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      in Soccer

      Five legendary centre-backs who prove size isn’t everything and give 5ft 9in Lisandro Martinez hope at Man Utd

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      LISANDRO MARTINEZ immediately caught the eye when he linked up with Erik ten Hag at Manchester United.Not because the former Ajax defender cost £55million.
      Lisandro Martinez looks to be struggling for Man Utd because of his heightCredit: Reuters
      But because Martinez, signed to play centre-back, stands at just 5ft 9in.
      Those who questioned the Argentine’s height watched gleefully as he was given the run-around in United’s defeats to Brighton and Brentford.
      Even Red Devils fans are calling for a change in plan, with many now urging Ten Hag to deploy Martinez as a holding midfielder.
      Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher echoed those feelings last night on Sky Sports, declaring: “Now, we should never judge managers or players too early, but I’m convinced this can’t work because the size of him playing in a back four. 
      READ MORE ON MAN UTD
      “Maybe he could go left-back, maybe he could play in a back three, but in a back four, he cannot play there in the Premier League.”
      However, Martinez is not the first pint-sized centre-back to play at the top level in football.

      Indeed, some of the best-ever defenders have been under the 6ft mark.
      And judging by the success of the following legends, who proved that size isn’t everything, there is surely some hope for Martinez and United yet…
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      Fabio Cannavaro led Italy to World Cup glory in 2006Credit: Getty
      FABIO CANNAVARO – 5FT 9IN
      REAL MADRID, Inter Milan and Juventus are just some of the sides to reap the benefits of playing Italian ace Cannavaro.
      He famously captained his country to World Cup glory in 2006.
      And Cannavaro also won the Ballon d’Or in the same, becoming just the THIRD defender in history to land the coveted individual award.
      He made 695 club appearances in 18 years, and was also capped 136 times by Italy.
      After retiring in 2011, Cannavaro went into management in the Far East and Saudi Arabia, but is yet to take a job since stepping down as China boss in 2019.
      Franco Baresi remains an AC Milan legendCredit: Reuters
      FRANCO BARESI – 5FT 9IN
      ANOTHER Italian legend, Baresi is regarded as arguably the greatest centre-back in history.
      A one-club man, the brother of Inter Milan icon Giuseppe, spent his entire career at the San Siro playing for rivals AC – and is now the club’s honorary vice-president.
      Baresi made 719 appearances in 20 years, leading Milan to six Serie A titles and three European Cups.
      He was also capped 81 times by Italy as they fell just short in three World Cups.
      And Baresi even came close to scooping a Ballon d’Or win in 1989, finishing second behind Milan teammate Marco van Basten.
      Javier Mascherano did the business for Liverpool and BarcelonaCredit: Getty – Contributor
      JAVIER MASCHERANO – 5FT 8IN
      A CLASSIC example of a midfielder transformed into a world-class defender, Mascherano starred for both Liverpool and Barcelona.
      He became a cult figure at Anfield in 139 games, losing the 2007 Champions League final to AC Milan.
      But Mascherano really found his feet at Barcelona, winning five LaLiga titles, five Spanish Cups and two Champions Leagues in just eight years.
      The ace also finished a runner-up in the 2014 World Cup final with Argentina, winning 147 caps.
      And Mascherano is looking to make things right with his country after becoming head coach of their Under 20s.
      Carles Puyol won plenty of trophies as Barcelona captainCredit: AFP
      CARLES PUYOL – 5FT 10IN
      SYNONYMOUS with Barcelona and instantly recognisable, Puyol will go down as one of the game’s greats.
      Nearly 600 games at the Nou Camp resulted in an incredible six titles and three Champions Leagues.
      A centurion for Spain, Puyol also won Euro 2008 and the 2010 World Cup with his country.
      The curly-haired defender was known for his leadership qualities, captaining Barca for 10 years.
      And he is now back with the Catalan giants in a role with their Foundation, as well as other club solidarity projects.
      Ivan Cordoba was part of Inter’s huge success in the 2000sCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      IVAN CORDOBA – 5FT 8IN
      A BEDROCK of the Inter side which dominated Serie A in the 2000s, Cordoba is one of South America’s finest defenders.
      The ace made a seamless transition to European football when he joined Inter in 1999, going on to make 455 appearances for the Italians.
      Cordoba won five Serie A titles, four Italian Cups and the 2010 Champions League.
      And the 73-time Colombia ace also led his country to Copa America glory in 2001.
      Cordoba is now back in Italy as sporting director of Venezia. More

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      in Soccer

      Three key battles that will decide Chelsea v Tottenham on Sunday and why Jorginho could be key in vital London derby

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      CHELSEA host Spurs on Sunday for a London derby that is already hugely important for both teams.They both won their opening games, although their performances were very, very different. 
      Chelsea have the upper hand in Premier League clashes with Spurs
      Harry Kane led Tottenham to the top of the table with a 4-1 win over SouthamptonCredit: Mark Pain / Premium Sport
      Spurs were extremely comfortable in beating Southampton 4-1 while Chelsea limped through their match with Everton as they ended with a 1-0 win courtesy of a Jorginho penalty.
      Chelsea have endured a difficult pre-season as, under new ownership, they have looked to rebuild their squad with a series of high-profile additions for £176m- and there will be more on the way.
      Spurs, on the other hand, have had a relatively steady summer in which they have added players that bring competition and depth to the squad while also retaining their most important players as they look to push on.
      Sunday’s game could hinge on three key tactical battles.
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      Where does Harry Kane actually play?
      Harry Kane is one of the best out-and-out goalscorers in the game. 
      Playing as the ‘9’ for both club and country he has led the line for years – although in recent seasons his game has started to evolve as he has dropped deeper in order to pick up possession.

      Last season Kane dropped into a position more regularly associated with a ‘10’, and created many goals for the South Korean international Son Heung-Min.
      Both Chelsea and Spurs are likely to match up in a 3-4-3 system. 
      As such one of the key factors will be how Chelsea find a way to stop Kane from finding space as he drops back into deeper areas.
      As Spurs attack down the near side Kane drops back in order to give an option inside. As Kane moves back Spurs push players ahead of him to attack space in the defensive line
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      Against Everton, we saw Thiago Silva act as the deepest defender in a back three for Chelsea as Kalidou Koulibally and Cesar Azpilicueta were more aggressive in their positioning. 
      How though will Thomas Tuchel find a way to negate the space between the defence and midfield that Kane can drop into and occupy?
      There is no easy answer to this question. 
      Koulibally is a very strong defensive player whose mobility and strength make him a daunting opponent for any defender. 
      If he is tasked with stepping towards the midfield though to cover the movement of Kane then the left side of the Chelsea defence will be exposed. 
      Chelsea now have two international left-backs in Ben Chilwell of England and Marc Cucurella of Spain – but asking either of those to provide the defensive cover will unbalance the entire defensive structure.
      Kane drops deep as he drives into space in possession of the ball. He has three teammates in advanced areas that are making runs to attack the opposition back line
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      We are also unlikely to see one of the double pivots in the midfield for Chelsea, likely to be Jorginho and N’Golo Kante, dropping back to close off the space that Kane can play in as this would leave them undermanned in the midfield areas allowing Spurs to dominate the ball in that area.
      So, what is the answer? 
      Chelsea may look to play with a higher defensive line in order to close down the available space but in doing so they expose the lack of pace of Thiago Silva in the centre of the defence.
      Is Raheem Sterling going to play as a central striker?
      When Chelsea signed the English international forward Raheem Sterling from Manchester City, for a fee of £50m, there was some debate as to where he would play for Tuchel’s side.

      When he initially made his breakthrough at first-team level for Liverpool, it was as a winger  – but at Manchester City he spent time playing as more of a central striker in areas where his mobility and ability to play in tight spaces were extremely effective.
      With Romelu Lukaku having left Chelsea and returned to Inter Milan, there was a sense that the young German international Kai Havertz would take the central striking role while Sterling would play from the left.
      Yet in the first match of the season, it was Havertz who played from the left while Sterling played centrally. 
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      These are the kind of pockets of space that Sterling can find with his movement in tight spaces. By creating separation from the defenders in this way Sterling can receive and then drive into gaps in possession.
      Sterling is extremely mobile but there were signs in the match at Everton that the partnership and the understanding between him and Havertz still needs some work. 
      In a month or two we may see the two of them switching and interchanging positions on the pitch on a regular basis and with more fluidity. 
      At the moment though the movement in that sense is not quite there.
      This is a position in which Sterling often found himself for Manchester CIty. As he drives forward in transition Havertz is looking to make a run from outside to inside to find space. Mason Mount, on the other side, is less aggressive though and so Sterling has fewer options.
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      If we see Sterling playing as the central striker in this match then Spurs will be relatively comfortable allowing him to drop off the front line into space as there are less aggressive runs being made by the other forwards than we saw from the Spurs front line last week.
      With Mason Mount playing against Everton as a wide attacker from the right-hand side Chelsea had another attacking player who was not playing in his best role or position.
      Mount was easier to defend for the Everton defence as he made less aggressive runs to break the lines.
      The battle for the midfield
      The midfield will be a key battleground in this match and we expect both sides to line up in matching 3-4-3 systems with a double pivot in the midfield. 
      In the opening games, Spurs played with Rodrigo Bentancur and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg in this area while Chelsea had Jorginho and N’Golo Kante.
      Both pairs are perhaps not the most attack-minded – they are, however, extremely functional in their approach – and one of the biggest challenges for both sides in this game will be finding creativity from these areas.
      Jorginho has the capacity to make movements out of the midfield to receive the ball in good areas. Here he makes a clever run to move beyond the opposition midfield to take possession of the ball)

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      Chelsea perhaps have the edge in terms of technical ability with the Italian international Jorginho, in particular, displaying clever passing ability with the capacity to break lines when he does actually look to pass it forwards. 
      The issue that Chelsea will have though is that Bentancur and Hojbjerg are extremely capable of nullifying the opposition midfield and preventing them from being able to play.
      Under Antonio Conte, the Spurs midfield has emerged as an extremely industrious part of the team with the ability to drop and cover space behind and to the sides as they essentially cover for teammates who move into advanced positions.
      Spurs midfield works extremely hard to cover space. Here, we see Hojbjerg moving outside in order to cover and intercept a pass down the line from Southampton
      If neither side is able to truly take control of the midfield areas in this match then the edge will go to a Spurs side who are set up to allow Kane to drop off into the midfield while also ensuring that they have runners making forward runs beyond the ball.
      Who will come out on top?
      Neither side will want to give up anything so early in the season so not losing will be the order of the day.
      If Chelsea can effectively stop Kane linking everything together and prevent Tottenham’s exciting front three playing then they will be one step nearer taking the points.
      Read More on The Sun
      But, unless Tuchel can come up with a fluid way of breaking down Spurs’ now-well-drilled backline you wonder how the Blues will score themselves – after all, they hardly tore Everton apart.
      All roads point to a damage-limiting draw that will no doubt raise more questions for Tuchel than for Conte.
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      in Soccer

      Barcelona stars who shined after leaving the LaLiga club, including Cucurella, Traore, Icardi, Fabregas, and more

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      FAILING at the Nou Camp does not spell the end of your football career – as these footballers have proved.Plenty have left Barcelona, often as La Masia graduates, and prospered elsewhere.
      Marc Cucurella earned a blockbuster move to Chelsea but was discarded by Barcelona as a youth starCredit: Getty
      One has won the World Cup, another been the top scorer in Italy’s top flight TWICE, while others have gone on to make big money transfers to the world’s biggest clubs.
      Here’s who the Catalans, perhaps shouldn’t have, let go – given their current state of disarray.
      Marc Cucurella
      The attacking left-back, 24, starred in Barca’s youth teams from 2012-17.
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      However, he only played for their reserve side – never the first team – before he made his name at Eibar, Getafe and then Brighton.
      Last week, he earned himself a £62million move to Chelsea, after excelling with the Seagulls.
      Cesc Fabregas
      The Spanish midfielder has enjoyed a storied career, playing in London, his homeland, Monaco, and now Como.
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      A product of La Masia, he moved to Arsenal as a 16-year-old – with it being difficult to see a pathway into Barcelona’s first team.
      He was the darling of North London, before returning to the LaLiga giants for £35million.
      Cesc returned to the Premier League when he signed for Chelsea in 2014 – winning the title.
      His greatest achievement in the game was to lift the World Cup in 2010 with Spain.
      Cesc Fabregas won the league title with ChelseaCredit: AFP or licensors
      Mauro Icardi
      The Argentine striker might be out of favour at PSG right now, but there was a time when he was the most feared forward in Italy.
      He left Barça without playing a single game for the club in 2011 and joined Sampdoria.
      Icardi was lethal in Serie A – winning the Capocannoniere two times and scoring 124 goals in just 219 games for Inter Milan.
      In 2019 he moved to PSG, initially on loan, where he scored 20 goals in 34 games and won the French league in his first season.
      He has since been frozen out, but has been tipped for a sensational move to Man Utd – with Wag and agent Wanda Nara reportedly offering the Premier League side his services.
      Mauro Icardi is struggling for game time at PSGCredit: Alamy
      Sergio Gomez
      After missing out on Cucurella, Pep Guardiola has reverted to Plan B and snapped up Gomez from Anderlecht.
      The £12million deal completes a remarkable journey in the 21-year-old defender’s career.
      He did manage to play for Barcelona B, before he was shipped out to Borussia Dortmund.
      He excelled on loan at second division Spanish club Huesca and was snapped up by Anderlecht in 2021, who he managed a goal or assist with every 45 minutes according to the statisticians.
      Now he begins a new chapter in his young career.
      Sergio Gomez starred for Anderlecht last campaign and earned himself a move to Man CityCredit: AFP
      Adama Traore
      Another player who went full circle and returned to Barcelona.
      Traore was with the Catalans from the age of eight – making one appearance between 2013-15.
      He signed for Aston Villa in 2015, but was dropped from the team for ill-discipline as the club were relegated.
      At Middlesbrough and then Wolves he was an exciting watch for fans – with his blistering pace recognised by EA Sports for their FIFA series.
      Last season he went back on loan to the Nou Camp, but they decided against buying him permanently and now he’s back at Wolves.
      Adama Traore starred in the Premier League with Wolves after leaving the Camp NouCredit: PA
      Thiago Alcantara
      The Liverpool midfielder has developed into one of the game’s leading playmakers.
      But, there was a time he couldn’t get a game at Barcelona. A youth product with the club, he made 101 appearances across five seasons – mostly sub appearance.
      However, it was away from Spain where he was at his best – wowing for Bayern Munich and winning the Champions League in 2020.
      That’s not to mention winning seven Bundesliga titles in a row, before moving to Anfield in 2020.
      Thiago Alcantara is now one of Liverpool’s key menCredit: PA
      Hector Bellerin
      At somewhat of a crossroads in his career, it looks like Bellerin’s days at Arsenal are numbered.
      The Spanish defender moved from Barcelona aged 17 and soon broke into the Gunners team – becoming a fashionable face in the football world.
      In 2019, he suffered a ruptured ACL injury that left him sidelined for nine months.
      Last season he enjoyed a loan spell at Real Betis, but is also a surprise target for Barcelona.
      Hector Bellerin’s days at Arsenal are numberedCredit: Getty
      Mikel Arteta
      The Arsenal manager, making waves at the Emirates and on Amazon’s All or Nothing series, was also a Barcelona youth product.
      He played for Barcelona B, but wasn’t quite the standard for the first team and left for PSG on loan, then won the Scottish Premier League with Rangers.
      After a short spell at hometown club Real Sociedad, he signed for Everton – and was a hit with the Toffees.
      He signed for Arsenal in 2011 in a £10million deal, and became club captain ahead of the 2014-15 season.
      Mikel Arteta established himself as a Premier League star with EvertonCredit: Getty
      Andre Onana
      Well before the Cameroon goalie made his name at Ajax, Onana learned his keep at La Masia.
      Acquired from the Samuel Eto’o Academy, he joined the club in 2010 and was there for five years.
      He became Ajax No1 a year after joining the club in 2015, and went on to win three Dutch league titles.
      However, he was banned from playing for nine months for testing positive to a banned substance – he claimed was his wife’s medicine.
      Things look up now, though, because last month he signed for Inter Milan.
      Andre Onana has just returned to the game after a drug banCredit: AP
      Alex Grimaldo
      One of the most sought-after left-backs in Europe, Grimaldo was linked with Arsenal this summer.
      And the Spanish defender has gone on to attract plenty of admirers at Benfica since Barcelona in 2016.
      Grimaldo played 92 times for their reserve side, until the Portuguese side came calling for his services.
      Across eight seasons in Lisbon, he has played 252 times and won the league title three times.
      Alex Grimaldo has established himself as one of Europe’s best left-backsCredit: Getty
      Thiago Motta
      Spezia manager Motta’s early career was spent in Catalonia, but in truth injuries wrecked his dreams of making it.
      In six seasons he managed 139 games, before he was shipped off to Atletico Madrid. Persistent knee injuries meant he last just a season at Aletico.
      Motta reinvented himself in Italy with Genoa – helping the club qualify for the Europa League in 2009.
      Thiago Motta was an integral part of Inter Milan’s most successful clubCredit: EPA
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      He moved to Jose Mourinho’s Inter that same year – and was a vital cog in Italy’s most successful side and won the treble.
      Motta then finished his career at PSG – becoming a club legend with five league titles to his name, as well as four French cups and four French league cups. More

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      in Boxing

      Floyd Mayweather’s amazing £20m car collection features white vehicles in Las Vegas and same motors in black in LA

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      FLOYD Mayweather is said to have earned over a $1billion in a boxing career that saw him go undefeated in 50 professional fights.And although he has been forced to deny he’s broke because of his lavish spending, should he be hard-up there’s always his mega car collection he could sell.
      Floyd Mayweather likes his cars in white in Las Vegas
      But the motors in Mayweather’s LA garage are blackCredit: Instagram @floydmayweather
      Floyd Mayweather is said to have over one hundred carsCredit: Refer to Caption
      Pretty Boy has amassed his own fleet of dream motors which is said to be worth £20million.
      It includes a series of Rolls-Royces worth over a staggering £3million, as well as four Bugatti Veyron supercars that cost £1.7million.
      But what’s unique about ‘Money’ Mayweather’s cars is that they mostly come in two colours – white or black – and are divided between his two mansions in LA and Las Vegas.
      In Los Angeles they’re black, and in Las Vegas they’re white.
      THE WHITE STUFF
      Scanning through 45-year-old Mayweather’s Las Vegas collection in his palatial Nevada abode, you’ll see some wondrous toys.
      The most exceptional being the car collector’s favourite, the Bugatti Veyron.
      Just like Cristiano Ronaldo, Mayweather is a huge fan of the Italian car maker.
      He seemingly owns four – one in white, one in black, and the exceptions to the two-tone rule being in red and silver.
      The other vehicles include a Lamborghini Aventador (£275,000), as well as a Ferrari 488 worth around £238,000.
      Mayweather seemingly owns four Bugatti Veyron supercars
      In Las Vegas his Bugatti is whiteCredit: Splash News
      Mayweather has a branded Rolls-Royce PhantomCredit: Xposure
      The Rolls-Royce Phantom would’ve cost £355,000Credit: Xposure
      This stunning Bugatti is the exception to the rule in silver
      If they weren’t flash enough already, Mayweather’s cars are often loaded with wads of cashCredit: Instagram @FloydMayweather
      There’s even a classic Porsche 911, but the Bentley Mulsanne – the most expensive Bentley you can buy with a starting price of £238,700 – takes centre stage.
      Occasionally, in true Mayweather style, he’ll throw in a wad of notes to show off the interior of his motors in an Instagram post.
      And he’ll even park them in front of a private jet, just to show off his impressive range.
      BACK IN BLACK
      In LA it’s a similar story.
      Living in a plush Beverly Hills mansion, Mayweather has a big garage to fill.
      And the former light middleweight couldn’t wait to show us what he had in his bunker.
      Astonishingly, we spotted FIVE Rolls-Royces worth over £2million.
      There was a classic Phantom, like in his Vegas pad, costing £355,000, a Phantom Drophead Coupe coming in at £367,000, a Dawn valued at £264,000 and a Wraith costing £364,000.
      On top of that, a large Cullinan that would’ve set him back around £300,000. There was also another Ferrari 488, as well as a Mercedes Maybach (£172,000).
      In Los Angeles, Mayweather likes his cars mostly in blackCredit: Instagram @floydmayweather
      In Mayweather’s collection is a stunning Rolls-Royce PhantomCredit: Refer to Caption
      The Rolls-Royce Phantom would’ve set Mayweather back £355kCredit: Instagram @floydmayweather
      Of course, Mayweather has another Bugatti Veyron with an orange trim
      His Rolls-Royce Cullinan is another gorgeous motor worth £300kCredit: Instagram @floydmayweather
      Mayweather has five Rolls-Royces in LACredit: Instagram @FloydMayweather
      Another Mayweather purchase was his £155k Mercedes G-63 AMGCredit: Instagram @floydmayweather
      Mayweather even has his own branded vanCredit: Insight News and Features
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      Other additions to Mayweather’s LA fleet are his Mercedes G63 AMG (£155,000), and he even has his own branded van.
      For Mayweather it’s clear.
      It doesn’t matter if it’s black or white, as long as it’s luxurious and expensive, that’ll do. More

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      in Soccer

      I am 15 and a personal shopper for Man Utd and Man City’s future stars, who pay up to £8,000 for designer clothes

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      HENRY MOFFAT is getting ready to sit his GCSE’s – while making sure the future stars of Manchester United and Manchester City are kitted out in the latest designer threads.The 15-year-old from London set up Umi Sneakers on Instagram two years ago and sources shoes and high-end fashion for the likes of James Garner, Alejandro Garnacho, Cole Palmer and more.
      15-year-old Henry Moffat, who owns Umi Sneakers, poses with client Louie Barry of Aston VillaCredit: Instagram@umisneakers
      Man Utd starlets including Teden Mengi are some of Henry’s clientsCredit: Instagram@umisneakers
      Entrepreneur Henry came up with the idea when he was just 13, after winning a pair of Yeezy 350s in an online draw and reselling them online.
      His first footballer was promising United talent Isak Hansen-Aaroen, but now he counts as many as 60 youth players as clients, who will pay up to £8,000 for a pair of hard-to-find trainers.
      The plan is to grow old with his customers.
      “I like to work with academy stars, rather than established ones, with the hope I can be on their journey as they progress through their ranks,” Henry told SunSport.
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      “As I get older, they get older with me and hopefully we can stay in touch and I can help style them.”
      It all started for Henry by chance.
      “I didn’t think about doing this as a business, but when I won a pair of Yeezy 350s I thought about reselling them.
      “I ended up making a profit and it hit me that it would be a good idea for a business.”
      Most read in Football
      The ambitious teenager set up Instagram page Umi Sneakers, that now has almost 15,000 followers, and advertised his services as a stylist who can “source your fashion needs”.
      He contacted several academy players, and one bit back.
      Henry revealed: “Just before Isak Hansen-Aaroen signed for Man Utd he contacted me online and placed an order.”
      The pair of Jordans Hansen-Aaroen sourced made an impression on the Red Devils’ young stars.
      “It was then a bit of a snowball-effect, through word-of-mouth other United academy stars got in touch.
      “In turn, those who were internationals also passed on my details and I began to get clients from other clubs, including Man City, Arsenal and Chelsea.
      “They placed their trust in me and I was able to deliver what they want.”
      Some football stars of tomorrow earn high salaries that afford them the luxuries in life.
      Plenty of Henry’s clientele have money-to-burn and aren’t afraid to splash the cash.
      “The most a footballer has spent with me was around £8,000 for a pair of Dior Jordans.
      Man Utd’s Norwegian wonderkid Isak Hansen-Aaroen bought a pair of Nike Air Jordans from Henry and through word-of-mouth his business grewCredit: Instagram@umisneakers
      Red Devils youngster James Garner models an entire outfit styled by Umi SneakersCredit: Instagram@umisneakers
      Marc Jurado also got kitted out by Henry at Umi SneakersCredit: Instagram@umisneakers
      “But it really varies – some will spend £200, or £500 for an item of clothing”.
      It’s not uncommon for Henry to provide entire outfits either for any given occasion.
      “I don’t necessarily call myself a stylist, but if someone comes to me and they have an event like a dinner.
      “They will tell me their favourite designers and I will piece together an outfit for them.”
      You can imagine that Henry is the envy of his school mates.
      However, he takes it all in his stride – and his pals are supportive of his roaring trade.
      “They are pleased for me, they don’t really say anything other than think it’s cool what I do,” he said.
      “I don’t make a big deal out of it – it’s a dream to work with footballers who I admire.”
      And the footballers themselves aren’t surprised with who they are dealing with – despite his tender years.
      “No one seems shocked by my age, and they don’t say anything about it,” he said.
      “As long as I get what they need – it’s just all very normal.”
      For now, Henry is juggling studying for his GCSE’s with Umi Sneakers.
      Chelsea youngster Harvey Vale flashes his purchase in a customised Umi Sneakers bagCredit: Instagram@umisneakers
      Arsenal youngster Tim Akinola is also now part of Umi Sneakers ever-expanding client baseCredit: Instagram@umisneakers
      It’s a business he plans to keep on growing.
      “It keeps me very busy, and in the two years Umi Sneakers has grown rapidly,” he divulged.
      “We’ll see what the future holds – but I am very happy with how things are going right now.” More

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      in Boxing

      Inside Deontay Wilder’s $1.2million Alabama mansion on Lake Tuscaloosa, with hot tub and panic room from Fort Knox

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      FOR Deontay Wilder, home’s where the heart is.The Bronze Bomber lives in a stunning $1.2million mansion in Alabama which backs onto the famous and picturesque Lake Tuscaloosa.
      Inside Deontay Wilder’s $1.2m mansion in AlabamaCredit: Realtor
      The property boasts stunning views of Lake TuscaloosaCredit: Realtor
      The 36-year-old heavyweight boxer was born and raised in the southern state, and always has his training camps there.
      Wilder said: “I like being in Alabama.
      “I was raised here and have been here all my life, though I have homes in other states.
      “I love doing my camp here, I started out here as far as boxing is concerned and my career is concerned, and we’re going to live that out until the end of my career.”
      And with an incredible house like this, who can blame him.
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      IT’S A KNOCKOUT
      Built in 2012, the 5,600 square-foot property boasts four bedrooms, four bathrooms and a two-car garage.
      Sadly, that won’t be enough to house Wilder’s mega car collection, but at least he has a huge driveway that he can park them on.
      Hardwood floors, an outdoor kitchen perfect for a BBQ are other ace features, as well as a lift to take you down to the basement.
      However, the home’s biggest selling point though is its location – sitting above Lake Tuscaloosa.
      The property boasts four bedroomsCredit: Realtor
      There are also four bathroomsCredit: Realtor
      The outside kitchen is perfect for a BBQCredit: Realtor
      Wilder has his own office to negotiate his fights inCredit: Realtor
      A lift takes you down to the basementCredit: Realtor
      The property is open planCredit: Realtor
      The views are unparalleled, with trees surrounding the abode – ensuring his complete privacy.
      There’s even his personal tram that takes him down into the lake.
      PANIC STATIONS
      Standing at 6ft 7in tall, and with a record of knocking out 41 of his 44 opponents, you wouldn’t think anyone would be brave enough to break into Wilder’s home.
      But as a family fan, he has to think about his children and reality TV missus Telli Swift.
      Wilder has his own panic room in his mansionCredit: Realtor
      A tram takes you through to Lake TuscaloosaCredit: Realtor
      The kitchen is spaciousCredit: Realtor
      An island seats up to six people at one timeCredit: Realtor
      Hardwood floors can be found throughout the propertyCredit: Realtor
      That’s why he has a panic room installed in case of intruders.
      Fitted with a steel door from the legendary Fort Knox it’s the perfect spot to hide until help is on its way.
      That said, we can’t see Deontay ducking anyone.
      The vault door is made to the same high specification as a Fort Knox safe, named after the famous gold reserves fortress in Kentucky. More

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      in Boxing

      John Fury was sent to jail for 11 years and is the bare-knuckle fighter dad of Tyson Fury who courts controversy

      by

      TYSON FURY’S rise to heavyweight boxing glory is largely down to one man – his father John.The 33-year-old WBC champ, who brilliantly defended his title against Dillian Whyte in May, featured in ITV’s warts-and-all documentary Tyson Fury: The Gypsy King.
      Tyson’s dad John Fury was a boxer, going pro in bare-knuckle fighting
      John went to prison in 2011 after gouging another man’s eye outCredit: PA:Press Association
      His Irish-born dad was a boxer too, fighting 13 professional bouts.
      He also fought in bare-knuckle brawls and claims he won £100,000 in one bout.
      John Fury, 58, also served four years of an 11-year sentence for gouging a man’s eye out in a sickening attack.
      And such is John’s influence on his son, it is believed he is the reason why Tyson parted ways with long-term trainer Ben Davison.
      Just like Tyson, life began in the ring for John.
      He had very little choice. Born in Galway, it was a family tradition to enter the fight game.
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      And he was good at it too.
      Standing at 6ft 3in, John fought 13 times as a pro boxer in the 1980s and 90s for a record of 8-4-1 at heavyweight.
      His one title fight ended up being a defeat against Yorkshire-born Neil Malpass in 1989.
      Journeyman Malpass pummelled John and won on points in a ten-round contest.
      John fought four more times after that, retiring after losing his final fight against Steve Garber at the G-Mex Centre in Manchester in 1995.
      STREET FIGHTING MAN
      But he was also more than handy at bare-knuckle fighting.
      John, who later coached Tyson and his brother, Love Island star Tommy, told the Daily Star: “In 1992, I fought the ­so-called ­champion at the time, an Irishman whose name I can’t even remember, over in Ireland.
      John Fury fought 13 times, winning eight fights during his boxing careerCredit: Rex Features
      John Fury was ringside to see Tyson Fury become heavyweight champion of the worldCredit: Mark Robinson – The Sun
      John believes he can be a mentor to son Tyson Fury now after his prison reformationCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      “With stakes and everything, I came up over a hundred grand.
      “The fights I had were usually over within seconds.
      “I weren’t an especially big puncher, but, once I got going, I’d not stop swinging until they were out cold.
      “I’d not come up for air. I just wanted to kill. I’d hit them with fists, elbows, head, teeth and feet until they dropped and give best [surrendered].
      “If they didn’t, I’d kick their face off, it was up to them. Afterwards, shake hands and on to the next one.
      “In my twenties I was a really ­formidable force.”
      When he quit fighting he became Tyson’s trainer, steering him to the British title after just eight contests.
      Born in Galway, Ireland, John’s family were travellers who foughtCredit: Rex Features
      Tommy Fury returned to the boxing ring after becoming a huge reality TV starCredit: Getty Images
      NAMED HIS SON AFTER MIKE TYSON
      When Tyson Fury was born back in 1988, Mike Tyson ruled supreme as undisputed heavyweight champion of the world.
      But the baby was three months premature and weighed just 1lb.
      Fury was given slim chances of survival by doctors, but proved he was a fighter from birth.
      Father John Fury explained on ITV’s documentary Tyson Fury – The Gypsy King: “He was just a pound in weight.
      “The doctor said he probably won’t make it, he’s very weak.
      “I said to all them doctors, he won’t be small, I said he’ll be nearly 7ft tall, 20 stone, the next heavyweight champion of the world.
      “I thought, ‘There’s only one name fitting for him, he’s fought hard to become a person living in this world.’
      “Mike Tyson was the best in the world at that time.
      “Tyson Luke Fury – that’s his name.”
      A TIME FOR REFLECTION
      Fighting got John in serious trouble in 2011.
      A 12-year grudge with Oathie Sykes boiled over and John tried to gouge his foe’s eye out in a fight at a car auction.
      John, the self-confessed ‘hardest man in Britain’, broke down in court as he pleaded for a lenient sentence.
      He told the court: “I’m worried about my son. His boxing career is on the line.
      “If I could give my own eye to him to get back to my children I would do – I’m begging you for my life.”
      But Skyes offered a different testimony, saying: “It was like he was trying to pull his finger into my brains through my socket.”
      John Fury got in a row with Oathie Sykes, blinding his foeCredit: Rex Features
      Fury once called himself the hardest man in BritainCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      RELEASED WHEN HIS SON WAS CHAMP
      In 2015, John was released from prison after serving four years of his sentence.
      Two months later, his family were celebrating Tyson becoming heavyweight champion of the world after his epic victory against Wladimir Klitschko in Germany.
      John was ringside, and he couldn’t have been prouder of his boy.
      Reformed John was also ready to be a calming influence on his son’s life.
      John told the BBC: “Sometimes his mental state can carry him away but I can understand and help with that.
      “I’ve been very unlucky, but very lucky as well because my son has remained undefeated [during my time in prison] and come on in leaps and bounds.
      “But when I think he is going down the wrong way I can pull him up and tell him ‘we don’t need that’.”
      The Fury clan were happy to be reunited after John’s prison releaseCredit: Instagram @tommytntfury
      NOT AFRAID TO SPEAK HIS MIND
      Since his release, John has become a media pundit for his son’s fights, primarily those taking place in the US because he can’t get a visa to travel to the States due to his criminal record.
      Fury admitted: “I’ve been a naughty boy and there is no point hiding it. I’m not allowed in the country.”
      He’s appeared on BT Sport, and was critical of Tyson’s trainer Ben Davison after his son struggled to overcome Otto Wallin, surviving a nasty gash on his eye that required plastic surgery to fix.
      It was no coincidence that Davison was relieved of his duties after that fight.
      He told BT Sport: “I’ve never seen him as bad.
      “He looked weight-drained, he looked like he’d left it all in the gym to be honest with you.”
      Not mincing his words, he added: “I’m being honest about it, he’s my son, I’m a straight talker, that’s the worst I’ve seen my son.
      John Fury often appears on BT Sport to talk about his son’s fights
      It is believed John Fury is the reason Tyson split with long-term trainer Ben DavisonCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      “But what I can say? I’m very proud of the way he mauled his way through it, he showed world class heart and he will come again.
      “He needs to go back to the drawing board and see what’s gone wrong here. And be honest to look in the mirror and say, ‘Things ain’t gone right.’
      “He needs to look where he’s gone wrong. I’ve half an idea, but that’s for my own.”
      But John has since seen Tyson overcome Deontay Wilder twice, before seeing off Whyte to enter retirement unbeaten.
      However, it’s now reckoned Fury is lining up a stunning comeback with a trilogy against Derek Chisora or match-up against Hafthor Bjornsson in his sights More

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      in Soccer

      Watch shocking moment Man Utd fans FIGHT each other in stands at tense Old Trafford during horror defeat to Brighton

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      THIS is the shocking moment a brawl erupted between Manchester United fans at Old Trafford.The scrap broke out as the Red Devils crashed to a 2-1 opening day defeat against Brighton.
      Two Man Utd fans scrap during their side’s horror loss to BrightonCredit: AP
      Fans had to be pulled apart in tense scenes at Old TraffordCredit: AP
      Two Man Utd fans scrapped as their team lost 2-1 at home to BrightonCredit: Twitter

      A video posted on social media showed two men grappling in the South Stand as the game carried on in the background.
      Stunned onlookers attempted to get involved by trying to break up the unsightly melee.
      The short clip ended with the two men squaring up to each while shouting in front of dozens of supporters.
      It is unclear what triggered the fight between the pair.
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      But neither will have been happy with the end result at the Theatre of Dreams.
      Erik ten Hag was hoping to mark his first-ever Premier League game with a morale-boosting win.
      But the day turned into a nightmare for United as two goals from Pascal Gross put Brighton on course for a historic win at Old Trafford.
      Red Devils fans have only just got over the 4-0 stuffing at the Amex late last season.
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      And United were miles off the pace as their flops failed to deliver the goods yet again.
      Some irate fans staged a protest against the Glazer ownership before the game.
      And United’s farcical transfer window has gone from bad to worse after it emerged they are trying to sign 33-year-old Marko Arnautovic from Italian minnows Bologna.
      Meanwhile, Ten Hag has told warring fans not to expect a quick fix on the pitch.
      He said: “It is a hell of a job. We have to work really hard, analyse then move forward.
      “We have to take the lessons and learn quickly from it. We don’t have time and we have to deliver.
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      “I think also with these players we could also have done it better.
      “I knew it could happen but I think we should have done better – that is clear but I know also it will not come overnight.” More