Premier League

MANCHESTER UNITED have been tipped for their worst-ever Premier League finish by a supercomputer.The Red Devils have endured their worst start to the season after picking up just eight points from their opening seven games.Man Utd have been tipped for a worst finish everCredit: GettyArsenal will win the league according to a supercomputerCredit: APThey have broken the record they set only last year, and are 14th in the table following a 0-0 draw with Aston Villa.Erik ten Hag is under increasing pressure with United appearing to have got even worse after recording their worst-ever Prem finish last season.They finished eighth in the previous campaign with 60 points, yet look unlikely to even manage that this time around.A supercomputer run by Grosvenor Sport predicts United will be even worst this term and will end up ninth on just 55 points, behind the likes of Brentford. READ MORE ON MAN UTDThey are expected to lose an astonishing 15 games, managing just one win more to leave them a staggering 19 points off the top four.A predicted final goal difference of zero also reveals what a dire season United could be in for.Higher up the table Chelsea will secure Champions League qualification while Prem leaders Liverpool are tipped to challenge for the title.The title race is expected to go down to the final day but will be contested by Arsenal and Manchester City, not the Reds.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSAnd it could be Mikel Arteta’s side who finally get their hands on the trophy, pipping City by just a point to record their best-ever points tally of 94.At the other end of the table Wolves have been tipped for the drop along with Ipswich and Southampton with all three yet to win in the league this season.How Arteta outsmarted Pep AGAIN with cunning Calafiori ‘piggyback’ trick and ‘secret Arsenal coach’ More

GRAHAM POTTER has given his verdict on Ange Postecoglou’s “shell shocked” interview.The Tottenham boss was left downbeat after his side threw away a 2-0 half-time lead to lose at Brighton.Graham Potter shared his thoughts on Ange Postecoglou’s post-match interviewThe Tottenham boss was very downbeat following defeat to BrightonCredit: Sky SportsIt is a third Prem defeat of the season for Spurs in just seven matches, having been beaten by Newcastle and rivals Arsenal.Postecoglou described the Brighton result as his worst defeat in charge of Tottenham, and he barely took his eyes off the floor in his post-match interview.His gloomy demeanour led Joe Hart to question Potter about Postecoglou needing good support around him, hinting managers can sometimes allow their emotions to get the better of them.Potter said on Match of the Day 2: “I think it comes with experience. Always we are trying to find the right words.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”Getting angry’s easy, getting upset is easy. As leaders as coaches you can’t throw your team under the bus, you can’t throw players under the bus, you want to support them.”At the same time you need to show you are taking responsibility, that people are accountable to supporters.”So it’s a fine line between when you’re winning you’re this emotionally intelligent calm person, and when you’re losing you need to be more angry.”Potter’s last comment triggered laughter from his colleagues as he was famously lamented at Chelsea for being too nice.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSHe often refused to slam referees during his stint in the Prem in charge of Chelsea and Brighton, but asserted that did not mean he never got angry.Potter said previously: “Of course I get angry, I’m a human being, it’s just I choose to conduct myself in the way I think is the right way to conduct myself on the sideline.Tottenham legend Gus Poyet explains why Ange Postecoglou can end trophy hoodoo and win Carabao Cup despite Coventry horror show“I think the same media are talking about me being more angry but then running stories about problems with referees at grassroots level.“They don’t see the connection. That’s not to say we don’t all lose our temper; we do because it’s an emotional thing.“I have a responsibility to myself, to Chelsea, to the game, and to act in a way that is the right thing for me.”Fans were taken aback by Postecoglou’s interview with one saying: “I don’t think I have ever seen a manager Shell shocked like this with what he saw from his own team.😮”Another added: “Defeated man.” More

MANCHESTER UNITED fans have been left in stitches after spotting a brilliant Erik ten Hag lookalike.The under-fire boss clung onto his job for another week with a bore 0-0 draw against Aston Villa.Eagle-eyed fans spotted an Erik ten Hag lookalike during the Villa gameTen Hag remains at risk of the sackCredit: GettyBut with just eight points from seven Premier League games, Ten Hag has overseen the club’s worst-ever start to a season and he remains at risk of the sack.But fans are convinced the boss has already started a new job after spotting his double on the sidelines during the Villa game.As Diogo Dalot took a throw-in, Sky Sports cameras picked up a Ten Hag lookalike with an incredible resemble to Ten Hag.The man had an identical beard and the same bald look as the Dutchman.READ MORE ON MAN UTDAnd fans were found it hilarious, with one saying: “Ten Hag’s twin brother.”Another added: “He has already found a new job.”More laughed: “That’s his cousin Eleven Hag.”A fourth commented: “Villa have surely done this on purpose.”Most read in FootballOthers reacted: “Got to respect the grind. Found himself a new job before he’s been fired from his current one.”With pressure mounting on Ten Hag, the club’s hierarchy are set for crunch talks in London tomorrow.Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s team of Sir Dave Brailsford, Omar Berrarda, Dan Ashworth and Jason Wilcox will all be there with co-chairman Joel Glazer.Erik ten Hag and Ruud van Nistelrooy caught in heated conversation during Man Utd’s draw at Villa Man Utd player ratings vs Villa: Evans rolls back the years with Garnacho let downMANCHESTER UNITED eased the pressure slightly on boss Erik ten Hag with a hard-grafted stalemate at in-form Aston Villa.United looked much more solid defensively after Ten Hag rung the changes – though the Red Devils still have just eight points from seven Prem games.Here’s how SunSport’s Graeme Bryce rated 14th-placed United rated at Villa Park on Sunday.ANDRE ONANA – 7Guilty of sloppy distribution once or twice but his hands were safe enough and he did well to beat away a piledriver from Youri Tielemans to keep United on level terms.NOUSSAIR MAZRAOUI – 6Managed to contain Jaden Philogene comfortably enough in the first 45 minutes but failed to appear for the second half and was replaced by Victor Lindelof.HARRY MAGUIRE – 6Booked for a high forearm challenge on Ollie Watkins but his afternoon ended at half-time after he appeared to jar his knee defending a corner.JONNY EVANS – 9Handled Ollie Watkins well in the first 45 and showed all his experience to deal with the twin threat of Watkins and Jhon Duran for the final half hour. Rolled back the years with a five-star display to earn his Man of the Match rating.DIOGO DALOT – 7Sat in and rarely got forward but snuffed out the threat of Leon Bailey and was tidy enough. Crucial block to deny Philogene a stoppage time winner.CHRISTIAN ERIKSEN – 7Used all his experience to plug any gaps in United’s carefully constructed midfield. Dealt with the threat from Morgan Rogers well.KOBBIE MAINOO – 7Nothing flashy from the England midfielder who had his work cut out preventing Youri Tielemans carrying out his magic.ALEJANDRO GARNACHO – 6Fired in a first-half shot which Emi Martinez dealt with comfortably but shot hopelessly wide a couple of times after the break. Sloppy finishing let him down. BRUNO FERNANDES – 8United’s skipper only played after his red card against Spurs was overturned on appeal.Kept his cool here to avoid a third red card in three games – came closest for United with a free kick which crashed off the Villa crossbar.MARCUS RASHFORD – 7Taken off at half-time in Oporto and taken off after 64 minutes to save himself a second yellow card here! Looked United’s likeliest match-winner after forcing an early save from Martinez before bringing the best out in the Argentine World Cup winner with a sizzling effort which the ‘keeper tipped over. Booked for a foul on Cash.RASMUS HOJLUND – 6Put himself about and was involved in the clash which led to Ezri Konsa limping off. But lacked service and was replaced by Zirkzee just beyond the hour mark. Below par.SUBSMATTHIJS DE LIGT for Maguire (46 minutes) – 5 – Conceded a few fouls in dangerous areas. Still finding his feet.VICTOR LINDELOF for Mazraoui (46 mins) – 6 – First appearance since March but fitted in well as a stand-in right-back. Booked for a foul on Morgan Rogers.JOSHUA ZIRKZEE for Hojlund (64 mins) – 5 – Miles off the pace, failed to make any impact.ANTONY for Rashford (64 mins) – 6 – Brought out the best in Emi Martinez with a curler which was heading for the top bin until the keeper plucked it out of mid-air.CASEMIRO for Mainoo (85 mins) – 6 – Helped see out the match for United. More

ERIK TEN HAG had a heated conversation with his number two Ruud van Nistelrooy against Aston Villa.Manchester United picked up their first clean sheet in four games as they battled to a dull 0-0 draw at Villa Park.Erik ten Hag and Ruud van Nistelrooy were involved in a heated argumentCredit: Sky SportsThe Man Utd boss appeared to dismiss his assistant’s adviceCredit: Sky SportsAn under pressure Ten Hag could be replaced as Man Utd boss by Van NistelrooyCredit: GettyBut Ten Hag still did not cut an easy figure on the touchline and at one point during the match became embroiled in an argument with his compatriot.The Dutchman sat in the dugout as Van Nistelrooy offered advice, but Ten Hag appeared to dismiss his suggestions.Ten Hag gestured with his hand and shook his head and had a puzzled look on his face, clearly not agreeing with his right-hand man.Van Nistelrooy returned to Old Trafford as assistant manager in the summer but will reportedly be offered the top job if Ten Hag is sacked.READ MORE ON MAN UTDTen Hag was given the Porto and Aston Villa matches to avoid the sack and two draws mean he has been given a stay of execution.Fans are calling for him to be axed with United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe refusing to publicly back him, and Ten Hag admits he has no idea if he will be sacked.He said: “I don’t have any idea that is different. Because they should have told me. We communicate very open, very transparent.Most read in Football”I speak continuously with them and just after the game I have to do my job, talk with the players, manage the players and answer questions from you.BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSMan Utd player ratings vs Villa: Evans rolls back the years with Garnacho let downMANCHESTER UNITED eased the pressure slightly on boss Erik ten Hag with a hard-grafted stalemate at in-form Aston Villa.United looked much more solid defensively after Ten Hag rung the changes – though the Red Devils still have just eight points from seven Prem games.Here’s how SunSport’s Graeme Bryce rated 14th-placed United rated at Villa Park on Sunday.ANDRE ONANA – 7Guilty of sloppy distribution once or twice but his hands were safe enough and he did well to beat away a piledriver from Youri Tielemans to keep United on level terms.NOUSSAIR MAZRAOUI – 6Managed to contain Jaden Philogene comfortably enough in the first 45 minutes but failed to appear for the second half and was replaced by Victor Lindelof.HARRY MAGUIRE – 6Booked for a high forearm challenge on Ollie Watkins but his afternoon ended at half-time after he appeared to jar his knee defending a corner.JONNY EVANS – 9Handled Ollie Watkins well in the first 45 and showed all his experience to deal with the twin threat of Watkins and Jhon Duran for the final half hour. Rolled back the years with a five-star display to earn his Man of the Match rating.DIOGO DALOT – 7Sat in and rarely got forward but snuffed out the threat of Leon Bailey and was tidy enough. Crucial block to deny Philogene a stoppage time winner.CHRISTIAN ERIKSEN – 7Used all his experience to plug any gaps in United’s carefully constructed midfield. Dealt with the threat from Morgan Rogers well.KOBBIE MAINOO – 7Nothing flashy from the England midfielder who had his work cut out preventing Youri Tielemans carrying out his magic.ALEJANDRO GARNACHO – 6Fired in a first-half shot which Emi Martinez dealt with comfortably but shot hopelessly wide a couple of times after the break. Sloppy finishing let him down. BRUNO FERNANDES – 8United’s skipper only played after his red card against Spurs was overturned on appeal.Kept his cool here to avoid a third red card in three games – came closest for United with a free kick which crashed off the Villa crossbar.MARCUS RASHFORD – 7Taken off at half-time in Oporto and taken off after 64 minutes to save himself a second yellow card here! Looked United’s likeliest match-winner after forcing an early save from Martinez before bringing the best out in the Argentine World Cup winner with a sizzling effort which the ‘keeper tipped over. Booked for a foul on Cash.RASMUS HOJLUND – 6Put himself about and was involved in the clash which led to Ezri Konsa limping off. But lacked service and was replaced by Zirkzee just beyond the hour mark. Below par.SUBSMATTHIJS DE LIGT for Maguire (46 minutes) – 5 – Conceded a few fouls in dangerous areas. Still finding his feet.VICTOR LINDELOF for Mazraoui (46 mins) – 6 – First appearance since March but fitted in well as a stand-in right-back. Booked for a foul on Morgan Rogers.JOSHUA ZIRKZEE for Hojlund (64 mins) – 5 – Miles off the pace, failed to make any impact.ANTONY for Rashford (64 mins) – 6 – Brought out the best in Emi Martinez with a curler which was heading for the top bin until the keeper plucked it out of mid-air.CASEMIRO for Mainoo (85 mins) – 6 – Helped see out the match for United.”We always talk. Every week, I would say every day we talk, so I expect I will speak with them.”I think you said it very good – external noise. Internal, we are disappointed, we know we have to do better, especially we need to score more, that is the moment in this area after this block of games where we are really short.”Erik ten Hag really did not help himself with what he said after Man Utd’s draw with Aston Villa, slams BBC pundit Man Utd are understood to be considering their options with Thomas Tuchel lined up as a potential replacement.Van Nistelrooy could also get the gig but reportedly has doubts about usurping Ten Hag due to his own experience of being betrayed while manager of PSV.The former striker lasted less than a year as manager of the Dutch club as he accused his assistant Fred Rutten and several senior players of conspiring with the club’s directors in the Spring of 2023, before he quit the club prior to the final game of the season. More

ERIK TEN HAG insists the Manchester United hierarchy should have told him by now if they intend to sack him.The Red Devils have endured their worst start to a Premier League campaign with just eight points from seven games.Erik ten Hag insists he would know if his job is in dangerCredit: GettyMan Utd were held to a 0-0 draw against Aston VillaCredit: GettyThey currently sit 14th in the table – 10 points adrift of leaders Liverpool.Fans are now calling for Ten Hag to be sacked, with United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe refusing to publicly back him.But the Dutchman insists he would know if his job was in danger.Pressed on his future following Man Utd’s 0-0 draw with Aston Villa, he said: “So I don’t have any idea that is different. Because they should have told me. We communicate very open, very transparent.Read More on Man Utd”I speak continuously with them and just after the game I have to do my job, talk with the players, manage the players and answer questions from you.”We always talk. Every week, I would say every day we talk, so I expect I will speak with them.”I think you said it very good – external noise. Internal, we are disappointed, we know we have to do better, especially we need to score more, that is the moment in this area after this block of games where we are really short.”All the other areas we are doing really well: four clean sheets, so that tells something about the defending and about the organisation, the defending of defensive transitions.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSMan Utd player ratings vs Villa: Evans rolls back the years with Garnacho let downMANCHESTER UNITED eased the pressure slightly on boss Erik ten Hag with a hard-grafted stalemate at in-form Aston Villa.United looked much more solid defensively after Ten Hag rung the changes – though the Red Devils still have just eight points from seven Prem games.Here’s how SunSport’s Graeme Bryce rated 14th-placed United rated at Villa Park on Sunday.ANDRE ONANA – 7Guilty of sloppy distribution once or twice but his hands were safe enough and he did well to beat away a piledriver from Youri Tielemans to keep United on level terms.NOUSSAIR MAZRAOUI – 6Managed to contain Jaden Philogene comfortably enough in the first 45 minutes but failed to appear for the second half and was replaced by Victor Lindelof.HARRY MAGUIRE – 6Booked for a high forearm challenge on Ollie Watkins but his afternoon ended at half-time after he appeared to jar his knee defending a corner.JONNY EVANS – 9Handled Ollie Watkins well in the first 45 and showed all his experience to deal with the twin threat of Watkins and Jhon Duran for the final half hour. Rolled back the years with a five-star display to earn his Man of the Match rating.DIOGO DALOT – 7Sat in and rarely got forward but snuffed out the threat of Leon Bailey and was tidy enough. Crucial block to deny Philogene a stoppage time winner.CHRISTIAN ERIKSEN – 7Used all his experience to plug any gaps in United’s carefully constructed midfield. Dealt with the threat from Morgan Rogers well.KOBBIE MAINOO – 7Nothing flashy from the England midfielder who had his work cut out preventing Youri Tielemans carrying out his magic.ALEJANDRO GARNACHO – 6Fired in a first-half shot which Emi Martinez dealt with comfortably but shot hopelessly wide a couple of times after the break. Sloppy finishing let him down. BRUNO FERNANDES – 8United’s skipper only played after his red card against Spurs was overturned on appeal.Kept his cool here to avoid a third red card in three games – came closest for United with a free kick which crashed off the Villa crossbar.MARCUS RASHFORD – 7Taken off at half-time in Oporto and taken off after 64 minutes to save himself a second yellow card here! Looked United’s likeliest match-winner after forcing an early save from Martinez before bringing the best out in the Argentine World Cup winner with a sizzling effort which the ‘keeper tipped over. Booked for a foul on Cash.RASMUS HOJLUND – 6Put himself about and was involved in the clash which led to Ezri Konsa limping off. But lacked service and was replaced by Zirkzee just beyond the hour mark. Below par.SUBSMATTHIJS DE LIGT for Maguire (46 minutes) – 5 – Conceded a few fouls in dangerous areas. Still finding his feet.VICTOR LINDELOF for Mazraoui (46 mins) – 6 – First appearance since March but fitted in well as a stand-in right-back. Booked for a foul on Morgan Rogers.JOSHUA ZIRKZEE for Hojlund (64 mins) – 5 – Miles off the pace, failed to make any impact.ANTONY for Rashford (64 mins) – 6 – Brought out the best in Emi Martinez with a curler which was heading for the top bin until the keeper plucked it out of mid-air.CASEMIRO for Mainoo (85 mins) – 6 – Helped see out the match for United.”We are doing really well, we are really improving on that point.”Our build-up play is good, we are calm and composed. We are creating chances apart from today. Today we should have created more.Manchester United vs Aston Villa: Player Ratings Breakdown”But that area in the box of the opponent, we have to be more ruthless, more clinical, more killing and we have to work on this.”Ten Hag is now behind Man Utd’s two worst starts in Premier League history.Only last season, he took just nine points from the first seven games.That had only been done once before, by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in the 2019/20 season.Why NOBODY is the right man to replace Erik ten Hag at Man UtdSunSport’s DAVE KIDD says Erik ten Hag’s time at Man Utd is up… and explains what’s wrong with all the potential candidates to replace him.THIS is a mid-table squad at an underachieving club, with a lot of unwanted players on big money.And Ratcliffe is an instinctive cost-cutter who may not pay top dollar to the next manager.If this club wasn’t called ‘Manchester United’, it wouldn’t be an especially desirable job.The good news for United is that their new sporting director, Dan Ashworth, is a very decent judge of a manager.He has been instrumental in three previous managerial appointments — Gareth Southgate for England, Graham Potter for Brighton and Eddie Howe for Newcastle.None were wildly popular at the time, all were conspicuous successes.Interestingly, Ashworth’s No 1 choice for the Newcastle job was Unai Emery, who turned him down to stay at Villarreal but has since proved that judgment right by excelling at Aston Villa.Emery may well deliver the coup de grace to Ten Hag on Sunday — especially with Bruno Fernandes suspended and Kobbie Mainoo an injury doubt.And the Spaniard would be an excellent fit for United — yet there is next to no chance that he would abandon Villa’s Champions League campaign to take the Old Trafford job, not least because he isn’t a stark raving madman.Howe would be another good candidate to succeed Ten Hag but, although he has become frustrated on Tyneside, the Saudis would surely not allow Ratcliffe to poach Howe, as they reluctantly did with Ashworth.Potter is available but his Chelsea experience and lack of charisma would make him a tough sell.Which brings us to Southgate, who remains close with Ashworth and is an excellent man-manager who was seriously considered by United last spring.Yet, despite having led England to two of their three major finals, Southgate’s reputation for over-caution was only enhanced during the Euros.Mauricio Pochettino, passed over twice by United, is out of the equation having taken the United States job.Thomas Tuchel would be a popular and gettable option but, despite being a fine coach and a very engaging man, he is considered something of a loose cannon.Likewise, Roberto De Zerbi, now at Marseille after his brief Brighton stint sparkled then fizzled out.Kieran McKenna — a gifted former United coach who has won back-to-back promotions with Ipswich Town — is an intriguing candidate but the imminent vacancy may come a year or so too soon.Marco Silva, the extremely under-rated Fulham boss, has been on United’s radar and should not be discounted.Sporting Lisbon’s Ruben Amorim, last season’s ‘next big thing’, was passed over by West Ham as well as Liverpool this summer and is not an easy man to pin down.Zinedine Zidane, who has taken over from Alan Curbishley as a 20-1 shot for every Premier League job, is a ‘figurehead’ manager and not an Ashworth type.Ruud van Nistelrooy, the former United goal machine who joined Ten Hag’s coaching team in the summer is the bookies’ favourite. Simply because he’s in the building and he’s Dutch.So, yes, getting rid of Ten Hag is the easy part. More