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    Sir Alex Ferguson reveals Ryan Giggs would have ended up playing for MAN CITY if it wasn’t for Man Utd steward

    SIR ALEX FERGUSON says Ryan Giggs was his first big win over Manchester City.Fergie’s dismissive taunt about the “noisy neighbours” after the Abu Dhabi takeover has gone down in football history.Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed Ryan Giggs nearly played for Man CityCredit: GettyA steward told Sir Alex about Giggs’ talent when he was a kidCredit: Times Newspapers LtdBut the former United boss told Tony Pulis in Sky’s “Chasing the Dream” documentary that prising Welsh wizard Giggs out of City’s clutches was a key moment in his Old Trafford success story.Ferguson recalled: “At United, our first-team squad there were quite a few over 30.“City were getting all the best young players at the time, absolutely. They would win the Youth Cup.“We had to put a stop to that, so we increased the scouting and worked really hard at that, particularly in Manchester.READ MORE MAN UTD NEWS“We got the Phil and Gary Neville, Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt. David Beckham was the only one from down south.“With Ryan Giggs, we had a steward at the club who came to me and said ‘there’s a young boy training at City, but he’s a United fan. You need to get hold of him.’“We got him down the training ground right away, they played a practice match against Viv Anderson, and Viv was screaming: ‘Can I kick him? Can I tackle him?’And I said: ‘Don’t you dare touch him! He’s only 14.’”Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSGiggs and Co were part of the group known as “Fergie’s Fledglings” when they broke into the first team squad.The Scot added: “When you get a gem like Giggs or Scholes, it’s staring you in the face.Man Utd’s best XI of academy graduates“Scholes was an incredibly young player. You get diamonds like that, whereas Beckham was a late developer..“The Nevilles – always hard working, always making great sacrifices to be footballers. “Nicky Butt – determined young lad, always going to make it.“You have a responsibility too, to give them the right guidance, to be strong in terms of the path you’re taking them through.“Playing for Manchester United, playing in front of 75,000, playing in cup finals, playing for your country – these are all the stepping stones that you’re guiding them for.”What Man Utd said on hiring EACH of their post-Fergie managersDavid Moyes”All the skills needed to build on United’s phenomenal legacy.”Louis van Gaal”One of the outstanding managers in the game today.”Jose Mourinho”Quite simply the best manager in the game today.”Ole Gunnar Solskjaer “A wealth of experience, with a desire to give young players their chance and a deep understanding of the culture of the club.”Erik ten Hag”One of the most exciting and successful coaches in Europe.”Ruben Amorim “One of the most exciting and highly rated young coaches in European football.” More

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    Heavyweight champ Daniel Dubois reveals reason for calling out Jake Paul after ’embarrassing’ DM to YouTuber

    DANIEL DUBOIS has revealed the reason behind calling out Jake Paul. Dubois offered the YouTuber-turned-boxer a shot at his heavyweight world title after Paul’s victory over Mike Tyson. Daniel Dubois called out Jake PaulCredit: ReutersMike Tyson was beaten by Jake PaulCredit: GettyAnd the IBF champion has opened up on his shock message in an interview with Bricks to Riches.Dubois said: “We messaged him, my dad and everyone decided, ‘Yeah, let’s call him out’. “Even though it’s just publicity, you never know what can happen in this sport. It’s strange times so we made the offer.” The message read: “Hi Jake, good business on the weekend but how would you feel fighting for the legitimate heavyweight championship of the world? READ MORE IN BOXING”This is Daniel Dubois calling you out, let’s get it on.”Undisputed light-heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev, 39, also called out Paul but it was Dubois who got a public response. Paul posted: “Man been boxing for 12 years, has over 100 fights between amateur and pro and fought on my undercard…hahaha.”But f*** it… I’m going to have Nakisa talk to Frankie Warren and get you in line for the throne. Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS”Unlike Artur, at least you have a few thousand fans.”Dubois, 27, added: “He said something about getting in line but he also said he was going to speak to Frank Warren so it shows they are serious about it.”Paul, 27, moved up TWO STONE to heavyweight to beat Tyson, 58, over eight rounds with over 100 MILLION watching on Netflix. But the American has since revealed he plans to move back down to cruiserweight and eyes a fight with Mexican superstar Canelo Alvarez, 34. Logan Paul tipped to sensationally fight his own brother Jake in bid to ‘teach him a lesson’ in never-before-seen bout More

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    Inside Tommy Fury’s single life, from playing the role of doting dad to daughter Bambi to snubbing I’m A Celeb offer

    TOMMY FURY is a man on a mission.Not only is he planning on knocking out Darren Till, when the pair meet on January 18 in a huge Misfits boxing event, he also hopes to win back Molly-Mae Hague.Tommy Fury has been a man on a mission since embracing single lifeCredit: Instagram/@tommyfuryBack in August, Fury and Molly-Mae Hague split upCredit: GettyFury is now gearing up for a fight against Darren Till at a Misfits Boxing eventCredit: Instagram @misfitsboxingIt was back in the summer when the Love Island alumni revealed they were going their separate ways.Since then, Fury, 25, has branched out on his own.Not only has he moved into a £15,000-per-month bachelor pad, he has set up his own media firm.Already, Fury has fielded offers from reality TV shows, snubbing I’m A Celebrity.Read more Tommy Fury newsInstead, he’s been focusing on training, as he eyes a rematch with KSI.He has vowed to win Molly-Mae back revealing: “I know what I have to do in order to resolve things”.But for the moment, he’s content to play doting dad to their daughter Bambi in the meantime.SunSport looks at Fury’s single life since bombshell reports of infidelity rocked his marriage.Most read in BoxingMoving onFury and Molly-Mae had built an idyllic life for themselves, before their split.Tommy Fury in line for huge KSI rematch after agreeing return with Misfits Boxing for Darren Till fight They lived in a stunning £3.5million home in Cheshire, until their world came crashing down.It was reported that Molly-Mae confronted him about rumours that he had cheated on her.He soon moved out to a £15,000-per-month six-bedroom home in Knutsford.The detached 5,700sq ft mansion also features a huge garden coach house, which can be converted into a huge gym.Back in September, Fury shot a video from the house before a morning run.He said: “That has been a nice four-mile run to start the day off. I feel incredible.”The best way of therapy for me is getting out first thing, clearing your head, going on a nice long run, fresh air. There’s nothing better.”He also treated himself to a £3,500 Apple Vision Pro VR headset.Meanwhile, despite all the training at the gym, preparation for his next fight, and splashing the cash on gadgets – Fury makes sure he indulges his daughter.He and Molly co-parent their girl, Bambi and the boxing star has been seen taking her to the park and sharing ice cream.Recently, Fury splashed £3.5k on a Apple Vision Pro VR headsetCredit: InstagramFury always makes time for his daughter BambiCredit: InstagramRecently, Fury shared a picture on Instagram in his living roomSnubbing TV offersForget Barry McGuigan, it could have been Tommy Fury who was I’m A Celeb’s resident boxer.That’s if TNT took up ITV’s offer to appear in the current series.As The Sun exclusively revealed, Fury pulled out of the reality TV hit – just two weeks before the stars were expected to fly out to the Australian jungle.A TV insider said: “Bosses are surprised Tommy has chosen to pull out of I’m A Celebrity at this late stage as it would have been a great opportunity for him too.”Recent reports suggested he fancies a money-spinning rematch against KSI, instead.While it has also been mooted that he could appear on Celebrity Big Brother.Fury turned down the opportunity to appear on this year’s I’m A CelebrityCredit: Getty
    read more sport featuresDay time TV appearancesLast month and earlier this month, Fury appeared on two daytime TV favourites.First, he joined Ben Shephard and Cat Deeley on the This Morning couch to discuss his new book, Lightning Can Strike Twice: My Life as a Fury.But instead of quizzing him about the book, Shephard fired out a number of stinging questions, asking Tommy: “It has been a turbulent few months for you, Tommy.”How are you feeling after everything you have been through in the summer?”Tommy remained calm on the sofa opposite Ben and his This Morning co-host Cat Deeley, and said: “I’m feeling OK. I’m feeling good.”But he admitted: “It doesn’t take a genius to figure out it has been hard for me and it has been very hard times.”At the end of the day I have been knuckling down so training, taking me daughter to ballet, swimming, and whatever else. So I’ve been keeping myself busy.”And of course the book, you know, I’m very excited to launch that today. It’s going to be an amazing day.”On Loose Women, Fury wasn’t given an easy ride too.Fury was given a grilling during an appearance on This Morning about Molly-MaeCredit: ITVOn Loose Women, Fury said he was moving forward after breaking up with Molly-MaeCredit: RexWhen questioned about the split, Tommy looked unimpressed and awkwardly stressed: “I don’t listen to anything in the press and on social media because its all, that’s one story, very apart from the real story, and like I said moving forward.’Everyone is entitled to a private life and me and Molly we got together when we was very young.”And we just think going forward everything should be private now because everyone is entitled to that and that’s what I want.”‘Only have eyes for Molly’Last month, Fury said he was determined to win Molly-Mae back.In an interview with the Mail, he revealed that the couple still love each other.Fury is determined to win Molly-Mae backCredit: InstagramFury has insisted he still loves Molly-Mae and knows what he has to do to win her backCredit: InstagramHe said: “It is proper love. Do I still love Molly. 100 per cent. I will love her until my final breath.”READ MORE SUN STORIESAnd the boxer even said that he’ll find to win her back.He said: “100 per cent. I know what I have to do in order to resolve things. And that’s down to me. Nobody else can do that other than me.” More

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    Forgotten former Newcastle star who swapped national teams now a RAPPER after leaving Saudi minnows

    A FORMER Premier League star-turned-rapper has switched hitting crossbars to spitting bars.The 35-year-old has gone from being released by Saudi Arabian minnows Al-Orobah to releasing his fourth single earlier this year.Vurnon Anita played 155 times for NewcastleCredit: PA:Empics SportThe midfielder now balances football with rappingCredit: Dreams Never End Records
    Vurnon Anita is best known for the five years he spent at Newcastle.But he is now going down a different path under the pseudonym JR.He has gone from getting on the ball in midfield to picking up the microphone, having launched a career as a rapper.Anita’s biggest hit “On Top” has amassed 600,000 listens on Spotify and he averages 3,000 plays per month.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAs a player, he featured 155 times for Newcastle and won the Championship title with the Toon in 2017.The Ajax academy graduate also had a brief loan spell at Leeds the season after.Since leaving England, he has played for Bulgarian side CSKA Sofia, Willem and RKC Waalwijk in Holland and Al-Orobah in Saudi Arabia.He is currently without a club but is keeping busy in the music studio.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSAnita was capped three times by Holland and was included in their provisional squad for the 2010 World Cup.But he has since changed his allegiance represent Curacao.Where are they now: The unusual careers of former footballersThe country is a Caribbean island just 37 miles away from Venezuela that classes itself “within the Kingdom of the Netherlands”.Their national team, ranked 90th in the world, are managed by ex-Sunderland boss Dick Advocaat.Former Aston Villa star Leandro Bacuna and ex-Southampton defender Cuco Martina are their top two-capped players.Anita is not the only footballer with Dutch descent to try their hand at rapping.Memphis Depay, Ryan Babel and Royston Drenthe all had spells in the Prem and in the charts. Who are these famous footballers? More

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    Arsenal boss says players’ progress to Women’s Champions League knockouts is the ‘perfect end’ to an intense run

    RENEE SLEGERS described Arsenal reaching the Women’s Champions League’ last eight as the “ultimate end to an intense” block of games. It took her Gunners 89 minutes to break Juventus’s resistance with Lina Hurtig’s strike securing their sixth win in seven matches across all competitions. Arsenal have gone a seven-game unbeaten run since Renee Slegers became interim manager of the WSL sideCredit: GettyLina Hurtig’s first goal in the Women’s Champions League this season secured the Gunners’ place in the contest’s quarter-finalsCredit: AlamyWhile their performance last night at the Emirates was less goal-laden than their 4-0 demolition of the Serie A side last week, the result maintained their unbeaten run under Slegers. The stand-in boss has impressed since taking charge of the side in mid-October following Jonas Eidevall resigning from his role as head coach. Following a mixed start to the season, Arsenal have looked more fluid in attack in three of their last four games with 12 goals scored. During their 5-0 defeat of Brighton on November 8 one fan was spotted holding a placard with the words “In Renee we trust” daubed across it. Read More Football StoriesThe team’s fourth win on the bounce since then has strengthened the case for the Netherlands-born stand-in Arsenal boss to continue in her role. Although the result gave the Gunners what she describes as “breathing space”, she sees the situation as surreal. Of their seven-game unbeaten run, Slegers said: “It’s the ultimate end to a very busy and intense block we have had here. “It is the perfect ending for this block. It means a lot. Most read in Sport”All of the players totally deserve it because of the work they put in. It gives us some breathing space in the last two games as well.”We wouldn’t give ourselves a ten out of ten but we will give ourselves a big fat ‘enough’. “We will never play the perfect game so it won’t be a ten, but we are very happy with what we have done so far.  “I never felt we would get into this situation. “We have done really well but I was part of Jonas (Eidevall’s) staff and there was so much that was built during his time. I don’t want to separate that. “There is so much we are still building on. It’s surreal in so many ways but we are very happy. “Compared to last term with Chelsea the only WSL side in the contest’s knockout phase, all three English clubs competing this season have fared well in the group stage. Gareth Taylor’s Manchester City currently sit top of group D above Barcelona with four wins from four matches including their 2-0 win against the LaLiga Women’s leaders in October.  An efficient 2-1 defeat of Hammarby last night, with City also entering the tournament’s last eight, came courtesy of two goals netted by Khadija Shaw.Khadija Shaw struck twice to seal Manchester City’s away win against Hammarby in their fourth Champions League group stage game this termCredit: GettyThe Jamaica striker has been in fine form in Europe for City so far this term netting three times in four Champions League appearances. READ MORE SUN STORIESMeanwhile Chelsea also maintained a hundred per cent win record in the group stages so far The team claimed a quarter-final place by beating Celtic 3-0 on Wednesday ahead of duels with FC Twente and Real Madrid next month.  More

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    HSTikkyTokky vs Masai Warrior: Date, TV channel, fight time and live stream for mega Misfits Qatar Supercard

    HSTIKKYTOKKY returns to the ring NEXT THURSDAY as he goes head-to-head with Masai Warrior.The TikTok sensation made his Misfits Boxing debut against former Love Island star George Fensom back in August.HSTikkyTokky was victorious in Dublin, claiming a dominant win with a brutal first-round knockout.His next test comes against Masai Warrior, who makes his Misfits debut on the Qatar supercard.Masai Warrior is one of the UK’s top fitness influencers and possesses over 10 years of boxing experience. SunSport has all the details you need ahead of the blockbuster bout.READ MORE IN BOXINGWhen is HSTikkyTokky vs Masai Warrior?HSTikkyTokky vs Masai Warrior will take place on the Misfits Qatar Supercard on Thursday, November 28.The event will be at 6pm GMT.HSTikkyTokky vs Masai Warrior will likely be at around 8pm GMT.The Lusail Sports Arena plays host.What TV channel will HSTikkyTokky vs Masai Warrior be on?HSTikkyTokky vs Masai Warrior will be shown LIVE on DAZN.The show will begin at around 6pm GMT.You can subscribe to DAZN in the UK for £9.99-a-month, which commits you to an entire year of action.A flexible pass, worth £19.99-a-month, is also available, and you can cancel anytime.You can also pay £99.99 for the year upfront, and this is the lowest cost option.Can you live stream HSTikkyTokky vs Masai Warrior?DAZN subscribers can live stream HSTikkyTokky vs Masai Warrior via the DAZN app.The DAZN app is available to download for FREE on your mobile or tablet device.Alternatively, you can keep up to date with all the action via SunSport’s live blog.Who else is on the Misfits Qatar Supercard?AnEsonGib vs Slim AlbaherSalt Papi vs King KennyHSTikkyTokky vs Masai WarriorDeji vs Dawood SavageJarvis vs Ben WilliamsNichLmao vs Warren SpencerLil CraCra vs YuddyGangTVChase DeMoor vs KelzLuis Alcaraz Pineda vs SwarmzAmir Anderson vs NeerajMost read in Boxing More

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    How YouTube star AnEsonGib went from ‘obese’ 17 STONE gamer to ‘seven-figure’ boxing paydays after body transformation

    YOUTUBER AnEsonGib went from overweight video gamer to receiving “seven-figure” paydays as a shredded boxer. The social media star – real name Ali Loui Al-Fakhari and nicknamed Gib – has been a pioneer of the celebrity-style crossover boxing bouts.YouTuber AnEsonGib went from overweight video gamer to boxerHe dramatically transformed his bodyCredit: @AnEsonGib
    Gib broke down the secrets behind his transformationCredit: @AnEsonGib
    Gib is 6-1 as a crossover boxing starCredit: @AnEsonGib
    He once weighed as much as 17 STONE and admits to being “obese” – but is now fighting fit both mentally and physically.Gib told SunSport: “Back then when I was fat, I thought I was hench! “I’d have my top off and think, ‘Yeah, the abs are underneath it, the abs are underneath it!”But I remember I went to the gym, I was weak. Just kept trying to keep training and training and training, but yeah, physically the change is nice.READ MORE IN BOXING”But it’s more up here that has changed the most, and that’s what I’m proudest of, the mentality change, not the physical change.”Gib now fights at the super-middleweight boxing limit of 12st following a stunning FIVE STONE body transformation.And he credits ditching fast food and hiring a diet specialist for his remarkable turnaround. Gib said: “Of course, I’ve been consistent over the years, seven years I’ve been consistent, but the biggest change when I saw physically is when I got a nutritionist on board.Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS”As soon as I got a nutritionist and the diet was right, sleep was right, water intake was good, because I used to just order Deliveroo.”I said, ‘Yeah, Nando’s, do I deserve chips today or mashed potatoes?’ I just order and I think I’m being healthy.Tommy Fury and Darren Till clash at Misfits Boxing press conference “But once I got a nutritionist on board and my meals were prepared, that was the biggest change physically.”Gib returns to the ring after a year out to make his debut on Misfits Boxing – home of crossover fights – against Slim Albaher.The two look to settle years of feuding on Thursday, November 28 in Qatar live on DAZN PPV.And despite all the years of hard work and sacrifice to shed the pounds, Gib plans to celebrate victory by eating his way back to obesity.He said: “I’m trying to make weight, so right now all I’m f***ing thinking about is what am I eating in Qatar? What am I eating in Qatar?”So right now, I’m thinking I wanna get to 100kg. I don’t care about this physique, I wanna get fat! “But in general, I kinda keep good, maybe 6 days a week, snacks here and there, but now I wanna go obese. I wanna be big. “I wanna be big after this fight, that’s my goal.” Gib lost to Jake Paul in 2020Credit: Getty Images – GettyThe YouTuber is one of the biggest pioneers in crossover boxingCredit: @AnEsonGib
    Gib, 28, has a record of six wins with only one loss, coming to Jake Paul, 27, on his professional debut in 2020.Opponent Slim, 30, meanwhile is unbeaten in seven fights as a champion of the Misfits circuit headed up by KSI.And the American has warned his rivalry with Gib is “personal” – but the feeling is not mutual. Gib responded: “Personal? No. Why would I find it personal?”I’m just fighting the guy and come to box him and fight him. There’s nothing personal about this.”Slim doesn’t have anything to do with my life outside of this fight. So it shows that I’m clearly on his mind a lot.”It’s ‘personal’? It’s just business for me, I’m coming to chin him. I’m coming to take away his record. “I’m coming to embarrass the Misfits champion. So that’s what I’m coming to do.”The former FIFA gamer has adopted the moniker “seven-figure Gibber” due to his demand in the influencer boxing scene. READ MORE SUN STORIESBut is he making £1million to fight Slim? “Something along those lines,” Gib says with a chuckle.Gib fights Slim Albaher on DAZN PPVCredit: Misfits Boxing More

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    Ruben Amorim ‘to introduce one of the most radical mid-season changes in strategy ever’ as Man Utd face Ipswich

    JAMIE CARRAGHER has revealed he is excited about watching Manchester United take on Ipswich on Sunday.The Red Devils return following the international break with a trip down to Portman Road. Ruben Amorim will deploy a ‘radical’ change of system at Man UtdCredit: GettyJamie Carragher is intrigued to see how United play against Ipswich on SundayCredit: PAHowever, they will be boasting a new manager and coaching staff to boot in the form of Ruben Amorim, who is taking charge of his first competitive game after taking charge on November 11.Amorim’s tactics are known to be quite divorced from previous boss Erik ten Hag’s, particularly in formation with the Portuguese preferring a 3-4-3 over Ten Hag’s 4-3-3.The 39-year-old whetted the appetite for what he could achieve by beating Manchester City 4-1 in the Champions League in his final home game with Sporting Lisbon.However, Liverpool icon Carragher is intrigued to find out whether Amorim’s radical new system will yield the same success it did for him at Sporting, where he won two league titles. READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAnd in particular, he is keen to see whether former Man Utd coach Kieran McKenna will be able to exploit the weaknesses in the team he will be aware of.Writing in his column for The Telegraph, Carragher said: “I cannot wait to see United take on Ipswich Town on Sunday afternoon.”We are about to witness one of the most radical mid-season changes in formation and strategy ever imposed by one of the elite clubs. “Facing the side fourth from bottom might seem a gentle introduction to English football for Amorim. Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS”My suspicion is it will be much trickier than many think. “United are not just playing Ipswich at Portman Road. How Ruben Amorim will resurrect Marcus Rashford’s Man United career with subtle position change”They face a manager who arguably knows more about the strengths and weaknesses within United’s squad than the new coach.”SunSport have taken an extensive look into how Amorim is expected to get the team playing in the latest edition of our Tactics Exposed series.A win can put Man Utd seventh in the table if results elsewhere go in their favour.Meanwhile, Ipswich are one point above the drop zone but are coming off the back of a win over Tottenham before the international break.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