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      How the Glazers broke Sir Alex Ferguson’s cardinal rule with Old Trafford revamp that gave accidental nod to Liverpool

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      THE GLAZERS committed a cardinal sin when it came to sprucing up Old Trafford in 2022, it has been revealed.And it all comes back to the shade of red that was used for a paint job on Old Trafford.
      Employees and fans alike were furious that Old Trafford was painted in ‘Liverpool red’Credit: PP.
      Fergie insisted that United always play in a darker kit than LiverpoolCredit: PP.
      Sir Alex Ferguson was insistent that Manchester United has its own shade of red associated with it – and that it should never be too similar to Liverpool’s.
      The legendary manager insisted that United played in a dark shade of red during his reign.
      And this even led to former kit supplier Nike designing a colour that would meet the manager’s specifications – named “Diablo red”.
      Fergie believed that if United used a shade that was too bright, it would look as though the club were playing in a Liverpool shirt.
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      And the hatred of this colour extended to everything to do with the club, including how Old Trafford was decorated.
      But the Glazers violated this back in 2022 when they re-painted parts of Old Trafford, and employees noticed that it was in the colour that Fergie despised.
      An insider told ESPN: “They tried to smarten up Old Trafford with a paint job a couple of years ago.
      “But they messed it up. They used the wrong shade of red. When Sir Alex was in charge, he would always insist that United played in a darker shade of red than Liverpool.
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      Fergie’s dislike of a light shade of red led to Nike designing their own shade of red for the teamCredit: Getty
      Fergie was keen to avoid this shade of redCredit: Getty
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      “Nike, kit partners at the time, even designed a specific shade for the team’s kit called ‘Diablo Red.’ The paint they used for Old Trafford is Liverpool red — it’s too bright for United.”
      It’s not the only mishap the Glazers have made with regards to the stadium during their reign.
      Fans praise ‘gentleman’ Kobbie Mainoo, 18, for heartwarming gesture to grief-stricken Man Utd fan’s emotional story
      Fans have complained multiple times about the leaky roof at Old Trafford, which has become a symbol of the decline of the club.
      Footage went viral last year of a stream of water coming through the roof, with fans also complaining that water can drip on them when queueing up for food at half-time.
      Sir Jim Ratcliffe has earmarked improving Old Trafford as a priority and has set aside £2billion to build a ‘Wembley of the North’. More

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      Bournemouth vs Luton given new date after Premier League clash abandoned due to horrific Tom Lockyer collapse

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      A NEW DATE has been announced for Bournemouth’s match with Luton.Lockyer, 29, suffered a cardiac arrest on the pitch during the Hatters’ clash with Bournemouth in December.
      Luton will head to Bournemouth on Wednesday 13 MarchCredit: Reuters
      Their clash on December 16 was abandoned after Tom Lockyer collapsedCredit: Getty
      The Premier League game was abandoned as medics raced to save his life before he was rushed to hospital.
      Fortunately the Welsh centre-back was discharged from hospital before Christmas to continue his recovery.
      Lockyer then posted a statement via his social media channels to provide supporters with an update on his condition as he thanked the “heroic” actions” of the people that saved him.
      Now a new date for the game has been announced.
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      A statement from Bournemouth said: “AFC Bournemouth’s home fixture against Luton Town has been rearranged for Wednesday 13th March (7.30pm kick-off).
      “Further details will be confirmed at midday tomorrow.”
      The match was abandoned in the 59th minute after Lockyer suffered a cardiac arrest on the pitch.
      The score was 1-1 when the Wales international fell to the ground. 
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      Lockyer had previously undergone minor heart surgery in the summer after collapsing at Wembley in the Championship play-off final win.
      He was then reduced to tears as he applauded Luton fans on his emotional return to Kenilworth Road on January 30.
      Tom Lockyer hugs team-mates as he returns to Luton’s training ground five weeks after shock cardiac arrest on the pitch
      Lockyer walked around the pitch and clapped those in the stands before kick-off with even travelling Brighton fans belting out his chant on repeat.
      Then a huge, orange banner was displayed in the Kenilworth Stand while Lockyer’s beloved Foo Fighters were blared out on the PA system before he walked out. 
      That was after a visit the Luton training ground to be reunited with his fellow players as well as various club staff.
      Lockyer was filmed hugging stars in the dressing room and received a wonderful reception as he entered the team meeting before heading out on to the pitches to watch training up close.
      Lockyer has still not been allowed to resume playing football just yet after the shocking medical ordeal. More

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      Tottenham finally have a fully-fit first XI – so can they now mount an unlikely Premier League title challenge?

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      ANGE POSTECOGLOU finally has all his big-hitters available this weekend for the first time since taking over.Now he will be looking to prove the doubters wrong and show Tottenham are genuinely in the title race.
      Son Heung-min (left) is set to return against Brighton on SaturdayCredit: AFP
      Straight-talking Postecoglou claimed back in mid-January that it was possible his Spurs side could win the league this year.
      The 58-year-old said: “Yes, we are (in a title race) and I’ve said all along that until the point where you’re not, why would you discount the possibility?”
      At that point they were six points off table-topping Liverpool. A little under a month on, that gap has extended to seven.
      Most pundits and fans cannot envisage the North Londoners winning their first-ever Premier League crown come the end of the season.
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      Indeed, a supercomputer over at number-crunchers Opta calculated on Tuesday that fifth-placed Spurs have less than a 0.1 per cent chance of finishing top of the pile.
      But given how dominant his side were from August to October, when they were first after an unbeaten opening ten games, Postecoglou will certainly not be throwing in the towel.
      The only key player they were missing during those initial three months was classy midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur who was still recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament injury sustained in February.
      Though September’s blow when Ivan Perisic suffered a complex ACL issue of his own was keenly felt too, even if the veteran winger was largely used as an impact sub.
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      Then all hell broke loose on November 6 with that unforgettable 4-1 home defeat to rivals Chelsea, when they had two players sent off as well as losing star men Micky van de Ven and James Maddison to serious hamstring injuries.
      Further injuries and suspensions followed, while Son Heung-min, Pape Matar Sarr and Yves Bissouma all headed off on international duty to the Asia Cup and Africa Cup of Nations respectively.
      Son Heung-min could return for Tottenham THIS WEEKEND with forward ‘devastated’ as South Korea stunned in Asian Cup semi
      Yet, slowly but surely, Postecoglou has got all his main men back.
      And for the first time in his tenure, he should be able to pick his strongest XI at home to Brighton on Saturday.
      That is providing ex-Seagulls star Bissouma is fit after a reported bout of malaria while with Mali and that Son is ready after South Korea’s shock exit to Jordan on Tuesday. The 31-year-old is due back in Tottenham training on Thursday.
      Should that pair be fit and available, Postecoglou could go with what may well be his preferred team of: Guglielmo Vicario; Pedro Porro, Cristian Romero, Van de Ven, Destiny Udogie; Bissouma, Bentancur, Maddison; Dejan Kulusevski, Richarlison, Son.
      The competition for places would be decent too with Timo Werner, Sarr and Brennan Johnson all making strong cases to start as well.
      Postecoglou has always been confident of having a stronger second half to the season than the first, believing his team would have wised up to his methods by then.
      Should that come to pass, then it is not beyond the realms of possibility that they are in the mix come the end of campaign – no matter what the Opta AI suggests.
      They have some serious ground to make up but they have three winnable home games up next (curiously, all at 3pm on a Saturday) in Brighton this week, then Wolves, then Crystal Palace.
      Is this Postecoglou’s best side?RODRIGO BENTANCUR is one of many Spurs stars Ange Postecoglou has been unable to call upon every week this season due to injury.
      But the Uruguayan is fully fit now and Postecoglou finally has all his main stars back, giving him the chance to pick his best XI.
      SunSport predicts that to be:
      Vicario;
      Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie;
      Bissouma, Bentancur, Maddison;
      Kulusevski, Richarlison, Son.

      Then follows a tough trip to Aston Villa, currently two points above them in the table, and they would likely have to win that to stay in contention.
      The ultra test, though, comes in the back end of April going into early May.
      They host Manchester City, then Arsenal and then go to Liverpool.
      It is a frightening trio of fixtures but Postecoglou has managed to eradicate the fear from this team during his short time in charge.
      And, remember, he has not lost to any of those sides in the league this term, either.
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      It is a long shot, of course it is.
      Then again, Postecoglou is at the peak of his powers now from a selection perspective, which is something we have never seen before. More

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      Brighton reach £19.5m transfer deal to sign Ibrahim Osman from Nordsjaelland with forward arriving in summer

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      BRIGHTON have agreed a deal with Nordsjaelland to sign the talented Ibrahim Osman for £19.5million. The Ghanaian forward will arrive in Brighton this summer, with the move being officially confirmed if all goes to plan after his medical. 
      Ibrahim Osman has scored four goals and five assists this seasonCredit: Getty
      The 19-year-old was chased by a number of clubs in the January transfer window, including West Ham.
      David Moyes had an offer worth £16m rejected, although the young Ghanaian was apparently keen to make the move. 
      Osman made his Nordsjaelland first-team debut in February last season and scored two goals that campaign.
      In his 29 games appearances across all competitions this season, he’s scored four goals and five assists. 
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      He’s also broken his Europa Conference League duck, netting during a 7-1 walkover of Ludogorets in October. 
      The versatile attacker usually plays on either wing, but is also capable of going down the middle. 
      And Osman is likely to go down a treat with the Amex faithful, having showcased some seriously impressive dribbling in his career so far.
      Brighton’s new prospect is a product of the Right to Dream academy in Ghana, which also produced the Seagulls’ Ivorian forward Simon Adingra. 
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      The similar career path of Robert De Zerbi’s Ghanaian recruits continue; Adingra also played for Nordsjaelland before arriving on the south coast. 
      After a loan spell at Union Saint-Gilloise in Belgium, the forward is now well-established in De Zerbi’s team. 
      Crystal Palace star Joachim Anderson has to be pulled away from fans after fierce confrontation following Brighton loss
      Despite the relative quiet of this season’s transfer market, Brighton have been active.
      They’ve signed Argentine left-back Valentin Barco from Boca Juniors and exciting winger Adrian Mazilu from FCV Varul. More

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      Ex-England star Jonjo Shelvey, 31, ‘attracting transfer interest from Euro giants’ after stunning form in Turkey

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      GALATASARAY and Fenerbahce are interested in signing Jonjo Shelvey, according to reports.The former England ace, 31, joined Turkish side Caykur Rizespor on a free transfer last September after being frozen out by Nottingham Forest.
      Jonjo Shelvey has impressed in Turkey this seasonCredit: Getty
      The 31-year-old had a brief stint at Nottingham Forest last seasonCredit: Getty
      He has since impressed in the Turkish Super Lig, starting his side’s last 18 games.
      With Shelvey at the heart of their midfield, overachievers Rizespor find themselves fifth in the table.
      Shelvey has entered the final six months of the one-year deal he signed with the Turkish side, making him able to speak to other clubs.
      According to the Telegraph, Turkish giants Galatasaray and Fenerbahce are both interested in signing the six-cap star.
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      The two sides are locked on 63 points after 24 matches in an intense Super Lig title race.
      It’s claimed that they are both looking to battle with other clubs around Europe to sign Shelvey.
      Galatasaray already have a large ex-Premier League contingent.
      The Istanbul-club have former Tottenham quartet Davinson Sanchez, Serge Aurier, Carlos Vinicius and Tanguy Ndombele among their ranks.
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      While Wilfried Zaha, Hakim Ziyech and Lucas Torreira are also in their squad.
      Fenerbahce, meanwhile, have Ryan Kent, Caglar Soyuncu, Edin Dzeko, Josh King, Michy Batshuayi, Cengiz Under and Fred.
      Alan Shearer watches Newcastle with away fans for first time in 39 years at FA Cup win over Fulham
      Shelvey began his career at Charlton before moving to Liverpool in 2010.
      He played 69 times for the Reds before signing for Swansea in 2013.
      Following three years in South Wales he signed for Newcastle, going on to play over 200 times for the Toon.
      Shelvey left St James’ Park on Deadline Day in January 2023, signing a two-and-a-half year deal with Nottingham Forest.
      But he fell out of favour after just eight appearances following a bust-up with then-boss Steve Cooper. More

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      Thomas Frank offers Christian Eriksen a Premier League transfer lifeline with Man Utd star ‘always welcome’ at Brentford

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      THOMAS FRANK says he would welcome Christian Eriksen back to Brentford with the midfielder currently out of favour at Manchester United.The 31-year-old has featured only once for the Red Devils since the turn of the year – starting against his old club Tottenham three weeks ago.
      Thomas Frank admits he would happily welcome Christian Eriksen back to BrentfordCredit: Reuters
      With just nine Premier League starts to his name this season, he may decide to consider his options this summer.
      Galatasaray are keen but now his countryman Frank has said he would be willing to take him back to West London.
      He played 11 matches for the Bees as he returned to football in 2022 – a few months after his heart scare at the Euros.
      The Brentford chief told Tipsbladet:  “He will always be welcome back, Christian – always.
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      “I think he knows that. And we know that he had a good time here.
      “I understood well why he went to United back then, and I’ve said that publicly.
      “I also think he’s done well. Of course, he had an injury before Christmas for a while. But if Christian wants, he’s very welcome.”
      Eriksen was a mainstay of the United side which won the Carabao Cup and secured Champions League football last season.
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      However the emergence of youngster Kobbie Mainoo in recent weeks has pushed him further down the pecking order under Erik ten Hag.
      Eriksen remains a useful squad player but with the club now out of Europe, he may find chances are hard to come by.
      Ivan Toney casts doubt upon his Brentford future with Prem giants linked and Barcelona want to bring Kalvin Phillips to La Liga
      He will have just 12 months remaining on his contract in the summer so both the player and the club will have a decision to make.
      Meanwhile Frank told the publication he expects bids to come in for star striker Ivan Toney in the summer – but says the phone never rang in January.
      He said: “This winter, we actually had no bids for him, but it would surprise me if there aren’t a lot of clubs interested in him.
      “He’s a really good striker who is in his prime footballing age. Personally, as a coach, I would prefer to keep Toney, but one day it could be fun to see him at a top team.” More

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      Thiago Silva’s wife Belle issues grovelling apology after ‘outburst’ calling for Mauricio Pochettino’s sacking

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      THIAGO SILVA’S wife Belle has issued a grovelling apology after calling for Mauricio Pochettino’s sacking in an “outburst” on social media.The partner of Chelsea’s Brazilian defender left few in doubt of her stance on Poch’s reign following Sunday’s 4-2 defeat to Wolves at Stamford Bridge.
      Thiago Silva’s wife Belle has apologised after publicly calling for Mauricio Pochettino’s sacking
      The Chelsea boss is under pressure after two heavy defeatsCredit: PA
      Belle’s initial tweet came after the 4-2 defeat to Wolves
      The result was Chelsea’s second heavy loss in a row following a 4-1 drubbing at Liverpool.
      And Belle, 37, publicly urged Blues owner Todd Boehly to make a change in the dugout.
      Writing on X, she said: “It’s time to change. If you wait any longer it will be too late.”
      Belle’s tweet saw Silva, 39, have an awkward meeting with Pochettino, 51, at Cobham on Monday.
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      And she has now apologised for speaking against Chelsea’s boss, claiming that her “passion” as a Blues fan was to blame.
      Belle, who married Silva in 2005, said: “I’m sorry that my personal outburst as a passionate Chelsea fan has caused such an impact.
      “I’m passionate about the team, I thrive on victories and I’m saddened by defeats.
      “We all want the same thing, a winning team, come on Chelsea!!”
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      Belle has blamed her ‘outburst’ on being a ‘passionate’ Chelsea fan
      Belle is always at Stamford Bridge to support SilvaCredit: Instagram / @bellesilva
      However, fans urged Belle to stick to her guns over her response to the Wolves defeat.
      One said: “Do not apologise or stop speaking out, we’re with you.”
      Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino says owners have texted him and he has met with Thiago Silva over his wife’s comments

      Another declared: “Don’t apologise for saying what we have all been saying, if we lose again you go again!”
      One noted: “Speak your mind, you’re one of us.”
      Another added: “We are in full agreement with you, this current Chelsea is not how Chelsea should be. You said nothing but the truth.”
      It’s not the first time Belle has spoken out against her husband’s London club.
      Last year she blasted ex-boss Graham Potter by liking a tweet labelling him a “deadbeat coach.”
      And in 2021, Belle slammed Timo Werner for missing a flurry of chances during Chelsea’s Champions League clash with Real Madrid.
      As for Pochettino, he is continuing to be backed by Chelsea’s owners despite the side sitting 11th in the table.
      That’s despite Boehly and Co “loving” the work done by miracle maker Michel with second-place LaLiga minnows Girona.
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      The Blues will be fighting for their place in the FA Cup with tonight’s fourth round replay at Aston Villa.
      And their season could end up resting on the Carabao Cup final against Liverpool, with victory securing a spot in the Europa Conference League.
      The pair have been married since 2005Credit: https://www.instagram.com/belle_silva/?hl=en
      Belle slammed Graham Potter last year
      She previously called out Timo WernerCredit: Instagram / @bellesilva More

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      Ivan Toney ‘will most likely be sold in the summer’ as Thomas Frank reveals Brentford ‘know’ transfer fee

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      BRENTFORD boss Thomas Frank has admitted publicly for the first time that Ivan Toney will ‘likely’ be sold in the summer.The striker has one year left on his Brentford contract following his return from suspension for betting offences last month.
      Brentford Manager Thomas Frank with Ivan ToneyCredit: Getty
      Chelsea and Arsenal are among those interested in Toney.
      The 27-year-old scored twice in three matches since returning from his eight-month ban. 
      Despite Toney confirming his commitment to the club, his departure has all but been confirmed.
      Bees boss Frank told Danish magazine Tipsbladet: “It’s quite obvious that Toney will most likely be sold in the summer.
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      “It can be expensive to sell your best player, but on the other hand, I also know that by the summer, he’ll only have a year left on his contract with us. 
      “We also know what he’s worth. I don’t think there are many strikers in the world who are better than him right now.
      “He’s a really good striker who is in his prime footballing age. Personally, as a coach, I would prefer to keep Toney, but one day it could be fun to see him at a top team.”
      Frank added that Brentford did not receive any offers for Toney during the January transfer window, but he expects a host of suitors to come in during the summer window.
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      Last month, Brentford valued the England international at £100million.
      Toney has made no secret of his ambitions to play for an elite side.
      Brentford go ‘full WWE mode’ and introduce Ivan Toney ‘like the Undertaker’ as light show marks striker’s return
      He told Sky Sports: “You can never predict when is the right time to move elsewhere, but I think it’s obvious I want to play for a top club.”
      Arriving for £5million in 2020 from Peterborough, Toney fired Frank’s side into to the English top-flight.
      He has registered 70 goals in 127 games for Brentford in all competitions, including 20 in 33 Premier League appearances last season.
      Toney has brought a huge amount of belief into Brentford at a time when they had lost nine of their last eleven league matches. 
      As well as helping Brentford escape the threat of relegation, the striker hopes to claim a spot in Gareth Southgate’s England squad at this summer’s Euros.
      Toney won Player of the Match on his return against ForestCredit: Rex More