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    Ruben Amorim gives Mason Mount injury update after cursed Man Utd star left pitch fighting tears

    RUBEN AMORIM plans to teach Mason Mount his tactics even while the England star recovers from his latest injury setback.Mount, 25, limped off in the 14th minute of Sunday’s Manchester derby.Mason Mount suffered his latest injury setback against Man CityCredit: RexMount, 25, has been plagued by injuries in recent yearsCredit: RexAmorim has now confirmed the midfielder will be out for “several weeks” with a muscle problem – but will still swot up on the Portuguese’s approach in the meantime.The United chief said: “(It will be) several weeks. I don’t know the exact date but he is going to be out for a long (time).”Mount signed from Chelsea in 2023 for £55million but has played in just 33 of 78 possible games in a United shirt.A calf injury kept him out for almost four months last term, while a hamstring problem restricted his progress earlier this season.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAmorim looked to have earmarked the Three Lions man as one of his starting No10s in his 3-4-3 formation.Asked if United would look to get to the bottom of Mount’s injury problems with this latest lay-off, Amorim replied: “That is not my department.”What I can do is to help Mase, to teach him how to play our game when he is recovering.“Try to use that time for him to think in different things and then I think the worst part is that we don’t have time to train like we should do when you are recovering for a lot of injuries.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS“We are always travelling, we have games, so training we don’t have all the team together and this is really hard to recreate the game before they come to the game. You see with Vic.“Vic was recovering, they train really well, we push him, we make all the sprints that he should do before he come to a game, but the game is a completely different world. So, they have to have more time to train so it is really hard.Ruben Amorim responds to Marcus Rashford’s Man Utd transfer bombshell about wanting ‘new challenge’ “We try to manage that with rotation but even with rotation it is really hard to have all the squad. With Mason Mount, we are going to help him.“It is really hard for the player to be out for so long and he’s trying really hard. The same as Antony. If they try really hard, we will help them until the end.”Brazilian Antony is the poster-boy of why it went wrong for Amorim’s predecessor Erik ten Hag, having flopped completely since joining for £85m in 2022.But in Mount’s absence, Amorim may have to rely on Antony more than previously expected.’HE NEEDS MORE CONFIDENCE’The 24-year-old started Thursday night’s 4-3 Carabao Cup defeat at Tottenham.Amorim added: “He needs more confidence.“If you remember the Antony that play in Ajax, he lacks a little bit of confidence to go one against one, but he will improve.“He is working really hard and trying and playing more inside than outside, especially in this game. He just has to do that. To work really hard and I will help him to be a better player.”LEAVING HIS MARCMarcus Rashford has been left out of United’s last two matches, with Amorim insisting it is due to selection not a disciplinary issue.That is despite the England forward revealing in an interview on Tuesday that he is looking for “a new challenge”.Asked if the 27-year-old will be available for Bournemouth at home on Sunday, Amorim replied: “Yes, of course.”The Portuguese boss then confirmed Rashford had been left behind for Spurs purely because of selection choices, not because of discipline.He added: “It is the same thing guys, the same thing. Totally the same thing.”Man Utd ratings vs Spurs as Bayindir has a shocker and fans left laughing at AntonyALTAY BAYINDIR had a game to forget as Manchester United were dumped out of the Carabao Cup.Not many of the Red Devils were able to impress as they were beaten by Tottenham Hotspur.SunSport’s Katherine Walsh has provided her ratings of the Man United squad…Altay Bayindir – 2Squandered his audition after Andre Onana’s recent blunders against Nottingham Forest and Plzen.Was responsible for Spurs’ opener when he spilled Pedro Porro’s shot into the path of Dominic Solanke.Was probably fouled but still flapped as Son made it 4-2 from a direct CORNER in the 88th minute. Perhaps Onana isn’t so bad?Victor Lindelof – 4Caught slacking and lacking and a mile off the pace as Spurs’ front line rang rings around United for most of the game.No surprise he came off injured just before half-time.Leny Yoro – 5Was physically targeted by Solanke in the first half, but the 19-year-old stood up to him and Son fairly well.Jeered by the home fans when he was nutmegged by Djed Spence and was lucky when referee John Brooks blew for a foul early on.Made a crunching tackle on Son in the 86th minute right in front of a rowdy home end – but the Korean scored from the resulting corner.Lisandro Martinez – 3All over the place at the back. Directly assisted Tottenham’s second when Maddison’s cross hit off his extended back leg and into the path of Kulusevski from five yards.Solanke eased past him for 3-0 too and was lucky not to gift Spurs a fourth soon after.Diogo Dalot – 6Only United defender who had a clue.Solid crosses and switches in play while pressing the makeshift Spurs backline, which was often overplaying.Christian Eriksen – 6Inches away from bagging the equaliser at 1-0 but was blocked by Yves Bissouma.Overhit several corners as he was tasked with taking from both sides but was clapped off from the home fans when he made way for Kobbie Mainoo.Manuel Ugarte – 4Has perhaps stolen Martinez’s “Butcher” title at Man Utd as the Spurs fans wanted him hit with a booking.Constantly gave away fouls and conceded dangerous free kicks which isn’t ideal with James Maddison on the pitch.He almost poked Kulusevski’s cross into his own net, but did well to make sure it went just wide.Noussair Mazraoui – 5Knew he was in for a difficult evening against Son, who was wonderful going forward with several intricate passes.Booked for catching Spence, Amorim’s head was down when Maddison took the free-kick.Couldn’t get his feet right for chance just before half-time.Antony – 4A nervy start saw him lose the ball in a dangerous position with a minute gone which set Son away to cross into Brennan Johnson.Too casual on the ball and put visitors under pressure in the early passages.Basically gave the home fans something to laugh about every time he lost the ball, which was several times to 18-year-old Archie Gray.Bruno Fernandes – 6He did his creative job when he could, putting Hojlund through inside 11 minutes, only for the Dane to fluff his lines.Curled just wide from outside the area and assisted Zirkzee’s goal to give the travelling end a glimmer of hope.Drew a booking for Sarr for a tackle from behind and was booed before his free-kick clipped the top of the net.Rasmus Hojlund – 5Rarely got a sniff with United working on the counter early on and weak on the ball when did receive it.He was thumped and bullied by the makeshift Spurs backline of Gray and Radu Drăgușin and replaced by Joshua Zirkzee in the 55th minute.SUBSJonny Evans (’44 Victor Lindelof) – 4Solanke drove the ball through his legs for 3-0.Bizarrely got on the scoresheet with a last-minute consolation with a header from a corner.Kobbie Mainoo – (’56 Eriksen) – 6He was waiting on the sidelines before Solanke tripled Spurs’ lead and brought some much-needed composure with his side 3-0 down.Joshua Zirkzee – (’56 Hojlund) – 6Had United’s first attempt on target in the 61st minute but his header was well kept out by Fraser Forster.But gave United hope when he made it 3-1 a minute later from Forster’s blunder.Did better than Hojlund in out-muscling Dragusin.Amad Diallo – (’55 Antony) – 8Just as Martin Odegaard did last night against Palace, Amad’s introduction turned things around for the Red Devils.The tricky winger made it 3-2 when his unbelievable pressing forced Forster into ANOTHER error from a routine free-kick.The star of the show also fed the ball to Fernandes, who assisted Zirkzee’s goal and brought some much-needed impetus to United’s forward play.Alejandro Garnacho (’72 Ugarte) – 5The sub everybody was waiting for after he was dropped for United’s 2-1 win against Man City on Sunday.Chased every ball down but loses points due to the crazy impact of the earlier substitutions.Amorim has had a mixed bag of results since taking over last month, winning four games, losing three and drawing once.The ex-Sporting Lisbon chief sees progress though, particularly when it comes to how the team are attacking.Amorim, 39, said: “We are improving near the opponent box. We have some games that we are near the box but without real threat. You could see different things (against Spurs).“You could see we can shoot, we are near the goal and you feel it, you really feel it. I think it is a good thing in our team.“I feel that our team is faster at pressing more, the physically is improving and the understanding of the game.READ MORE SUN STORIES“You can see it by the controlling of the game and you see it more especially in this game, but also the last game that we understand more the position and the movement we should do.“There is a lot of things, but it is hard to think of the good things because we are out and let’s focus on the next competition.”Ruben Amorim has had a mixed start to life at Man UtdCredit: Rex More

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    Tyson Fury’s warrior rival Usyk was taught to fight with a knife by soldier dad & is haunted by missing final moments

    IT’S the highly anticipated rematch that will see British boxing legend Tyson Fury attempt to unify the heavyweight titles.Six months after the Gypsy King’s first-ever defeat to Oleksandr Usyk in May, the pair will face each other for a second showdown tomorrow night. Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury will face off for a second time on December 21Credit: GettyTheir last bout in May ended with Usyk as the victorCredit: GettyOleksandr Usyk pictured as a baby with soldier dad and older sister ViktoriaCredit: East2WestUkrainian heavyweight Usyk, who is the first to hold all the major heavyweight titles in 24 years, carries with him the fighting spirit of his dead soldier dad and a boxer pal killed by the Russians.His father, also called Oleksandr, was twice injured while serving the Soviet army in Afghanistan.He taught his son to duel with a blade, something that could have come in useful when the boxer joined Ukraine’s territorial defence battalion after Russia launched an all-out invasion of his country two years ago.The city where Usyk, 37, was born and grew up is under the control of Vladimir Putin’s invading forces.Read More in The SunAnd his boxer friend Oleksiy Dzhunkivskyi was shot dead by the dictator’s troops when they entered Irpin, close to the capital Kyiv, in 2022.Usyk, nicknamed The Cat, wanted to continue defending his nation, but was urged by soldiers to win for his country with his fists instead.The boxer’s dedication to his sport cost him his chance to say goodbye to his father properly – because he didn’t get back in time from winning a gold medal at the London Olympic Games in 2012 before he died.Talking about his late father, he said:  “Everything I have now is thanks to him. He put a lot in me, he taught me about the priorities in life, which are family, sports and education. Most read in Boxing“He was a military man. My mother hated it when he taught me how to fight with a knife.” She’d shout ‘Sasha, he’ll grow up to be a criminal’.”Tyson Fury warned there’s ‘nothing he can do to stop what’s gonna happen’ in rematch with ‘bogeyman’ Oleksandr UsykParents Oleksandr and Nadezhda were proud of his medalsCredit: East2WestThe boxer with mum NadezhdaCredit: East2WestBrush with deathUsyk was born in Simferopol in Crimea where his security guard dad had met his mum Nadezhda, who worked in construction.His father did not talk much about his time serving with the Soviet army, which had invaded Afghanistan in 1979.But Usyk recalled: “I saw the consequences of this post-war condition and what happened to him. He often had headaches, he had very high blood pressure.“I remember that until the last he had some nightmares in which he called out the names of his comrades who were killed.”Usyk senior was injured twice while fighting for the USSR, which controlled by Ukraine until 1991.His son, who was born under Communist rule in 1987, first had a passion for football.The family moved to a village called Rybotyn in the north of Ukraine where he nearly died from pneumonia as a child.Usyk said: “It was really bad. The doctor even told my mother that I might not survive.” Mum Nadezhda revealed: “As a child, Sasha was a very sick child.”Then my son spent a whole year in the Chernihiv hospital.”My heart was aching and the doctors were afraid to make any predictions for the future.”Oleksandr Usyk was born under Communist ruleCredit: instagram/usykaa/Usyk took up boxing at 15Credit: instagram/@usykaaPunch on pitchThe family returned to Simferopol when he was a teenager, still at school.His father was a harsh disciplinarian, who would give him a “slap on the head” if his grades fell below C.“He raised me to be a man from childhood,” he said. “He forced me to wash socks and underwear, clean the room, and iron my trousers. He said that if I don’t learn this, if I don’t learn discipline, then I won’t succeed in life. “He said: ‘The way a man behaves in life, behind the wheel, with women, shows his true strength. If he can’t cope, if he’s dirty, neglected, and doesn’t know how to behave with women, then he’s not a real man’.”He’d recovered enough from his illness to play football for his school team – something that ended when he punched an opposition player during a match.Aged 15 he took up boxing instead – encouraged by his dad, an amateur boxer.My children are asking, ‘Daddy, why do they want to kill us?’ I don’t know how to answer thatOleksandr UsykHis swift reflexes and dedication led him to success in the ring, which impressed his childhood sweetheart Yekaterina, generally called Kateryna.She once admitted: “I didn’t consider him at all, except as a friend. He said ‘If I win the fight today, will you go somewhere with me tonight?’ I say: ‘Win, we’ll see there.” He won. And that’s it.”Usyk became a national hero when he picked up a gold medal at the Olympic Games in London in 2012 in the heavyweight division.It was a victory that was to be followed by tragedy – because his dad died a few days later back in Ukraine while Oleksandr was abroad.He remembered:  “He watched me become Olympic champion, but I didn’t make it back in time to show him the gold medal.”When I arrived he was already lying in the coffin.”I handed him the medal, put it in his dead hand and then left the room.”What was most difficult to cope with is that rather than heading home directly from London, Oleksandr had stopped off to collect a supercar, which delayed him going home.During an emotional interview with TNT he said: “I wanted to bring it with me and show him what a cool car I had. My mom called me at 3am and told me the news.”Usyk’s dad saw him win an Olympic gold but died before he saw his son againCredit: Getty Images – GettyThe boxer wept as he told the story on TNTCredit: X @boxingontntHe later revealed the emotional phone call to his dad after winning the gold, saying: “I called my dad and started screaming: ‘Yes! We won!’ My father told me: ‘I congratulate you, son. I love you’. “My father never told me he loved me. It remains in my memory as something special. I tell my children every day that I love them.”War in UkraineIn 2013 Usyk became a professional boxer, becoming a world champion in the cruiserweight division, which is just below heavyweight.A year later Russian-backed separatists took control of Crimea and parts of the east of the country.He was the undisputed champion when he defeated Brit Tony Bellew in 2018.After that Usyk stepped up to heavyweight, twice beating Anthony Joshua, the second time after Russia had launched an all-out invasion of Ukraine.That fight had been in doubt because The Cat wanted to defend his country rather than be a sportsman. He returned to his homeland in February 2022, armed himself with a rifle and joined the territorial defence force.He later recalled the night bombs began to rain down on his house in Bucha, on February 24, 2022 – his daughter Yelizaveta’s birthday.He said: “My children are asking: ‘Daddy, why do they want to kill us?’ I don’t know how to answer that.”A month after signing up to fight he was persuaded to go on training for the bout with Brit Joshua.Instead, he is providing financial support for the rebuilding of his heavily bombed homeland.In his first bout, it was reported that Fury had to agree to give £1million of his reported £115m fight fee to the reconstruction of Ukraine in order for the contest to go ahead. Usyk is funding the rebuilding of a property in Irpin where one of his friends was killed by advancing Russians who seized the city in February 2022. It was recaptured by Ukrainian forces on March 28 of the same year. He said: “In this house, there was a boxing gym of my good friend. He and I were in the national team, we went to boxing competitions together. “Oleksiy Dzhunkivskyi was shot by Russian soldiers right in this hall.”World champ Oleksandr Usyk after beating Tony Bellew in 2018Credit: PA:Press AssociationThe fighter (centre, in black) joined the Kyiv Territorial Defence in Ukraine in 2022Credit: Refer to CaptionUsyk and Yekaterina have three kidsCredit: instagram/@usykaaEeyore toy Usyk’s wife and three children, Kyrylo, Mykhalio and Yelizaveta, live in the capital, Kyiv.Unlike Fury’s wife Paris, who has appeared in reality shows with her husband, Kateryna stays out of the limelight.Usyk often speaks about how much he loves her and their children.Sometimes he can be seen clutching a cuddly Eeyore toy which was given to him by his daughter after the Russian invasion separated them.Usyk carries the Eeyore toy given to him by his daughterCredit: Instagram/@usykaaOleksandr Usyk with his daughterCredit: instagram/@usykaaThe dedicated, incredibly fit pugilist has been getting up at 4.45am every day to get in shape for the biggest bout of his career.READ MORE SUN STORIESAnd before he walks out to the roaring crowd for a second time on Saturday, the spirit of his late father could be with him.Usyk said, with tears in his eyes: “Sometimes he comes to me the day before the fight. Yes, sometimes he comes the day before the fight and smiles.” More

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    ‘I never enjoyed presenting it,’ says Gary Lineker as he reveals it was his decision to leave show before BBC exit

    GARY LINEKER has revealed he “never really enjoyed” presenting one iconic show during his time at the BBC.The former England striker stepped away from his hosting roles on Match of the Day and Sports Personality of the Year last month. Gary Lineker left his role as host of Match of the Day last monthCredit: GettyThe ex-Three Lions talisman has presented MOTD and SPOTY for over two decadesCredit: GettyLineker announced he would leave the MOTD hot seat after 25 years. He will stay with the Beeb to front coverage of next season’s FA Cup and the 2026 World Cup. The 64-year-old also quit his hosting duties on SPOTY, which he had fronted for the past 23 editions.Lineker claims his decision was based on the ceremony being moved to an independent production company. READ MORE ON FOOTBALLAnd he dropped the bombshell that he had never really been comfortable hosting the iconic awards. Speaking in front of a live audience for podcast The Rest is Football, Lineker said: “Just to make it clear, what happened with Sports Personality of the Year is that it went to an independent production company.”It was granted at the start of the year. Now, I saw that as an opportunity to get out of presenting Sports Personality. “It’s a great show, but it’s the one TV gig that I never really enjoyed.”Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSLineker added his former colleague Des Lynam “shared” the sentiment. He continued: “It’s a very strange show to do. Alan Shearer in the dark on Gary Lineker’s MOTD replacement, but reveals why he doesn’t want to know who’s coming in”Also, it’s the one thing where every single word that you say on it has to be agreed by all parties at the BBC. “Every single interview you do, you have to say what questions you’re going to ask. I mean, I like to ad-lib, I like to go off-piste.”This year’s edition of SPOTY was won by Olympic hero Keely Hodgkinson and featured an all-female presenting lineup for the first time.Lineker has revealed he was never a fan of hosting Sport’s Personality of the YearCredit: PALineker admitted he had not watched the ceremony – but added Hodgkinson “deservedly” took the top gong.The ex-England star will continue to present podcasts the Match of the Day: Top 10 and The Rest of Football on BBC Sounds. In a statement released on November 12, he said: “I’m delighted to continue my long association with BBC Sport and would like to thank all those who made this happen.”Meet ‘new Match of the Day host’ Kelly Cates, daughter of a Liverpool iconKELLY CATES is reportedly set to quit Sky Sports and move to the BBC.The 49-year-old, Gabby Logan and Mark Chapman will reportedly share hosting duties of Match of the Day and MOTD 2 next season, when Gary Lineker stands down.Cates has worked for the BBC on and off since 2013, for Radio 5 Live. She presented iconic fan phone-in show 606 alongside Ian Wright on Sunday’s between 2013 and 2018. After joining Sky Sports her role was reduced, but Cates returned to host midweek sports show, 5 Live Sport, mostly on Tuesday’s, while she also provided coverage of the 2022 World Cup. The daughter of Liverpool legend Kenny Dalglish became a TV presenter at Sky Sports, working on several Premier League shows including Friday Night Live.READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE.Two weeks after the news he was leaving MOTD broke, Lineker’s newest project with Baller League UK was revealed. READ MORE SUN STORIESThe six-a-side spectacular has been a success in Germany – where it was set up by Mats Hummels and Lukas Podolski – and now makes its way to these shores.Lineker – alongside his MOTD pals Micah Richards and Alan Shearer – will take charge of a team, as will Arsenal Invincibles Freddie Ljungberg, Jens Lehmann and Robert Pires. More

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    Southampton agree deal with taskmaster boss who was sacked two months into season and replaced by Premier League icon

    SOUTHAMPTON are close to appointing Croatian Ivan Juric as their new manager.The Saints sacked Russell Martin on Sunday night and have been quickly interviewing candidates this week.Ivan Juric is set to be appointed Southampton bossCredit: AlamyRussell Martin was sacked after Sunday’s battering by TottenhamCredit: GettySheffield Wednesday boss Danny Rohl and West Brom’s Carlos Corberan were both considered, as well as ex-Denmark manager Kasper Hjulmand.However, owners Sport Republic have opted for hard taskmaster Juric, the former Torino and Roma boss.Juric, 49, was sacked by Roma after less than two months this season, being replaced by Claudio Ranieri.The prospect of another short term stint was discussed with Southampton.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLJuric has since agreed an 18-month contract, with a summer break clause, and a two-year option to extend that will be triggered should Saints stay up.Southampton are rock bottom of the Premier League on a paltry five points and want the flexibility to make a more long term decision on a manager in the summer.Juric, a former Croatia international, is known for driving a hard line on fitness with his players while his playing style is less reliant on the playing out from the back preferred by Martin.Saints Under-21 assistant Simon Rusk took charge of their narrow Carabao Cup defeat to Liverpool on Wednesday.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSBut Juric could potentially be in the dugout for Sunday’s trip to Fulham, depending on his visa.This is not the first time that Juric has been strongly considered for the post.Disgusted Southampton fans stream out of St Mary’s 27 minutes into Tottenham clash after going 4-0 downIn December 2022, while manager of Torino, he was nearly chosen to be Ralph Hasenhuttl’s successor.Instead, Saints chiefs opted for Nathan Jones.Juric managed Torino prior to his brief stint at RomaCredit: EPA More

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    Chelsea discover four potential opponents for Conference League knockouts but won’t know who they play for MONTHS

    CHELSEA have discovered the four teams they could potentially meet in the Europa Conference League round of 16.The Blues concluded their comfortable league phase campaign with a 5-1 win over Shamrock Rovers last night.Chelsea breezed through to the last 16Credit: AFPEnzo Maresca will have some big decisions to make for the group stageCredit: EPASix wins out of six saw Enzo Maresca’s men top the 36-team group with minimal fuss.As one of the top eight, Chelsea will skip the play-off round, contested between teams placed between nine and 24.Instead, they will move straight into the round of 16.And waiting for them there will be one of FC Copenhagen, Gent, Heidenheim or Real Betis.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAt the Conference League draw today, Gent were drawn against Real Betis, with Copenhagen facing Heidenheim. Last 16 ties are not due to commence until March, with first legs on the sixth and seconds on the 13th.The play-off round, meanwhile, will take place in February.Chelsea’s position in the bracket will not be confirmed until the draw on February 21, meaning they could still face the winners of either match.Most read in FootballThe Blues and second seeds Vitoria, or Portugal, could end up on either side of the bracket.BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSChelsea are set to learn their position in the bracket on February 21It means Maresca’s men have a good chance of meeting a side they have already faced in the competition next up.They defeated Gent 4-2 at Stamford Bridge on matchday one back in October.Chelsea clash with Shamrock Rovers temporarily stopped as Christopher Nkunku pelted with TOILET ROLLWhile they triumphed 2-0 at Heidenheim just three weeks ago.It remains to be seen how seriously Maresca will take the competition.Their 25-man squad for the group stage left out star man Cole Palmer, as well as Wesley Fofana and Romeo Lavia.Maresca was asked by TNT Sports last night about whether Palmer could be added to the squad for the knockouts.’A BIT UNHAPPY’He said: “Depends on January. In January we don’t want to sell players, but players who are not playing a lot will be a bit unhappy.”It depends on what happens in January and then we decide.READ MORE SUN STORIES”This competition will be up until March and then we have the FA Cup.”The players have to be ready as they are going to play.”Chelsea ratings vs Shamrock as Marc Guiu gives keeper nightmares but Casadei fails to impressCHELSEA made it six Europa Conference League wins in a row with a 5-1 drubbing of Shamrock Rovers.Striker Marc Guiu got a hat-trick while Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Marc Cucurella also got in on the goals.Here is how SunSport’s Lloyd Canfield rated the players…FILIP JORGENSEN – 7Didn’t have much at all to do throughout. Commanded his box well, and couldn’t do much about the goal.JOSH ACHAEMPONG –  6All eyes were on the young defender who has just signed a new long-term deal at Stamford Bridge.He played as a more defensive-minded right-back in Maresca’s system, who looked good in that role.AXEL DISASI – 6A commanding performance from the French centre-half, he showed maturity in his game, was always an outlet for the Chelsea midfield.RENATO VEIGA – 6A very solid performance from Chelsea’s number 40. Unpolished, but physically strong and composed on the ball – this tournament should prove brilliant for him in a blue shirt.MARC CUCURELLA – 8Acted as a leader inverting into midfield for Chelsea, mostly playing as the left-sided number 10. Scored a classy right-footed goal into the bottom left corner to cap off a great performance.CESARE CASADEI – 4Turned his back on a volleyed effort which he then deflected into his own net with a flick. Andrey Santos on loan at Strasbourg will be an upgrade on him next season. KIERNAN DEWSBURY-HALL – 8His best game in a Chelsea shirt to date, a tenacious performance saw him battle to win the ball high up and press the Shamrock defense really well. Looked overjoyed to net his second Chelsea goal since joining from Leicester.NONI MADUEKE – 7His excellent first touch and dazzling feet were on full show, getting the Chelsea fans on their feet a few times.It looked like his good deliveries would get no reward until he provided a classy assist for Marc Guiu’s hat-trick goal.CHRISTOPHER NKUNKU  – 7Was kicked around the pitch like a ragdoll by the visitors, but constantly drove the team forward and won foul upon foul in the first half for The Blues. Worked tirelessly and perhaps didn’t get the reward he deserved after being bought down before Dewsbury-Hall netted Chelsea’s third.Notched an assist as Marc Cucurella finished into the bottom left corner to add a fifth.TYRIQUE GEORGE – 7Looks a special player on the ball for the Blues, and it’s easy to see why fans are so excited about him for the future. A raw talent who is far from the finished product in terms of his final ball – his brilliant run created the defensive chaos that allowed Marc Guiu to finish with ease.Was unfortunate not to add a goal to his performance after he sent a Shamrock defender for a Guinness at the end of the game before seeing his shot well blocked.MARC GUIU – 10Scored his fourth, fifth and sixth Europa Conference League goals in six matches to make him the competition’s highest scorer as it stands.The Shamrock Rovers goalkeeper will be seeing Marc Guiu’s face when he closes his eyes for at least the next few weeks.Chelsea fans will be seeing shades of Olivier Giroud’s Europa League run in 2019.SUBS:HARVEY VALE (MADUEKE, HT) – 5Having looked far too good to be playing for Chelsea’s u21’s this season he was rewarded with a half in this game. Failed to have the impact that Noni did in the first half, but it was far from a bad performance by the youngster.HARRISON MURRAY-CAMBPELL (DISASI, 59) – 6Didn’t look out of place at the heart of the Chelsea defence when making his debut for The Blues, and looked equally as competent at right-back. One to watch for the future.JOAO FELIX (GUIU, 60) – 5Showed signs of promise after coming on from the bench, but was unable to find the back of the net.SAMUEL RAK-SAKYI (DEWSBURY-HALL, 83) – 5Another composed few minutes in midfield for The Blues. 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    Last-minute change to Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk rematch with late replacement drafted in due to illness

    TYSON FURY’S blockbuster rematch with Oleksandr Usyk has been subjected to a late change, reports suggest.But rather than any fighters being drafted in at the last-minute, the change relates to the judges who will be overseeing the fight.Oleksandr Usyk’s fight with Tyson Fury will go ahead with a late change to the judging panelCredit: GettyPuerto Rico’s Gerardo Martinez, Chicago’s Patrick Morley and Miami’s Fernando Barbosa were originally set to score the historic clash.However, boxing journalist, Keith Idec, has reported that Barbosa has been taken ill and did not fly to Riyadh.Consequently, Steve Weisfeld of New Jersey is said to have stepped in to fill the void.Weisfeld was a judge on Usyk’s first match with Anthony Joshua in 2021, scoring the Cat a 116-112 winner. READ MORE IN BOXINGHe also scored Fury ahead of Deontay Wilder in the second and third fights in their trilogy in 2020 and 2021 respectively, although his services were not required due to the Gypsy King scoring KOs in both.Weisfeld has led an illustrious career stretching back to 1991, with over 2000 fights under his belt, and has largely avoided controversy in that time.Robert Ramirez Jr of Puerto Rico has been picked as the referee.Usyk and Fury’s first fight in May garnered its share of controversy.Most read in BoxingBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSThe Ukrainian edged the contest 115-112 to Usyk, 114-113 to Fury, and 114-113 to Usyk.Meanwhile, a new experiment will also see an AI-powered fourth judge submit a scorecard for the fight as part of a groundbreaking experiment.’I’ve just got a sneaky feeling,’ says Eddie Hearn as he makes U-turn on prediction for Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk 2Announcing the news, Saudi boxing chief Turki Alalshikh wrote on social media: “For the first time ever, an AI-powered judge will monitor the fight.”Free from bias and human error brought to you by The Ring.”This groundbreaking experiment, which won’t impact the official results, debuts during the biggest fight of the century, #Usyk2Fury, on December 21.”Fury vs Usyk 2: Ring walk time, TV channels and undercard – all you need to know for big rematch More

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    I was homeless dad of twins at 14 and ended up in prison twice, but now I fight alongside Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua

    ISHMAEL DAVIS has seven kids – by six women – so one boxing opponent on a week’s notice should be a doddle!Leeds’ super-welterweight has been a super-sub for two mega-money Saudi-backed shows in the last three months, jumping in against Ukraine’s dangerous Serhii Bohachuk on Saturday. Ishmael Davis has taken on an undercard fight ahead of Usyk-Fury 2 with just a week’s noticeCredit: ReutersThe Leeds-born fighter has previously appeared on the bill at WembleyCredit: PABut staying in shape, always being ready and never saying no don’t seem to have ever been a problem for the 29-year-old.”It was a crazy story,” daddy cool under stated.”I was in secondary school and I loved girls, I was just reckless and wanted to experience things – then suddenly I was 14 and ended up with twins!”I actually have seven kids now and they have all given me purpose in life.READ MORE ON BOXING“None of us are perfect, I am still not a perfect dad now.”I have six baby mums and they are all scattered around and because I am an athlete and have to be dedicated I don’t get enough time to spend with them.”So maybe I spoil them too much but that’s maybe to make up for a bit of guilt.”Guilt has been a powerful force for change for Davis. Most read in BoxingBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSThrown out of home at 14, he was seduced by gang life and endured two stints in prison.Instead of playing up on the sort of bonafide bad-boy image that would make him an easy sell in British boxing – where too many nice boys act the bad man – Davis wants to be the last of that dark generation.’Ice cold’ Tyson Fury promises ‘pain’ for Oleksandr Usyk – but Ukrainian is winning ‘mind games’He told us: “I really lived the life but I am honestly not here to play-up-to or sell a macho-man or bad-boy image.”It was the life I was given and then I chose but I am here to tell and show people that, if they go the same way, they can turn their life around.”I can’t have it in me to have any anger against any opponents and I can’t take it seriously when opponents from nice schools, good lives and good gyms try to scare me.”But that’s how life should be, everyone should have those nice lives.”Being in prison, hearing those keys jangle, being told when you can and can’t have a shower, so you can’t always even be clean, it has made me built differently.”But I wish I didn’t have to go through what I did.”And I hope I am the last British boxer to come through like this.”It has made me what I am but now I can hopefully steer kids the right way.”Back-to-back Riyadh Season shows, one on a balmy September night at Wembley Stadium and another in the desert this weekend, have made Davis hot property.But the hard-earned cash, winter warmth and rich opportunities are not lost on a black boy in Leeds who was once homeless and hopeless before he had even finished school.Fury vs Usyk 2: Ring walk time, TV channels and undercard – all you need to know for big rematchHe explained: “I was kicked out of home at 14, in a hostel at 15 and had my own flat at 16.”But I didn’t have enough money to have the heating on, so I had a little electric heater that I had to keep on all night, right next to my bed.”Even before going to prison, there were times in my life where I have been stuck in my flat feeling like I was in prison.READ MORE SUN STORIES”Those times make these moments feel unreal.”It sounds silly but now I can leave the heating on, even when I go out, and come home to a nice warm house, they make these achievements feel so good.” More

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    ‘I got to Arsenal at 28’ – Ian Wright’s impassioned defence of Marcus Rashford against fans ‘desperate to see him fail’

    IAN WRIGHT has launched a staunch defence of Marcus Rashford.Rashford, 27, admitted he was “ready for a new challenge” earlier this week, leading to the belief he will be leaving Manchester United in the near future.Ian Wright has leapt to the defence of Marcus RashfordCredit: SportsfileHe has refused to write off the 27-year-old given his own experience at Arsenal having arrived there at 28Credit: GettyThe Red Devils academy graduate has not featured in either of the last two matchday squads under Ruben Amorim.However, some travelling supporters at the 4-3 defeat to Tottenham in the Carabao Cup revealed a banner which said: “Excuses. Ta ra, Marcus,” hinting they were happy he was leaving the club.Rashford has struggled for form over the last two seasons after hitting a career-high 30 goals.His future prospects led to a heated debate on The Overlap on whether the England international would be a good fit at Arsenal.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLGunners icon Wright leapt to the defence of Rashford during the debate, insisting he would be capable of doing amazing things under the right manager.And in a comment under an Instagram post of the Overlap episode, Wright added more context to his argument and slammed fans who were “desperate” to see him fail.He said: “I got to Arsenal at 28, but you expect ME to write off someone with the ability Marcus has at 27!!!! “So many of you are desperate to see these young people fail so that you can say you were right! Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS”You would take one per cent of the career Marcus has had!”Wright, 61, scored 182 goals in 283 Arsenal appearances.Ruben Amorim responds to Marcus Rashford’s Man Utd transfer bombshell about wanting ‘new challenge’ The debate in the studio had also seen the topic of hunger brought up, with questions raised over whether Rashford – who has played 426 games and scored 138 goals for United – still had the same hunger to succeed.Roy Keane, who left Man Utd in controversial circumstances in 2005, said: “My only warning for players like that – if you lose that hunger, it’s hard to get it back.”We know that for great players, it’s nothing to do with money – it’s about the next challenge, and your pride. Marcus seems to have lost his way, and he’s lost his hunger.I got to Arsenal at 28, but you expect ME to write off someone with the ability Marcus has at 27!!!! Ian Wright”We’ve mentioned watches and all the stuff off the field, and if he’s a bit distracted by that, it might be hard to get it back.”He might get it back with a change of club and scenery, but I don’t think he’ll get the hunger back at United.”Man Utd are back in action on Sunday hosting Bournemouth at Old Trafford, the club’s first home game following the comments.After the comments first came out, Amorim told the star that United were now entering a new challenge and that the team was better with him than without.Man Utd ratings vs Spurs as Bayindir has a shocker and fans left laughing at AntonyALTAY BAYINDIR had a game to forget as Manchester United were dumped out of the Carabao Cup.Not many of the Red Devils were able to impress as they were beaten by Tottenham Hotspur.SunSport’s Katherine Walsh has provided her ratings of the Man United squad…Altay Bayindir – 2Squandered his audition after Andre Onana’s recent blunders against Nottingham Forest and Plzen.Was responsible for Spurs’ opener when he spilled Pedro Porro’s shot into the path of Dominic Solanke.Was probably fouled but still flapped as Son made it 4-2 from a direct CORNER in the 88th minute. Perhaps Onana isn’t so bad?Victor Lindelof – 4Caught slacking and lacking and a mile off the pace as Spurs’ front line rang rings around United for most of the game.No surprise he came off injured just before half-time.Leny Yoro – 5Was physically targeted by Solanke in the first half, but the 19-year-old stood up to him and Son fairly well.Jeered by the home fans when he was nutmegged by Djed Spence and was lucky when referee John Brooks blew for a foul early on.Made a crunching tackle on Son in the 86th minute right in front of a rowdy home end – but the Korean scored from the resulting corner.Lisandro Martinez – 3All over the place at the back. Directly assisted Tottenham’s second when Maddison’s cross hit off his extended back leg and into the path of Kulusevski from five yards.Solanke eased past him for 3-0 too and was lucky not to gift Spurs a fourth soon after.Diogo Dalot – 6Only United defender who had a clue.Solid crosses and switches in play while pressing the makeshift Spurs backline, which was often overplaying.Christian Eriksen – 6Inches away from bagging the equaliser at 1-0 but was blocked by Yves Bissouma.Overhit several corners as he was tasked with taking from both sides but was clapped off from the home fans when he made way for Kobbie Mainoo.Manuel Ugarte – 4Has perhaps stolen Martinez’s “Butcher” title at Man Utd as the Spurs fans wanted him hit with a booking.Constantly gave away fouls and conceded dangerous free kicks which isn’t ideal with James Maddison on the pitch.He almost poked Kulusevski’s cross into his own net, but did well to make sure it went just wide.Noussair Mazraoui – 5Knew he was in for a difficult evening against Son, who was wonderful going forward with several intricate passes.Booked for catching Spence, Amorim’s head was down when Maddison took the free-kick.Couldn’t get his feet right for chance just before half-time.Antony – 4A nervy start saw him lose the ball in a dangerous position with a minute gone which set Son away to cross into Brennan Johnson.Too casual on the ball and put visitors under pressure in the early passages.Basically gave the home fans something to laugh about every time he lost the ball, which was several times to 18-year-old Archie Gray.Bruno Fernandes – 6He did his creative job when he could, putting Hojlund through inside 11 minutes, only for the Dane to fluff his lines.Curled just wide from outside the area and assisted Zirkzee’s goal to give the travelling end a glimmer of hope.Drew a booking for Sarr for a tackle from behind and was booed before his free-kick clipped the top of the net.Rasmus Hojlund – 5Rarely got a sniff with United working on the counter early on and weak on the ball when did receive it.He was thumped and bullied by the makeshift Spurs backline of Gray and Radu Drăgușin and replaced by Joshua Zirkzee in the 55th minute.SUBSJonny Evans (’44 Victor Lindelof) – 4Solanke drove the ball through his legs for 3-0.Bizarrely got on the scoresheet with a last-minute consolation with a header from a corner.Kobbie Mainoo – (’56 Eriksen) – 6He was waiting on the sidelines before Solanke tripled Spurs’ lead and brought some much-needed composure with his side 3-0 down.Joshua Zirkzee – (’56 Hojlund) – 6Had United’s first attempt on target in the 61st minute but his header was well kept out by Fraser Forster.But gave United hope when he made it 3-1 a minute later from Forster’s blunder.Did better than Hojlund in out-muscling Dragusin.Amad Diallo – (’55 Antony) – 8Just as Martin Odegaard did last night against Palace, Amad’s introduction turned things around for the Red Devils.The tricky winger made it 3-2 when his unbelievable pressing forced Forster into ANOTHER error from a routine free-kick.The star of the show also fed the ball to Fernandes, who assisted Zirkzee’s goal and brought some much-needed impetus to United’s forward play.Alejandro Garnacho (’72 Ugarte) – 5The sub everybody was waiting for after he was dropped for United’s 2-1 win against Man City on Sunday.Chased every ball down but loses points due to the crazy impact of the earlier substitutions.And speaking to Sky Sports before the Spurs defeat, he added: “Nothing has changed – we believe in Marcus.”It’s hard to explain to you guys what I am going to do. I’m a little bit emotional so in the moment I will decide what to do.READ MORE SUN STORIES”It’s a hard situation to comment [on]. If I give a lot of importance it will have big headlines in the papers and if I say it’s not a problem then my standards are getting low.”I don’t talk about the future, we talk about the present. This kind of club needs big talent and he’s a big talent, so he just needs to perform at the highest level and that is my focus. I just want to help Marcus.”Why Rashford joining Arsenal is perfect fitBy Martin LiptonMARCUS RASHFORD is at a crossroads.But now the England star has to make the biggest choice he has ever faced – does he care about cash, or about his career?Rashford’s shock admission that he is “ready for a new challenge” after some two decades under the Manchester United umbrella has altered the dynamic around his future.That Rashford might not fit the blueprint of Ruben Amorim – who has now responded to Rashford’s comments – was not exactly a surprise.The Portuguese coach prefers a 3-4-3 formation but appears to have settled on Rasmus Hojlund as his starting central striker and wants two “narrow” inside forwards, with the width coming from the wing-backs.Rashford has always wanted to play through the middle but is often at his best exploiting spaces out wide – and that skillset does not necessarily suit the way Amorim wants to play.Even so, going public with his evident dissatisfaction at being bombed entirely from the squad for the Manchester derby was a major move, even if he vowed there would be “no hard feelings” if he does leave his boyhood club.In truth, Rashford has been leaving United almost from the moment he signed that new £325,000 per week contract in 2023.Something was broken in his connection to the club. His form dropped, his threat dissipated, his issues with the hierarchy deepened.When Erik ten Hag dropped him for hosting a birthday party after a derby defeat, and he later pulled a sickie to miss the FA Cup game with Newport, it felt even then that the writing was on the wall.The facts suggest the love affair has ended. After scoring 30 in all competitions to earn that new deal, he has scored just 15 in the 18 months since it was signed.Amorim’s arrival seems merely to have accelerated what was increasingly inevitable.Now, though, it is up to Rashford to determine what his future will bring.If it is only about the money, then his options might be somewhat limited.It is hard to see a Prem rival coughing up the same £16.9m annual salary – although Rashford’s comments have probably knocked £20m-plus off any transfer fee, even next month.But Real Madrid have their fill of big-money strikers and Barcelona’s budget remains restricted by La Liga financial controls.In Europe, then, that probably leaves PSG – but a move to a one-club league.Or, in the wider world, he could follow the likes of Ivan Toney, Cristiano Ronaldo, Roberto Firmino and Co and head to the Saudi desert.Lucrative, yep. Certainly a different environment – and that may be exactly what Rashford both wants and needs. But the football? Not in a million years.What Rashford needs, above all, is to be able to play for trophies and showcase his talents.There is no better stage than the Premier League – which has far more global eyeballs on it than any other domestic competition.And in that Premier League there is one club crying out for a goalscoring No 9, especially if he can also play down the left channel to balance out the side and widen its threat.Rashford has always been more Longsight than London.Yet Arsenal, and Mikel Arteta, might be the perfect fit.The Gunners’ lack of a proper scorer is one of the major factors many fans feel has hurt their title challenge this year.Gabriel Jesus has never been a natural finisher, while Kai Havertz is still a converted midfielder.And while the link-up between Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka makes their right flank deadly, faith in Gabriel Martinelli on the left is waning.There have not been too many who succeeded at Arsenal after leaving United – although Danny Welbeck was not a flop.Rashford has all the attributes to change that history, if he can reproduce what everybody knows is inside him.And by breaking free, giving himself the chance to start all over, Rashford can make a point to Amorim that will resonate for a very long time. 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