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      After Savage Jr plays for Man Utd: Ronaldo, Neville, Zidane, van der Sar sons aiming to fill dad’s big shoes

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      AN EMOTIONAL Robbie Savage had the rare honour of commentating over his son’s debut as Charlie Savage made his Manchester United debut.Savage Jr, then 18, came off the bench for the final five minutes in the Champions League back in December to become the latest boy wonder to follow in the footsteps of their famous father.

      Charlie Savage is impressing for Manchester United’s development teamCredit: Getty
      https://twitter.com/btsportfootball/status/1468702058060693512?s=20 Savage Sr was on co-commentary duty and ‘started to tear up’ as he announced his son’s arrival.
      Charlie, now 20, has taken a further step forward in his career after spending the back end of this campaign at League 1 strugglers Forest Green.
      Wayne Rooney’s son Kai also signed terms with United in 2020. Proud dad Wazza announced the news his then-11-year-old had penned a deal with his old club as he shared a snap of him and Coleen alongside the boy wonder.
      But he won’t be the first son looking to fulfil the great expectations they were born with.
      Offspring of legends like Zinedine Zidane and Patrick Kluivert are also looking to make their own way in the footballing world while dealing with the pressure of their iconic surnames. And Maxim Gullit, son of Ruud and great nephew of Johan Cruyff, is in the same boat and came off the bench for Jong AZ Alkmaar for his first taste of senior action.

      Wayne Rooney’s son Kai signed for Manchester United in December 2020Credit: Instagram
      Justin Kluivert, son of Patrick, is one of a group of young footballers aiming to follow in their fathers’ legendary footstepsCredit: Instagram @patrickkluivert9
      Here, SunSport takes a look at the other youngsters aiming to follow in their fathers’ giant footsteps…
      Cristiano Ronaldo Jr, 12
      Cristiano Jr is on the books at Man Utd with dad Ronaldo
      Cristiano Jr has a heavy legacy to live up to if he attempts to emulate his five-time Ballon d’Or-winning father Ronaldo. The youngster was part of Juventus’ academy and impressed in a number of youth tournaments.
      But he moved the United with his dad. And Ronaldo, 37, admitted in the past he would ‘like’ to see Junior follow in his footsteps.
      But the Portugal captain has insisted he will not ‘pressure’ his eldest son into a footballing career.
      Joe van der Sar, 24
      Joe van Der Sar is son of Man Utd legend Edwin
      Joe van der Sar is the son of legendary father Edwin. Joe began his career at Man Utd, where his dad starred for six years, and then moved on to Noordwijk before signing for Ajax in 2013 where Edwin is CEO.
      These are giant gloves to fill and the expectations are high. He was back at Noordwijk aiming to work his way to the top but is now with the Pittsburgh Panthers in the USA.
      Maxim Gullit, 21
      Maxim Gullit, left, is son of Chelsea icon Ruud, right, and great-nephew of Johann Cruyff
      Son of Ruud and great-nephew of Johan Cruyff, Maxim Gullit could hardly hope for better footballing genes. Maxim, a defender and son of Estelle Cruyff, predominantly played for AZ’s Under-19 side in 2018-19 – but was handed an Easter treat – being called up a level.
      The talented teen came on for the final 19 minutes of the AZ second team’s clash with champions Twente in the Netherlands’ second tier and helped his side keep a clean sheet. He went on to become a regular for their Under-21 side, while he made his debut for the first team in the 4-1 Europa League win over HNK Rijeka in the Europa League in October 2020.
      He now plays for Eredivisie side Cambuur and has a few appearances for the Dutch international underage groups under his belt. 
      Zidane (Luca, Enzo & Theo)
      Zinedine Zidane has three footballer sons but Luca, left, was handed a Real Madrid debut by his dad in March last year
      All three of Zinedine Zidane’s sons are aiming to follow in his giant footsteps. Midfielder Enzo, 27, is currently at Spanish side Fuenlabrada, and 20-year-old Theo is looking to develop in Real Madrid’s academy.
      Goalkeeper Luca, 24, made two appearances for Los Blancos, but he left in search of game time. He is now at Segunda Division outfit Eibar after two years with Rayo Vallecano.
      Gudjohnsen (Andri Lucas, Sveinn Aron & Daniel Tristan)
      Eidur Gudjohnsen has three sons aiming to make it in football including Andri Lucas, left, at Real Madrid
      Former Chelsea, Tottenham and Barcelona striker Eidur Gudjohnsen had one son at Real Madrid, one son at Barca and another in Italy at one stage.
      Sveinn, 24, and the spitting image of his father, plays for Swedish side Elfsborg while younger brother Andri Lucas was in the big time at the Bernabeu but has now joined Norrkoping in Sweden.
      The London-born 20-year-old, who is starring for Iceland, joined Real’s La Fabrica academy in Valdebas in 2018 while 16-year-old Daniel Tristan is at Malmo having previously played for Barcelona and Real Madrid’s youth teams.
      Eidur famously came on for his father, Arnor, while playing for Iceland, in 1996.
      Tyrese Campbell, 23
      Stoke’s Tyrese Campbell, left, is son of former Arsenal, Everton and West Brom striker Kevin
      Stoke’s young star Tyrese Campbell made a huge breakthrough in 2019-20 – appearing 33 times in the Championship for the Potters.
      The forward, who joined Stoke from Man City’s academy in 2016, is son of former Arsenal, Everton and West Brom striker Kevin Campbell.
      Tyrese scored his first goals for Stoke in the FA Cup in 2018-19 before being loaned out to League One Shrewsbury for the remainder of the campaign. In his most recent at Stoke, he has scored nine and assisted five from 41 games. 
      Harvey Neville, 20
      Harvey Neville, left, has good family genes with father Phil, right, and uncle Gary both ex-Man Utd players
      With TWO Manchester United Treble winners as father (Phil) and uncle (Gary), plus England’s netball head coach for an aunt (Tracey), there was little chance of Harvey going into auditing.
      Harvey, who started in midfield or on the wing but now plays at full-back, began his career at United before moving to rivals City where he won the Premier League International Tournament as an Under-13.
      He moved to Valencia when his father and uncle took charge of the first-team before returning to Old Trafford in 2018.
      And earlier this year he followed dad Phil to the USA – joining Fort Lauderdale CF just up the road from his old man’s digs in Miami. Then in October, Phil brought his son Harvey off the bench to make his MLS debut for Inter Miami.
      Maurizio Pochettino, 22
      Watford’s Maurizio Pochettino, left, was (almost) named after his father Spurs boss Mauricio
      Maurizio is the offspring of former Spurs boss and incoming Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino.
      And the Argentine youngster, described as a wide player with an eye for goal, continued to play for the Lilywhites in 2019-20 despite his dad getting the sack in November that season.
      He even signed a new contract with the club, but quit to join Watford on a free in January 2021. The Barcelona-born star was released after making just one appearance and now is contracted to third-tier side Gimnastic de Tarragona in Catalonia.
      Justin Kluivert, 24
      Justin Kluivert, left, is already showing the talents of his father Patrick who was a Barcelona striker
      The name may have got him noticed but it is Justin Kluivert’s talent that has seen him thrive at such a young age. Son of Patrick, left winger Justin was nurtured by the Ajax academy and starred in Serie A for Italian side Roma after signing in 2018 for £14.9million.
      Manchester United were also believed to be after the youngster – who bagged five goals and two assists in 2019-20.
      He spent the last two seasons enjoying loan spells with RB Leipzig, where he has enjoyed a return to top form, and Nice before a third temporary switch, this time to Valencia.
      Daniel Maldini, 21
      Daniel Maldini, left, is following in the footsteps of father Paolo, right, and grandfather Cesare at AC Milan
      The Maldini dynasty continues, with Daniel following in father Paolo and grandfather Cesare’s footsteps in Milan. Daniel operates at the opposite end of the pitch to his father and has displayed his talents as a second striker.
      The talented youngster made his first-team debut against Hellas Verona in Serie A in 2019-20 – becoming the third generation of Maldinis to play for AC Milan. He has since played 24 matches for the San Siro side but joined Spezia on loan in the summer.
      Giovanni Simeone, 27
      Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone’s son Giovanni, left, is a winger on loan at Hellas Verona from Italian side Fiorentina
      Son of Atletico Madrid boss Diego, Giovanni is one of the few in this group to have already established themselves. Usually deployed as a second striker, Giovanni has broken into the Argentina team where he has been capped on five occasions – scoring once.
      He joined Cagliari in the summer of 2020 after a successful loan spell where he has scored five goals in six Serie A matches. But he is now on loan at high-flying Napoli from Hellas Verona.
      Erling Haaland, 22
      Former Man City man Alf-Inge Haaland, right, has a son Erling, left, who is starring at Dortmund
      Erling Haaland, son of Man City’s Alf-Inge whose career was ended after a horror tackle from United legend Roy Keane, is one of the best players in world football right now.
      The 22-year-old was mentored by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at Molde, before smashing in the goals for RB Salzburg and Borussia Dortmund.
      Manchester City came calling in the summer to land the hulking centre-forward amid interest from United and Real Madrid.
      And what a signing it has proven to be already with Haaland breaking the Premier League scoring record with a handful of games to spare in his debut season. 
      Sydney van Hooijdonk, 23
      Sydney van Hooijdonk, left, could be on the move to a British side in January
      Son of former Nottingham Forest striker Pierre, the 22-year-old had been in fine form for NAC Breda in the Dutch second tier in recent seasons.
      The towering centre-forward has chipped in with 23 goals in 70 games since his 2019-20 debut.
      His hot form has seen him linked with Forest, Swansea and Sheffield Wednesday in England. But he instead moved to Serie A side Bologna and is now on loan at Heerenveen, smashing in 12 goals in 25 Eredivisie games. More

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      Benni McCarthy was made to CRY by Jose Mourinho when they first spoke at Porto… then he tried to buy him at Chelsea

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      BENNI McCARTHY has revealed how Jose Mourinho made him cry during their first interaction.And the striker lifted the lid on how the Portuguese failed to bring him to Chelsea – twice.
      Jose Mourinho reportedly failed to bring Benni McCarthy to Chelsea twiceCredit: AP:Associated Press
      The 45-year-old first played under Mourinho while on loan at Porto before he was signed on a permanent deal in 2003 from Celta Vigo.
      Speaking to The Athletic, McCarthy said: “I arrived at Porto in 2001 in a bad state. I scored on my debut and we won, but then the manager (Octavio Machado) was sacked.
      “I couldn’t believe that the man who took me there got fired. This young guy replaced him and said: ‘Benni, I know of you and I have watched you.
      “‘I think you are a fantastic player and I want you to be my guy’. Then Jose Mourinho proceeded to tell me all about me. He knew everything; he’d watched my games at Celta.
      “How did he have this information? Jose told me that I could always speak to him, even if it was to get something off my chest. I started crying, really. I thought ‘Wow!’ This had not happened to me in Europe.
      “He was treating me like a son and I thought, ‘I cannot disappoint this guy, he has given me the lifeline that I want’. I wanted to run through a brick wall for him.”
      After Porto failed to sign him permanently in 2002, the player returned to Celta where he enjoyed a miserable season, and Mourinho managed to nab him a year later.
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      The 2003/04 campaign saw Porto win the Champions League, and Mourinho left to join Chelsea – where he failed to sign McCarthy once again.
      The striker said: “When I went back, Porto’s players laughed and called me Mourinho’s son. I let my football do the talking and did everything I could for this man.
      “I even thought, ‘This guy is going to leave Porto and I want to go with him’. I had a manager I would die for.
      “I scored goals against Manchester United in the Champions League and when Mourinho went to Chelsea they came for me, but Porto would not sell.”
      Blackburn managed to snare McCarthy away from Porto in 2006, and the ex-South Africa international managed to score 18 goals in 36 Premier League games.
      Once again Chelsea – and Mourinho – came calling, but the 1995 top-flight champions were unwilling to part ways with their prized asset.
      I tried to force the move but it wasn’t enoughBenni McCarthy
      McCarthy stated: “I was playing in England for the first time and scoring a lot — 24 goals in my first season.
      “Then Chelsea came knocking on the door again. Mourinho wanted me. He’s always wanted me.
      “I asked Blackburn if they could sell me. I wanted to play Champions League again, to play for Mourinho as he ruffled more feathers in the Premier League.
      “Blackburn said no, which I understand.
      “I tried to force the move but it wasn’t enough. My mental state began to suffer, my football began to suffer.” More

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      Brazil icon Ronaldinho ‘would take private jet to Cancun after matches and skip training every Monday’, team-mate says

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      A FORMER team-mate of Ronaldinho has revealed that the Brazil legend would “hop on to his private plane after matches” to party in Cancun.Ex-Queretaro forward Patricio Rubio, who played alongside the 2002 World Cup winner in Mexico, also admitted that he “never saw him train on Mondays”.
      Ronaldinho has a reputation for legendary partyingCredit: AP
      Ronaldinho played for Queretaro in Mexico back in 2014-15Credit: AFP – Getty
      Speaking to Mexican TV channel Azteca about his time playing with one of Brazil’s iconic No10s, he said: “We always played home games on Fridays because each club has their own calendar for the championship in Mexico.
      “After the match ended, Ronaldinho would hop on to his private plane and go to Cancun or Playa del Carmen.”
      Following their match on Friday, it was normal for players to get the weekend off before returning on Monday.
      Well, normal for most players, except for one…
      Rubio continued:  “He would come back on Tuesday. I never saw him train on Mondays. He was a top player.”
      The former Barcelona superstar helped the club advance to their first league final in history – but couldn’t prevent them from losing out to Santos Laguna in the showpiece event.
      Ronaldinho’s partying ways are infamous and in 2018 he even had to deny he was marrying two women at the same time.
      PRISON STINT
      Ronaldinho was on house arrest in a hotel room in Paraguay in 2020 while he and his brother Roberto de Asis Moreira were investigated for using illegal passports to enter the South American country.
      They were taken into custody by local authorities before spending over a month in a “Specialised Unit” prison – eventually being granted house arrest.
      Specialised Unit is a term used in Paraguay which refers to a prison where high-profile prisoners such as politicians and other public figures are kept.
      Ronaldinho went to Paraguay to participate in a charity event called “Angelical Fraternity”.
      His defence claimed the passports were given to him as a symbolic gift and he accidentally presented it at the airport thinking it was his Brazilian passport.
      He was released and returned to Brazil, with a judge giving him and his brother a two-year suspended prison sentence.
      Ronaldinho appeared to strike unlikely friendships with his fellow inmates during his prison stint, participating in a football tournament and enjoying a bbq with his new pals.
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      When he was released to go on house arrest after 32 days, some of his fellow inmates even SHED TEARS  that they were losing their high-profile new buddy.
      The former Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain and AC Milan star may have a reputation as a solid party boy… but he may not be the biggest of them among his former Brazil team-mates.
      Back in 2017, legendary striker Ronaldo revealed: “Yes, it is true. I was much better at parties.”
      The Brazilian is a popular figure on and off the pitchCredit: Golders/@ronaldinho
      Ronaldinho spent time behind bars in Paraguay in 2020Credit: Golder’s News & Sport Ltd. (Golders) More

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      in Motorsport

      Inside the deserted £540m F1 circuit planned for the Vietnamese GP before it was canned when mayor was sent to jail

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      VIETNAM planned to host their very first Grand Prix back in 2020.The £540million Hanoi motor race circuit was set to welcome the paddock as Formula 1 expanded its reach to new territories across the globe.
      Vietnam was due to host its first F1 GP in 2020Credit: AFP
      The coronavirus pandemic led to the inaugural edition being postponedCredit: AFP
      It has not returned to the F1 calendar since 2020Credit: AFP
      Cyclists now use the Hanoi circuitCredit: AFP
      It has been abandoned as no F1 race appears on the horizonCredit: AFP
      Motorcyclists have also been seen driving through the gates of the fenced off circuitCredit: AFP
      Vietnam signed a 10-year deal with F1 back in 2018 – an agreement which cost around £54million and was to be funded by private conglomerate, VinGroup.
      But the inaugural edition of the Vietnam GP ended up being axed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
      Since then, it has not appeared on the F1 calendar.
      In 2021, it was dropped from the schedule after city mayor Nguyen Duc Chung – a major supporter of the race – was arrested.
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      He would later be sentenced to ten years in prison for corruption charges.
      State media then claimed in 2022 that authorities had dismissed any hope of Vietnam staging a race there until at least 2029.
      However, the authorities refused to confirm this to external media outlets.
      F1 released the 2023 calendar last year and once again it missed out.
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      And images of the track – which features a 1.5km straight and street-style third sector – show that the spectator stands have been taken away.
      The 3.5 mile circuit, which is surrounded by grass and weeds, is partly fenced off to the public.
      However, some cyclists and motorcyclists have been seen going through the gates, spilling over from the busy roads in the city.
      And another part of the circuit has been opened up for the Vietnamese people to use as public roads.
      It is not yet known if, when or what the circuit will be used for in the future.
      One side of the circuit has been opened up for day-to-day useCredit: AFP
      It is a sad sight to see the track abandoned three years after its first GP was scheduled to take placeCredit: AFP
      It is unlikely a Grand Prix will take place here before the end of the decadeCredit: AFP
      F1 fans in Vietnam have been left disappointed by the failure to stage a Grand PrixCredit: AFP More

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      in Soccer

      Zlatan Ibrahimovic once ‘threatened to kill anyone who talked to him’ and boasted of ‘300 million in bank’ to team-mates

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      ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIC allegedly threatened to kill his LA Galaxy team-mates and boasted of his vast wealth in an astonishing dressing room blast.The now-41-year-old was part of the side that spurned a 2-0 lead to lose 3-2 at home to Houston Dynamo in the club’s final game of the 2018 campaign.
      Zlatan Ibrahimovic went on an astonishing dressing-room blast at LA GalaxyCredit: AP:Associated Press
      According to his old Galaxy colleague Joao Pedro, the result left the former Manchester United striker seething.
      And after the team’s season had come to a whimpering end to finish a lowly 13th in the MLS table, the Swede did not hold back.
      Speaking to Record in 2020, Pedro said: “At the end of the game, he gave us a talking to.
      “He said, ‘If you are going to come here to go to the beach or take a walk in Hollywood, just say so.
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      “’I have 300 million on my account, an island – I don’t need this for anything. The first one who says something to me, I will kill him’.”
      Midfielder Pedro also recalled how the 6ft 5in forward told the squad: “My birthday is every day. Pass the ball here.”
      Speaking of his time in the MLS, in which he scored 30 goals in his second season, Ibrahimovic said: “I’ve done amazing and perfect things.
      “I think I’m the best player in the history of the MLS, without joking. I can play like this wherever I go, easy.”
      The former Man Utd star returned to AC Milan in December 2019 following his spell in the US.
      The 122-cap international helped inspire the Rossoneri to the Serie A title in 2021-22.
      That was their first Scudetto since 2010-11, when Ibra was also playing for the San Siro giants.
      And he revealed at the end of the season he had spent the previous six months playing through an ACL injury which then required surgery.
      Zlatan signed a one-year contract extension with the champions, taking him through until age 41.
      However, he set for a new challenge next season with Monza leading the chase for his signature.
      Joao Pedro revealed all about Ibrahimovic’s antics in the MLSCredit: Getty
      Ibra helped AC Milan win their first Serie A title for 11 years in 2021-22Credit: EPA More

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      Man Utd wanted Cristiano Ronaldo to go to Barcelona instead of Real Madrid in 2009, where he could’ve played with Messi

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      CRISTIANO RONALDO and Lionel Messi’s rivalry almost never happened as the Portuguese star almost joined Barcelona.The former Manchester United ace broke the football transfer record when he left the club in in 2009 for Real Madrid in an £80million deal.

      Los Blancos had already splashed out on Karim Benzema, Xabi Alonso and Ballon d’Or winner Kaka in response to Pep Guardiola’s all-conquering debut season as Nou Camp chief the year before.
      But they were almost denied the jewel in returning president’s Florentino Perez’s masterplan if Sir Alex Ferguson had got his way.
      The legendary Scot was desperate to avoid losing Ronaldo to Real once he’d accepted that the former Sporting Lisbon winger was set to leave.
      Fergie had even said back in 2008 that he wouldn’t sell Madrid a ‘virus’ let alone his best player.
      And according to Spanish newspaper AS, the United boss realised at the time that Barcelona were the only other club who could afford Ronaldo, who now plays his football in Saudi Arabia with Al-Nassr.
      Fergie apparently contacted the Catalans to encourage a bid but the Portugal captain had already set his mind on a move to the Bernabeu.
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      Guardiola’s most notable signing that summer involved an infamous swap deal with Inter Milan involving Samuel Eto’o and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
      But the acquisition of Ronaldo would have not only ushered in an era of pure dominance for Barcelona, but also have cancelled out his famed rivalry with Messi.
      Whether Manchester City chief Pep could have managed to get the two to play together is up for debate, as he boasted an embarrassment of attacking riches while in charge of Barca.
      While Arsenal legend Thierry Henry flourished for Barca on the left wing, Ronaldo could have occupied the opposite flank to leave Messi in the hole behind Ibra.
      Yaya Toure and Sergio Busquets may have had to share a spot on the substitutes bench, with Spanish duo Xavi and Iniesta holding down the two spots in the middle.
      Messi was asked by Mundo Deportivo last year whether he would pass to Ronaldo if the two were on the same team.
      The Argentine joked: “I guess so, in the end, yes.”
      Cristiano Ronaldo sealed a then-world record transfer from Manchester United to Real Madrid in 2009Credit: PA:Empics Sport
      The Portuguese superstar was also offered to Barcelona which would have made him teammates with Lionel MessiCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd More

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      Heartbreaking reason Phil Jones turned down Man Utd testimonial as he’s finally set to leave club after 12 years

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      PHIL JONES once turned down a testimonial at Manchester United — as he claimed only his parents would come and watch.The defender – who is set to leave the club after 12 years – told team-mates the heartbreaking reason after reaching a decade at the club.
      Phil Jones turned down the opportunity to have a testimonial at Manchester UnitedCredit: PA:Empics Sport
      The central defender has struggled for fitness over the last few seasons and has cut an outside figure in the squad.
      Traditionally, United players who have served a decade at the club are honoured with a testimonial.
      But Jones happily to left any commitment to such a match out of the new contract he signed in February 2019, according to the Athletic.
      At the time, he also joked to Goal that “there’d be only my mum and dad who would turn up”, if they made the journey from the outskirts of Preston.
      The former Blackburn defender has not featured under Erik ten Hag this season.

      His last appearance for the club came in January 2022 as an emergency recall for him was made by interim manager Ralf Rangnick.

      When he leaves the Old Trafford side he will make his exit as a Premier League, FA Cup, Europa League, and League Cup winner.

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      Legendary Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson once claimed Jones, who cost £16.5m from Blackburn could become one of the club’s best ever players.
      But there is no doubt the Jones, 31, did not live up to Fergie’s expectations, despite playing for England caps and playing 229 games for  United in all competitions.
      Jones had slipped down the pecking order at United when he should have been in the prime of his careerCredit: Reuters More

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      Man Utd star Phil Jones names best five-a-side team and springs major surprise with top striker in DEFENCE

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      PHIL JONES has surprised as he named Dimitar Berbatov in his dream Manchester United five-a-side team – but has put him in the DEFENCE.A lot of people would suggest that the retired Bulgarian striker would be the perfect player on a smaller pitch.
      Phil Jones has named his ultimate Manchester United five-a-side team
      But not many would stick him at the back alongside Nemanja Vidic, especially when the Serb formed a rock-solid combo with Rio Ferdinand.
      David De Gea is, of course, picked in goal after years of being United’s last line of defence.
      Paul Scholes ties everything together as the creative spark in the middle, while Wayne Rooney stars up front.
      Jones himself is a United veteran, but is set to leave the club after 12 years as he is set to be released at the end of the season.
      On his decisions for his five-a-side team, the 31-year-old told Goal back in 2019: “I’ll go David [De Gea] No brainer.
      “Five-a-side so, do you know what? I’m going to be stupid here. I’m going to put Berba there. Berbatov.
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      “Berba used to annoy me in training, every single training session. He used to play at centre-half and when I said to him ‘no, the manager asked me to play there’, he was like ‘no, go somewhere else’.
      “He was unbelievable. I’ll put Berba there.
      “And I’ll put… I’ll put Vida [Vidic] in there as well just because he throws himself at everything.
      “Then I’m going to go with Scholesy. And I’ve got to go Wazza [Rooney].”
      Jones, De Gea and Berbatov line up for United ahead of 2011 Champions League group match against BenficaCredit: AFP
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      The defender made his team before Cristiano Ronaldo returned to Old Trafford, and then left again, meaning Jones may now have changed his mind on one of his strikers.
      Jones himself didn’t quite make his own team – and with his recent injury record it’s no wonder.
      The defender has been a fringe player at Old Trafford over the last few seasons because of his lack of fitness.
      He will now have to decide between joining a new club or retiring from football.
      Phil Jones has played with some exceptional stars since arriving at United in 2011Credit: PA:Empics Sport More