Sport

Subterms

    More stories

    • 213 Shares88 Views

      in Soccer

      Man Utd ‘must SELL first-team star if they are to complete transfer for top Premier League target’

      by

      MANCHESTER UNITED are keen on signing Matheus Cunha, it has been claimed.But the Red Devils will reportedly have to raise funds for the Wolves ace by SELLING one of their established players.Matheus Cunha is on the radar of Manchester UnitedCredit: GETTYBut the Red Devils will have to sell players to meet the Brazilian’s £62.5million release clauseCredit: GETTYBrazil international Cunha has caught the eye of several Prem sides since his move to Molineux in December 2022.Aware of their rivals’ eagerness to sign the former Atletico Madrid man, Wolves tied him down to a bumper new deal in February.They also increased their valuation of the 25-year-old, who the Daily Mail claim new United gaffer Ruben Amorim is keen to sign in the summer.But they also claim Amorim will have to offload “at least one senior player” in order to match Wolves’ asking price.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSCunha has a £62.5million release clause in his new contract, which expires in the summer of 2029.United have several players on the books they could cash in on to finance a summer swoop for Cunha, who has found the back of the net 15 times in 29 appearances this season.Loanees Antony, Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho – who are currently with Real Betis, Aston Villa and Chelsea respectively – are contenders to be sold this summer.Amorim, who replaced Erik ten Hag at the Old Trafford helm last November, is eager to start building a team to reflect his ethos in the summer.Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSBut he admits he won’t be able to do that unless he gets rid of some of the dead wood at the club.When asked about Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s recent cost-cutting spree, the Portuguese replied: “It is simple.How Ruben Amorim can fix Man United’s Garnacho problem”To do something, we need to sell players.”Our focus now is to win these games. Then we have time to focus on that.”Manchester United will be back in action on Sunday evening, travelling to St James’ Park to take on Newcastle United. More

    • 188 Shares111 Views

      in Soccer

      Man Utd’s new stadium takes huge step forward as major appointment made for 100,000-seater arena

      by

      MANCHESTER UNITED have received a boost in their bid to build a new Old Trafford and transform the surrounding area.Last month, United revealed images of the 100,000-seater super ground they are planning to build near their current home.Manchester United have big plans for the Old Trafford areaCredit: APMan Utd are planning to build a new stadiumCredit: PAAn Old Trafford Regeneration Task Force – organised by minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe – confirmed plans to demolish Man Utd’s legendary stadium and build a brand new home on adjacent land.But the Red Devils also have big plans for the Old Trafford area ahead of building their new home, which they hope will be up and running in five years.According to Manchester Evening News, the Manchester giants are planning to transform and regenerate a sprawling area of land around Old Trafford.And that is why Trafford Council have appointed a consortium to design a strategic masterplan.Read More on Man UtdThe council announced on Wednesday the consortium, led by architects Allies and Morrison, will “carry out its plan to revitalise Trafford Wharfside, leading to thousands of new homes and jobs in the area”.There are plans for a new “processional route” to the stadium – north along Sir Matt Busby Way – and a major new “world-class public space” around the stadium.A new public park is also being prepared, while a new primary school could be built.And the waters of the Manchester Ship Canal will provide a backdrop for a new community of homes, attractions, leisure and business.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSA spokesperson said: “It will work with Trafford Council alongside Manchester United Football Club, the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA), a proposed Mayoral Development Corporation and other key partners to deliver a transformational and sustainable international destination for the benefit of residents, businesses and visitors.”The masterplan is aimed to be completed early next year.”Paul Scholes feels like Man Utd are ‘begging’ for money to build new stadium Man Utd’s new stadium has been met with mixed reaction as initial images have left some fans – as well as legends like Ryan Giggs – less than enthused.And it has been claimed United could cut the cost of building the new ground by £300MILLION if they made some changes to the original plans. More

    • 225 Shares105 Views

      in Soccer

      Stop obsessing over set-piece coach ‘messiahs’ – top-class football will always be about special stars like Declan Rice

      by

      DO you want to know the best thing about Declan Rice’s two magnificent free-kicks against Real Madrid?It’s that we can all now stop obsessing about set-piece coaches — and Arsenal’s supposed ‘Messiah’ Nico Jover in particular.Football will always be about the top starsCredit: GettyWe need to stop obsessing over so-called set-piece ‘messiah’s’ like Nico JoverCredit: RexGreat players do great things in the heat of the momentCredit: GettyI loved the fact that Declan came out in his post-match TV interview and revealed Jover had wanted him to cross the ball rather than shoot from 28 yards.And also that Declan, 26, had told Bukayo Saka: “I fancy this.” And Saka had replied: “Go on, then. Have a go.”The statisticians, sports scientists, number crunchers and coaching gurus would have said: “You’ve played 400-odd games as a professional footballer, Declan, and you’ve never scored a direct free-kick, so you ain’t taking one against Madrid in a Champions League quarter-final.”But here were two excellent footballers, Rice and Saka making an instinctive, off-the-cuff, on-field decision in a hugely consequential match.That is what top-class football will always be about: great players doing great things in the heat of the moment. And even more special was the fact that Declan went and did it twice.The coverage of football is becoming far too intellectualised by people in the media who want to make themselves sound clever by over-complicating a game which is both simple and chaotic.Great coaches can rein in that chaos factor but most goals come from elements of individual brilliance which cannot be coached, or from serious defensive errors which can’t be predicted.Arsenal’s supporters painted a mural of Jover on a wall near the Emirates. But surely we can now stop mythologising these blokes?BEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKThe Gunners are good at set-pieces for the same reason that certain teams have always been good at set-pieces — great delivery and great heading ability.Saka, Rice and Martin Odegaard can all deliver a wicked dead ball and Gabriel, in particular, is seriously good at heading them in. Jover’s routines are not rocket science.’Get off the phone’ snaps Troy Deeney after his wife called him out live on air over Arsenal commentFrom corners, Arsenal usually position a bunch of players beyond the back stick, a couple move to the near post, a couple to central areas and a few remain at the far post so that all areas are covered.It’s pretty much the same as it ever was. Set-piece coaches became a major part of the game about seven or eight years ago, when I was playing in the Premier League.The best ones are the guys who realise they are not the stars of the show, that they are at training to deliver a short, sharp 20-minute session without trying to bore the pants off of everyone — because very few footballers enjoy practising set-pieces.These coaches can sometimes give a team an extra one per cent. But they aren’t reinventing the wheel.I reckon Newcastle’s set-piece coach must keep to himself because when Dan Burn scored the opening goal in the Carabao Cup final, we didn’t hear about coaching genius.We just saw Kieran Trippier — one of the best dead-ball merchants in the business — crossing it to the tallest bloke on the park, who nutted it in.When it comes to taking direct free-kicks, that is a true art form.I’d have fancied myself to score them in training but doing it in a match, getting the ball up and over a wall of 6ft 3in blokes — or round them — in front of a full house is a different matter.At Watford we had three particularly good free-kick takers — Gerard Deulofeu, Tom Cleverley and Jose Holebas.There were times when, as captain, I had to intervene when they were arguing about who was going to take one.And given that I was substantially bigger than all three of them, that was where the argument ended.Gerard would want to take every single one but some days he just wasn’t at it and I’d have to tell him as much.Before Rice’s first goal against Madrid, he and Saka had a conflab with Odegaard and Mikel Merino.Skipper Odegaard was telling them that Jover wanted the ball crossed, while Rice was simply going with his gut instinct.He doesn’t think he is anybody special, even though he is a very special player. Troy DeeneyOn Declan RiceBut if Arsenal get a free-kick around 25 yards out against Brentford today, no conversations will be necessary. Declan will take it.For Declan to have scored two direct free-kicks in 12 minutes made Tuesday a career-defining night for him.Having played against him and met him, it is impossible not to like Dec. I was just delighted that it was him.Here is a kid who fully appreciates the life of a professional footballer and who thoroughly enjoys it.There is no sense of entitlement. He doesn’t think he is anybody special, even though he is a very special player. It’s lovely when good things happen to good people.Especially when they’ve treated a crucial moment in a Champions League quarter-final as if they were having a kickabout with their mates at the park.“I fancy this, I’m going to have a pop here” — and not just once, but twice. That is the sort of instinct you simply cannot coach.Rice revealed Bukayo Saka told him to ‘go for it’ More

    • 263 Shares58 Views

      in Soccer

      Pilar Rubio stuns in stripes but draws the line at moving home after footie ace hubby Ramos signs for Mexico’s Monterrey

      by

      MODEL Pilar Rubio draws the line at moving home after Spanish centre-back partner Sergio Ramos signs with Mexico’s Monterrey.Pals say Pilar, 47, who recently wore a striped dress to launch Selmark Mare’s new swimwear collection, is settled in Madrid and doesn’t want to relocate.Pilar Rubio, 47, stuns in stripes as pals say she’s staying put in MadridCredit: GettyFormer Real Madrid and Sevilla centre-back Ramos signed a one-year deal with Mexican club Monterrey in FebruaryCredit: GettyPals say Pilar can not ‘bear the thought of moving again’Credit: GettyFormer Real Madrid and Sevilla centre-back Ramos signed a one-year deal with Monterrey in February.A friend revealed: “She went to Paris with him, then Ramos moved to Seville. Later, she decided to settle in Madrid for professional reasons.“She can no longer bear the thought of moving again.”READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSRamos was without a club after leaving Sevilla over the summer before penning the surprise one-year deal with the Liga MX outfit.The ace has opted to wear the No. 93 shirt during his time in Mexico.The 38-year-old married Rubio, a popular TV presenter and model in Spain, in 2019.Ramos left Real Madrid to join Paris Saint-Germain in 2021 before moving back to La Liga with Sevilla in 2023.”Most read in FootballSergio Ramos’s wife Pilar Rubio wows as she poses in a red swimsuit for her second collection with Selmark More

    • 200 Shares105 Views

      in Soccer

      Ex-England star Jesse Lingard’s grandad accused of child sex abuse after ‘victim’ watched documentary on footballer

      by

      EX-England star Jesse Lingard’s grandad was accused of child sex abuse after his alleged victim watched a documentary on the footballer, a court heard yesterday. Kenneth Lingard, 86, is said to have targeted her from the age of five until she was 19. Kenneth Lingard, 86, is said to have targeted the victim from the age of five until she was 19Credit: CHRIS NEILLThe alleged victim came forward after watching Channel 4 documentary Jesse Lingard — The Untold Story in 2022Credit: GettyShe came forward after Channel 4 screened Jesse Lingard — The Untold Story in 2022 where the former Man United star praised his grandfather. Prosecutor Benjamin Aina KC said the woman told police: “They made the documentary and I just thought it was time to speak out about the abuse I had received. “It just made me feel ill that he was made out to be such a hero.” Lingard, of Warrington, appeared in the dock in a wheelchair at Liverpool crown court to deny 17 indecent assaults. READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSThe trial continues. Former Man Utd midfielder Jesse was released by Nottingham Forest in 2023, after an underwhelming time at the City Ground.He was stuck in a football free agent’s abyss, until he surprisingly moved to South Korean side FC Seoul in February 2024 on a two-year deal – taking a huge pay cut on £17,500-per-week. At Forest, he was earning a whopping £ 180,000 per week.Most read in FootballAlthough it was a tough start professionally, with coach Kim Gi-dong publicly criticising him for his fitness and a subsequent knee injury ruling him of action early on in his career, he soon won over the fans. More

    • 213 Shares82 Views

      in Soccer

      Sonia Bompastor urges Chelsea to be ruthless in battle with Liverpool for Women’s FA Cup final spot

      by

      SONIA BOMPASTOR  wants Chelsea to be ruthless in their FA Cup clash with Liverpool and go full throttle for more trophies.This month is a massive one for the WSL leaders with a place in two major finals at stake.Bompastor hopes to guide the Blues to a second cup final duel this season following their League Cup triumph over Man CityCredit: AlamyThe last clash between the teams ended as a 3-0 away win for Chelsea in the WSL last NovemberCredit: GettyAmber Whiteley hopes to guide Liverpool to their first FA Cup final since 1996Credit: GettyFollowing their League Cup triumph, on Saturday at Kingsmeadow they hope to claim a spot in this year’s FA Cup decider. On April  20th they will be in Spain for the first-leg of a mammoth Champions League last four battle with Barcelona.A Wembley duel with Manchester City or holders Man United on May 18 awaits the victors of the duel between Bompastor’s side and their visitors. And they also hope to avoid any more dropped points in the top-flight as they attempt to claim an eighth Women’s Super League title.Read More Football StoriesOne that will, should they succeed, be their first since Bompastor took charge last summer.Before then Amber Whiteley’s Reds take on the Blues in a lunchtime duel with their opponents hoping to reach their first FA Cup final since 2023.Chelsea boss Bompastor, whose side won this year’s League Cup said: “It’s up to us to make sure we have this ruthless mentality as a team.”Probably the best version of ourselves is the game we had against Man City, in the second leg in the Champions League quarter-final. Most read in Football”But then also the first 30 minutes we played against West Ham.”We are still in three competitions and we have the opportunity to play against the best teams in Europe, in big games.”And that’s an opportunity for us to just show our best version and our levels and make sure we keep our standards high.”While Liverpool clinched a shock win against Arsenal to reach the FA Cup semis, they will be going into today’s game as underdogs.The Reds have lost 16 of their last 19 games against Chelsea across all competitions.And they were knocked out of the fourth round of the contest by the Blues back in 2022-23.Despite the odds being in her side’s favour, Bompastor is unlikely to underestimate her foes.Particularly with Chelsea having dropped points in the league against West Ham before the international break.She added: “In terms of a ruthless mentality, it will be really important for us to show up.”We need to be more consistent during the game from the beginning until the end.”If you analyse the West Ham game, we started strong, we had the opportunity to win the game by three, four goals difference.”We need to be aggressive. This is a semi-final and we will be facing a team who will be hugely motivated.”Saturday’s match follows an international break in which two of Chelsea’s England stars – Keira Walsh and Aggie Beever-Jones – bagged their first senior international goals.Bompastor said: “All the English people should be proud to have these players in Chelsea and in England.”They are world-class players and they are making a big impact on the women’s game.”Whiteley’s Reds hope to become the first Liverpool side to reach an FA Cup final in almost three decades.The last time the team battled in a decider for the trophy was in 1996.That year they were beaten on penalties by a Croydon side captained by Hope Powell.Liverpool’s last FA Cup final outing ended as a loss on penalties with a Croydon side captained by Hope Powell lifting the trophy 29 years agoCredit: PAIn her column for Liverpool’s website, Whiteley wrote: “The prize doesn’t come much bigger than the opportunity to play in an FA Cup final at Wembley. Read More on The Sun”We’ll put absolutely everything into it.We have the opportunity to do something really special in this competition.”We have to go into the game prepared and with the confidence and belief that we can go all the way.” More

    • 250 Shares117 Views

      in Motorsport

      ‘She didn’t know who I was’ – Bellingham & Kane’s pal George Russell shares wild story of meeting influencer girlfriend

      by

      GEORGE RUSSELL will not rest until he becomes world champion.And he has Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane in his corner — who both know a thing or two about goals.George Russell has opened up on how he met girlfriend Carmen Montero MundtCredit: InstagramThe pair met after Russell’s mate could not make the dateCredit: InstagramRussell is a friend of Jude Bellingham, who gifted him a bespoke ‘George 63’ Real Madrid shirtRussell has also done some charity work with one of Harry Kane’s charitiesThe 27-year-old from Kings Lynn has never been one to be daunted by big reputations.Russell is back in Bahrain this weekend — scene of his sensational 2020 Mercedes debut as a stand-in for Lewis Hamilton, where he was only denied victory by a pit-stop blunder and a slow puncture.Handed a permanent drive by the team in 2022, he went wheel-to-wheel with ­seven-time world champ Hamilton during their three years as team-mates.And he told Max Verstappen to stick it where the sun doesn’t shine after the pair were hauled before stewards following a feisty Qatar Grand Prix in December.READ MORE IN F1Having done the hard miles with a struggling Williams team before making his mark alongside Hamilton, Russell now has the biggest opportunity of his career as he leads the iconic Mercedes team.There is still a feeling he remains in the shadow of fellow Brits Hamilton, now fulfilling his ambition of driving for Ferrari, and Lando Norris, this season’s F 1 world championship leader after four races.But Russell told SunSport: “I’m not underestimated by the people that know me in this paddock.“The paddock knows what I’m capable of and that’s why I remind myself of my very first race with Mercedes five years ago.Most read in MotorsportBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK“I have been team-mates with the greatest of all time for three years.“And my stats speak for themselves, so I don’t think anybody in the sport should underestimate me.”George Russell furiously hits back at Max Verstappen after the F1 world champion’s stinging criticism of him Wolves fan Russell has taken inspiration from his friendships with England football heroes Bellingham and Kane.Bellingham gifted the driver with a bespoke ‘George 63’ Real Madrid shirt, marking his car number, earlier this year.Russell said: “I’ve met Harry, I did some work with one of his charities.“I always keep up to date with the Bayern Munich scores and his personal stats — and I’m desperate for them to win the league.“Me and Bellingham started to get to know each other recently.“He’s a great guy, we have an ­adidas connection and I’ve promised to get him to a race this year.”While Kane and Bellingham hope to land England’s first trophy since 1966 after a string of near misses, Russell will not rest until he has secured Formula One’s ultimate honour.Asked if he is satisfied with his progress since his Mercedes drive, he admitted: “Yes and no because I want to be a world champion, I want to be fighting every year.“But it would be irrational of me to say I’m not where I want to be, because in these past five years I could not have fought for a world championship.Carmen hails from Jerez in southern SpainCredit: InstagramHe admitted Carmen had no idea who he was when they first metCredit: Instagram“I didn’t have the machinery to do that, the same way as Lando for two years did not have the machinery and now he does.”Russell keeps his circle small but his rock is his fashion influencer girlfriend Carmen Montero Mundt, who has been with him every step of the way for the past five years.Montero Mundt, 26, who hails from Jerez in southern Spain — where Russell raced many times in his younger years — was supposed to meet a friend of his for a date in London in 2020.Russell revealed: “My mate couldn’t make it, so I thought I’ll swing along to see how it goes.“She told me she’s from the south of Spain and she wouldn’t ever expect someone to know the small place she’s from.“I knew exactly where she was from, so it was quite coincidental.”Montero Mundt attends nearly every race with Russell and was by his side when he was left hyper-ventilating after overheating in the Singapore Grand Prix last year.Russell lost NINE POUNDS in the extreme heat conditions during the race and had to recover in an ice bath afterwards.He added: “I’m so fortunate with Carmen because we met before the craziness of F 1. We met organically and it wasn’t a set up.But Russell won’t rest until he wins a World Drivers ChampionshipCredit: AFPGeorge Russell F1 career stats (pre-Bahrain 2025)Races – 132 Wins – 3Podiums – 17Pole positions – 5Fastest laps – 8 Williams 2019 – 2021Mercedes 2022 – 2025*F2 Champion in 2018 – field including Lando Norris and Alex AlbonGP3 Series champion in 2017“She didn’t know who I was, she didn’t know F 1 and wasn’t even bothered by any of that. She is a very down-to-earth individual and we share values.“She’s such a hard worker, wants to achieve so much and she really recognises what it takes in my position to be at this level.“Having her on this journey means an awful lot to me because even though we are living our dream it can be a lonely lifestyle.“Having somebody to help you disconnect from that actually brings performance as well.”Russell is out of contract at the end of the season but is in no rush to put pen to paper on a new deal.He said: “I know that I’m going to be in this sport next year and I only want to focus on the performance.“If a driver starts stressing about his contract it shows they may not have the confidence in their ability.“I’m certain I have no concerns about my contract situation.”Russell is going about his business impressively enough this season.Read More on The SunHe trails third-place Oscar Piastri by just four points in the standings and could do with another big drive in Bahrain to close in on the top-two of Norris and Verstappen.And in a season which is already shaping up to be the most open for years, there is every reason to think Russell can fulfil his world title dream. More

    • 238 Shares88 Views

      in Soccer

      Tammy Abraham slumps to his knees and PRAYS after AC Milan team-mate is rushed to hospital after horrific collision

      by

      TAMMY ABRAHAM fell to his knees and started praying for the health of his team-mate after a sickening clash of heads.The AC Milan ace was playing during the club’s Serie A match against Udinese when goalkeeper Mike Maignan was left in a worrying condition following a collision with team-mate Alex Jimenez.Mike Maignan was left in a bad way after a collision with team-mate Alex JimenezMaignan and Jimenez were both left flat on the floorPlayers and the ref immediately signalled for medical helpCredit: GettyConcerned players stood around the stricken starsMaignan had to be stretchered off and taken to the hospitalCredit: ReutersTammy Abraham was seen praying for his team-mateMilan confirmed Maignan was conscious when he left the pitch.The clash of heads occurred in the 52nd minute when Maignan came rushing out of goal to try and clear a long pass in behind the Milan defence.The onrushing goalkeeper was unable to arrest his momentum while Jimenez back-pedalled with the pair not seeing each other before smashing into one another.Both stars fell to the floor, with Maignan appearing to briefly lose consciousness.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLMilan players and the referee immediately gestured for medical staff to be brought on to the field so they could be treated, with a stretcher also summoned as Maignan was rolled into the recovery position.The 29-year-old was then placed on a stretcher and taken down the tunnel while covering his face with his gloves.Reports in Italy said he would undergo further tests at the hospital.Former Chelsea and Aston Villa star Abraham, who started the match on the bench, was seen praying on the pitch while the Frenchman was carried off.Most read in FootballJimenez, 19, was miraculously allowed to carry on playing before he too was taken off looking visibly dazed around 18 minutes after play had resumed.The game ended in a 4-0 win for Milan, with goals from Rafael Leao, Strahinja Pavlović, Theo Hernandez and Tijjani Reijnders.Speaking to DAZN after the game, ex-Chelsea star Christian Pulisic said: “The most important thing is that Mike is okay. Our thoughts are with him.”Rafael Leao added: “With what had happened before in Udine, it’s a strange environment. “We came in focussed, having prepared well for the game after a good week of work. This victory, however, is for Maignan.” More