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WHEN Anthony Elanga took advantage of more poor Ipswich defending to score Forest’s third goal in six first-half-minutes, the away fans could not resist.“You’re going down with the Leicester” they gleefully told their hosts.Anthony Elanga celebrates putting the game beyond IpswichCredit: GettyNikola Milenkovic is congratulated after opening the scoringCredit: AlamyAnd the blitz that blew Town another step down towards a return to the Championship told you everything about why two-time winners Forest are a good bet to be back in the European Cup next season.Centre-back Nikola Milenkovic has shown himself to be one of the best signings of the season with his work at one end of the pitch.After the Serb broke the deadlock, another of Forest’s excellent recruitment decisions, former Manchester United man Elanga, scored two goals typical of him and his team.The Ipswich defending was bad again but the ruthlessness and speed with which Elanga took advantage were sensational.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLWhen Nuno Espirito Santo’s team break at pace, there are few more thrilling sights in the Premier League.In 2025/6, the same will surely apply to European football. The only question is which competition Forest will be contesting.Jens Cajuste and George Hirst grabbed consolation goals either side of Forest substitute Jota Silva claiming the visitors’ fourth.But there can be little doubt about where Ipswich are heading, especially after Wolves’ win at doomed Southampton.Most read in FootballThe hosts did OK for the first 20 minutes and went closest to scoring when Omari Hutchinson fired just over the bar.BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSElanga scores for Champions League-chasing ForestCredit: GettyMilenkovic fires Nottingham Forest into the leadCredit: ReutersBut the warning signs were there.The Forest supporters sang “England’s No10” all afternoon in honour of Morgan Gibbs-White and Thomas Tuchel’s debatable decision not to include him in his first squad.Why Gakpo v Isak will decide Liverpool v Newcastle Carabao Cup Final | Experts’ bets – Weekend WagerGibbs-White recovered the ball on the edge of his own penalty area and his team were on the attack in a blur of red.Seconds later Callum Hudson-Odoi had raced to the byline and sent a ball across the six-yard box that someone really should have tucked into the net.No matter.Soon afterwards, Delap’s weak defensive header fell to Milenkovic.The Serb lashed the ball into the top corner, with a savagery to match the away supporters’ chant about his alleged capacity for violence.Within two minutes, Hutchinson lost the ball and seconds later it was in the net again.Nicolas Dominguez fed Elanga and he raced down the right, before beating Jacob Greaves way too easily and curling a superb finish inside the far post.There was worse, and even worse defending, still to come for the home side.Milenkovic’s hefty punt down the field cleared Wood and his marker. Elanga reacted by far the quickest, nodding the ball past Greaves and running on to beat Alex Palmer with a low finish.Ipswich at least began the second half as if they thought it wasn’t game over.Cameron Burgess replaced the hapless Greaves in defence and Hutchinson forced Forest goalkeeper Matz Sels into his first proper save, but a routine one from a shot from distance.Delap should have Sels work harder soon afterwards. But when Leif Davis swung in a good corner, the Ipswich striker sent a free header from 12 yards wide.Some more questionable Ipswich defending led to a chance for Wood, but Forest’s top scorer could manage only a tame shot that Palmer stopped with a bit more fuss than necessary.With a quarter of the game to go, Nuno took off Elanga and sent on an extra defender, to save his team’s explosiveness for another day.READ MORE SUN STORIESIpswich, like others before them, had been blown away. Cajuste’s fine finish was too little, too late and Silva scored from Gibbs-White’s pass after another rapid break by Forest. Home substitute Hirst made the scoreline look more respectable.“Real Madrid, we’re coming for you,” sang the away fans. They may well be right.Jens Cajuste scores a consolation for IpswichCredit: ReutersJota Silva grabbed Forest’s fourth late onCredit: ReutersGeorge Hirst rises to score in stoppage timeCredit: Getty More

SIR JIM RATCLIFFE slammed Manchester United’s decision to appoint David Moyes as manager.Moyes took over at Old Trafford when Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013.David Moyes lasted less than a year as Sir Alex Ferguson’s replacement at Manchester UnitedCredit: EPASir Jim Ratcliffe slammed the appointmentCredit: AlamyFerguson was a key figure in the selection process for his successor.But his fellow Scot struggled to have the impact many hoped – and he was sacked by April after less than a year in the dugout.And minority owner Ratcliffe hit out at the appointment as he highlighted two reasons why Moyes was destined to fail.Ratcliffe told The Times: “Look, I like David Moyes, and I think he’s a really good manager.READ MORE ON MAN UTD”But to go from Sir Alex Ferguson to Moyes is not where I would have gone. “Moyes stepped into the shoes of Ferguson, who’s won the Premier League 13 times, who won the Champions League twice and then you’re handing over to a guy that has never managed big players and had never won anything. “He’s not necessarily got the personality to stand in front of them all.”But despite being one of Britain’s richest people and supporting United since he was a boy, Ratcliffe’s spell has not gone down well with fans.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSHe bought his £1billion stake in his beloved Red Devils in December 2023 and has been on a huge cost-cutting drive since – including hiking ticket prices, making redundancies and cancelling the staff Christmas party.And now Ratcliffe has responded to the criticism by threatening to walk out on the club if it continues.Sir Jim Ratcliffe explains his plans for the new Man Utd Stadium He added: “It can be unpleasant. And I’ve probably failed on the having fun front. I mean, I can put up with it for a while.”I don’t mind being unpopular because I get that nobody likes seeing Manchester United down where they are, and nobody likes the decisions we’re having to make at the moment.”So, eventually, if it reached the extent that the Glazer family have been abused, then I’d have to say, look, enough’s enough guys, let somebody else do this.”They can’t really come to a match, the Glazers. They’ve retreated into the shadows a bit now, so I’m getting all the bloody stick.“We bought in and I haven’t seen them since.”At the moment, I don’t have security, I don’t have to walk around like that.Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s first year at Man UtdSIR JIM RATCLIFFE’S minority takeover at Manchester United was announced on Christmas Eve in 2023 – and a lot has happened at Old Trafford since…December 2023 – Man Utd confirm Ratcliffe’s takeover on Christmas Eve, vowing to invest £245m into Old TraffordJanuary 2024 – Ratcliffe and right-hand man Sir Dave Brailsford photographed meeting Erik ten Hag during tour of Carrington January 2024 – Omar Berrada poached from Man City as new CEO February 2024 – Ratcliffe’s £1billion, 27.7 per cent takeover officially completed February 2024 – Former CEO Richard Arnold quits board as Ineos pair John Rees and Rob Nevin addedMarch 2024 – Ratcliffe bans words “awesome” and “lukewarm cappuccino” in bizarre moveMarch 2024 – Matt Johnson appointed head of women’s footballMarch 2024 – Ratcliffe announces plans to build “Wembley of the North” to replace Old TraffordMarch 2024 – Man Utd NYSE share price drops to $13.73 on March 21 – down from $20.52 immediately after Ratcliffe takeover in DecemberApril 2024 – Senior staff club credit cards and private cars cancelled April 2024 – John Murtough quits as football director April 2024 – Jason Wilcox appointed technical director after compensation package agreed with Southampton May 2024 – Ratcliffe turns Carrington “toxic” after sending email to employees slamming “disgraceful” lack of cleanlinessMay 2024 – Work finally starts on leaking Old Trafford roofMay 2024 – Man Utd finish eighth in Premier League, worst-ever finish May 2024 – Ratcliffe gives employees just one week to decide if they want to accept redundancy May 2024 – Staff forced to pay for own transport to FA Cup final and only given one ticketMay 2024 – Pre-match party and hotel for senior staff before FA Cup final axedMay 2024 – Man Utd shock rivals Man City to win FA Cup despite suggestions Erik ten Hag will be sacked regardless of resultJune 2024 – Man Utd announce £50m plans to upgrade Carrington training ground June 2024 – Ratcliffe introduces strict “back to work” policy forcing staff to come into officeJune 2024 – Ratcliffe scores own goal with comments about women’s teamJuly 2024 – Man Utd finally agree deal to bring in Dan Ashworth as sporting director after four months of gardening leave at Newcastle, who received £3m in compensationJuly 2024 – Erik ten Hag signs shock new contract extension until 2026July 2024 – Ruud van Nistelrooy and Rene Hake appointed assistant managers, Andreas Georgson first-team coach and Jelle ten Rouwelaar goalkeeper coach. Darren Fletcher’s role changes from technical director to first-team coach. Steve McClaren, Mitchell van der Gaag and Benni McCarthy depart.July 2024 – Ex-Chelsea technical director Christopher Vivell joins on short-term basis as interim director of recruitment July 2024 – Jean-Claude Blanc added to Man Utd board  July 2024 – Man Utd cut down number of staff on US pre-season tour to 125July 2024 – Ratcliffe makes 250 redundancies including popular media man John Allen, historian Cliff Butler and kitman Alex WylieAugust 2024 – Man Utd splash out £199m in the summer transfer window August 2024 – Matchday staff lunchboxes scrapped and some forced to eat beside toiletOctober 2024 – Man Utd stop paying £2m-a-year ambassador salary to Sir Alex FergusonOctober 2024 – Staff Christmas party cancelled October 2024 – “Back to work” policy costing Utd fortune to convert hospitality suites into temporary offices between home matchesOctober 2024 – Erik ten Hag sacked with club 14th in Premier League table, costing club £15mNovember 2024 – Ruben Amorim appointed new Man Utd manager on deal until 2027 after stumping up £10m release clause November 2024 – Coach Ruud van Nistelrooy axed by new manager Ruben Amorim November 2024 – Man Utd chiefs locked in blame game over summer shambles including Erik ten Hag situation and transfer signings November 2024 – Ratcliffe reportedly set to half £40,000 budget paid to Manchester United Disabled Supporters AssociationDecember 2024 – Ratcliffe admits “mediocre” Man Utd “still in last century” December 2024 – Fans protest after OAP and children concessions tickets ditched and minimum home ticket cost up to £66December 2024 – Dan Ashworth sacked after five months as sporting directorDecember 2024 – £100 staff Christmas bonus ditched for £40 M&S voucherDecember 2024 – Ceiling starts leaking during Ruben Amorim’s press conference after 3-0 defeat to BournemouthDecember 2024 – Reports of a mice infestation at Old Trafford as rodent droppings found in food kiosks and plush suites as food hygiene ratings drops to just two starsDecember 2024 – SunSport reveals Ratcliffe cuts £40,000 funding donation to Association of Former Manchester United Players charity”But it would defeat the object, wouldn’t it? You couldn’t tolerate it at that level, it just wouldn’t be fun.”Ratcliffe also singled out the previous regime for allowing the state of United to slip down.He said: “I wouldn’t have tolerated Ed Woodward, or Richard Arnold.”Richard was a rugby man, he didn’t even understand football. Ed didn’t have the credentials to manage the club.”He was a merchant banker, an accountant. He wasn’t the chief executive.”The management of Manchester United have been given a huge amount of rope.READ MORE SUN STORIES”The owners just managed the club and left the football side alone and they’ve made a lot of very poor decisions over 12 years, stupid things.”They made a complete c***-up of it, shocking really. They couldn’t see where they were headed.” More

ERLING HAALAND smashed Alan Shearer’s record for goal involvements after scoring against Brighton. The striker opened the scoring from the spot to make it 100 goal involvements in just 94 matches. Erling Haaland smashed Alan Shearer’s record for goal involvementsCredit: APThat beat Shearer’s record after the Newcastle legend achieved it in 100 games. Eric Cantona and Mo Salah managed it in 116 games and Sergio Aguero in 118 – to leave Haaland in a league of his own. One fan said: “Scoring sensation.”Another added: “He’s goated.”READ MORE IN football It comes after manager Pep Guardiola recently compared his No9 to Lionel Messi – who he worked with at Barcelona. Guardiola said: “I’ve been with Messi, but it’s incredible what Erling has done. And I want more. I want more for Erling.”He has to help us. He has to help us more and more and more to achieve what we want to do this season.”But the numbers are unbelievable since he arrived. Being part of that in every game. Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS”Hopefully he can reach you know that the little record [100 Premier League goal involvements] tomorrow.”Pervis Estupinan levelled for Brighton but Omar Marmoush put the Premier League champions back in the led before the break. City currently sit fourth as they push for a Champions League place next season. Dan Burn’s gone from pushing trolleys at Asda to potential England glory – he fully deserves his call-up More

SIR JIM RATCLIFFE has revealed the first thing Sir Alex Ferguson told him after he bought a stake in Manchester United.Ratcliffe, 71, has endured a difficult first year at Old Trafford.Sir Jim Ratcliffe has gotten to know Sir Alex FergusonCredit: GettyRatcliffe, 71, axed Ferguson from his ambassadorial roleCredit: PAThe Red Devils went into this weekend languishing 14th in the Premier League.While the British billionaire has also drawn criticism for several off-field decisions – including scrapping ticket price concessions and making mass redundancies at United.Since buying into the Red Devils, Ratcliffe has gotten to know their legendary former manager Ferguson.Speaking to The Times, the Ineos chief revealed: “The first thing Alex Ferguson said to me was that the shirt can be too heavy. It applies to everyone here really, the coach, the players — the owner.READ MORE ON MAN UTD”It’s turning me into an old man. It’s hard to do the interviews. On camera for 40 minutes, one cock-up and you’re legendary for it.”Remember [jewellery chain chief executive] Gerald Ratner, the guy with the rings? Spent his life building a business; one word, all gone.”It takes a lot out of you. Because it’s around the world in a heartbeat. It goes viral. Everything is scrutinised. It takes one small piece…”Ratcliffe axed Ferguson from his £2m-per-year ambassadorial role last year.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSMan Utd have not won the Premier League since Ferguson’s departureCredit: GettyOn the conversation that led to the decision, Ratcliffe said: “I take my hat off to Alex.”I sat down with Alex, just the two of us in the room, and I said, ‘Look, the club isn’t where you may think it is. It is spending more than it’s earning and we’re going to finish up in some difficulties. Honestly, we can’t really afford to continue to pay you £2 million a year’.Sir Jim Ratcliffe explains his plans for the new Man Utd Stadium “I said I’m going to, ‘Leave it with you, let you have a think about it’. It was very grown up.”Maybe a little bit grumpy at the beginning but he got it, and he came back three days later, after talking to his son, and said, ‘Fine, I’m going to step away from it. My decision’. I think it reflects really well on Alex, because he put the club before himself.”During the wide-ranging interview, Ratcliffe refused to speak negatively on the unpopular Glazer family, calling them “really decent people”.While United fans regularly sing songs criticising the Glazers, chants about Ratcliffe could also be heard during their match at Fulham earlier this season.’ENOUGH’S ENOUGH’On potentially taking abuse from fans, Ratcliffe admitted: “So, eventually, if it reached the extent that the Glazer family have been abused, then I’d have to say, look, enough’s enough guys, let somebody else do this.”They can’t really come to a match, the Glazers. They’ve retreated into the shadows a bit now, so I’m getting all the bloody stick.“We bought in and I haven’t seen them since.”At the moment, I don’t have security, I don’t have to walk around like that.”But it would defeat the object, wouldn’t it? You couldn’t tolerate it at that level, it just wouldn’t be fun.”On who is to blame for United’s current toils, Ratcliffe decided to take aim at Richard Arnold and Ed Woodward, rather than the Glazer family.Ratcliffe said: “I mean, I wouldn’t have tolerated Ed Woodward, or Richard Arnold.READ MORE SUN STORIES”Richard was a rugby man, he didn’t even understand football. Ed didn’t have the credentials to manage the club.”He was a merchant banker, an accountant. He wasn’t the chief executive.”Ratcliffe took aim at Ed Woodward and Richard ArnoldCredit: PA More