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    Man Utd appoint new transfer guru on ‘reduced wage’ just hours after plans announced to slash 200 more jobs

    MANCHESTER UNITED have made former Chelsea chief Christopher Vivell their permanent director of recruitment on a REDUCED salary.The 38-year-old German initially joined on a short-term contract last summer.Christopher Vivell has been made Man Utd’s director of recruitment on a permanent basisCredit: PAAnd he played a big role in helping United land several promising youngsters including Sekou Kone.Vivell’s old deal was set to expire at the end of the season.But after United sacked sporting director Dan Ashworth in November, Vivell’s role as director of recruitment has been made permanent.The ex-RB Leipzig man has penned a long-term deal and will report directly to technical director Jason Wilcox, claims The Athletic.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLHowever, Vivell’s new agreement has seen him take a pay cut a day after United announced they are set to make a further 200 redundancies.Vivell will oversee club recruitment around the world, while also taking charge of United’s scouting system and young talent operation.He will be hoping to last longer in the role than his previous job at Chelsea.Vivell was appointed technical director in December 2022 as a replacement for Marina Granovskaia.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSBut he lasted just seven months after Todd Boehly decided to hand all power to co-sporting directors Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley.Vivell’s sole transfer window at Chelsea came in January 2023 and saw plenty of activity.Andy Goldstein insists Sir Jim Ratcliffe has got everything wrong at Man Utd after drastic cuts He helped Chelsea sign players like Benoit Badiashile in January 2023Credit: GettyVivell lasted just seven months before being axed by the BluesCredit: GettyA then-record fee of £105million was spent on Benfica’s Enzo Fernandez, who had just won the World Cup with Argentina.Mykhailo Mudryk, Noni Madueke, Benoit Badiashile, Malo Gusto, Andrey Santos and David Datro Fofana were also signed permanently, while Joao Felix arrived on loan.There were few exits though, with Jorginho the only senior star to depart.It left then-Chelsea boss Graham Potter with a hugely-bloated squad featuring unwanted misfits including Hakim Ziyech, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Christian Pulisic.The Blues finished the season with Frank Lampard in charge as interim boss.And Vivell paid the price when Mauricio Pochettino arrived in West London. More

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    Man Utd rivals ‘looking to cash in on their financial misery by buying out sell-on clauses of stars sold by the club’

    SEVERAL CLUBS are reportedly looking to buy Manchester United’s sell-on clauses for players that have already left Old Trafford.The Red Devils have endured a miserable campaign so far and currently sit 15th in the Premier League table.Jim Ratcliffe could decide to make some instant cash by selling the sell-on clauses of some playersCredit: PAHannibal Mejbri has a 50 per cent sell-on clause in his dealCredit: RexScott McTominay has been thriving at NapoliCredit: GettyAmid the club’s disappointing form on the pitch, United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has been desperately trying to save money behind the scenes.The billionaire has already made 250 employees redundant, with up to 200 more to follow in the coming weeks.He is also set to scrap free lunches for staff members at Old Trafford and reduce food options for those at Carrington to just soup and sandwiches.Ratcliffe could now be handed another way of generating some cash involving players who are no longer at United.Read More in FootballThe Telegraph has claimed that multiple clubs are now considering the possibility of buying sell-on clauses.Man Utd have put sell-on clauses into several transfers over the last few years.Facundo Pellistri was sold to Panathinaikos for around £6.8million last summer with a 45 per cent sell-on clause, meaning the Red Devils will receive almost half of the fee he is next sold for.Similarly, they negotiated a 50 per cent sell-on clause when finalising Hannibal Mejbri’s move to Burnley, although that will reduce over time.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSMason Greenwood has a 50 per cent sell-on clauseCredit: AFPScott McTominay was let go for £25m plus a 10 per cent sell-on clause.And striker Mason Greenwood has a reported 50 per cent sell-on clause in his Marseille contract.Ruben Amorim blames results on the pitch for Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s brutal Man Utd cuts Should Man Utd decide to cash-in on the clauses now, it would see them profit instantly.It could be a huge positive for Ratcliffe and Co given the club’s poor financial situation.Several players have enjoyed a resurgence in form after leaving Man Utd.Aaron Wan-Bissaka has impressed since joining West Ham, while McTominay has become a fan-favourite at Napoli.Furthermore, Greenwood has recorded 19 goal contributions in 25 appearances for Marseille.As a result, the striker has attracted some interest from the likes of Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain in recent months. More

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    Chelsea star ‘ruled out of the season’ to return to squad TONIGHT for Southampton game with Champions League on the line

    WESLEY FOFANA is expected to make his return to the Chelsea squad tonight – despite initially being ruled out for the season.The 24-year-old has been absent since picking up a hamstring injury against Aston Villa at the start of December.Wesley Fofana is set to return for Chelsea tonight against SouthamptonCredit: AFPThe defender has been unavailable since December 1 with a hamstring injuryCredit: PAIt was first reported that he would remain out of action for around five weeks.However, head coach Enzo Maresca then admitted that he could miss the rest of the season.Despite the initial concern, Fofana did not require surgery on the hamstring issue.And he is now set to make his return to the pitch – months earlier than expected.Read More in FootballAccording to French outlet RMC Sport, the defender is expected to be named in the Chelsea squad for tonight’s match against Southampton at Stamford Bridge.Fofana has been limited to just 12 appearances for Chelsea this season due to injury.Tonight’s meeting between Chelsea and Southampton is crucial for Maresca, with the Blues competing for Champions League football.If they drop points in their next two Premier League games – the second being against Leicester City – ex-Arsenal star and pundit Paul Merson is convinced that the head coach’s job will be at risk.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSHe said: “If they don’t win their next two games, the manager won’t be there.”They’re playing against two of the worst teams to play in the Premier League for I don’t know how long in Southampton and Leicester.Chelsea ratings vs Aston Villa: Jorgensen howler, Rashford super-sub”So, if they don’t win those two games, he will do well to keep his job.”Chelsea have got to get in the Champions League. They need the Champions League to keep players like Cole Palmer as he will want to play in that competition.”They will have to finish in the top five, otherwise I dread to think what’s going to happen. I just don’t see what the plan is.”All the seven-year contracts and these players are not getting any better. How many of them have been a major success?” More

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    ‘Over my dead body’ – Mikel Arteta bizarrely hints Arsenal should be MID-TABLE but still won’t give up on title

    MIKEL ARTETA says Arsenal will give up on the Prem title “over my dead body”.And the Gunners boss admits this gruelling season of injuries and suspensions is one of his “proudest moments” at the club – because it could have left them in MID-TABLE.Mikel Arteta insists Arsenal will not give up on the Premier League titleCredit: GettyPrem leaders Liverpool have one hand on the title with an 11-point gap on second-placed Arsenal after Arteta’s men slumped to a 1-0 home defeat to West Ham last weekend.Barring an unprecedented collapse from Arne Slot’s Reds with 12 games left, Arsenal are on course for a THIRD successive year as the top flight nearly boys.Yet ahead of tomorrow’s trip to Nottingham Forest, asked if the title race is over, Arteta said: “Over my dead body.“You cannot control [Liverpool’s lead]. At the end, you’re going to have to set a certain number of points to win in this league.Read More in Football“And we’re going to have to hit that number if we’re going to have any chance of doing that. But we’re certainly going to continue to try.“If not, I’ll go home. Mathematically, it’s possible. You are there, you have to play every game. Suddenly, three days ago, we could close the gap and you are one and a half games away.“It doesn’t matter. We have to continue to go. The players know, especially because we’ve been in the other position recently and we know how quickly things can change.“You have to be there and we all deserve to continue in that fight.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSThe Gunners have suffered several injury setbacks this season, with star man Bukayo Saka a key absenteeCredit: Getty“The thing is that when you are there, you want more and you want more and you want more. And I’m not going to stop. Over my dead body.“We’ll put everything that we possibly can to increase the probability of us winning and being better than the opponent and hitting that performance and those standards constantly, regardless of what happens.Mikel Arteta lays into Arsenal flops after defeat to West Ham derails Premier League title bid“The difficulty is higher than three days ago. But if you want to win the Premier League, you’re going to have to do something special.“You’re going to have to win with the circumstances that we have. You’re probably going to have to do something that nobody else has done in the history of the Premier League.”Despite their drop-off in the title race, Arteta insists he remains proud of what his team have achieved so far this campaign – in the Prem and in Europe.The Spaniard cited the fact that from November 9, 2024 to February 16, 2025, Arsenal matched Liverpool with 10 wins and five draws, with an identical goal difference of +23.And that run included injuries to the key figures like Ben White, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Martinelli, as well as two red cards to Myles Lewis-Skelly, alongside the reds also picked up by Declan Rice, Leandro Trossard and William Saliba earlier in the season.They are also in the Champions League last 16 – facing PSV next week – having finished third in the brand new league phase format, just two points behind winners Liverpool.Arteta continued: “It’s been extremely consistent for the last three and a half months, considering everything that we’ve been through.“So, if somebody tells you at the start of the season, by this time, you have played five times with a red card over half an hour in each of those games, and you have lost this amount of players, what’s the bet?READ MORE SUN STORIES“You are in the middle of the table, at least, you know, and you are out of the Champions League.“That’s not the situation. So that tells you the resilience, the resources, the ambition that the team has, every individual has and that has been probably one of my proudest moments, in that sense.”Arsenal player ratings vs West HamMYLES Lewis-Skelly’s second red card of 2025 appeared to put the final nail in Arsenal’s title dreams and any chances of them catching Liverpool.The Gunners lost 1-0 to West Ham and failed to respond to Jarrod Bowen’s opener on the brink of half-time.The Hammers’ wall stood firm as Arsenal registered just two shots on target before Lewis-Skelly’s last-man foul on Mohammed Kudus was upgraded to a red after ref Craig Pawson went to the monitor.And Liverpool fans will breathe a sigh of relief given their recent dip in form as Arsenal remain EIGHT points behind Arne Slot’s men.Here SunSport’s Charlie Wyett rates every Arsenal player from the Emirates Stadium.DAVID RAYA – 5Declan Rice indicated to Raya that he expected him to come off his line to deal with the cross for the goal.Maybe he had a point but ultimately, Raya was let down by his defenders.JURRIEN TIMBER – 6West Ham did not offer much of a threat down their left so Timber had a reasonably comfortable game while he did try and get forward. WILLIAM SALIBA – 6Was ordered by Mikel Arteta to push forward more in the second half when Arsenal had possession and in the closing stages, seemed to spend more of his time in West Ham’s area.GABRIEL MAGALHAES – 5Switched off for the Bowen goal but he was not the only one. Also found the impressive Kudus tough to handle when he cut inside.Guilty of delivering an abysmal cross late in the game when Arsenal needed a bit of quality.RICCARDO CALAFIORI – 4A poor performance. Given the nod ahead of Lewis-Skelly but badly at fault for the opening goal as he did not get close enough to Aaron Wan-Bissaka who delivered the cross to Bowen.Was replaced after he kept losing the ball.DECLAN RICE – 5Not a day he will want to remember against his former club and he got plenty of stick from West Ham’s fans, as you would expect.Wasted one chance before the break and failed to track Bowen for the goal. Substituted shortly into the second half which was a surprise.THOMAS PARTEY – 5A sluggish performance from Partey whose passing was also poor. Lucky not to be replaced.ETHAN NWANERI – 6Had a fascinating battle with West Ham teenager Ollie Scaries, who  was making his first Premier League start.Nwaneri was excellent at Leicester but had less success against his fellow youngster although still had some bright moments.But, at least he has a bit of a spark unlike some of his more experienced team-mates. The 17-year-old sparked concern when he came off injured in the final 10.MARTIN ODEGAARD – 5Not having his best season at Arsenal. This was the sort of game Arsenal needed their captain to deliver a moment of inspiration but he failed to do so. LEANDRO TROSSARD – 5Not a surprise that he was not used as a false nine like that disastrous experiment against Leicester.But he had no joy against the impressive Wan-Bissaka.MIKEL MERINO – 5Was the two-goal hero in his first ever appearance as a substitute striker at Leicester but had no success against West Ham’s well-drilled defence.He looked lost out there as the makeshift No 9.SUBS:Myles Lewis-Skelly (for Calafiori 56 minutes) – 4Got a red card – Arsenal’s fifth of the campaign – and although he was a long way out could have no complaints.Oleksandr Zinchenko (for Rice 56 minutes) – 6Raheem Sterling (for Nwaneri 81 minutes) – N/ABen White (for Saliba 87 minutes) – 5Was handed his first Premier League minutes since returning to the squad for last week’s Leicester win. Subs not used: Neto, Tierney, Kiwior, Jorginho, Butler-Oyedeji. More

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    Pep Guardiola and estranged wife Cristina Serra begin divorce proceedings with pair even using the same lawyer

    MANCHESTER CITY boss Pep Guardiola and his estranged wife Cristina Serra have begun divorce proceedings – and are even using the same lawyer.The couple announced their shock split in January after agreeing to end their 30-year relationship at showdown talks in Barcelona.Pep Guardiola has split from wife Cristina after 30 years togetherCredit: RexThe break-up was announced last monthCredit: GUSTAVO GONZALEZBut they are determined to avoid an ugly court battle and remain on such good terms they will share the same legal team.Sources say they have already agreed the initial terms of a multi-million pound settlement agreement that could be finalised in a matter of weeks.Pep’s extraordinarily rare “one couple, one lawyer” divorce means the formal end of their marriage will not be contested by either side.Respected Spanish journalist Lorena Vazquez, who broke the story of their split, revealed: “They want it above all to be friendly for the sake of their children.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”As you can imagine money is not going to be an issue and they have already agreed the initial terms to make sure this separation is the most cordial possible.”They have a very good relationship, so much so that the same lawyer is arranging the whole thing.”The divorce is on the way and is being left in the hands of people with their absolute trust.”She told Spanish TV programme ‘Y Ahora Sonsoles’ the couple split after Pep signed a two-year extension at the Etihad to keep him at City until 2027.Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSPep and Cristina celebrate after the Champions League finalCredit: GettyThe Guardiola family pose together at Wembley in 2018Credit: AFP via GettySince then his reigning champions have been in freefall amid his worst spell as a manager.City are 20 points adrift of league leaders – and Champions-elect Liverpool – after suffering a 2-0 home defeat to Arne Slot’s side on Sunday.Watch hilarious moment Pep Guardiola tells fan ‘your wife is going to kill me’ after bizarre tattoo stunt But as he begins the mammoth task of rebuilding his side, pals insist Pep is still clinging onto hope of an unlikely reconciliation.He has previously been pictured wearing his wedding ring in a sign that he has not yet given up.But sources say he is “more amenable” to the idea than fashion entrepreneur Cristina.Their marriage is said to have hit the rocks five years ago after Cristina decided to return to Barcelona alone.Since then they have lived separate lives as Pep chased sporting immortality in Manchester.The couple first met when an 18-year-old Pep went to a fashion store owned by Cristina’s family to model some outfits by Spanish designer Antonio Miro.At the time, he was playing for Barcelona’s B team, while she was an actress who had appeared on Spanish TV.Pep’s sister Francesca once said: “He was very handsome, a good student, always getting good marks, the teachers drooled over him, he was already seductive when he was little.”Guardiola celebrates winning the Champions League with wife Cristina and daughter MariaCredit: GettyThe couple had been together throughout Pep’s playing and managerial careersCredit: AlamyCristina gave up acting to concentrate on her successful clothing business and is now said to be worth over £30million.Meanwhile, Pep established himself as one of the best midfielders of his generation, winning multiple titles with Barcelona’s first team, before entering management.He became the youngest manager to win the Champions League in 2009, lifting the most sought-after trophy in his first season in charge of Barcelona’s first team.The demands of day-to-day management took their toll though, and in 2012 he quit as boss in order to take a year out.He admitted: “I’m drained and I need to fill up.”Cristina has since said she was “feeling great” after news of their split emerged but has refused to speak publicly about the break up.Their influencer daughter Maria, 24, recently opened up about the lessons her parents have taught her.She told a Spanish magazine: “My parents have always advised me to find what I am passionate about.”They encourage me to try new things, to accept failure and to keep searching until I find my calling, because when I do, full dedication will come naturally.”They also remind me that the most important thing in life is to love and be loved.READ MORE SUN STORIES”In the end it all comes down to feeling loved.”Even in situations where we feel out of place, they tell me to listen carefully to others, there is always something valuable to learn from each person we meet.”Maria Guardiola attended Wimbledon alongside her parents last summerCredit: AP More

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    Arne Slot makes embarrassing blunder in Liverpool press conference as he ‘forgets Cristiano Ronaldo played for Man Utd’

    LIVERPOOL manager Arne Slot has FORGOTTEN that Cristiano Ronaldo starred for Manchester United.The Dutch coach was asked to compare 30-goal striker Mo Salah with world superstars Lionel Messi and Ronaldo.Liverpool manager Arne Slot forgot that Cristiano Ronaldo starred for Manchester UnitedRonaldo played more than 300 games for United, winning the Ballon d’Or with the club in 2008Mo Salah is enjoying one of the greatest individual Premier League seasons everAnd it had slipped the mind of Slot that the Portuguese international – now playing for Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia – spent a total of seven seasons in two spells at United.Slot said: “It’s so difficult to compare players with each other, and it’s not fair to anyone. I think Mo has his own career and Mo has been outstanding.“Messi and Ronaldo both didn’t play in the Premier League, but I don’t want to bring them down because these two players are incredible, but that makes the comparison maybe even more difficult.“So Mo has had some outstanding seasons here at Liverpool, and we hope he can continue this for a longer period of time, but to do that he first has to extend his contract, of course.”READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSSalah, who faces Newcastle tomorrow for the Premier League leaders, has been outstanding for the Reds this season.And Slot believes Salah could win the Ballon d’Or without winning the Champions League.Manchester City midfielder Rodri achieved that last season even though him winning the award infuriated Real Madrid and Vinicius Junior.Slot added: “It’s mostly about the attackers, isn’t it? Although the last winner was a midfielder.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS“But yes, it’s a good thing that Mo is in the discussion, because it means he does well and it means we are doing well.“I think in general, someone that wins the Ballon d’Or needs to win something as well, so it’s a great challenge that is in front of us, but also in front of him. Fans plead with Pep Guardiola as they spot secret Mo Salah charm offensive after Liverpool loss “And what I liked a lot is that he takes this challenge not only by scoring a big goal and a great assist against City, but he also wanted the team to win.“Because his defensive work rate, especially in the second half, was outstanding, and that is what it takes for us to have a chance of winning something. “And if we as a team can win something, he will have a far better chance to win an individual prize like the Ballon d’Or.”Ronaldo played in 346 games across two spells for Man Utd and won his first of five Ballon d’Or’s when playing for the club in 2008.The Portuguese superstar won eight trophies during his first five year stint, including three consecutive Prem titles and the Champions League in 2008.Salah has now racked up an incredible 51 combined goals and assists this season across all competitions.He has now reached 25 goals and 16 assists in the Premier League alone – with 11 top-flight games still to go.READ MORE SUN STORIESSalah has now scored AND assisted in 11 different Premier League games this season.That’s the most since a certain Messi achieved the same feat for Barcelona in 2014/15.The Liverpool superstar notched another goal and assist as the Reds beat Man City More

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    ‘He won’t be there’ – Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca on brink of SACK and has two games to save his job, claims Paul Merson

    CHELSEA head coach Enzo Maresca has two games to save his job, according to Paul Merson.The Blues have endured a mixed season under their new boss.Enzo Maresca is at risk of being sacked, Paul Merson has claimedCredit: GettyMerson insists Chelsea need to qualify for the Champions LeagueCredit: Sky SportsHaving been widely considered title contenders before Christmas, Maresca and Co began dropping down the Premier League table at the turn of the year.They now sit down in seventh and face competition from Aston Villa, Bournemouth, Newcastle and Manchester City for a Champions League spot.With the top-four competition so tight, Merson believes Chelsea cannot afford to drop any more points in the coming weeks.The ex-Arsenal man has even suggested that Maresca could find himself out of the job if they don’t win the next two games.Read More in FootballOn Monday, Merson said: “If they don’t win their next two games, the manager won’t be there.”They’re playing against two of the worst teams to play in the Premier League for I don’t know how long in Southampton and Leicester.”So, if they don’t win those two games, he will do well to keep his job.”Chelsea have got to get in the Champions League. They need the Champions League to keep players like Cole Palmer as he will want to play in that competition.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS”They will have to finish in the top five, otherwise I dread to think what’s going to happen. I just don’t see what the plan is.”All the seven-year contracts and these players are not getting any better. How many of them have been a major success?”Enzo Maresca criticises Chelsea after 3-0 defeat by Brighton Merson also put forward a theory to explain why Cole Palmer has experienced a drop-off in form.He continued: “Even Palmer has struggled now, Palmer needs Nicolas Jackson, and Jackson needs Palmer.”Without Jackson’s movement, Palmer gets suffocated out of the game. He hasn’t got any movement in front of him.”People give Jackson stick, but you can see how good he is now he’s not in the team.”Now, all of a sudden, they’ve got nothing up front, so no one’s making the runs and Palmer’s got no space. So he’s getting deeper and deeper. Jackson’s a massive miss.”Chelsea next host Southampton at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday evening before travelling to Copenhagen in the Europa Conference League next Thursday.They then return to Premier League action to face Leicester City.Chelsea player ratings vs Aston VillaBy Graham HillBLUES keeper Filip Jorgensen’s awful underarm howler saw Aston Villa come from behind to beat Chelsea 2-1 in the Prem.Enzo Fernandez’s rapid opener inside nine minutes came from Pedro Neto’s stunning breeze past Ian Maatsen.But the Blues soon fell apart after Man Utd loanee Marcus Rashford’s blistering introduction at half-time.Rashford provided two assists for fellow January signing Marco Asensio to leave Chelsea in sixth with two Prem wins from nine games in 2025.FILIP JORGENSEN – 4Horrible error for Villa’s late winner as Asensio’s shot squirmed under his body and through his gloves- ironically he had made a crucial save before that.MALO GUSTO – 6 Failed to get a decent touch on Cash’s ball – and that led to Villa’s second half equaliser. Struggled to deal with Rashford’s presence.TREVOH CHALOBAH – 3The defender suffered a huge blow as he had to come off after just six minutes clutching his ribs following a challenge from Asensio.LEVI COLWILL – 6Found himself with a new central defensive partner early in the game and looked uncertain at times.MARC CUCURELLA – 6Defending Chelsea’s left flank was not as troublesome as the right hand side, and the Spaniard looked stylish as Villa applied more pressure.REECE JAMES – 6Stepped in for the injured Noni Madueke and took the captain’s armband, had a good battle with Cash.ENZO FERNANDEZ – 6Right place, right time to open the scoring, a real threat early on, took a booking for the team, lucky to escape a second.MOISES CAICEDO – 7Provided a strong presence in midfield, spotted danger early and halted a number of Villa raids.His second-half ball should have provided Chelsea with their winner.COLE PALMER – 6Largely quiet game but wasted his chance to win the game when he collected a Caicedo through ball – but stumbled – that allowed Konsa to clear the shot PEDRO NETO – 7Great work for the opening goal when he left Maatsen standing before crossing to find Fernandez.CHRISTOPHER NKUNKU- 5Hugged the left touchline, should have been involved more, not as much of a threat as Neto, subbed with 14 minutes to go.SUBSTOSIN ADARABIOYO: (for Chalobah, 6mins) – 6Needed some time to fit in at the back after Chalobah’s injury.JADON SANCHO: (for Nkunku, 76mins) – 5Did little to affect the game after coming on for an ineffective Nkunku. More

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    ‘I didn’t say that you clown’ – Jamie Carragher and Rio Ferdinand locked in row over Sky Sports pundit’s Salah comments

    JAMIE Carragher branded Rio Ferdinand a “clown” amid a heated row over the Liverpool legend’s comments about the Africa Cup of Nations.Carragher, 47, spoke on Sky Sports after his former team’s 2-0 win at Manchester City and appeared to suggest that playing at Afcon worked against Mo Salah’s chances of winning the Ballon d’Or.Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher landed in hot water over comments regarding the Africa Cup of NationsCarragher suggested Afcon doesn’t help Liverpool star Mohamed Salah’s claim for the Ballon d’OrCredit: GettyCarragher branded Rio Ferdinand a ‘clown’ after he criticised his Afcon commentsCredit: RexThe legendary centre-back hinted that the Egypt international is at a disadvantage compared to Real Madrid superstars Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr.Carragher said on Sky Sports: “I think the problem [is] the fact he’s with Egypt, and he’s probably not playing in the major tournament as such or maybe got a great chance of winning, I think it’s either the Champions League or the major tournament [that influences who wins the Ballon d’Or].”Normally, the player who excels in that, like Vini Jr and Mbappe right now, Real Madrid looking really good going for the Champions League. “Liverpool will be in that conversation, but right now [Real] is certainly the front runner.”Read More on FootballBut fellow pundits Micah Richards and Daniel Sturridge chimed in to correct Carragher by insisting Afcon is a major tournament.Richards said: “Just to say, AFCON is a major tournament because a lot of people are at home saying, ‘They aren’t taking it seriously’. AFCON is a major tournament, just so you know.”Carragher asked the Man City hero if he thought Egypt had a chance of winning the World Cup. Richards replied: “No, but AFCON is big, isn’t it? You remember when he and [Sadio] Mane were going for it and…”Most read in FootballAnd Carragher interrupted the former defender by complaining:”Oh God.”Sturridge jumped in by stating it’s a “fact” that Afcon is at the same level as the Euros or Copa America. ‘Oh, God… did he say that?’ – Pep Guardiola left in disbelief at Jamie Carragher’s ‘not nice and not true’ claimThe ex-Liverpool star said: “It’s a fact. It’s a fact. It’s a fact. If you win the Euros or if you win Copa America it’s deemed to be big so the AFCON is at the same level.”Ferdinand, 46, caught wind of Carragher’s statement and argued that sort of thought process is “ignorant”.The Man Utd legend claimed he understood what his ex-England team-mate was trying to say but insists Fifa needs to work on promoting Afcon exactly like the Euros and Copa America.Ferdinand said on his Rio Presents podcast: “I think that comment is representative of the majority of the people out there. But I don’t think that’s right. It’s an ignorant thought process. “If you go to Didier Drogba, Abedi Pele, Samuel Eto’o, Riyad Mahrez, Mo Salah or Sadio Mane, they’ll tell you, ‘We have to win this’ – it’s a demand in their countries to win this.”Yes, it doesn’t get backed resources wise like the Euros etc, but that doesn’t mean you have to devalue it. It’s a continent of huge power. A continent that contributes to European football through players massively. It should be respected more than it is.Carragher slams Ferdinand”I understand what Jamie’s saying but I don’t agree with it. That’s the majority’s fault, if we’re honest, and its not right. “I think the federations like FIFA need to make sure they implement a way of thinking and language around Afcon so it equals the Euros and the Copa America.”Jamie is right in what he is saying because that is what happens. If Mo Salah won Afcon that would have no bearing on anyone when they vote for the Ballon d’Or, which is absolutely wrong.”Carragher heard what Ferdinand had to say on Instagram and hit back with a fiery response on the comments’ section.The Liverpool great branded his fellow Premier League hero a “clown” as he insisted his words were taken out of context.Carragher responded: “I didn’t say that you clown. Stop playing to the gallery like you always do.”Setting the record straightThe former centre-back tried to set the record straight with a lengthy post on Twitter.Carragher tweeted: “The point I was trying to make yesterday was that Mo Salah is at a disadvantage playing for Egypt in terms of him winning the Balon D’or.”If Salah had an average season at LFC but won the AFCON & was MVP I don’t think he would win the Ballon d’Or. Because I don’t think AFCON carries the weight of other tournaments.”But if Mbappe had an average season at Real Madrid but won the World Cup/Euros he would still have a great opportunity.”It’s not just about certain tournaments, [Andriy] Shevchenko (Ukraine), [Robert] Lewandowski (Poland) were never going to win the WC/Euros to help their case for the prize. I don’t think it’s controversial at all really it’s just a fact.”I know Mane came 2nd a few years back after winning the tournament but that alone wouldn’t have got him to that position, it was LFC being two games away from a quadruple that played a big role also.”It’s not disrespectful if I feel the WC/Euros/CP are better tournaments it’s just my opinion when I watch them. Saying it wasn’t a major competition was clumsy but I think most people watching could understand the point I was trying to make.READ MORE SUN STORIES”The face I pulled when Micah interjected was nothing to do with the merits of the tournament, I just knew as soon as he did what the reaction was going to be! I get a lot people didn’t like what I said & that’s fine.”I don’t normally respond to things on here with posts like this butI decided to tweet in the end after seeing so many phoneys jumping on the bandwagon & playing to the gallery when they knew what I meant. Good luck MO you little dancer.” More