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      Ange Postecoglou HAS lost to Man Utd before as forgotten match comes to light before Tottenham’s Europa League final

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      MANY thought Ange Postecoglou was undefeated against Manchester United going into the Europa League final.But a forgotten game has since come to light hours before his Tottenham side take on the Red Devils in Bilbao.It turns out Ange Postecoglou HAS lost to Man Utd before as forgotten match comes to lightPostecoglou lost 2-0 to Sir Alex Ferguson’s outfit just over 25 years agoIndeed, since joining Tottenham in the summer of 2023, Ange has remained unbeaten against Man Utd.In fact, the Aussie has overseen FOUR wins in five matches, with the other being a 2-2 draw at Old Trafford in January 2024.And much of the pre-match final talk has centred around the fact that Ange has three straight wins over them this season alone.But it turns out the Spurs manager, 59, has previously suffered defeat to the football powerhouse that is Man Utd.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSA then 34-year-old Postecoglou lost 2-0 to Sir Alex Ferguson’s outfit just over 25 years ago, in his first managerial job.His semi-final professional side South Melbourne lost at the Maracana at the Fifa Club World Championship in 2000.This was a Red Devils side that had just won a famous treble and notably withdrew from the FA Cup to compete at the tournament instead.A brace from Quinton Fortune after just 20 minutes decided the match. But this time, Ange isn’t necessarily the underdog.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSPostecoglou will be hoping to turn the tables as he looks to face off against Ruben Amorim’s sorry outfit on Wednesday. Both teams have endured their worst Premier League seasons in recent memory, suffering 39 league defeats between them.Ange Postecoglou fumes after being labelled a ‘clown’ and refuses to answer question during press conferenceSouth Melbourne lost 2-0 at the Fifa Club World Championship in 2000Postecoglou opened up about his first run-in with United before Spurs travelled to little-out Tamworth in the FA Cup this season.He said: “We ended up playing Man United and we were a semi-pro team, playing against the great Manchester United.“Qualifying for that tournament probably destroyed our domestic season because from the moment we qualified our players just didn’t want to risk getting injured and were just not interested in our league season.“We had a disaster that season, they just didn’t want to miss out on playing.“Some of my players, who were semi-pro but good footballers, probably played the games of their lives that day.”But the former Celtic manager fumed on Tuesday and hit back at a report calling him “a clown”.He will have the chance to win Spurs’ first trophy in 17 years on Wednesday night.MAN UTD VS TOTTENHAM – EUROPA LEAGUE FINAL LIVELatest betting odds, offers and predictions More

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      Man Utd & Spurs fans guzzle pints & party on streets of Bilbao in fevered run up to season-saving Europa League final

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      MANCHESTER United and Tottenham Spurs fans are guzzling pints and partying on the streets of Bilbao in the run up to the season-saving Europa League final.Up to 70,000 footie fans have flocked from the UK to sunny Bilbao where spirits are at an all-time high – despite some taking a 32-hour ferry ride to get there.Fans gather ahead of the UEFA Europa League Final football matchCredit: GettySpurs and and Manchester Utd fans in Bilbao ahead of tonight’s matchCredit: Darren FletcherA Manchester United fan waves a flare in Plaza Nueva squareCredit: PATottenham Hotspur fan Jangwon Son plays the trumpet ahead of the UEFA Europa League FinalCredit: GettyBilbao bars have been flooded with Brit fans chanting and drinking ahead of the anticipated final tonight.Both sets of supporters have been pictured marching through the streets, chanting songs with drinks in hand as they gear up for the Europa League final.Images show one Spurs fan playing the trumpet for gargantuan crowds, while Man United supporters hold up their beers to cheers. Footage taken by The Sun showed fans filling the streets, with around 70,000 fans thought to have flocked to Spain – despite the stadium being at 53,000-capacity.read more on the finalSome have braved an epic 32-hour-plus ferry ride which set sail at 10pm on Sunday evening and didn’t arrive until this morning.With flights to Spain rocketing over £1,000 after the Prem teams sealed their final spots, many took advantage of the cheaper sea-route option, which set them back £260 for a cabin.The sky-high air prices are due to just six direct flights from Britain to the Basque region’s industrial port city each day.And with only 65 hotels in Spain’s tenth largest city, accommodation has been fully-booked for weeks.Most read in FootballEach club has millions of fans across the globe, but since there are just 14,000 tickets allocated to each team, bagging a seat to the showpiece event has been a tricky task.On Sunday night, precious tickets to the big game were selling on the black market for up to £10,000.Tottenham Hotspur fans standing on top of traffic lightsCredit: GettySpurs fans holding up their pintsCredit: ReutersManchester United gather in BilbaoCredit: ReutersBoth sets of supporters have been pictured marching through the streetsCredit: GettyEasyJet was charging £1,823 to fly from Gatwick to Bilbao on Wednesday morning and return on Thursday morning, while the cheapest hotels for Wednesday night cost around £1,200.But for those fans who managed to snap up the golden tickets, footage has shown them enjoying themselves.Despite dismal Premier League seasons – United finishing 16th in the table and Spurs in 17th, perilously close to the relegation zone – die-hard supporters were emptying their bank accounts and flocking to Bilbao.Aside from European glory, the victorious team qualifies for next season’s cash-riddled Champions League, worth a cool £100m to the club lifting the prized trophy.The travel chaos endured by thousands of footie fans has mirrored the 1987 American road trip comedy movie Planes, Trains and Automobiles starring Steve Martin and John Candy.Spurs fan John Affleck of Enfield, Herts., was today enjoying local delicacy pintxos – snacks on a slice of bread resembling an open sandwich – washed down with Sangria.He told The Sun: “I flew to Madrid then got the train down. There are no hotel rooms so I’m bunking up with a pal on his hotel floor.”The trip will cost me more than £5,000. I’m broke, but I really don’t care. We just need to win.”Manchester United fans in high spirits ahead of tonightCredit: PAFans drinking beer before the UEFA Europa League FinalCredit: AlamyFans of Tottenham Hotspur gather to show their support to their teamFans have filled the streetsCredit: GettyFrank Johns, a Red Devils season ticket holder, jetted out yesterday from Heathrow via Schiphol in Amsterdam.He said: “It has been a pitiful season but none of that will matter if we lift the trophy.”Under-fire Ruben Amorim and Ange Postecoglou face the chop if they don’t prevail in the final – cruelly dubbed “El Crapico” by rival fans and pundits.Amorim masterminded Manchester United’s 7-1 semi-final demolition of ten-man Athletic Bilbao.And Postecoglou guided his Tottenham team to a 5-1 triumph over Norwegians Bodo/Glimt in the other to set up the all-English final.Tottenham were beaten 2-0 by Liverpool in the 2019 Champions League final, while Chelsea beat Arsenal 4-1 in the Europa League final in the same year.United beat Chelsea in the 2008 Champions League final and Spurs KO’d Wolves to win the 1972 Uefa Cup.Tottenham have already beaten the Manchester outfit on three occasions this season – twice in the league and once in the Carabao Cup.Read More on The SunThey are looking to end a trophy drought that dates back to 2008 and has hung over the club – to the delight of opposing fans.United meanwhile have continued to be dire in the Prem with Amorim claiming his side are “not ready” to be competitive domestically and in the Champions League.Footie fanatics get the party started earlyBy Sun man in Bilbao, Dave CourtnadgeIT’S barely midday in Bilbao on the day before the Europa League final between Manchester United and Spurs – but it’s already getting lively.I arrived in the city at about 9am after a 32-HOUR ferry ride from Portsmouth.And the first thing a lot of fellow fans planned to do was find a pub for a well-earned drink.Walking around the area around the San Mames stadium this morning, a fair few others had the same idea.Many have had long journeys, stopping off overnight in another city to keep down the soaring cost of getting here, with some direct flights over £1,000.So it’s no surprise many are already getiing the party started, or the Bilbao leg of the party anyway.Spurs fan Gary, who flew out from London before an overnight stay in a Madrid hotel resembling a “prison cell”, joked as he supped a pint in the sun: “I’m just getting some practice in for tomorrow.”The atmosphere has been brilliant so far, and hopefully that will continue.There had been claims that Spurs fans are set to outnumber United fans by 5 to 1, with an estimated 50,000 supporters of the two English sides expected to arrive.One Tottenham follower I spoke to joked that they had bought all the flights out of London to keep the Reds out.Based on the number of Spurs shirts I’ve already seen, he might be right. 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      in Boxing

      ‘He’s the king slayer’ – Lennox Lewis names only heavyweight capable of beating Oleksandr Usyk

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      LENNOX LEWIS claimed there is only one “king slayer” capable of beating Oleksandr Usyk. Usyk is 23-0 with undisputed titles at cruiserweight and heavyweight – beating both Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury twice. Lennox Lewis with Oleksandr UsykHe also stopped Daniel Dubois in 2023 but only after low-blow controversy in round five. Usyk hit the floor after the referee deemed a blow to be below the belt – but Dubois has always maintained it was a legal shot. He eventually lost in nine rounds but has built himself back up to win the IBF title – knocking out AJ in September. And Lewis – Britain’s last undisputed heavyweight champ – has backed Dubois to beat Usyk in their July 19 rematch at Wembley. READ MORE IN BOXINGHe told Queensberry: “I’m thinking he’s ready. He’s been through the trials and tribulations. “He’s the king slayer. He’s got the power. He’s been there before. He was just there, he knocked [Usyk] down, so he knows what he needs to do. “It would be great for him to do it, another man from Great Britain. It’s not an easy task, but he’s definitely the man that can go through with it. “He’s done the work. He’s gone through the pedigree. He’s a certified world champion and I think he has big hopes on doing it. He’s going to do it.”Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSUsyk, 38, became the heavyweight division’s first four-belt undisputed champ after beating Fury, 36, last May. But he had to vacate the IBF version to proceed with his December rematch against Fury – which he won on points. Dubois, 27, was meanwhile elevated from interim to full champ and defended it with his KO over Joshua, 35, at Wembley. Usyk and Daniel Dubois rematch on July 19Credit: Richard Pelham / The SunTheir first fight was marred in low-blow controversyCredit: TNT Sport More

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      Man Utd and Tottenham fans blast football at each other as tempers flare ahead of Europa League final

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      TEMPERS flared between Tottenham and Manchester United supporters ahead of the Europa League final.The two struggling Premier League clubs go head-to-head in a bid to save their seasons tonight at Bilbao’s San Mames Stadium.Tottenham and Man Utd fans were filmed kicking a football at each other before the Europa League finalCredit: Jam Press/@Niall_UTDThe two groups clashed in the streetCredit: Jam Press/@Niall_UTDThe ball was kicked into both groups of fansCredit: Jam Press/@Niall_UTDAnd prior to the highly-anticipated clash, some fans came to blows in the street in the Basque Country.One Tottenham fan was filmed kicking a football into a crowd of United supporters.Another person among the crowd retaliated by kicking it back, sparking a war of words between the two groups.The altercation in San Sebastian did not escalate any further.READ MORE IN SPORTA huge brawl also erupted in the area 24 hours before kick-off.Hooligans were filmed fighting and throwing objects at each other on Fermín Calbetón Street, forcing the local authorities to get involved.Witnesses said the fight broke out when two large groups of supporters began shouting and hurling insults.It quickly escalated into a brawl, with both Man Utd and Spurs fans grabbing whatever they could to throw at each other – including drinks and bins.Most read in Europa LeagueCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSMan Utd vs Spurs – Europa League final: Kick-off time, TV channel and live stream info for Bilbao clashAn ambulance was dispatched, with several people treated at the scene.However, no one needed to be taken to hospital.Shocking moment punches thrown as brawl erupts between Man Utd & Spurs fans in Spain ahead of Europa League finalTens of thousands of Brits have travelled to Bilbao for the Europa League final.Some have paid an eye-watering amount for a flights, while others have endured long ferry, bus and train journeys.MAN UTD VS TOTTENHAM – EUROPA LEAGUE FINAL LIVELatest betting odds, offers and predictions More

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      in Soccer

      Nottingham Forest vs Chelsea pick of final-day Premier League TV fixtures as race for Champions League goes down to wire

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      CHELSEA’S Champions League qualification clash with Nottingham Forest has been picked for TV.The Premier League has confirmed which fixtures will be broadcast on the last day of the season.Nottingham Forest vs Chelsea will be broadcast by Sky SportsCredit: GettyLiverpool vs Crystal Palace will also be shown on Sky SportsCredit: The TimesChelsea’s visit to Nottingham Forest will decide which team qualifies for next season’s Champions League.The match will be shown on Sky Sports, with the broadcaster also set to air Liverpool vs Crystal Palace.While TNT Sports is set to show Manchester United vs Aston Villa.Kick-off times for the two fixtures remain the same – Sunday 4:00pm – with all ten matches starting at the same time.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThere are five teams battling for a place in the top five, which guarantees Champions League football next season.A win for Forest would see them overtake Chelsea, but they could miss out on the top five if Aston Villa beat Manchester United.Villa are level on points with Chelsea but have a worse goal difference, so they could remain sixth if Blues win at the City Ground.Manchester City and Newcastle currently occupy third and fourth place, with the Magpies on 66 points along with Chelsea and Villa.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSThey will likely need to beat Everton to reach the Champions League, while City could need just a point against Fulham given their superior goal difference.Pep Guardiola’s side are two points ahead of their rivals on 68 after beating Bournemouth 3-1 on Tuesday.Kelleher to Aston Villa? Liverpool Star Set for £30M Summer Move! More

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      in Soccer

      Donny van de Beek appears to blame Man Utd for injuries and admits warming the bench left his confidence shot to pieces

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      DONNY VAN DE BEEK has linked his ongoing injury problems with being benched during his nightmare spell at Manchester United.Van de Beek’s was forced to undergo surgery on his Achilles last week after a confidence-building debut season with Girona. Donny van de Beek’s career took a downward spiral when he joined Man Utd in 2020The Dutchman said injuries came after being sidelined for extended periods of timeThe former Man Utd and Ajax midfielder rediscovered his love for the game with 35 appearances for the LaLiga side this season.It marked a significant step in his quest to rediscover a run of form that once made him one of Europe’s most wanted players.In fact, Van de Beek was so keen to impress that he pushed through a disastrous pain barrier to help Girona retain their LaLiga status this term.He told SPORTbible: “I’ve had this Achilles issue for a while and kept playing through it, but it got too much in the end.”READ MORE ON MAN UTDThe 28-year-old has suffered another setback and will miss the final game of the season on Sunday after having surgery on his left ankle.The Dutchman has endured several different injuries since his doomed £35million move from Ajax to Old Trafford in 2020.And Van de Beek as now linked his fitness issues to his extended time spent on the bench during his four years at Man Utd.He said: “It’s difficult to build rhythm and confidence when you’re constantly being sidelined.Most read in FootballJoin SUN CLUB for the Man Utd Files every Thursday plusin-depth coverage and exclusives from Old Trafford”It’s hard to be at your best when you’re in and out of the team, and I think when you’re not playing regularly.”Your body isn’t used to the intensity and you become more prone to injuries. The lack of consistent minutes didn’t help either.”Bilbao cops to launch ‘biggest security operation ever’ as 70,000 Brits flood Spanish city for Europa League finalFrom thighs, groins and hamstrings, to a huge knee injury that kept him out for 179 days, Van de Beek spent more and more time in the medical room.And it was the same at during his loan spells at Goodison Park and Bundesliga side Eintracht Frankfurt.After starting just four league games in his debut season under Ole Gunnar Solksjaer, Van de Beek started three consecutive games for the first time under Erik ten Hag after two years in 2022.But a brutal season-ending injury against Bournemouth, wiped out that momentum. I’ll be watching on Wednesday night. I still love to see United play and hope they can win it.Van de BeekSPORTbibleVan de Beek added: “I think I deserved more chances, especially in my first year.”I didn’t play all the time, but when I did, I had some good games. I was convinced I would get more opportunities.”I felt good, and thought, ‘Okay, my time will come’ but for some reason, it didn’t happen.”After a year or two, it gets harder because if you don’t get a longer run of games then it’s difficult to prove yourself.”But the Dutchman still holds Man Utd close to his heart and his family have fond memories of living in Manchester.And he’ll be cheering Ruben Amorim’s side from afar against Tottenham in the Europa League final – four years after being part of the United squad that fell to a penalty shoot-out defeat against Villarreal.He said: “I’ll be watching on Wednesday night. I still love to see United play, and I stay in contact with a lot of people from the club.”I really hope they can win it, they deserve it. The fans have been through a lot recently.”I never had any bad experiences with the fans. We had a great relationship. They were always so good to me. Read More on The Sun”That gave me a lot of energy, especially during difficult moments.”The fans and staff deserve so much better than what’s happening now. It’s tough to see.”MAN UTD VS TOTTENHAM – EUROPA LEAGUE FINAL LIVELatest betting odds, offers and predictions More

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      in Boxing

      ‘I would’ve beaten him’ – Jake Paul blasts Canelo Alvarez’s win over William Scull and but says shock fight WILL happen

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      JAKE PAUL blasted Canelo Alvarez’s win over William Scull – but says their shock fight WILL happen. The YouTuber-turned-boxer and Mexican great were close to announcing a blockbuster May 3 bout in Las Vegas. Jake Paul blasted Canelo Alvarez’s win over William ScullCredit: SplashScull was beaten by Canelo on points in a dull affairCredit: GettyBut Canelo walked away to instead sign a four-fight deal with Saudi Arabia’s Turki Alalshikh. He beat Scull, 32, in Riyadh to win back the undisputed super-middleweight titles ahead of a September clash with Terence Crawford, 37. But Canelo put on a lacklustre performance in doing so, landing just 56 punches after throwing only 152 over 12 rounds. Paul told Ariel Helwani: “I would have beat Canelo, for sure. READ MORE IN BOXING”Even just watching him against Scull, he’s just washed up, inactive, doesn’t throw a lot of punches, not very strong. “What’s crazy is one of my main sparring partners from the last two years was the one who ‘lost’ to William Scull. “He was the one that should have been fighting Canelo. His name is Vladimir Shishkin. “He beat Scull way worse than Canelo did, and this is the guy I’m sparring with every day for two and a half years, going toe-to-toe with.Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS”When it happens, I’m going to have the last laugh, and I know what I’m capable of, and there’s a lot more names on the list I’m going to beat in the next couple of years. “It’s going to be the greatest boxing career of all time.” Jake Paul confirms rules for Gervonta Davis fight despite FIVE STONE weight difference with exhibition in works for 2025Despite the dramatic collapse of their deal, Paul, 28, is still confident he will fight Canelo, 34, in the future. He said: “Yeah, I think so. I think so, just because from a third party view we’re the two biggest names in the sport. “And because of that it’s just going to be fun and exciting and I like making history with big events.” Paul’s last fight was at heavyweight beating Mike Tyson – who controversially came out of retirement aged 58. Now he returns back down at cruiserweight on June 28 against ex-middleweight world champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr, 39, in California. It comes after talks to rematch Tommy Fury, 26, who Paul lost to in 2023 and arch enemy KSI, 31, both failed. Paul said: “I think Julio, that conversation has always been there, and fans have always wanted it. “He’s a former world champion, super experienced, and it’s a good chip on my belt to test myself in the ring with a very, very tough opponent. “He has the name behind him, the Mexican fan base, Puerto Rico vs. Mexico, and he was actually somebody that stepped up to the table. Read More on The Sun”The Tommy Fury [talks] have always been there, the KSI discussions have always been there, but those guys don’t actually want to make a fight happen. “Julio stepped up, credit to him, and we made June 28 happen.”Jake Paul returns against Julio Cesar Chavez JrCredit: Splash More

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      in Soccer

      Europa League final commentators and pundits: Who is on the panel for huge clash between Man Utd and Tottenham?

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      ALL eyes will be on the Bilbao pitch as Manchester United and Tottenham battle it out in a mouthwatering Europa League final – but the pundit panel is just as important!The Red Devils tore semi-final opponents Athletic Bilbao apart over the two legs.Bruno Fernandes and Mason Mount were integral to United booking a spot in the finalCredit: Shutterstock EditorialDominic Solanke scored in both legs during Spurs’ Europa League semi-finalCredit: GettyAn early red card followed by a Bruno Fernandes double fired Ruben Amorim’s men to an emphatic 3-0 first leg win, before Mason Mount’s masterclass in the second leg completed the job at Old Trafford.Tottenham also flew out of the blocks in their final four contest against Bodo/Glimt courtesy of goals from Brennan Johnson, James Maddison and Dominic Solanke.And Solanke got on the scoresheet again away from home which was then followed by a sensational Pedro Porro strike to seal the deal in Norway.But what made both ties even more entertaining was the dramatic commentary, and the panel has been revealed for TONIGHT’s final.Read more on Europa LeagueMAN UTD VS TOTTENHAM – EUROPA LEAGUE FINAL LIVELatest betting odds, offers and predictions Who are the TNT Sports Europa League final commentators and pundits?Jules Breach and Lynsey Hipgrave have been appointed with the important role of presenting on tonight’s Europa League final between Manchester United and Tottenham.However, there will also be expert analysis from Manchester United legends Rio Ferdinand and Paul Scholes.While Tottenham heroes Gareth Bale and Glenn Hoddle will be in the corner for Spurs.Coverage is expected to start from around 6pm BST – which is 7pm where the action is taking place.Most read in Europa LeagueHow can I watch the Europa League final?The 2025 Europa League final will be broadcast live on TNT Sports 1.Last year, the Europa League final was available to live stream for FREE via the discovery+ app/website.And it is the same for this year’s mouthwatering showpiece match.SunSport’s live blog will bring you minute-by-minute coverage of the Europa League final.What has been said?Manchester United icon Rio Ferdinand has admitted that winning the Europa League would only ‘paper over the cracks’ at his former club.Speaking on TNT Sports, Ferdinand said “It would be a huge success, given the disappointments there have been in the Premier League this year.”To end the season with a trophy and then qualification for the Champions League, I don’t think they could’ve dreamed of that. It’d paper over some of the cracks.”Physically, the teams they’ve played against [in the Europa League] they’ve been able to overpower. In the Premier League, United are possibly one of the weakest teams physically.”If they don’t get beat tactically or by individual brilliance, then physically they get overpowered or overrun, and in Europe they’ve managed to do that to opposing teams.” More