Premier League

ERIK TEN HAG is convinced he would have won 75 of his first 100 games in charge of Manchester United without injury problems.The Red Devils boss completed his century of matches in last week’s derby defeat.Erik ten Hag is convinced he would have won 75 of his first 100 games in charge of Man Utd without injury problemsCredit: PAOf those Ten Hag has won 60 which is a better record than both Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool and Mikel Arteta at Arsenal from their first 100.But Ten Hag believes it could have been so much better and he has done the best he can with the players available.Ten Hag said: “Imagine if they were available, we could easily have won from 75 games from 100.“It tells that we are in the right direction.READ MORE ON MAN UTD“We could easily have 75 wins and that tells the bright future of this team.“When you compare it with other managers, other teams, or previous managers in this big club you can see there is a bright future.“It is a good balance in ages in this squad. Young players, middle-aged players.”Ten Hag has had to deal with 48 cases of injury or illness leading to players missing a game.Most read in FootballCHELTENHAM BETTING OFFERS – BEST FREE BET DEALS FOR THE FESTIVAL There are 10 missing for tomorrow’s match with Everton.He said: “No team can deal with so many injuries, I think we played to maximum levels if you take in respect the availability of the players.Who could be Man Utd’s next manager after Ten Hag?“We have missed so many key players over the part of the season, the performances we have seen when the players are available in January and February are very good.”The good news for him is that both Marcus Rashford and Jonny Evans are fit having been taken off with knocks in the derby.Also Harry Maguire, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and striker Rasmus Hojlund, who has been named player of the month for February, will be fit for next weekend’s home FA Cup game with Liverpool.Mason Mount, who has been out since November with a calf injury, could be back after the coming international break. More

TOM LOCKYER destroyed Micah Richards during his appearance on The Rest Is Football with a cheeky put-down.Lockyer appeared as a guest on the podcast which is hosted by Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer and Richards.Lockyer was all too happy to rib Micah RichardsCredit: YouTube/ The Rest Is FootballIt had the panel in stitchesCredit: YouTube/ The Rest Is FootballThe Luton captain was talking about the cardiac arrest he suffered against Bournemouth last December and his ongoing recovery from the incident.He told the pundits how he had “technically died” for two minutes and 40 seconds before being revived by a defibrillator.He also revealed that he became a father for the first time during the recovery process, which has changed his perspective on returning to football – although admitted he still plans to.He admitted that many of the Luton players, including himself, took a while to adjust to the fact that they were in the Premier League – saying: “A lot of us came from the lower leagues, the non-league and you just think ‘I’m playing at Old Trafford [now]’ It’s surreal man! It’s so good.”READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAfter talking about his Premier League experience, Shearer asked: “Who was your footballing icon growing up?”Richards then chimed in to say: “And don’t say Alan! Or Gaz”Lockyer cheekily replied: “I didn’t want to be horrible but it ain’t you Micah either.” Which drew laughter from the rest of the panel.He then expanded on his answer to say: “John Terry and Frank Lampard. I always had a bit of a Chelsea pull growing up. My old man was Spurs though.”Most read in FootballCHELTENHAM BETTING OFFERS – BEST FREE BET DEALS FOR THE FESTIVAL Lineker assumed he would be a Cardiff fan given he grew up there and came through their academy but Lockyer said he “cut ties with them” after the club released him when he was 16.Lockyer and Luton Town will return to Bournemouth’s Vitality Stadium where he suffered the cardiac arrest on Wednesday.Tom Lockyer hugs team-mates as he returns to Luton’s training ground five weeks after shock cardiac arrest on the pitchIt is the same fixture that Lockyer played in December when he suffered the cardiac arrest – with the game being abandoned following the incident.Lockyer confirmed during the podcast that he will attend the game and meet the Bouremouth staff that saved his life to say thank you. More

THOMAS TUCHEL is already targeting his next managerial role as the Bayern Munich boss is set to leave the German club in the summer.With the former Chelsea boss set to be out of work, he is said to be targeting a return to the Premier League and potentially Stamford Bridge.Thomas Tuchel has revealed his three dream clubs to manage after Bayern Munich exitCredit: GettyTuchel took over at Bayern Munich last March, but it has already been confirmed that he will be leaving at the end of this season.And the German boss has revealed his three dream clubs for when he leaves the Bundesliga giants this term.According to Sky Sports Germany, “Thomas Tuchel has never ruled out a return to FC Chelsea. He still has the club in his sights.”His greatest short-term desire is to return to the Premier League. He doesn’t see his project there as complete yet.READ MORE ON FOOTBALL”He is also interested in the project at Manchester United. In Spain, he wants to coach FC Barcelona someday.”Tuchel became manager of Chelsea in 2021 and won the Champions League in his debut season, being named The Best FIFA Football Coach. The German was then sacked by new American owner Todd Boehly in September 2022 just a few months after his takeover.He then signed with Bayern Munich in 2023 and won the Bundesliga title.Most read in FootballCHELTENHAM BETTING OFFERS – BEST FREE BET DEALS FOR THE FESTIVAL According to the German outlet Bild, Tuchel would be open to returning to Stamford Bridge, should he and Boehly be able to settle their previous differences.Prior to Tuchel’s departure, he and his boss endured a strained relationship.Thomas Tuchel fumes at Bundesliga rule after Bayern Munich’s defeat to Bayer Leverkusen Boehly, 50, even frustrated the ex-Chelsea manager by trying to show a group of guests the home dressing room… while Tuchel was attempting to deliver a half-time team talk.At the end of last season, reports claimed that Blues chiefs privately acknowledged that sacking Tuchel may have been a mistake.Meanwhile, since Ineos’ arrival as a partial owner at Manchester United, doubts have lingered over whether Erik ten Hag will remain at Old Trafford next season.While Barcelona boss Xavi Hernandez has announced that he will step down as coach of Barcelona at the end of term.Tuchel joined Chelsea in 2021 but left shortly after owner Todd Boehly took overCredit: Getty More

JOSE MOURINHO gave a sad response when asked by Chelsea fans to return for an incredible third spell.A Blues fan posted a picture on social media showing him alongside the Special One.Jose Mourinho gave a sad response to a fan when asked about a return to ChelseaCredit: https://twitter.com/SirshargiHe flashed a thumbs-up for the camera as Mourinho struck a more sombre pose.And the supporter claims to have then asked Jose about a potential third run in the Stamford Bridge dugout.Mourinho’s first Chelsea spell lasted over three years and saw him deliver two Premier League titles in 2005 and 2006.He was sacked in 2007, but made an incredible return to west London in 2013.READ MORE ON CHELSEAMourinho added another league title to Chelsea’s cabinet in 2015 before receiving the axe for a second time later that year.Fans have pined for the Special One in recent times following the Blues’ problems under Mauricio Pochettino.And, according to the fan, Mourinho gave a sad response when questioned about taking over this summer.The fan said: “Hello Jose, Chelsea fans love you very much from all over the world hope you return to Chelsea.”Most read in FootballHOW TO GET FREE BETS ON HORSE RACINGMourinho apparently replied: “Thank you my friend, but Chelsea is not the Chelsea we know.”The fan continued: “Yes Jose, so we want you to return to the team so that the glories can return.What next for Jose Mourinho? Dave Kidd takes a look at The Special One’s options“What if an offer was made to you in the summer, would you come?”The fan then posted Mourinho’s reaction as several emojis of a man shrugging.And after getting Jose’s signature, he ended the conversation by saying: “We love you very much and hope you come back.“Thank you very much for the gift you gave me. I wish you a beautiful day.”It’s unclear where Mourinho and the fan posed for their photo together.The Portuguese boss is currently unemployed after being fired by Roma in January.READ MORE SUN STORIESHe has since been linked with a big-money move to Saudi Arabia.But there could still be options in Europe, with Napoli, Newcastle and Bayern Munich all linked as well. More

HENNING BERG etched his name into Manchester United history as part of the Treble-winning squad of 1999.The Norwegian defender played 29 times in that memorable season as Sir Alex Ferguson’s side reigned supreme.Henning Berg, left, won the Treble with Manchester United in 1999Credit: GettyWilliam Berg is also a footballerCredit: https://twitter.com/giffotballNow his son is aiming to follow in his footsteps and forge his own career in the beautiful game.Berg Sr, 54, was a target for Ferguson as a teenager but the Red Devils could not secure a work permit.And he ended up joining Blackburn in bizarre circumstances in 1993 when Rovers gaffer Kenny Dalglish went to scout Tore Pedersen play against England at Wembley.Berg – who could play at right-back or centre-back – told FourFourTwo: “I’d just gotten into the Norway team, so I was on the bench. READ MORE ON MAN UTD“Our centre-back, Tore Pedersen, got an elbow to the head from Ian Wright. “Our doctor ran on and asked Tore what the score was. Because England had been dominating, the doctor thought England were leading 1-0. “But the score was actually 0-0. Tore said it was 0-0, so the doctor thought he had concussion and made him go off. I came on and Dalglish saw me playing.“A month later, I was invited to train with Blackburn and they offered me a contract. It was pretty good for me that the doctor didn’t know much about football.”Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSIt proved a smart piece of business for Blackburn as Berg became a mainstay in the side that won the 1994-95 Premier League.Two years later, Ferguson finally got his man, stumping up a joint-British record £5million for the defender.Manchester United’s fall from glory since Sir Alex Ferguson Boyhood United fan Berg dropped down the pecking order when Jaap Stam arrived in 1998.But he made 16 appearances in the 1998-99 Premier League campaign as he became the first player to win the title with two different clubs.Berg featured five times apiece in the FA Cup and Champions League runs but missed both finals through injury. Ronny Jensen’s own spell on the sidelines gave Berg more game time in 1999-00 as United retained the Premier League. In total, he played 103 times for the Red Devils before returning to Ewood Park, initially on loan, in 2000.The Norwegian lifted the League Cup as captain in 2002 and earned 100 caps for his country, playing at two World Cups and a Euros.Berg finished his playing career with one season at Rangers, retiring in 2004 and stepped into coaching, taking managerial jobs in Norway, Poland, Hungary and Cyprus.He even had a very brief 57-day stint as Blackburn boss in 2012 and is now unrecognisable as head coach at Swedish club AIK.However, his son William is trying to make his own way as a footballer. The left-back, 27, played for Strommen IF II then joined fellow Norwegian outfit Fjellhamar FK in 2016.READ MORE SUN STORIESHowever, Berg Jr left the club for Gjellerasen a year later – taking his father’s No21 jersey – before returning to the Oslo-based team in March 2022.Fjellhamar FK currently play in the regional fifth tier of Norway’s football pyramid – a far cry from the glitz of Champions League nights and a packed Old Trafford enjoyed by William’s father. He missed the Champions League final through injuryCredit: News Group Newspapers LtdSir Alex Ferguson eventually got his man in 1997, nine years after United failed to get a work permitCredit: PA:Press AssociationBerg was scouted by Kenny Dalglish playing against England in bizarre circumstancesCredit: GettyThe versatile defender won the Premier League with RoversCredit: GettyBerg returned to Ewood Park as manager for 57 days in 2012Credit: PA:Press AssociationPictured at Gjellerasen, left-back William returned to Fjellhamar in 2022Credit: https://twitter.com/giffotballBerg Jr got the chance to play with a host of Norway legendsCredit: X @williamberg96 More

A FUMING Manchester United star raged “are you going to save one?” at Andre Onana, according to reports.The goalkeeper had a tough start to life at Old Trafford after making his £47million move from Inter Milan.Andre Onana was involved in a training ground spat with a United youngsterCredit: GettyOnana, 27, made several high-profile blunders and his huge mistakes cost Man Utd points in the Premier League and led to them crashing out the Champions League.Erik ten Hag stood by his stopper and regularly refused to point the blame at him in interviews.But The Athletic report that players were growing increasingly frustrated by his poor performances.It has been claimed that Onana clashed with a youngster in a training ground row.READ MORE ON MAN UTDThe unnamed player, who has barely played a first-team game, supposedly said: “Are you going to save one or what?”Meanwhile, Onana was reportedly baffled as to the reason behind his poor form and had lost confidence.But the Cameroonian’s displays have improved since his shaky start and he was praised by Ten Hag after making multiple big saves in the recent 1-0 FA Cup win over Nottingham Forest.The manager said: “He’s doing very well. He has very good performances in the Premier League.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS”He’s progressing, so he has to see this as a base and step up from here.”Ten Hag has also claimed that Onana is the second-best keeper in the league.Erik Ten Hag claims Andre Onana is SECOND BEST goalkeeper in the Premier LeagueHe has kept 11 clean sheets in 37 games in all competitions this season. More