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      How Ruud van Nistelrooy’s ‘donut solution’ starts Ruben Amorim’s Man Utd revamp early with signs of improvement already

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      MANCHESTER UNITED were out with the old and in with the Ruud in their first Premier League game since the sacking of Erik ten Hag.Interim boss Van Nistelrooy saw United put five past Leicester in midweek before the visit of Enzo Maresca’s high-flying Chelsea.Ruud van Nistelrooy made some tactical changes suitable for Ruben AmorimCredit: GettyRasmus Hojlund had a combative new roleCredit: GettyWhile Enzo Marseca made a baffling tactical changeCredit: GettyAnd a cagey first half between the team’s of the old Malaga team-mate’s, Bruno Fernandes broke the deadlock from the penalty spot after Rasmus Hojlund was brought down in the area by Robert Sanchez.However, moments later Moises Caicedo sensationally volleyed home an equaliser, which ended up being decisive.Maresca’s Chelsea are far from the finished product, while United have Sporting CP manager Ruben Amorim coming in to take charge from November 11.But what did Sunday’s Old Trafford clash show for two two sides going forward? SunSport’s tactics guru Dean Scoggins broke down all the tactics and tricks in the latest episode of Tactics Exposed… READ MORE IN FOOTBALL1. Ruud new set up is practice for new boss… but playing out still a big issueVan Nistelrooy has clearly been doing his homework on Amorim’s Sporting side.On paper, United lined up in a 4-2-3-1 or even 4-4-2 shape at times, but realistically what they did was move to 3-4-3 in possession, and that is Amorim’s formation.Man Utd started out in a 4-2-3-1But in possession they moved to a 3-4-3So Van Nistelrooy, maybe in a little audition to say, ‘I know what you’re going to do, Ruben’.But the most intriguing player was Diogo Dalot. Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSSo Dalot, who has been the wingback or the fullback or even inverting as a fullback a lot of times for United, he effectively played as a right centre-back in the first half.He barely got forward, barely crossed the halfway line, took a couple of throws, got forward for a couple of corners. But that was about it. Manchester United vs Chelsea: Player Ratings Breakdown (2)And in a defensive set-up, when they turned the ball over, it was Dalot playing as the right centre-back.Matthijs De Ligt was the centre-back and Lisandro Martinez was on the left side. So there was a clear three there straight away.Meanwhile, Noussair Mazraoui was on the left and Alejandro Garnacho came in on that right-hand side and played as a nominal wingback in a 3-4-3, which we saw four or five times in the first half.Van Nistelrooy was quite brave and Garnacho played on that right-hand side, which meant that Fernandes and Marcus Rashford are then the two playing off of Hojlund. Dalot effectively played as a third centre-backI found it quite encouraging for United that after months and years of Ten Hag and not seeing anything, that in a week, Van Nistelrooy was able to implement something that will start off the Amorim era.He said at the start of the game, almost with a grin, ‘I haven’t spoken to Amorim, there’s been no contact.’ I don’t believe him because it really, really was like, ‘Here you go, mate, I want to be your No 2.’2. Midfield two starting to address the ‘donut’ in midfieldThis game also saw United playing with a solid two in midfield in Casmeiro and Manuel Ugarte.Previously United seemed to be playing with a donut in their midfield that left acres of space, like in the Liverpool and Tottenham games, where they are caught pressing upfield but the defence are not committed enough to come forward leaving this big open hole in the middle.It must have huge part of training in the week for United because we’ve seen before the Chelsea box midfield.So with the inversion of the fullback, they have four players in there. And what it meant was Casemiro and Ugarte had a really, really big job to do. And Ugarte, we’ve only seen him play well in fits and starts so far.But I thought there was a little bit where he showed for the first time what they’ve bought. He was combative and gave away lots of fouls. We’re going to expect to see more and more of that.But Casemiro and him in the absence of Kobbie Mainoo played as a two. A proper two. They weren’t ahead of each other, behind each other most of the time.Man Utd played with a solid two-man midfieldCasemiro and Manuel Ugarte were in there to close United’s donut midfieldYou’d see them either side of the centre circle. You saw them screening in front of the back four, back three at times. Getting up, up to support, but as a two.And it’s so important, especially against teams like Chelsea. And it was clearly drilled, showing how that 3-4-3 Amorim formation might look when they play a two-man midfield.They will play a two in there. And, you know, at times the guys up front and the number 10s will come back in to support them. And other times a fullback or a wingback will move infield to help them. But it will be a two. And this was the first pointer to that.Fernandes gets a lot of criticism at times where he does other people’s jobs for them. I don’t think we can criticise United over the last few weeks for not running.They are running. They’re just a bit erratic. And this was much more organised. Fernandes, communication-wise, worked very hard with that midfield to make sure they were working as a unit.They didn’t get overrun by a very impressive Chelsea midfield. You know, Caicedo, Romeo Lavia, Cole Palmer and then whoever was inverting and they didn’t get overrun. So there was an improvement there. Definitely.3. United still struggle playing out from the backBut United had problem’s playing out from the backDalot would often invert but never got on the ballHowever, United struggled to find a consistent method of playing out against Chelsea. It will be a style they seek to play under Amorim.He uses the two midfield players and the two centre-backs to bounce passes in and out to the goalkeeper. And then he expects the goalkeeper or one of the two centre-backs to then find the number tens. It’s direct. Was there an improvement yesterday? No, absolutely not. But there was an improvement in their positions.They did this interesting thing where De Ligt went to the right and Dalot came inside to come and receive the ball, but they didn’t pass it to him. So they’re confused in what they’re trying to do.Dalot had more success getting on the ball out wideGary Neville correctly mentioned on commentary that playing out should be second nature, they should be doing it without thinking.If I’m getting pressed from the left, I’m going into midfield and he’s going to bounce it right. They should be drilling it time and time again on the training ground. And they’re just not showing it.Andre Onana is good with his feet and they will get better with it under Amorim, but it was confusing against Chelsea.Onana nearly gifted it to Nicolas Jackson when they nicked it was a Chelsea trap.But in the picture you can see that De Ligt was not close enough to Onana to be passed to. Everybody’s got a role in there. It’s not very complicated.It’s just like if you’re playing a move through midfield, it’s patterns of play. You know, and we practice it all the way through youth levels. Teams will practice it right from the way everyone will do it. Chelsea’s pressing traps against a confused United build-up almost saw them scoreThat’s where Leny Yoro can come in. We’ve not seen him yet. And he will be the right centre-back instead of Dalot in that setup, I think. Then De Ligt in the middle so that will make a difference. Mazraoui, I thought, had a really good game yesterday. Clearly, he could be either one of the two wingbacks. We might see more involvement from Harry Maguire, and hopefully they get Luke Shaw back fit as well, because he can do this. We’ve seen him do it in an England shirt. So there are players there who can do it. But for me, it’s drilling it.It’s gaining confidence in doing it time and time again, repetition. And then it will happen.4. All action Hojlund – but with more in the box he could be goldenHojlund proved to be a thorn in Chelsea’s sideHojlund proved his worth as a target man by winning fouls and duels but needs to have more touches in the areaEveryone has been talking about Viktor Gyokeres in the last week despite Man Utd not having the money to spend.But Hojlund, who they have already spent a lot of money on, showed some really good signs playing as a proper No 9 as they went direct into him.He wasn’t drifting into channels which is almost an excuse not to have the ball into feet, he’s had a week with Van Nistelrooy and he’s playing combatively.I’m a big advocate for selfless runners, but the No10’s are the runners in this formation, meaning he has to be the target and he was.He didn’t have enough touches in the box, but he did win a penalty after his only touch in there, showing they have to get him in the box. Hojlund drew fouls in the centre of the field, he got them out when they were under a bit of pressure because he won a free kick and he had a good ding-dong with Levi Colwill and Wesley Fofana. For the penalty incident, he actually goes head-to-head with Caicedo outside of the area and then sells Chelsea with a lovely little peel-off run over the back. And if he’s going to contact people in front of the goal and then go round the back for another touch, he’s got a bit about him.His movement before the penalty saw him peel off of Moises CaicedoHojlund then won a penalty after his only touch in the areaI think we’re going to see a lot more from Hojlund under Amorim, given there are certainly similarities between him and Gyokeres in stature and pace.Man Utd aren’t giving him enough chances to score, but that might change with Amorim.However, we saw in the game that it is a system that doesn’t suit Rashford.It worked better with Fernandes but the creativity comes from the two players off the frontman, I think Hojlund has a place there, but for me Rashford was terrible against Chelsea.It wasn’t down to a lack of effort, but rather confusion over the system and where they wanted him to play.He doesn’t want the ball to feet or on the turn, he wants it in behind so I do feel a bit sorry for him from that perspective.But there was a moment in the second half where Marc Cucurella peeled off the back of him who was the left back inverting.It’s his man, and Rashford starts to sprint and then lets him go, a bit like Dalot in the Tottenham game, and he was very lucky that Chelsea didn’t score from that incident.Playing as one of the two No10’s did not suit Marcus Rashford, though he was poor defensivelyHe was lucky Marc Cucurella did not score after letting the Chelsea star run away from himA couple of times he chased back quite hard in the first half. But that was really because he’d given the ball away in the first place going the other way. He looks confused. He’s 27 years old now.He’s not the not the superstar kid anymore. He should be one of the leaders at Man United. And I feel he’s in real danger of being the sacrifice. I mean, I’ve seen more movement from a lamp post in a storm, to be honest. Given his salary you could see Man Utd selling him, but he’s a Man Utd boy and Amorim is very tactically flexible. He will play a 3-4-3, but it will be flexible.So against teams who play with a higher line, you know, there is a role for Rashford. But does he want and is he going to be willing to be a bit part player and not a starter in that 11? As it stands at the moment, he’s nowhere near it.5. Enzo Maresca’s baffling Cole Palmer decisionChelsea lined up with two right-backs in the teamReece James often inverted from left-backWe were very impressed by the way that Chelsea have started and setting up and the tactical changes Maresca has made against the likes of Liverpool.We previously showed a heat map of Palmer and where he’s getting all his joy, and that’s inside right, a bit narrower as a No 10 this year than he was under Pochettino, which was more from the right hand side.And then yesterday, it was as if Marseca thought ‘I know, I’ll move Palmer into a different position.’ Palmer is probably best player in the Premier League at the moment And Maresca started with Malo Gusto as the right back and Reece James as the left back, which meant that he inverted.Gusto and James played more of the time as part of the back three when they were in possession.Gusto has been playing as a left-back at times as well and they’ve moved it the other way. But Palmer should be the one who’s the right sided No 10.The rest of the back line shifted over for build-upWhen Gusto inverted Cole Palmer was pushed out of his most effective positionAnd what was happening was that’s where Gusto was playing and Palmer was the inside left 10.And he a few times got into this position on his left foot where De Ligt did very well as a defender to sort of push him wide and block off his shot. But you know full well from the other side, it would have been a little feint and a ball and then a bend for the back post. And it just stifled him a little bit and they changed it in the second half.You know, they brought Cucurella on, took Gusto off, and switched it back to where it should have been.And the game became a bit erratic and a bit confused with United’s formation going a bit all over the place in the second half as well.It was a bit un-Palmer-like and it’s early days to be saying that, but we’ve come to expect such high standards and he was a little bit anonymous.READ MORE SUN STORIESFor me, the golden rule, just play your best player where your best player should be playing.So if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.Chelsea player ratings vs Man UtdCHELSEA came from a goal down to rescue a point at Old Trafford.Robert Sanchez brought down Rasmus Hojlund with 20 minutes remaining and Bruno Fernandes rolled in what looked to be a decisive spot kick.But Chelsea hit back swiftly as Moises Caicedo’s sweet strike flew into the bottom corner.Here is how SunSport’s Lloyd Canfield saw the performances of the Chelsea players in the 1-1 draw…Robert Sanchez – 3Made a few really good saves in the first half, and was much improved after a poor performance last time out against Newcastle.That was until he gave away a reckless penalty on Rasmus Hojlund, which was easily dispatched by Bruno Fernandes.His mistakes are starting to cost Chelsea time after time.Malo Gusto – 2Got in good positions in the first half, but was often wasteful when he got there.Was booked for a late challenge on Manuel Ugarte, before being hooked for Cucurella at half-time after an awful overall showing.Wesley Fofana – 6A strong performance at the back was marred only by the Frenchman letting Rasmus Hojlund escape him before winning a penalty for his side.Showed brilliant recovery pace throughout the game, and made some crucial challenges too.Levi Colwill – 6That was a strong defensive showing from the Chelsea number 6.For a player with a passing range as impressive as his is, it would’ve been nice to see him use it more as Chelsea looked for a goal.Reece James – 5Improved this week, but still showed signs of rustiness as he gave the ball away in dangerous positions a few times.More effective on the right side in Malo Gusto’s position, and more comfortable there as expected with Marc Cucurella on the left.Another 90 minutes in the tank is fantastic news for Chelsea fans.Moises Caicedo – 9Scored a certain contender for goal of the month with a sensational volley from the edge of the box to level the scoring for his side.Effective in breaking up play for the Blues once more, and showed why he is worthy of the £100m price tag Chelsea paid for him.Romeo Lavia – 8Another impressive midfield performance from the Belgian, who shows prowess beyond his years on and off the ball.Seems the perfect pivot partner for Moises Caicedo, and people need to start talking about how Manchester City let him go for peanuts.Noni Madueke – 6Unfortunate to hit the post in the 13th minute with a header following a corner.Worked hard defensively throughout the game too, but was unable to really put his creative abilities to the test.Cole Palmer – 7In the first half, his signature ‘Palmer touch’ got the away supporters off their feet, and he was Chelsea’s most creative outlet on the day.Unable to add another goal or assist to his impressive tally this season, but still had a solid showing.Pedro Neto – 5Showed flashes of brilliance on the left-hand side, and came close with a shot across goal in the second half.Was moved to the right-hand side in the second half, but it was much of the same from there.Nicolas Jackson – 5Pretty invisible up front for Chelsea today.Worked hard and tracked back well when required to, but fans were left confused as to why Christopher Nkunku was left on the bench.In fairness to him, could’ve had an assist if Enzo Fernandez could finish his dinner.SubsMarc Cucurella (for Gusto, 46 mins) – 5A solid showing on the left-hand side. Chelsea look a better team with him in the 11.Mykhailo Mudryk (for Madueke, 70 mins) – 4Tried to light things up on the left hand side, but his spark wasn’t enough to win the game for his side.Enzo Fernandez (for Lavia, 70 mins) – 2Missed an absolute sitter which would have won his team the game after coming on. Looks very short on confidence.Click here to read more Chelsea stories.Man Utd ratings vs ChelseaMARTIN BLACKBURN gives his verdict on the Red Devils against ChelseaAndre Onana – 5Will be disappointed not to keep out Caicedo’s equaliser.Almost put Casemiro in trouble with sloppy early pass tooNoussair Mazraoui – 6Key interception to prevent Neto getting in on goal late on and tried to support Garnacho where possibleMatthijs de Ligt – 6Good early block to deny Palmer.Late slip under pressure from Jackson almost proved costly.Lisandro Martinez – 6Lucky not to concede a pen with clumsy challenge on Colwill and lucky to escape a red for x-rated late tackle on Palmer.Diogo Dalot – 6Poor tackle on Pedro Neto earned a deserved booking and had a real battle with his international team-mate.Casemiro – 7Made a difference with super ball to Hojlund in lead up to pen – but could he have got more distance on clearing header that was despatched by Moises Caicedo.Manuel Ugarte – 6Rugby tackle on Palmer but Uruguayan showed signs he is starting to settle in after big money summer move.Alejandro Garnacho – 6Always a threat but wasted some great chances.Shot straight at Sanchez and shanked another effort after great work by Fernandes.Bruno Fernandes – 8Created United’s best two chances for Rashford and Garnacho and then kept his cool to score from the spot.Marcus Rashford – 6Hit the angle with volley on stroke of half-time and saw another shot saved by Sanchez.Better from the England man.Rasmus Hojlund – 6Did not touch the ball in the Chelsea box first half but when he finally did he won the penalty.SubsAmad Diallo (73′ for Rashford)A couple of nice touches but not much impact.Joshua Zirkzee (’84 for Hojlund)A couple of nice touches but not much impact.Victor Lindelof (’84 for Ugarte)Thrown on to keep things tight and did that. 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      Anthony Joshua given 48-hour deadline to accept Daniel Dubois rematch for February after crushing KO defeat

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      FRANK WARREN has given Anthony Joshua two days to take up his offer of a February rematch with Daniel Dubois. AJ was stunned by Dubois in their Best of British dust-up at Wembley Stadium in September. Anthony Joshua has been challenged to agree to a February rematch with Daniel DuboisCredit: PAAJ was KO’d in the pair’s September showdown at WembleyCredit: PADubois’s promoter Frank Warren has sent a message to the Joshua campCredit: PAJoshua hit the canvas FOUR times as Triple D showed off his devastating power in front of 96,000 fight fans. The 27-year-old eventually forced victory in the fifth round as AJ’s corner threw in the towel. Joshua initially maintained that he would box Dubois again in a 2025 rematch, shelving any talk of retirement. The pair had been expected to fight again in Saudi Arabia next February. READ MORE ON BOXINGBut AJ’s promoter Eddie Hearn claimed last month the turnaround was too quick for his man.Warren has now challenged Joshua to rise to the challenge and accept the fight within the next 48 hours if he wants to win back his belts. Asked if the fight was “dead in the water,” Dubois’ promoter Warren replied to iFLTV: “Unless [AJ] gets back to us in the next 48 hours, yes.”I’d like to make an announcement tomorrow, if possible.Most read in BoxingBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS”But I don’t think we’ll be doing anything for the next week.”Reports suggest Joshua is currently carrying injuries and would prefer to wait until May to fight again.Anthony Joshua brutally told his career is ‘OVER’ as boxing promoter suggests final ‘good’ fight after Dubois KO Barry Hearn, dad of Joshua’s promoter Eddie, told The Mirror: “I think Dubois is dangerous and he’s going to be super confident after the last job.”I still believe AJ would probably beat him in a rematch if he boxed differently, but that’s just my opinion.”More likely, a sensible person doesn’t rush anything. How AJ punched his way to the topANTHONY JOSHUA punched his way to the top of the world before being knocked off his perch.”You take your time. But he’s his own man and he’s gonna make his own call.”And I guess my gut feeling is the warrior still burns within Anthony Joshua and he will want to try once more.”My crystal ball starts to clear every now and again. A Daniel Dubois rematch would be a big fight.”READ MORE SUN STORIESLast month, IBF President Caryl Peoples confirmed Dubois “can make an optional defence against any ranked fighter before April 22, 2025”.That came after he was quizzed about a possible showdown between Triple D and Fabio Wardley. More

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      Crystal Palace supremo eyeing shock takeover of EFL side if he sells £230m Eagles stake after missing out on Everton

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      JOHN TEXTOR is eyeing a shock move for Watford if he sells his stake in Crystal Palace.The American businessman failed in a bid to buy Everton.John Textor is looking to buy Watford if he sells his Crystal Palace stakeCredit: GettyBut he is pushing ahead with plans to add another English side to his multi-club operation.Hornets’ Italian owner Gino Pozzo put ten per cent of the club on the market last summer and is open to offers for the rest of his shares.Textor, 59, has held preliminary talks about using shares in his investment company Eagle Football to buy into Watford.The Championship side are valued at between £150-175million by Pozzo.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLTextor has spoken to potential investors about joining a consortium and acting as an operating partner, given his experience of running clubs.In addition to his 45 per cent stake in Palace, he also owns Lyon, Brazilian league leaders Botafogo and Belgium’s RWD Molenbeek.Watford appeal to him as they are already part of a multi-club group with Serie A side Udinese.Textor has been trying to sell his shares in Palace since February due to a stand-off with the club’s other owners — chairman Steve Parish and fellow Americans Josh Harris and David Blitzer.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSInvestment group Sportsbank, led by British Eagles fans Zechariah  Janjua and Navshir Jaffer, are understood to have made a bid.Harris and Blitzer are interested in buying out Textor, depending on price, set at around £230m by Textor.Visit the restaurant serving tasty food at affordable prices just steps away from historic Premier League ground More

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      Fulham 2 Brentford 1: Wilson climbs off bench to send home fans delirious with two injury-time goals in thrilling climax

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      HARRY WILSON put Craven Cottage in a spin with a stunning late double blast.The Fulham sub equalised two minutes into added time with an acrobatic mid-air twist before winning it with a diving header in the 97th minute to turn this West London derby on its head in every sense.Vitaly Janelt scored a stunning strike from distanceCredit: RexHarry Wilson stunning finish looped over Mark Flekken and dropped inCredit: PAWilson then scored the winner with an 97th minute headerCredit: AFPWilson sparked jubilant scenes at Craven CottageCredit: ReutersBrentford had led from the 24th minute thanks to an equally spectacular 30-yard strike from Vitaly Janelt and looked to be heading for a top-half spot in the Premier League and a first away win of the season.Keeper Mark Flekken had also defied a pulled hamstring just minutes after kick-off to defy an onslaught from Fulham in the second-half before finally succumbing at the death.Fulham boss Marco Silva was running out of ideas and turned to Wilson with just nine minutes of the game remaining and was rewarded with a memorable victory over their neighbours.He first combined with fellow sub Adama Traore who crossed from the right to leap athletically into space and flick the ball past defender Ben Mee and over the head of the keeper.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLIt set up a frenetic finale as Wilson then popped up in the area to head home a cross from Antonee Robinson to snatch it with virtually the last move of the match.Fulham appeared to be resigned to a second successive home defeat before Silva’s masterstroke from the bench.Despite their domination and wave after wave of attacks, Flekken and Brentford’s hard-working centre-back pairing of Ethan Pinnock and Nathan Collins were repelling everything thrown at them.It seemed as if one moment of magic would be enough to settle it – until two came along at once. Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSFulham’s dangerous dithering on the ball ten yards in front of their goal area cost them in the first-half as they lost possession and Christian Norgaard slipped a low pass left to Janelt, who was waiting in plenty of space.He also had time to tee up a laser like left-foot shot across the area that evaded the full length dive of Bernd Leno and rifled into the opposite corner of the net.’What’s that-‘ – Chabuddy G actor left stunned by what’s in Fulham’s trophy cabinet during Craven Cottage tourIt is his first goal of the season – equalling his tally for the whole of the last. Janelt may not score many but they are worth waiting for.He then went close to grabbing a second just before half-time when another long range shot whistled past the Fulham post. At the other end there was drama too as Bees’ keeper Flekken hobbled his way around after getting injured just a few minutes into the match.Pinnock was forced to take the goal kicks and at times Flekken looked like he wouldn’t make it to half-time.But the evident injury didn’t dull his reactions and after making a double save from Reiss Nelson, Brentford’s flying Dutchman hurled himself into mid-air to clutch a goalbound, downward header from Emile Smith-Rowe – feeling the full force of Nelson who came in at full speed to pounce on the follow up.Limpalong Flekken recovered enough by the second-half to save efforts from sub Adama Traore, Alex Iwobi and Calvin Bassey.READ MORE SUN STORIESHe was also perfectly positioned to save a powerful point blank header from Fulham centre-back Joachim Andersen as the Cottagers chased a late equaliser.They got it through the energy and enthusiasm of Wilson, who had yet to score this season but now has two goals in five minutes to celebrate. More

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      Inside Boyzone & Westlife stars’ bid to turn footie minnows into ‘new Wrexham’ as they declare ‘we’ll win the Prem’

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      BOYZONE and Westlife have sold out stadiums all over the world.But now three members of the famous Nineties pop bands have entered a new arena with a fresh challenge – to take a part-time football club all the way to the Premier League.Shane Lynch and Brian McFadden at Chorley this weekendCredit: Mark TattersallWrexham’s celebrity owners Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds celebrate the club’s promotion in April last yearCredit: GettySaturday’s clash with King’s LynnCredit: Mark TattersallJean Pedley, second left, with fansCredit: Mark TattersallKeith Duffy said: ‘Chorley Football Club belongs to the people of Chorley’Credit: GettyShane Lynch and Keith Duffy from Boyzone, with Brian McFadden of Westlife fame, are now shareholders of Chorley FC, who play in the ­National League North — SIX rungs below England’s top-flight squads.Chorley is just 25 miles from ­Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium, but the clubs are light years apart in footballing terms.The smaller team, nicknamed The Magpies, averages gates of 1,400, compared to City’s 53,000. Their 80-year-old stand was originally built on an ash tip, and the club boasts such a ­community vibe, a fan once drove a crocked player to hospital because no ambulance was nearby.Read More on SportNow, with a potential documentary in the offing tracking their journey, Shane, Keith and Brian believe there is no reason why they can’t mirror Hollywood star Ryan Reynolds at Wrexham — whose story ­features in a Disney+ show — and Gary Neville at Salford City.Both have taken struggling teams towards the promised land.Brian, 44, said: “We have aspirations, just like Wrexham and Ryan Reynolds. “I wake up some nights thinking, ‘We’re going to win the Premier League in the next 30 years’.Most read in Football“You have to dream big, and we’ve got to aim for the top.‘Amazing support’“Teams like Salford and Wrexham, who have well-known owners, make us think, ‘Why not us?’.” Boyzone reuniting for Welcome to Wrexham-style TV docu-series after buying non-league Chorley FCAnd he joked: “Gary Neville and Ryan ­Reynolds may need to watch out!”Keith added of the locals’ pride in the team: “We’re from a working-class background in the north side of Dublin and it’s all about family.“It’s all about community — and coming here today, it’s like being home.“Hopefully we’re going to be the new adopted sons.”This week, The Sun was invited for the first ever access-all-areas tour of the ground with the lads, and to witness a 2-1 win for their team that took them joint top of their league.It is exactly a year since the trio signed on the dotted line as investors.Since then, the club has invested £250,000 in a new pitch, installed safer terracing at the 4,100-capacity ground and also created a brand new hospitality suite.But the pop stars insist they will not be meddling in the running of the team. Chorley Football Club belongs to the people of ChorleyKeith DuffyShane, 48, said: “What’s on the pitch stays on the pitch, and what’s off the pitch kind of stays off the pitch. “We try not to bleed into both. “We are here as investors.”Brian, who lives in neighbouring Rochdale, added: “When I was signed to big record companies, I hated it when they told me how to sing.“So, we’re definitely not going to tell them how to play football.”We arrive at the 105-year-old ­Victory Park stadium two hours before Saturday’s crunch home tie against King’s Lynn.The old-fashioned turnstiles creak as stewards warmly greet fans by their first names. One supporter sells pin badges while others chat to the players and give them high-fives as they head inside.Shane and Brian — both wearing club jerseys — guide us into the home dressing room, where the team’s black, white and red shirts bearing each player’s name are hung up neatly, with the rest of the kit folded below. We have aspirations, just like Wrexham and Ryan Reynolds. I wake up some nights thinking, ‘We’re going to win the Premier League in the next 30 yearsBrian McFaddenBut this is where the similarities with a Premier League changing room end. Instead of giant interactive screens similar to those you would see at the likes of City and Liverpool, a whiteboard displays hand-written notes on that day’s match rivals.Shane embraces Chorley manager Andy Preece and the pair share a joke.Brian, who scored a 1999 No1 with Westlife covering Abba’s I Have A Dream, said: “When I’ve got grandchildren, I want to be able to say I was a part of that.”However, not all fans were convinced when Shane’s friends, who bought the 141-year-old club last year, invited the lads to invest. Keith said: “Chorley Football Club belongs to the people of Chorley.“They’ve got this amazing community support. “It’s their club and I think there was a worry that we might come in and try to make it a bit Hollywood and throw money at it. “After speaking to everyone, we said we couldn’t do that. “We had to let this club grow naturally.”Shane added: “I’m not hugely into football, but Brian and Keith are.“It’s amazing to see how the fans bought into having two guys from Boyzone and a fella from Westlife on board.”And it’s not just the club that is in a different league. Most of Chorley’s players also have day jobs, such as school sports coach, personal trainer, plumber and electrician. One even works for the National Crime Agency.Outside, the ground has changed since the club was formed after switching from a rugby team in 1883.Fans can get in for just £14 if they buy tickets online, while under-12s go free — a snip compared to the £100 sometimes charged by Premier League sides in the area. Chorley — a town of just 120,000 people — is famed for its Chorley cake but, as well as being able to grab one with a cuppa for less than £3, the ground’s delicacy is its butter chicken, mushy peas and gravy for just over £5.‘Always felt like home’Since the lads took over a year ago, a revamp means state-of-the-art hospitality facilities offer fans a two-course meal, their own car parking space, a programme, signed ball and the best seats for less than £70 a head if bought in a group of six.Hospitality manager Sue Gautrey began working as a barmaid at the club in 2002, and said: “It has always felt like home. “My three daughters work here and I hope I’ll be here until I retire.“It’s quite surreal seeing Boyzone and Westlife wandering around, but they are lovely. “Everyone associated with the club is great.”In the summer, Shane, Keith and Brian saw £250,000 spent on a new pitch and drainage system, while the terracing got fresh Tarmac, a new perimeter fence was installed and improvements were made to the quaint main stand.Chairman Jamie Vermiglio, a former player who managed the club to the fourth round of the FA Cup in 2021, when they were beaten by Premier League side Wolves, said: “Having these guys here is brilliant for the club. “It’s exciting.“We have had some great times and achievements, and hopefully we will have many more.”I’m not hugely into football, but Brian and Keith are. It’s amazing to see how the fans bought into having two guys from Boyzone and a fella from Westlife on boardShane LynchShane said: “We’re on a ten-year project and we are coming into Year Two. “We’ve got lots of ideas for the ground, for the game and to grow Chorley as a town.“What we are doing is very much community based. “Just look at the queues outside. “This is why this club is alive, and the more people we can have walking through the turnstiles, is very important to us.”The trio said they are keen to bring in new sponsorship, boost attendance and generate funds to help climb the leagues.And watching their match with full-time squad King’s Lynn, it could be the start of something.Chorley win 2-1, sending them joint top with former league club Scunthorpe. Fans are jubilant and chant, “We are going up” as they leave.Chorley is a great community and the support they have is great. This is how it should be and it is a great day out for familiesKeith DuffyJean Pedley, 82, started watching the team aged 12 and lives next to the ground. She said: “My mother used to wash the kit. “My sister and I used to work in the refreshment bar and all you could buy was a pork pie and a cup of tea. “Now we have pop stars here. “It’s changed a lot.”John Vernon, 81, a supporter of 70 years, said: “The Premier League is another world, but this is the charm of it here. “At a game in Nottingham, one of our players suffered a nasty cut and there wasn’t an ambulance so I drove him to hospital.“I managed to get him back to the ground before the team coach left.“When we arrived back, everyone cheered. “If we’d missed the coach, I’d have happily driven him home. “Where else would that happen?”In the trophy room, Keith, 50, hailed fans’ post-match celebrations, which include a singer and a live band, revealing: “Chorley is a great community and the support they have is great. “This is how it should be and it is a great day out for families.”He added of their win over King’s Lynn: “It was good to see that today.”Shane added: “I was having a bit of banter with the fans, telling them that it’s not my fault if we lose.READ MORE SUN STORIES“I was nervous at the end of the game and it was a great buzz to winning. “There are real similarities with having a great gig.” More

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      Sacked Man Utd boss Ten Hag didn’t want to sign £36.5m flop Zirkzee and fumed at striker for being a stone overweight

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      JOSHUA ZIRKZEE arrived at Manchester United a stone overweight – and Erik ten Hag didn’t even want him.The £36.5million flop has scored just once this season and has started only four of United’s twelve Premier League games.Former Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag didn’t want Joshua Zirkzee in the summerCredit: GettyThe 23-year-old arrived at Old Trafford overweight after joining from BolognaCredit: GettyHe has bagged just once for the Red Devils since his £36.5m moveCredit: GettyNow SunSport can reveal not only did he arrive at United out of shape —  it has taken a while to shift that extra weight.His condition left manager Ten Hag unhappy as he was not his choice of striker in the first place. His arrival from Bologna was instigated by Ineos’ new management team – who identified the 23-year-old as good value for money.That is a huge matter for debate now with many fans still wondering if he is up to the fitness levels needed to be a Prem player.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLZirkzee scored on his debut against Fulham – coming off the bench to grab a late winner in the Red Devils’ opening Premier League fixture of the season.There has been nothing since from 15 appearances in all competition –  seven of them starts.The Dutch international’s last league start came against Tottenham at the end of September before his compatriot Ten Hag reverted back to Rasmus Hojlund, who had been unavailable at the season was delayed due to injury.Zirkzee was only brought on by interim boss Ruud van Nistelrooy in the 84th minute of Sunday’s 1-1 draw against Chelsea.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSHe immediately was given a chance when he was put through – but lacked the pace to get away from Wesley Fofana.Bizarrely, Zirkzee later posted a picture on Instagram of the moment he was through on goal — even though it came to nothing.Zirkzee has scored just once in the leagueJamie Redknapp blasts Man Utd fans accusing Old Trafford crowd of creating as much atmosphere as Covid timesHe did not come to United with a great goalscoring reputation.While the club desperately needed a No 9, there has been some debate whether Zirkzee is better suited to playing as a No 10.The Dutchman began his career at Bayern Munich but they afforded him just 17 games in which he got four goals.He was loaned out to Parma and Anderlecht before making a permanent move to Serie A and Bologna where he got just 14 goals in 58 appearances over two seasons.Since his debut goal, Zirkzee has failed to score in 10 appearancesCredit: ReutersMan Utd ratings vs ChelseaMARTIN BLACKBURN gives his verdict on the Red Devils against ChelseaAndre Onana – 5Will be disappointed not to keep out Caicedo’s equaliser.Almost put Casemiro in trouble with sloppy early pass tooNoussair Mazraoui – 6Key interception to prevent Neto getting in on goal late on and tried to support Garnacho where possibleMatthijs de Ligt – 6Good early block to deny Palmer.Late slip under pressure from Jackson almost proved costly.Lisandro Martinez – 6Lucky not to concede a pen with clumsy challenge on Colwill and lucky to escape a red for x-rated late tackle on Palmer.Diogo Dalot – 6Poor tackle on Pedro Neto earned a deserved booking and had a real battle with his international team-mate.Casemiro – 7Made a difference with super ball to Hojlund in lead up to pen – but could he have got more distance on clearing header that was despatched by Moises Caicedo.Manuel Ugarte – 6Rugby tackle on Palmer but Uruguayan showed signs he is starting to settle in after big money summer move.Alejandro Garnacho – 6Always a threat but wasted some great chances.Shot straight at Sanchez and shanked another effort after great work by Fernandes.Bruno Fernandes – 8Created United’s best two chances for Rashford and Garnacho and then kept his cool to score from the spot.Marcus Rashford – 6Hit the angle with volley on stroke of half-time and saw another shot saved by Sanchez.Better from the England man.Rasmus Hojlund – 6Did not touch the ball in the Chelsea box first half but when he finally did he won the penalty.SubsAmad Diallo (73′ for Rashford)A couple of nice touches but not much impact.Joshua Zirkzee (’84 for Hojlund)A couple of nice touches but not much impact.Victor Lindelof (’84 for Ugarte)Thrown on to keep things tight and did that.Despite having moved to Bologna for just £7.15m his worth had rocketed when United came calling on the back of those two seasons.New Sporting Director Dan Ashworth alongside Technical Director Jason Wilcox are the men who have been tasked by part owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe to improve United’s recruitment.Zirkzee missed United’s pre-season training camp despite having only played two minutes of Holland’s Euro campaign –  in their 2-1 defeat to England in the semi-finals.Rather than join the team at their training camp in Los Angeles, he took his allotted time off.That raised eyebrows among some close to the club given that he was holidaying in LA at the same time United were there and called in only to say hello to his new team-mates.READ MORE SUN STORIESUnited have had their worst start to a season since 1986-87 with just 12 points from 10 games and stand 13th in the table.They are one of only three clubs not to be in double figures for goals scored. More

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      Jamie Carragher savages Arsenal on Monday Night Football and says they’re ‘like a Mourinho team without the trophies’

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      JAMIE CARRAGHER has brutally compared Arsenal to a Jose Mourinho team without the trophies.The Sky Sports pundit was sharing his thoughts after the Gunners were beaten 1-0 by Newcastle on Saturday to leave them seven points behind league leaders Liverpool.Mikel Arteta’s side are morphing into a Jose Mourinho team, says Jamie CarragherCredit: GettyJose Mourinho traits are being seen in the current Arsenal teamCredit: GettyBut Carragher brutally reminded Arsenal fans they have not won the leagueStats show Arsenal are relying more on set-pieces and like to go directCredit: Sky SportsCarragher claimed when Mikel Arteta’s side first competed for the title, Arsenal set out to play a brand of football based on what he had learned while with Pep Guardiola at Manchester City.But after narrowly missing out on being crowned champions in the 2022/23 season after having an eight-point lead over City in January, the manager must have felt they lacked the physicality to get them over the line.The ex-Liverpool defender says Arteta has changed style and is now like the current Fenerbahce boss – but he so far lacks the Special One’s glittering trophy cabinet. Carragher explained: “Guardiola and Mourinho are the two most dominant and successful managers in the last 20 years. But they are at both ends of the spectrum in terms of style of football.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”Arsenal are morphing into Jose Mourinho. It is not a criticism of Mikel Arteta, it is an analysis.”This is a guy who has won the Premier League three times, Arsenal have not won it in 20 years.”Carragher then listed the traits he sees in the current Gunners team that reminds me of Mourinho’s old Chelsea side.He highlighted they are both strong defensively, have height and strength, rely on set-piece and play a direct style at times.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSBut there is one difference as Carragher added: “But the one thing we should also say where Arsenal are not like Mourinho is winning trophies.”If Mourinho is watching tonight, he will say ‘but I win trophies’.Edu’s exit is a huge loss for Mikel Arteta and Arsenal will feel very different without him, says SunSport’s Jack Rosser”At the moment Arsenal have not won a trophy, but they have been fantastic.”Anyone who thinks I have plucked this Mourinho thing out to create negativity around Arsenal – it is analysing where Arsenal are going.”If people do not agree with that then I don’t think you are actually watching what is going on.”I think Arteta feels he does not have the attacking quality of Man City.”So he is going another way to try to win the league, which is being strong defensively and a more powerful team.”This is what the team is morphing into, it is not a criticism, it is an analysis.”Fans loved the comparison, with a Tottenham saying: “Carragher basically saying Arteta is Mourinho without the trophies lol.”Another added: “He’s spot on. Arsenal fans done want to hear the truth.”Carragher also highlighted how Arsenal have moved away from signing technical players like Martin Odegaard and Oleksandr Zinchenko.Instead, Arteta with the help of resigned chief Edu have gone in favour of physical stars like Mikel Merino and Riccardo Calafiori.The stats back up Carragher’s theory with Arsenal more reliant on set-pieces and are more playing long balls than they did last season.On the numbers, the pundit said: “Especially in away games, I struggle to see how they score a goal aside from a set-piece.READ MORE SUN STORIES”The elephant in the room is that Martin Odegaard is injured, he is probably among the top four or five players in the Premier League.”But do not forget City were without Kevin De Bruyne this and last season. They are heavily reliant on Odegaard.”Arsenal and Edu resignation statement in fullEdu Gaspar has today resigned from his position as our Sporting Director.Edu, our former player and Invincible, re-joined us in the role of Technical Director in July 2019. He progressed through the club and was promoted to Sporting Director in November 2022, where he oversaw men’s, women’s and academy football.   We thank Edu for the part he has played in our renewed football strategy and driving the club forward with the values of Arsenal in his heart. Edu said: “This was an incredibly hard decision to make.”Arsenal has given me the opportunity to work with so many amazing people and the chance to be a part of something so special in the club’s history. It has been a special journey and I thank Stan, Josh, Tim and Lord Harris for the support they’ve given me.  “I’ve loved working with so many great colleagues across our men’s, women’s and academy teams, especially Mikel, who has become a great friend. “Now it is time to pursue a different challenge. Arsenal will always remain in my heart. I wish the club and its supporters only good things and all the very best.”Our Co-Chair, Josh Kroenke, added: “We respect Edu’s decision and thank him for his immense contribution and dedication to drive the club forward.  “Everyone at the club wishes him well. We are all so fond of him and the positive energy he brings to everything and everyone.  “Change and evolution is a part of our club.  We remain focused on our strategy and winning major trophies. Our succession plan will reflect this continued ambition.” More

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      Ruben Amorim wants Man Utd to re-sign star they let go for just £5million, fears former Portugal star

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      RUBEN AMORIM wants to sign a star Manchester United sold for just £5million, according to a Portuguese League champion.Amorim, 39, will be the head coach at Old Trafford from November 11 when he leaves Sporting CP after four years at the club.Ruben Amorim will make a move for an ex-Man Utd star, according to a five-time Portuguese league winnerCredit: EPAAlvaro Carreras was sold by Man Utd for £5million in the summer after a number of loan dealsCredit: ReutersThe 21-year-old can be brought back by the Red Devils for a cut-price feeCredit: GettyHis time with the Lisbon-based outfit has seen him win two league titles, ending a 19-year title drought in the process with his 3-4-3 system.United have had problems at full-back this season and for much of last season, with Tyrell Malacia and Luke Shaw both sidelined through injury.It forced sacked manager Erik ten Hag into playing a variety of stars at left-back, with his options this season mainly being Diogo Dalot or Noussair Mazraoui.Consequently, it is believed that when Amorim arrives he will look to add a profile who fits the left-wing back role in his team.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLFive-time Portuguese League winner Álvaro Magalhães believes the star in question will be former Man Utd academy talent Alvaro Carreras.Carreras, 21, initially joined the Red Devils academy in 2020.However, the defender failed to break into the senior squad and after a succession of loan transfers was sold permanently to Benfica by Ten Hag over the summer following a season on loan with them.Reports have since emerged revealing United included a 50 per cent sell-on clause and a cheap £16m buy-back clause in the deal.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSAnd speaking to Record, the 63-year-old Benfica legend Magalhaes believes Amorim could make a move to take the star from his old rivals.He said: “I fear that Rúben Amorim wants him at Manchester United. It seems to me that he has the quality to be one of the first options and looking at the squad.How Ruud van Nistelrooy’s ‘donut solution’ kicked off Ruben Amorim’s Man Utd revolution early”I believe that with the new coaching staff he could become a possibility again, especially because the new coach knows him very well based on what he saw from him at Benfica.“It would be a lot if Benfica had the ability to not let him escape, but now the decision is not just in the club’s hands.”He explained: “This ability to react to adversity seems to be his strength. Great players only succeed if they are mentally very strong and that seems to be the case. “Anyone who is weak cannot play for Benfica, just as they cannot play for Real Madrid, Manchester United, Bayern Munich, or PSG.Three Sporting stars Amorim could swoop for after joining Man UtdRUBEN AMORIM has ruled out poaching any of his Sporting Lisbon players in the January transfer window.But the Portuguese side’s chiefs expect Amorim will come calling in the summer – with his cheque book wide open.Here’s are three Sporting starts United could swoop for… but they won’t come cheap:VIKTOR GYOKERESAge: 26Position: StrikerCost: £84millionSwede has shone since joining Sporting last summer from Coventry — catching the eye of all Europe’s top clubs.Hit 43 goals in 50 games last season and boasts 18 strikes already this term.GONCALO INACIOAge: 23Position: DefenderCost: £50millionBall-playing centre-back was handed his debut by Amorim and has since become a key figure in Sporting’s recent title successes.Can also slot in at left-back if required and has 12 caps for Portugal.MORTEN HJULMANDAge: 25Position: MidfieldCost: £40millionDane is one of the top holding midfielders in Portugal — and made skipper by Amorim.He could be the man to replace Casemiro.”If he were weak, he would have already been released from Benfica and would be demonstrating quality in another team. “Benfica were in time to not lose one of those players that we must fight to keep at the club due to his quality. “I hope he has a lot of luck and continues to have a great season.”Carreras has played 14 times for Benfica so far this season, scoring once.READ MORE SUN STORIESAmorim is in action with Sporting CP for the final time in the Champions League tomorrow as they face Manchester City.His final game as the Eagles’ boss is then against another former club in Braga.Man Utd ratings vs ChelseaMARTIN BLACKBURN gives his verdict on the Red Devils against ChelseaAndre Onana – 5Will be disappointed not to keep out Caicedo’s equaliser.Almost put Casemiro in trouble with sloppy early pass tooNoussair Mazraoui – 6Key interception to prevent Neto getting in on goal late on and tried to support Garnacho where possibleMatthijs de Ligt – 6Good early block to deny Palmer.Late slip under pressure from Jackson almost proved costly.Lisandro Martinez – 6Lucky not to concede a pen with clumsy challenge on Colwill and lucky to escape a red for x-rated late tackle on Palmer.Diogo Dalot – 6Poor tackle on Pedro Neto earned a deserved booking and had a real battle with his international team-mate.Casemiro – 7Made a difference with super ball to Hojlund in lead up to pen – but could he have got more distance on clearing header that was despatched by Moises Caicedo.Manuel Ugarte – 6Rugby tackle on Palmer but Uruguayan showed signs he is starting to settle in after big money summer move.Alejandro Garnacho – 6Always a threat but wasted some great chances.Shot straight at Sanchez and shanked another effort after great work by Fernandes.Bruno Fernandes – 8Created United’s best two chances for Rashford and Garnacho and then kept his cool to score from the spot.Marcus Rashford – 6Hit the angle with volley on stroke of half-time and saw another shot saved by Sanchez.Better from the England man.Rasmus Hojlund – 6Did not touch the ball in the Chelsea box first half but when he finally did he won the penalty.SubsAmad Diallo (73′ for Rashford)A couple of nice touches but not much impact.Joshua Zirkzee (’84 for Hojlund)A couple of nice touches but not much impact.Victor Lindelof (’84 for Ugarte)Thrown on to keep things tight and did that. More