporters sang Haaland’s name but not Foden’s as they both trotted off.But in a game that pitted men against Tractor Boys at Portman Road, it was lil’ Phil who started the engine with two goals in the first half and the assist for another which had the result wrapped up inside a 15-minute blitz.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLFoden is 24 now and joined City aged four. Nobody at the club knows better than him when to dig in and get them out of a sticky patch.He put his side two up at Brentford last Tuesday, only to see his defence blow it at the death and chuck two points away.But he was bang up for it again on a freezing afternoon in Suffolk when Pep Guardiola’s team took its time warming up.Haaland was put clean through after 15 minutes but tamely hit a half-hearted shot that Town keeper Christian Walton patted away easily. Mateo Kovacic blasted over a minute later.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSIt was then that Foden in combination with Jeremny Doku took control and did the business with devastating effect to seal the win by the break, paving the way for the exhibition stuff afterwards.First came a weighted switch pass from right to left with Doku finding Kevin De Bruyne running into the box.Erling Haaland talks about his contract extension at Man City to 2034 Foden arrived in the area and took a touch from De Bruyne’s pass and casually rolled home the opening goal.Again down Town’s left, Doku caused mischief, finding Foden on the edge of the area. He in turn fed Kovacic who this time showed a more clinical side and scored with a drilled shot.Ipswich’s gutsy game nature is one of their big assets in a tough season for them in the Premier League. Awareness clearly isn’t one of their strengths.For a third time, Doku, Foden and De Bruyne rampaged around the box with Foden openly calling for the ball with nobody from the home team taking a blind bit of notice before he hit number three in a similar fashion to his first.There is delight in the City camp at Haaland’s loyalty to City when the future off the pitch is uncertain and on it their title defence looks lost. There is also concern that the squad has been allowed to grow old.New signings are coming in with striker Omar Mamoush and defenders Abdukodir Khusanov and Vitor Reis on their way. But none were in the matchday squad.So to see two young ‘uns in Foden,24, and Doku, 22, put on a show, allowed the supposed OAPs in Guardiola’s squad to take a breather.Doku earned the reward for his ingenuity and industry in the first half by scoring four minutes into the second half.Any ideas Ipswich had of regrouping after a half-time cuppa were firmly squashed as the winger again zeroed in on goal from the left, turned Ben Godfrey then hit a shot that did take a deflection off Dara O’Shea to wrong foot Walton.But by then it was containment at best for poor Ipswich.Always up against it here, this sort of collapse may well have serious collateral damage for the important weeks to come if they want to even engage in a survival battle.Boss Kieran McKenna has to get his message across better, because on 57 minutes Haaland was fed from the left again and simply chipped over Walton for number five before coming off a few moments later.READ MORE SUN STORIESGuardiola was allowed the luxury of taking off his top striker and best player with almost half an hour to go, presumably to rest them for the Champions League game against Paris St.Germain on Wednesday.Salford’s James McAtee headed in number six to complete the perfect day for City which started with applause for the late Denis Law – a legend for rivals Manchester United who played for the Sky Blues twice during his career. More

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    Man Utd’s miserable season drops to new low as they set unwanted record for first time in 131 years

    MANCHESTER UNITED have lost six of their opening 12 leagues games in a season for the first time since the 1893-94 campaign.The Red Devils were beaten 3-1 by Brighton on home turf to continue their dreadful Old Trafford run.Manchester United endured their latest home humblingCredit: ReutersRuben Amorim has failed to turn around United’s awful formCredit: GettyGoals by Yankuba Minteh, Kaoru Mitoma and Georginio Rutter condemned United’s home faithful to yet another disappointing afternoon.The Red Devils had already lost home league games to Liverpool, Tottenham, Nottingham Forest, Bournemouth and Newcastle.United last lost more than six of their opening 12 home league games in 1893-94 – when they were beaten seven times.Boss Ruben Amorim has managed to earn just 11 points from his opening 11 league matches in charge of the Red Devils.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLFollowing his side’s 2-0 home defeat to Newcastle earlier this month, the Portuguese admitted that relegation was a “possibility”.And after today’s latest setback, he claimed that they are being the “worst team maybe in the history of Manchester United”.He said: “In 10 games in the Premier League, we won two.”Imagine what this is for a fan of Manchester United. Imagine what this is for me. So we are getting a new coach that is losing more than the last coach. I have full knowledge of that.Most read in FootballSUN BINGO GET £50 BONUS & 50 FREE SPINS TODAY”Like I said, I’m not going to change, no matter what. I know we can succeed, but we need to survive this moment. Because I’m not naive and I know that we need to survive now.”We are being the worst team maybe in the history of Manchester United.Luke Littler parades World Darts Championship trophy at Old Trafford weeks after Man Utd superfan won £500,000 prize”I know that you want headlines, but I’m saying that because we have to acknowledge that and to change that. Here you go, your headlines.”Man Utd are 13th in the Premier League table with just 26 points from 22 games.Bruno Fernandes’ spot kick was the only shot on target they managed to muster during today’s loss.Marcus Rashford remains frozen out by Amorim.Asked again about the England international, his boss said: “I am not going to put a player I don’t believe is the best for the team.”United will be back in action this Thursday, when they host Rangers in the Europa League.The Red Devils have not managed to make Old Trafford a fortressCredit: Reuters More

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    Ruben Amorim admits ‘we are the worst team in the HISTORY of Man Utd’ and tells fans they ‘have to suffer’

    RUBEN AMORIM believes he is in charge of the “worst Manchester United team in history”.The 39-year-old warned fans to expect more suffering after United endured a fourth defeat in five Premier League home games.Ruben Amorim believes he is currently in charge of the worst Manchester United team in historyCredit: GettyUnited hit a new low after losing 3-1 to BrightonCredit: ReutersUnited had one shot on targetCredit: GettyAnd some fans believe Andre Onana is the “worst Man Utd keeper in history” after his shocking blunder sealed Brighton’s comfortable 3-1 win on a day that United paid tribute to legend Denis Law.Amorim was given another gut-punch on Sunday after goals from Yankuba Minteh, Kauro Mitoma and Georginio Rutter.The new Old Trafford boss said: “We are being the worst team maybe in the history of Manchester United.“I know you want headlines but I am saying that because we have to acknowledge that and change that. So there you go, your headline.READ MORE ON MAN UTD“In ten games in the Premier League we won two, I know that. Imagine this for a fan of Manchester United, imagine this for me.“You are getting a new coach who is losing more than the last coach. Imagine that. We need to survive this moment. I know that.”United’s record at home this season is the club’s worst in the league in 131 years.They have not lost six games at Old Trafford in 12 opening league appearances since the 1893-94 season, when they lost seven.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSAmorim’s side are 13th in the table after 22 matches and sit closer to the relegation zone (10 points) than they do the top four (12).The Portuguese manager has tried to implement the 3-4-3 formation which worked so well for him at Sporting.Sir Alex Ferguson joins Man Utd players past and present to honour Denis Law at Old TraffordAnd he insisted he will not change his approach after United registered one shot on target during Brighton’s easy win.Amorim added: “With me, it is clear I’m not going to change the way I see the game. I’m very clear on that. “The players are going to suffer, I’m sorry, the fans are going to suffer. “I have one way of doing things, I know it’s going to bring results. But we have to suffer these moments. I think it’s very clear for everybody what we are going to do.”United have picked up 11 points from his first 11 games in charge, but Amorim believes the club has to “stick together”.It’s a hard moment, we are really underperformingAmorimHe added: “It is hard to explain, we have to acknowledge the moment and not go around the problem.“Everybody here is underperforming, no matter what the circumstances. “It is unacceptable to lose so many games for any club in the Premier League, never mind Manchester United. It is a really hard moment but we have to continue.“The opponents are better than us in many details. That we cannot be consistent. That I am not helping my players in the moment.“It is a hard moment. We have to acknowledge we are in a very difficult situation. All the bad records, losing games at home, losing in the Premier League, we are really underperforming.”Brighton had won five of their last six Premier League meetings with United prior to Sunday’s clash.READ MORE SUN STORIESThey have now extended that record to six wins from seven dating back to May 2022.Amorim’s comments come just weeks after Gary Neville called his former club the “worst team in the country.”Man Utd ratings vs BrightonBy Ken LawrenceANDRE ONANA 4 – No chance with either of the Seagulls’ first two goals. But an awful howler to gift them their third.MATTHIJS DE LIGT 5 – Certainly doesn’t look like he likes players running at him as Kaoru Mitoma constantly did. Looked unsure of himself throughout.HARRY MAGUIRE 6 – The one member of United’s three-man central defence who looked like he knew what he was doing. Beginning to believe in himself again.LENY YORO 5 – The £52M youngster is still settling into the Premier League to be fair to him. But he is certainly taking his time about it.NOUSSAIR MAZRAOUI 4 – Has been one of the few consistent successes of Ruben Amorim’s tactical revolution. Yet he had a real shocker this time around.MANUEL UGARTE 5 – Supposedly “tired” in the 3 – 1 win over Southampton the midfielder looked brighter here. Yet he still doesn’t look that switched-onKOBBIE MAINOO 4 – Where is last season’s Kobbie? Looks nothing like the buzzing homegrown midfielder who burst on the scene last season.DIOGO DALOT 5 – Did his duties as a left wing-back to the best of his abilities. Another United player, however, who looked nothing like sharp enough.AMAD DIALLO 7 – Thursday night’s 12-minute treble hero on a high again – unlike, again, so many team-mates. Sometimes his footwork is just dazzling.BRUNO FERNANDES 6 – Ultra-cool from the spot but that goal didn’t do much to raise his performance level. Had one of those days where nothing really clicked.JOSHUA ZIRKZEE 5 – “Won” the penalty after being brought down although Carlos Baleba’s challenge would have looked good in a wrestling ring. There’s a footballer in there somewhere…SUBSALEJANDRO GARNACHO (for Mainoo 64) 5 – Struggled to make an impact in a team that was being taken apart.TOBY COLLYER (for Ugarte 64) 5 – Plenty of youthful commitment but still too inexperienced to lift a side as poor as Amorim’s.ANTONY (for Mazraoui 84) 4 – Talk about a last throw of the dice by Amorim???RASMUS HOIJLUND (for Zirkzee 84) 4: Given a thankless task in the closing moments of another depressing display. More

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    Man Utd ‘looking at Wolves star Ait-Nouri to fill problem left wing-back spot’ if they miss out on top transfer target

    MANCHESTER UNITED are looking at Wolves star Rayan Ait-Nouri as an alternative left-back option, according to reports.Paris Saint-Germain full-back Nuno Mendes his United’s No1 target, but a move to Old Trafford is growing more and more unlikely.Man Utd are eyeing up a move for Wolves star Rayan Ait-NouriCredit: GettyParis Saint-Germain left-back Nuno Mendes his United’s No1 target, thoughCredit: RexBut United are currently way off from matching his £50m asking price and vast wages, reports The Independent.United need to sell players in order to meet those demands and PSG aren’t keen on letting the Portugal international.As a result, United’s attention has shifted elsewhere in case Mendes stays in Paris.Ait-Nouri has impressed at Wolves despite a hugely difficult season.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSHe has excelled as both a traditional left-back and a forward-thinking wing-back.The Algerian international has scored four goals and provided five assists across 22 appearances in all competitions this season.He has three goals and five assists in the Premier League.Diogo Dalot, Noussair Mazraoui, and Tyrell Malacia have struggled for consistency, forcing Amorim to demand reinforcements.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSLuke Shaw is on the verge of returning from another muscular injury, his recurring fitness issues have left United looking elsewhere.United’s pursuit of Ait-Nouri depends on the future of Malacia, who has attracted interest from Juventus and Borussia Dortmund.Sir Alex Ferguson joins Man Utd players past and present to honour Denis Law at Old TraffordMalacia’s exit could create the financial space needed to bring in Ait-Nouri.Ait-Nouri’s contract with Wolves is set to expire next summer, but the club hold an option to extend it by one more year.United also have an interest in his teammate Matheus Cunha, but Arsenal are also keeping tabs on the striker. More

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    Man Utd ratings: Andre Onana drops clanger to gift Brighton three points as Amad is Red Devils’ only real bright spot

    ANDRE ONANA was back to his worst as Manchester United fell to another Old Trafford defeat.It appeared Ruben Amorim’s side had turned a corner in recent weeks with a draw at Anfield and an FA Cup penalty shoot-out win at Arsenal.Andre Onana made a horrendous mistake for Brighton’s third goalCredit: RexKaoru Mitoma bundled in at the back post as Onana watchedCredit: GettyYankuba Minteh opened the scoring at Old TraffordCredit: ReutersBruno Fernandes equalised from the penalty spoCredit: AlamyBut dreadful individual mistakes cost them yet again with Onana the chief culprit.The keeper was at fault for two of Brighton’s three goals – dropping a huge clanger as he palmed a simple cross straight to Georginio Rutter under no pressure whatsoever.Minutes earlier he watched as Yankuba Minteh floated a cross over the six-yard box which he should have come to collect – his failure to do so meant Kaoru Mitoma had a simple tap in at the back post.There were few positive notes for the Red Devils as Amad once again provided a spark.READ MORE ON MAN UTDHere is how SunSport’s Ken Lawrence rated the United display.ANDRE ONANA – 2 No chance with the Seagulls’ first goal. But allowed a cross to float over him for Mitoma to add the second before an awful howler to gift them their third.MATTHIJS DE LIGT – 5Certainly doesn’t look like he likes players running at him as Kaoru Mitoma constantly did. Looked unsure of himself all the way through.HARRY MAGUIRE – 6The one member of United three–man central defence who looked like he knew what he was doing. Beginning to believe in himself again.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSLENY YORO – 5The £52M youngster is still settling into the Premier League to be fair to him. But he is certainly taking his time about it.NOUSSAIR MAZRAOUI – 4 Has been one of the few consistent successes of Ruben Amorim’s tactical revolution. Yet he had a real shocker this time around.Luke Littler parades World Darts Championship trophy at Old Trafford weeks after Man Utd superfan won £500,000 prizeMANUEL UGARTE – 5Supposedly “tired” in the 3-1 win over Southampton, the midfielder looked brighter here. Yet he still doesn’t look that switched-on.KOBBIE MAINOO – 4Where is last season’s Kobbie? Looks nothing like the buzzing homegrown midfielder who burst onto the scene last season.DIOGO DALOT – 5 Did his duties as a left wing-back to the best of his abilities. Another United player, however, who looked nothing like sharp enough.AMAD DIALLO – 7 Thursday night’s 12-minute treble hero on a high again – unlike, again, so many team mates. Sometimes his footwork is just dazzling.BRUNO FERNANDES – 6 He was ultra-cool from the spot but that goal didn’t do much to raise his performance level. Had one of those days where nothing really clicked.JOSHUA ZIRKZEE – 5 “Won” the penalty after being brought down although Carlos Baleba’s challenge would have looked good in a wrestling ring. There’s a footballer in there somewhere…SUBSALEJANDRO GARNACHO (for Mainoo 64) – 5 Struggled to make an impact in a team that was being taken apart.TOBY COLLYER (for Ugarte 64) – 5 Plenty of youthful commitment but still too inexperienced to lift a side as poor as Amorim’s.READ MORE SUN STORIESANTONY (for Mazraoui 84) – 4 Talk about a last throw of the dice by Amorim???RASMUS HOJLUND (for Zirkzee 84) – 4Given a thankless task in the closing moments of another depressing display. More

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    Nottingham Forest 3 Southampton 2: Tricky Trees hold off furious Saints comeback to draw level on points with Arsenal

    NOTTINGHAM FOREST kept their top-four hopes alive despite a late comeback by Southampton at City Ground.Elliot Anderson opened the scoring for Forest against a struggling Saints side after just 11 minutes.Elliot Anderson opened the scoring for Nottingham ForestCredit: GettyCallum Hudson-Odoi doubled the lead against SouthamptonCredit: GettyNottingham Forest star Chris Wood’s goalscoring exploits continuedCredit: RexSouthampton’s relegation troubles have been extendedCredit: AlamyCallum Hudson-Odoi doubled the Tricky Trees’ lead on 28 minutes and Chris Wood’s goalscoring exploits continued just four minutes before half-time.Southampton put together a late comeback with Jan Bednarek and Paul Onuachu but ran out of time to stun the top-four hopefuls.More to follow More