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      in Boxing

      Harlem Eubank vs Nurali Erdogan LIVE RESULTS: Main event ON NOW as nephew of boxing legend looks to go 20-0 – updates

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      HARLEM EUBANK will be desperate to make his legendary uncle Chris proud as he is taking on French start Nurali Erdogan RIGHT NOW!Eubank captured public attention during his last fight when he stopped Timo Schwarzkopf in front of a televised audience with over two million viewers.And a win at the top of tonight’s rescheduled bill would stretch his record to 19-0-0, as well as strengthen his chances at a world title shot.But before the main event, there is a blockbuster undercard for boxing lovers to sink their teeth into.Main event ring-walk time: 10:45pm GMTFREE live stream: My5TV channel: Channel 5CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSFollow ALL the action from the Walker Dome with our live blog below…Eubank vs. Erdogan R7The pair take a tumble, their third of the contest early in this seventh… Erdogan complains to the official, but his protests fall under deaf ears as the visitor knows he must press now more than before.Another good left hook buzzes Harlem after some disguised body punching, the Brighton man gets his final warning and dodges a wild haymaker in the corner with 20 seconds remaining on the clock.As they head back to their respective corners, Harlem appears to be cut around his right eye after an accidental head clash. Not a good sight for an ambitious boxer increasingly desperate for activity.Copy linkCopiedEubank vs. Erdogan R6Erdogan gets, what appears to be a final warning (how many is that?) from the referee before Harlem is stung again by the left hook and needs to improve what feels like increasingly intermittent attacks right now, should this go to a decision. Hmmm… perhaps hold that thought! The referee has eventually seen enough and stops them in centre ring, deducts a point from Erdogan gesticulating excessive holding and pushing.If this scrappy-but-competitive fight was close on the scorecards before this round, it isn’t any longer. See how quickly things can change, just like that..Copy linkCopiedEubank vs. Erdogan R5I mean, what do you say about another iffy round like this? Harlem eats a perfectly-placed left hook with 30 seconds left and, having seemingly controlled large periods of this stanza with movement aplenty, probably lost it right there. I’d have it 3-2 either way through five rounds, depending on what you prefer to see when judging.Copy linkCopiedEubank vs. Erdogan R4″Harlem needs to stay smart and stop trying to wrestle,” is the commentary’s analysis through nine minutes and well, they’re not wrong. He’s best at middle distance, with some separation and is able to chain attacks together, rather than trying to outmuscle a naturally bigger man. Erdogan connects on a right, just as we hear a background story about a coach pinpointing the left hook as Harlem’s area of defensive weakness.Eubank lands single shots up close but that’s merely empowering his French opponent to fire back just as fiercely, another close round for judges to score.Copy linkCopiedEubank vs. Erdogan R3Harlem being told again, don’t use the elbow when you’re looking to land in the clinch. Erdogan lectured about using his head, not much in the way of noteworthy work despite both swinging wildly.Eubank pops Erdogan with a deft jab, having dug two body shots moments prior, but in the final half-minute of another exhausting round, the visitor has the last laugh with a shot connecting after the bell.Copy linkCopiedEubank vs. Erdogan R2Erdogan trying to follow Eubank, apply pressure… as viewers are reminded that a point deduction could prove decisive, especially over an eight-round bout. Harlem is lectured again, the referee almost pleading with them both to tidy it up, Eubank connects on a series of body shots which make the Frenchman instinctively adjust his shorts – he certainly felt that – more rough-housing to finish another competitive round. How do you score this?Copy linkCopiedEubank vs. Erdogan R1″Erdogan looks so big compared to Eubank,” is an early observation from Barry Jones on comms. We’ll see how the physical discrepancies between them play out, the longer this goes. “Punch out!” bellows the official after some rather scrappy exchanges … the referee separates them on more than one occasion in centre ring, before reading them the riot act with half-a-minute left.”Keep punching and holding, I’ll take a point off,” Harlem is told. How will that impact his tactics here?Underwhelming stanza, tidy it up is the command as the pair return to their respective corners. Hmmm..Copy linkCopiedRight on cue, here they are!Erdogan wastes no time with his ringwalk, sporting a slick Lyon strip as he strides in… while Harlem is wearing a shirt remembering cousin Sebastian, who died aged just 29 after a heart attack three years ago.England vs. France was the tagline I heard minutes ago and considering Erdogan has been announced as the country’s former welterweight champion across the Channel, it makes sense. Copy linkCopiedA recap of tonight’s fights, so far…Sunderland super-featherweight Eduard Georgiev got us started on this 12-fight card with a R1 KO win over Jack England, while there were a whopping seven decision victories – impressive nods for Niall Brown, Sophie Alisch and Joe Laws’ emotional return after older brother Jason tragically died in a Newcastle explosion last month.J’Hon Ingram was successful on his UK debut, Codie Smith got back to winning ways while Robert Lloyd-Taylor Junior was perhaps a touch fortunate to stay unbeaten. Lee Rogers moved to 2-0 at Yin Caicedo’s expense, while Ben Marksby and Dan Toward’s TKO victories have energised a crowd starting to get a bit restless waiting for ringwalks…Copy linkCopiedMain event klaxon!The PA interrupts a *very* loud musical intermission to urge fans to find their seats again quickly, as the Channel 5 broadcast portion of tonight’s busy card is minutes away from starting now… where Harlem Eubank will box France’s Nurali Erdogan shortly. Ready? Not before some Sweet Caroline, of course.Copy linkCopiedUK light-middleweights, beware…Toward said all the right things after an impressive display and eventual stoppage victory against a relative unknown, even if Nova ultimately showed himself to be a few levels below him. The visitor looked wild and reckless at times, unable to box well off the back foot in other stages while Toward picked his shots nicely.Much like the welterweight division discussed earlier, there’s an opening at 154lbs right now – highly-touted prospects mixing with a more experienced crop domestically but Toward will back himself to keep improving against tougher oppposition going forward.Copy linkCopiedToward drops, stops Nova in six!”There’s no crowd like a Geordie one, I’m looking to bring big-time boxing back to the North East,” Dan Toward tells Dave Farrar ringside before outlining an ambitious goal: fight for a world title at St. James’ Park, where the city’s beloved football club play.Coldwell speaks passionately about his charge shortly afterwards, praising the determined mentality Toward displayed after three knockdowns.The first was heavy as Nova did well to survive danger, second looked ominous and it was merely a matter of time once he found his footing early. Copy linkCopiedToward in total controlThe Dave Coldwell-trained talent has flown out of the blocks to start this, scoring a second-round knockdown with a left hand as the visitor doesn’t only bite on every feint in his direction … he also has failed to establish any respect for his punch power and is being peppered by the same shots, lefts and around the midsection right now. Rough!Copy linkCopiedToward-Nova up next…Whenever there’s a delay between respective ringwalks before a fight like this, there’s usually a reason. Gateshead’s Dan Toward (4-0, 3 KOs) gets a warm welcome ahead of what is a seriously stiff test – at least on paper – up against Colombia’s Johan Nova (9-1, 7 KOs).Toward, a skilled 23-year-old southpaw with an esteemed amateur background and previously part of Team GB, will fancy this. Two fights before the main event, on home soil, not a bad card slot ey?Copy linkCopiedBrown brilliant, wins six-rounderI looked away for a moment and initially, it looked like coach Pat Barrett and team were congratulating their charge on a stoppage win… instead a 60-54 points win will do just nicely for the super-middleweight, who has certainly impressed world champion boxer-turned-analyst Barry Jones on commentary and others besides.He speaks briefly ringside, talking about how pleased he was to showcase the developments he’s made in the gym. Says it’s a complement people don’t know he was an amateur, having built up situational composure in-front of crowds through Muay Thai.So then after an impressive showing like that, what’s next? “It’s up to Wasserman, I’d be interested in titles towards the end of next year,” he says as Barrett hails his pupil’s brilliant boxing IQ and says it’s a throwback to old 1980s fighters, dominating behind the jab.Copy linkCopiedBrown being the bully…Stockport’s Niall Brown is in the ring right now, chaining together combinations and vicious uppercuts against Spain’s Pablo Sosa in a way that makes you feel like he can finish the job anytime he pleases.The 27-year-old super-middleweight is boxing against an opponent with a positive win-loss record for the first time through 13 bouts, mind… can he sustain this tempo over eight rounds? Into the fourth.Copy linkCopiedRogers rockets forward!Another home hopeful has produced a morale-boosting victory to warm the Newcastle crowd at the Walker Activity Dome tonight, this time Lee Rogers earning a 40-37 victory over four rounds against Colombian journeyman Yin Caicedo. The 21-year-old super-bantamweight talent made his debut half-an-hour away in Houghton-le-Spring and will be hoping for more successful nights like these as he builds momentum in future.Copy linkCopiedMarksby’s momentDarlington resident Ben Marksby picked the right night to score his first stoppage win of a three-year pro career, stopping Levi Kinsiona with a startling counter right hand in the second-round of their light-welterweight contest elsewhere on this busy undercard.Still only 25, he and his coaches won’t need telling: the 140lb division is increasingly up for grabs in the UK with the Jack Catterall, Adam Azim and Dalton Smith trio firmly focused on world level opposition.Copy linkCopiedHarlem shakeHarlem Eubank is looking to shake the room once again and dismantle his French opponent Nurali Erdogan.The fans simply cannot wait for this one!Credit: GettyCopy linkCopiedPattinson’s huge returnElsewhere later on tonight to look forward to… Newcastle welterweight Cyrus Pattinson ends a 15-month layoff, one he thought a serious eye injury could spell retirement, against Estonian-born Russian hopeful Andrei Antonov.In an exclusive interview he did on the eve of this return, Pattinson put things into perspective with Sky’s John DennenPattinson said:” Boxing, training and exercise has been a massive thing for me all my life. When that’s taken away… It’s like a car without wheels. A massive part of my identity, this [recovery] has been the hardest fight of my life, it feels like my debut all over again.”Pattinson alternated wins and losses last year against Chris Jenkins and an inspired Conah Walker showing so while this is a relatively light touch on his return, a statement showing could move the needle.Copy linkCopiedIngram’s interesting storyI’ve seen a lot of love for US hopeful J’Hon Ingram in videos and general media this week, an unknown quantity on these shores considering he hasn’t really kicked on since his pro debut in February 2022.That’s in part due to an inactive spell under the Floyd Mayweather Promotions banner that has reached its conclusion as well as a co-promotional deal with Misfits granting him permission to box tonight. Given they’re different disciplines in the same field, surely it’d make sense to stick to one?24 and the latest making their maiden appearance across the pond, he went the six-round distance (60-54) against Jonatas Rodrigo Gomes de Oliveira, another former Barney-Smith opponent. One to monitor, even if the jury’s still out…Copy linkCopiedLaw of attractionAfter a three-round slobberknocker against Stephen McKenna in August, this was an emotional return closer to home comforts for fan-friendly underdog Joe Laws.If you didn’t have the pleasure of witnessing this live, go spend ten minutes doing so! It was the sort of back-and-forth which just reinforces how brutally brilliant our sport is, no matter the level.Anyway I digress, Laws logged a 60-55 victory over Adam Cieslak here and the Benwell Bomber will only hope exposure on a Channel 5 show – even if not featuring on the televised portion – stands him in good stead for more lucrative domestic offers.Copy linkCopiedTaylor madeEaling-born welterweight Robert Lloyd-Taylor Jr snatched a 39-37 win over four rounds against stern opposition in the form of 54-fight pro Robin Zamora.Keeping in theme with Nicaraguan talents, the 26-year-old was good value for an upset victory and that would’ve been the first since this time twelve months ago against Dylan Cheema on a BOXXER show. Wake-up call for the 22-year-old, but will he take heed as tests gradually stiffen?Copy linkCopiedSuper SmithAfter an eye-opening draw over six rounds against Darryl Tapfuma in Bolton last December, where he had to climb off the canvas in round four, super-featherweight talent Codie Smith got the job done with another decision win – His fourth in the pro ranks – at the expense of Nicaraguan journeyman Engel Gomez, who boxed Royston Barney-Smith and Cameron Vuong in the back end of last year.The Yorkshireman is still a way off those two surging super-featherweights at domestic level with rival promotions, but shaking off ring rust before Christmas is never a bad thing.Copy linkCopiedWelcome to Harlem Eubank vs Nural ErdoganThere just is something special about Friday night boxing, isn’t there? Tonight promises to be an intriguing watch across multiple divisions, headlined by Harlem Eubank’s welterweight foray as the Brighton boxer targets a big 2025 at world level.That’s at least three hours away though, and we’ve had a series of undercard boxers in action already tonight.Unbeaten German featherweight Sophie Alisch, rated highly by the Wasserman decision-makers, ended a 20-month layoff with a UD6 victory over Marina Sakharov earlier on.Copy linkCopied More

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      in Soccer

      Liverpool’s Mo Salah is NOT world class… but I can name five players who are, says Troy Deeney

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      I HAVE received a bit of heat this week for some comments on Mohamed Salah — so let me talk you through it.I claimed Salah is NOT world class. Mo Salah is brilliant player, but falls short of being world classTroy Deeney has named five players who could walk into any team in the worldThe Liverpool player is a brilliant winger, his goalscoring numbers are incredible and he has achieved some truly amazing things at the club.But world class? No.Let me make this clear — this is not a personal attack on Salah. I think he is a top player and a great guy.I played against him a lot in my career and can appreciate just how good he is.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSBut trying to be everyone’s friend? That’s not my bag. I will say it how it is.In general, this is about the term “world class” as a whole — what does it actually mean and when can we use it?Firstly, it is a very lucid way to describe a footballer.It’s not like at The Masters when you get your Green Jacket and you are a champion of Augusta forever, regardless of how bad you play afterwards.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSIt is something as a player that takes ages to earn and probably half a season to lose, and then the fight to get it back begins again.Some players — great players — have struggled to earn that title at all during their careers. Top 10 highest-paid Premier League starsGary Neville is one of the most decorated full-backs of all time, but we all considered Roberto Carlos or Cafu to be a level above.Yet if I had Neville’s career behind me, would I care if someone said I wasn’t world class? Of course not.No player is safe from dropping out of this subjective, opinionated category, but there is always a way back.For instance, someone like Kylian Mbappe I would argue is also currently NOT world class. An incredible player, won plenty, got his big move to Real Madrid this summer, but his form has not been at the level of previous seasons.PSG superstar Kylian Mbappe has failed to hit the mark in Madrid so farTo earn and keep that world class tag, I believe you need to be able to transcend your whole team, transcend the game — not simply by having the most shirt sales, but being able to consistently lift a club to glory by yourself.Can Mbappe at 25 get back to being world class? Definitely. But for now, he has some work to do.As for Salah, you can look at his stats — 165 Prem goals in 274 games — and say this and that but ultimately, it is about what he brings to the team and the impact he has season after season, not just in certain games and moments.I was on the end of loads of drubbings at Watford when Salah was amazing for Liverpool.But when we prepared to face them, it was not just a case of “stop Salah and you win”.Changes to the Premier League for 2024/25NOTHING stays the same forever.And that includes the Premier League, which is making a number of tweaks this season.Team news will now be released 75 MINUTES before kick-off, 15 minutes earlier than had been the case before.Things could get crowded on the touchline, with the number of substitutes permitted to warm-up boosted from three players per team to FIVE.There’s also a change to how added time is calculated when a team scores a goal, an update to the ‘multiball’ system and the introduction of semi-automated offsides – but not straight away.Go here to read about all the changes to the Premier League for 2024/25.It was a lot harder when they also had Sadio Mane in the side who, in my opinion, was more effective over that period than Salah.And if we were basing this purely off numbers and goals, then Bruno Fernandes would be one of the best midfielders in the world, but he is not.You see where I am coming from?I can remember Graeme Souness once telling me his theory on whether you were world class, and it was based on whether you could walk into any starting XI in world football.With that in mind, here are the five players currently in world football who, for me, can be deemed world class — who could stroll into any team on the planet and start:READ MORE SUN STORIESSaying all this, it is just my opinion. Someone can turn around and tell me I am wrong and that is absolutely fine.And if Salah is worrying about what  I think, then he is definitely not  world class.Vinicius Junior is one the best wingers in the worldErling Haaland is the best striker in the worldVirgil van Dijk is a world class Prem defender More

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      in Motorsport

      Sergio Perez opens up on overwhelming SMELL at Las Vegas Grand Prix that ‘all the F1 drivers will talk about’

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      FORMULA ONE star Sergio Perez has complained of a “very noticeable” SMELL in Las Vegas ahead of the Grand Prix.The Red Bull driver is in Sin City ahead of the Vegas GP on Sunday.Sergio Perez has opened up on the smell that has been wreaking havoc at the Las Vegas GPPerez claimed he was tired of the weed smell around the Vegas circuitPerez revealed that all F1 drivers will talk about the strong scent of WEED in the Nevada desert.Speaking after his second free practice session, Perez said: “What is very noticeable around the circuit is the smell of marijuana throughout the night.”I’m a bit tired of it already — the amount is incredible. It’s something all the drivers will definitely talk about.”Unlike the UK, cannabis is legal for both medical and recreational use in the state of Nevada.READ MORE ON F1Fans attending the race are banned from bringing drugs to the 3.8-mile circuit, but it seems that’s not been enough to clear the air.Fellow driver Franco Colapinto took note of the scent as well.The Williams ace joked: Yes, there was a smell of weed.”If they dope the drivers now, I think we’ll all test positive, I swear – when we all test positive, there will be a mess.”Most read in MotorsportBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSAs expected, cannabis is a prohibited substance for F1 drivers as part of the FIA Anti-Doping Regulations from the sport’s governing body.While fans attending the Grand Prix will be following suit, Jade – a cannabis dispensary – is situated a few miles from the racetrack.Monaco Grand Prix hit by RED FLAG after horrific first-lap crash tears Sergio Perez’s F1 car in halfThe shop even specifically markets itself to F1, with a statement on their website reading: “For the Las Vegas Formula 1 event attendees, the experience can be elevated with cannabis.”Rival chains last year also capitalised on F1’s arrival by offering discounted weed to locals affected by road closures and heavy noise.On track, Mercedes star Lewis Hamilton seemed to be unperturbed by Vegas’ scent as he topped both Friday’s practice sessions.The Vegas GP debuted last year, with Max Verstappen winning the inaugural race.Reigning three-time champ Verstappen can wrap up a fourth successive title with another victory on a track he won last year.The conditions for practice have carried a bad smellVegas is the third last race of the 2024 season🏁 Complete F1 2024 race calendar – details on every Grand Prix and start time this year 🏁 More

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      in Soccer

      My manager asked me to draw an ELEPHANT in a team meeting – but there’s a good reason behind bizarre request

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      KELLEN FISHER was asked to draw an ELEPHANT by Norwich boss Johannes Hoff Thorup in front of stunned team-mates.But the Canaries right-back, 20, says there was a method to the madness as he revealed the Dane’s way of working.Kellen Fisher was asked to draw an elephant by Norwich boss Johannes Hoff ThorupFisher plays for England’s Under-21sFisher explained: “Everyone’s striving to do well since the new manager came in during the summer. Each day he’s asking us to be consistent.“We had a meeting and he got me up to draw an elephant.“After doing so, he asked how good I thought it was? I told him, ‘Not very’.“And then the manager asked, ‘If you practised it every day, how good would your elephant be?’READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS“I replied, ‘Pretty good’. He said, ‘In six months, your elephant will be perfect’.“He was comparing practising drawing an elephant to what we’re doing here.“We’ve just got to keep working hard and keeping our standards high to achieve better results.“It’s just the way this manager explains things, it’s eye-opening.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS“Going up to draw an elephant on the board and comparing that to football isn’t something I was thinking about!”Although Norwich are lower mid-table as they travel to West Brom on Saturday, this has still been a breakthrough few months for the rookie.Delia Smith gives up control of Norwich City after 27 years and legendary cook won’t receive a penny from saleFisher, who was in non-league last year, has made ten Championship starts this term and earned a first England Under-21 squad call-up.It has been a whirlwind since he joined Norwich in the summer of 2023 from Bromley.Fisher was expected to be playing for the Canaries’ under-21s for a couple of years.Yet he was quickly dining with then-club owner Delia Smith and put in the first team by ex-boss David Wagner.And Fisher said: “Delia invited me and my family for a meal before a game to get to know us, asking where I’d been and stuff like that. She wanted to make us feel welcome.“I don’t think she physically cooked it but the food was so good, maybe she did! We had steak pie, mash and gravy.“She gave me a cooking book and signed it, which I’ve given to my mum because she’s a fan of hers.”Within six weeks, Fisher was handed his debut and set up Jonathan Rowe’s last-minute winner at QPR.Fisher went on to make another two starts and came off the bench six times.Fisher started his career at Sunday team Kingfisher based in BromleyCoaches and ex-team-mates at Bromley told SunSport they believe he will make it to the Premier LeagueHe admitted: “I struggled to adapt to this level for about  six months but everyone helped me settle in.“It was great working with Wagner. I thank him for giving me my debut. I really enjoyed working for him.”Under Thorup, since starting in the 4-1 win against Watford in September, the youngster has been an ever-present.Fisher was gutted the other week when his equalising ‘goal’ in a 3-3 epic with Middlesbrough was given as an own goal to keeper Seny Dieng.The right-back’s slightly miscued cross appeared to be heading in before the Boro stopper palmed it into the net.Fisher said: “I thought it was mine but then suspected it might be taken away.“I put the ball across the front zone and it went a bit more to the right than expected. It’s gone in off the keeper and the place erupted. It was a great moment.”Fisher even enjoyed a spot of dinner with former Norwich director and chef Delia SmithNorwich sit 14th in the Championship, seven points of the play-off placesFisher is yet to score in his senior career, which also included two loan spells at Welling and Cray Wanderers while at Bromley.But he used to be an attacker until Bromley academy coach Steve Harris switched him to right-back.Fisher said: “I was playing as a winger for the under-21s and randomly one game he said, ‘I want you to play right-back’.“At the time it was short-term because, after a few games, I was a winger again.“But then during the off- season Steve told me, ‘Right- back is your position now — and you’re not changing’. I’ve been there ever since.”Fisher rose through the ranks at Bromley after making his debut in an FA Trophy game at Dover, aged 17, in 2021.And he credited his ex-boss Andy Woodman for helping him grow into a man — including a half-time rollicking after a poor performance.Fisher said: “We were winning 1-0 in a game and, before half-time, conceded two stoppage-time goals. “He told me I wasn’t being aggressive enough and that I was playing like a little boy.“At the time I was a little boy but I understood what he meant. It was the first time he had a real go at me.“But the next day he pulled me in to check if I was OK. In football, you do sometimes need a little push.”There is no doubting that Fisher is a huge talent with so much potential.READ MORE SUN STORIESCoaches and ex-team-mates at Bromley told SunSport they believe he will make it to the Premier League.Maybe the youngster who started his football journey for local Bromley Sunday league side Kingfisher is destined to become a real King Fisher.Who are these famous footballers? More

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      in Soccer

      Ruben Amorim reveals three major changes he wants from Man Utd players as he tells flops ‘there is no second way’

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      RUBEN AMORIM says this Manchester United team are not physically right and need to work harder.The new boss has inherited a Red Devils squad that has posted the club’s worst ever start to a Premier League season leading to the sacking of Erik ten Hag.Ruben Amorim is prepared to put United through their paces to instil his philosophyNow he is tasked to change that.And Amorim said: “We have to improve the physical aspect of the team, that is something we want to improve.“I think we lose the ball too often and we have to keep the ball.“We have to be better running back. I think that is clear for everybody. And we have to be very good in the details.READ MORE ON MAN UTD“Sometimes we are hoping to change a lot of things, big things, I think it’s the small things and we are here to improve on the small things, the way we see football, play as a team, understanding the game in one way,  that is the focus.“I can tell you in the small things I can help a lot these players.”Amorim insists that even though the players have only had a few days working with him, he will change how they play from the start of his first game away to Ipswich on Sunday.He will immediately take risks by employing a 3-4-3 as he stamps his mark on the way United are going to play going forward, right from the off.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSHe said: “As a coach you have to choose one way or another, I choose always 100 percent our way. I choose to risk a bit.“I believe so much in our way of playing, they will believe too. There is no second way.How Ruben Amorim will resurrect Marcus Rashford’s Man United career with subtle position change“We will adapt some players because we don’t have a different profile. “Maybe on Sunday you will see the starting 11 and not feel a lot of change but you will see it in the game and the positioning or where they receive the ball.“It’s not revolution because football is not so different with five players, in the back, three players in the back or four players in the back.“I cannot say evolution because we will have to wait and see but we will play a different type of football, we have our ideas, I’m not saying these are the best ideas, but it’s our way of seeing football.“It’s not evolution or revolution, it’s a change in the way we play football.”“I think we have to improve in a lot of areas, the understanding of the game, I know it’s a different way of playing and we are changing in the middle of the season.”READ MORE SUN STORIESBut he thinks he has the players to do what he wants.He said: “Until they prove me wrong, I believe in the players.”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. More

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      in Soccer

      West Ham ‘sound out former Champions League final manager’ as Julen Lopetegui ‘has TWO matches to save his job’

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      JULEN LOPETEGUI is not “listening or reading” about any sack speculation amid reports he has TWO matches to save his West Ham job.The Hammers are understood to have already sounded out Edin Terzic, who guided Borussia Dortmund to last season’s Champions League final before leaving the Bundesliga giants.Julen Lopetegui’s future could rest on results vs Newcastle and ArsenalCredit: RexEdin Terzic is rated a prime contender to step in if Lopetegui departsCredit: GettyAnd it’s claimed that should Lopetegui fail to get decent results away to Newcastle on Monday and then at home to Arsenal next Saturday, he will be shown the exit door.Typically, the West Ham hierarchy do not make mid-season firing but the club are 14th in the Premier League with only three wins from 11 matches.Terzic, a former Hammers’ assistant under Slaven Bilic, is regarded as a frontrunner should the Spaniard be replaced.He won the German Cup in his first spell in charge of Dortmund when he was interim chief.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLTerzic then returned to take the permanent position but quit in June this year after finishing fifth. TalkSPORT say West Ham Director of football Tim Steidten is a firm admirer of Terzic and that contact has already been made.It was put to Lopetegui, 58, that his time could soon be over in East London.But he responded: “The only thing I’m focused on is to be able to go to Newcastle in a tough match against a very good team.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS“We have to be ready to improve and to overcome the kinds of difficulties that we are going to have as a team.“The rest of the things, believe me this is football, it’s up to you. I’m not focused on this.Who is Julen Lopetegui?“I’m not listening or reading. I’m focused on working in my daily work to be able to understand what things can happen to be a better team.“The rest of the things are out of my control.“We put all our focus on the things that we can control to be able to work better, with a high demanding, knowing that the players need to do better.“Knowing that the season arrives in May, not November. So, let’s see what happens in two, three months.”Lopetegui – who is without the suspended Edson Alvarez and Mohammed Kudus – said he “talks every week” with chairman and largest shareholder David Sullivan.He added: “Our life is to live under pressure. Our work is like this. That is why we choose this world.“The more important thing is that we are working very hard to be able to improve a lot.“The players have a big commitment to do this. I’m sure that we are going to achieve our levels.“It’s true that we are not happy with the position that we are in but it’s true that we have a lot of time to change this.READ MORE SUN STORIES“We have done good things, but not enough things and we have to do more good things. We have to be able to achieve the best level of all the players.“We have to increase the level of all the team. I’m sure that all the players are involved in this improvement.” More

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      Gary Neville admits ‘I got it wrong’ and apologises over Rashford criticism as Amorim demands Man Utd ‘change’

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      MANCHESTER UNITED icon Gary Neville has apologised for his criticism of Marcus Rashford and Casemiro in the wake of their trip to the USA last week.The duo spent the international break in the States after missing out on a call-up to their respective national teams.Gary Neville apologised for his comments on Marcus Rashford and Casemiro during a chat with Ruben AmorimCredit: YouTube/Sky Sports Premier LeagueRashford flew to New York for an NBA gameCredit: ReutersNeville did not shy away from criticising him and Casemiro, who travelled to Orlando, this weekCredit: PARashford was pictured watching Friday’s NBA clash between the New York Knicks and Brooklyn Nets at Madison Square Garden.Meanwhile, Casemiro flew to Orlando to enjoy a family holiday at Disney World and a Magic game at Kia Center.However, both players received backlash with ex-United defender Neville leading the criticism.Speaking on the Stick to Football podcast, the pundit explained: “The professionalism, looking after your body and making sure you’re best prepared for the next training session is critical to every decision you make during the season.Read More on Man Utd”He has got a mental break, he’s got to get away and has got to rest with friends – then you talk about the choice of venue, how far do you fly, what’s the time difference, is that going to give a jet lag issue, is that going to give a stiffness issue from being on a flight for 12 hours?”This is on Casemiro more than Rashford but if I’m 30 years old and I’m looking after my body – and he’s won five Champions Leagues and is an unbelievable player, but if he was away with Brazil for 10 days, we would say he would struggle this weekend because he’s been away.”They have chosen that international break. If you are talking about the minor details in being as professional as you can be and as prepared you can be for a training session on a Monday night, that isn’t the best choice of venue.”But in a recent interview with new Man Utd boss Ruben Amorim for Sky Sports, he partially took back some of his criticism.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSNeville said: “I made a comment this week about Casemiro and Marcus Rashford travelling to America in their few days off.”It was just me thinking as a Manchester United player when I played here. How Ruben Amorim will resurrect Marcus Rashford’s Man United career with subtle position change”You’ve got a few days off, the club are 13th in the league, the manager has just been sacked, it’s a challenging part of the season and the new manager is about to come in.”And that focus and preparation and every single little detail is really important, and I said I don’t think I’d have chosen that trip to go to America with the time difference. I did get it wrong – they went to New York rather than Portland so I apologise for that. “But there’s still a 5-6 hour time difference, they’re on planes, Casemiro’s 30 years of age.”Amorim insisted it was not his decision to let the duo travel during the break.He even went as far as to suggest he would have banned them from flying.Amorim explained: “I think the main question here is that us, as a club, have to set the standards and have to manage that.”It is my decision if they can have five days [off], three days or three days to rest, you cannot fly.”This is something that us, as a club, have to decide. For me? Yes for sure [he would have banned them].Amorim claimed he would not have let them fly if the decision was up to himCredit: Getty”We cannot put this on the players. They [United] told them they can have five days off so they can fly anywhere because nobody at the club says you cannot fly.”Amorim’s reign at Man Utd will officially begin this weekend when the Red Devils face Ipswich at Portman Road.The ex-Sporting Lisbon manager is determined to change things at Old Trafford, with United currently 13th in the Premier League table.He said: “Call me naive. But I truly believe I am the right guy in the right moment.”I could be wrong but the world still will turn [and] the sun will rise again, I don’t worry about that.”I truly believe I’m the right guy for this job.”In two years you will understand if I am the right man to be in this process.READ MORE SUN STORIES”In two years you can understand if you want to continue on this path or you want to change.”I know if you are at Manchester United you have to win games, so I will not tell you I need a lot of time.”Ruben Amorim leaves Sporting on a highBy Charlie WyettRUBEN AMORIM would have preferred to leave Lisbon in a blaze of glory after winning a third Primeira Liga title.Yet football does not work like that. And in what was surely his final game before taking charge of Manchester United, Amorim prepared to say his goodbyes at a half-empty Estadio Jose Alvalade in a League Cup quarter-final against Nacional.Sporting won 3-1 thanks to  second-half goals by captain  Morten Hjulmand and Viktor Gyokeres, who scored two.Luis Esteves pulled back for Madeira-based Nacional.The stadium  will be a good deal more lively on Tuesday when Manchester City are here for  a Champions League match — although Amorim should by then have his feet firmly under his desk at Old Trafford.Liverpool and Aston Villa were both interested in Europe’s most sought-after coach. Even City could have been a possible destination post-Pep Guardiola.Yet the United job is one Amorim, 39,  could not turn  down — even if not everyone saw it that way at Sporting last night.There is clearly a huge split in the Portuguese club’s fan base over their coach leaving at this stage of the season with many believing he should have seen the job through.Yet Amorim, along with the three-man coaching team who are expected to follow him, leaves a club in a much better state than when he arrived here in 2020.Inside the stadium, there was applause — albeit muted — when his name was read out before the game along with the line-ups.And there did not appear to be any jeers when Amorim shuffled out from the tunnel awkwardly towards the dugout.So, while his departure is hard to take for some, none of the fans will forget his legacy.This is a club which is back as the dominant force in Portugal. Even this term, Sporting have won their first nine league games, scoring 30 goals and conceding just two.They are also eighth in the Champions League table, which is one hell of an effort.In contrast, Lisbon was not exactly hit by League Cup fever last night.Amorim made lots of changes, which saw Sporting’s star man Gyokeres, the former Coventry striker, start on the bench.There was, however, a first appearance in six weeks for former Tottenham winger Marcus Edwards. He is certainly one player who has been transformed by Amorim since arriving at the club from Vitoria in 2022 and will be sorry to see the coach leave.While he changed his team, Amorim stuck with his tried and trusted formation of a back three.It will certainly be something Manchester United’s fans will have to get used to over the  coming months.But looking at the Premier League table, none of them will be complaining about the change. More

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      I played for Man Utd legend and ex-Premier League manager – he taught me absolutely nothing

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      MARK HUGHES was a huge disappointment as Bradford boss and lacked people skills.That is the damning view of Bantams midfielder Richie Smallwood, who has revealed how underwhelmed he was by the Manchester United legend’s spell at the club.Richie Smallwood was expecting much more from Mark HughesCredit: RexHughes was an Old Trafford hero as a striker and managed Man CityCredit: AlamyHughes had an illustrious playing career which also took in Chelsea, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Southampton, Everton and Blackburn.He also managed Rovers, Manchester City, Southampton, Stoke, Fulham and QPR in the Premier League as well as his home nation, Wales.But he had 19 months in charge at Valley Parade before he was sacked in October 2023 with the club sitting 18th in League Two.Smallwood, 33, took a two-division drop in 2022 having just racked up 42 Championship appearances as Hull captain because of the lure of Hughes.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSBut Sparky could only lead the Bantams to play-off semi-final agony in his only full season in charge.Asked if he enjoyed working for the former star striker, Smallwood said: “To be honest, no. We didn’t get the job done despite having a good enough team.“I didn’t learn anything from him. I was expecting a lot more. That’s how it is in football sometimes.“Hughes was the big draw for people to come here.Most read in FootballHughes, who was a popular frontman for the Red Devils, hasn’t managed since being sacked by Bradford in October 2023Credit: RexFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS“Because of the player he was and the capabilities he had you think that’s going to transfer over as a manager.“But sometimes it didn’t and that led to us not getting the job done. That was the way it was. I didn’t learn too much from him.”Ruben Amorim makes Man Utd transfers vow as new boss wastes no time in stamping authority on new employers Smallwood even hit out at his lack of man-management and communication skills.He added: “That wasn’t one of his strengths. That’s my honest opinion.”Bradford sit ninth, two points behind the play-offs and five off the automatic places ahead of entertaining Accrington on Saturday.And Smallwood believes the team are heading in a better direction under Hughes’ successor Graham Alexander.The former Salford, Scunthorpe, Fleetwood and MK Dons boss may not have had the glittering career of Hughes but he has played at all levels from League Two to the Premier League.Smallwood, who played for Alexander at Scunny, said: “He’s intense and gets to work. He’s always early doing his analysis, research and getting his stats together.“Graham got to know the players when he replaced Hughes and has put his stamp on things during the summer. It has paid off.“The big thing is our home form, that’s improved hugely this season. We all respect him greatly.”Bradford has been a tough job to crack in recent years.The Bantams get almost 17,000 fans at home and yet this is their fifth season stuck in League Two — and it has been 20 years since they were in the second tier and 24 since the Prem.Bradford chief Graham Alexander, seen dishing instructions to loan defender Jay Benn, has been praised by SmallwoodCredit: RexSmallwood said: “People look from the outside and see we get big crowds and have a big  stadium.“There is a big expectation that comes from that but we’ve not been able to deal with it.“We’ve had a lot of players here who haven’t played in front of those sorts of crowds before. That might be a factor.“Also opposing teams set up to keep the crowd quiet and frustrate us — and they can get edgy if we don’t score.“But things are changing. And there is a great stat that is consistent now — when we score first, we go on to win the game. We’re scoring the first goal more often.”Smallwood’s drop into the fourth tier from being a Championship captain did seem a strange one from the outside — even with the lure of  Hughes.Yet Smallwood said: “Hull went through a takeover and you find new owners want to get their own people in.“Often the captain bears the brunt of that.“But I was excited by the project here. The head of recruitment, Stephen Gent, is a relative of my missus and he sold it to me.READ MORE SUN STORIES“My partner was also expecting at the time and while some players who left Hull were patient to wait for an offer, I wasn’t. “I don’t regret it and, hopefully, we can be promoted this season.”Smallwood is now targeting promotion under AlexanderCredit: Getty More