The Sun Newspaper

JOSE MOURINHO has had a knack of pulling a result out of the bag when the chips are down — and he certainly needs it this afternoon.Tottenham vs Manchester United has always been a massive game and I know some are even calling this one the biggest of Jose’s time at Spurs.
The pressure will be on Jose Mourinho if Tottenham don’t beat Man UtdCredit: Getty
That is the view of SunSport columnist Harry RedknappCredit: PA
I don’t know about that but it’s certainly hugely important because I don’t think anything less than the Champions League will keep Joe Lewis and Daniel Levy happy.
Spurs have got to finish in the top four and there can be no excuses if they don’t when you look at that squad. Miss out and it would put real pressure on Jose, for sure.
The bottom line is that this is a game they MUST win and United don’t necessarily have to, which is why I think the advantage is with Tottenham.
They may be the ones under the most pressure to get a result but little things like that can have a huge bearing.
If you’re United, you can be thinking, ‘We’re not going to win the league but we’re not going to miss out on the top four either’.
It’s almost a situation of, do we stick or do we twist? Do we go hell for leather or play it safe?
For Tottenham, it’s like being 1-0 down from the home leg in a European game and you go to their place and know you have to win. And they have to.
I know they’re in the Carabao Cup final but, even if they won, I don’t think that alone would be enough.
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Half the teams come in late, the games are basically reserve sides even in the quarter-finals and, while it’s nice to lift a trophy, finishing in the top four is what really counts.
For all their slip-ups, Spurs still have a great chance — but they can’t afford too many more mistakes.
We know Manchester City are different class and at the start of the season there only looked to be two places up for grabs because Liverpool were nailed-on for one of them.
But no one saw them having the season they’ve had — they might not even make the Champions League next season.
And when you look at the players Jose has for every position — pretty much two inter- nationals for each one — there’s no way they should miss out.
I actually thought this would be the year they could even win the title, so the fact they’re in a battle to even make the top four is pretty amazing really.
But West Ham aren’t going away, Leicester are still right in there and although Chelsea opened it up a bit by losing to West Brom, you still fancy them to be in the four.
So Spurs really can’t afford not to beat United — and games between these two are always ones to look forward to.
I didn’t have the best record against United when I was Tottenham manager but I don’t go along with the idea of there being some sort of mental block against them.
Sir Alex Ferguson had some fantastic teams there, some of the best players we’ve had in the Premier League, and they had a great record against most sides over the years.
Spurs will need Harry Kane to be at the top of his game against the Red DevilsCredit: Getty
I do remember going to Old Trafford in my first season at Spurs, when we were two up at half-time.
Then they got a diabolical penalty — ref Howard Webb eventually admitted to me he got it wrong — which turned the whole game and they came back to beat us.
That was a game we should have won, although I did have some good results against them with other clubs.
I beat them with West Ham in the FA Cup and of course Portsmouth the year we went on to win it.
Probably the biggest game, though, was the one when we drew with United at Upton Park on the day Blackburn won the league at Anfield.
Everyone thought we’d get rolled over. Liverpool wouldn’t try because they didn’t want United to win it and Kenny Dalglish was Rovers manager.
But then Liverpool beat them and even though we got absolutely battered, we hung on for a point and Blackburn were champions anyway.
I think that was one of the great days for English football. Nothing to do with who won the title but just because the whole world could see how straight our game was.
Let’s just say I’m far from convinced that would have happened in a lot of other countries.
Not that Fergie thought like that at the time — although I’d hope he has forgiven me by now!
CZECH OUT WEST HAM
I’D love to see West Ham finish in the top four, for obvious reasons — but as much for David Moyes and his coaching team as anything else.
Of course the two Czech lads, Tomas Soucek and Vladimir Coufal, have been outstanding all season.
But getting Craig Dawson and Jesse Lingard were inspired moves — and I’m convinced no foreign managers would have done the same.
They were both signings of a man who really knows English football, knows this league and knew what they could give.
Moyesie deserves a medal for the work he’s done… but just as he’s built a great team on the pitch, the coaching one ain’t bad either.
And as much as the manager is being praised, let’s not forget the roles Stuart Pearce, Alan Irvine, Paul Nevin and Kevin Nolan have played too.
West Ham are having a phenomenal season under David MoyesCredit: PA
NOT GREALLY THAT GOOD
I WATCHED Aston Villa against Fulham last week and Scott Parker must have been tearing his hair out wondering how his Cottagers lost 3-1.
But if it proved one thing to me it was this… as much as they may argue the point, without Jack Grealish Villa are a pretty average side.
And no one will convince me otherwise.
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Jose Mourinho stops Tottenham press conference to pay respects to Prince Philip after he dies aged 99 More

MIKEL ARTETA is facing growing resentment from players upset they are being blamed for Arsenal’s problems instead of him.Senior stars are increasingly frustrated at the way boss Arteta has been able to paint a picture that the fault for the side’s poor season is all down to them.
Mikel Arteta’s players are starting to turn against himCredit: AFP
Resentment is growing within the squad – where some members feel they are being blamed for the club’s poor seasonCredit: Getty
SunSport understands some within the squad believe the Spaniard is all ‘emperor’s new clothes’ by talking a good game but failing to actually deliver.
It is the first sign of cracks beginning to appear within the Emirates over the way Arteta has gone about his job in the 15 months he has been in charge.
They are questioning why he happily revelled in leading the club to FA Cup glory last season but is not so keen on taking responsibility for poor games.
Instead they believe he responds to disappointing results by often leaving out a big name the following week — giving the impression that individual players are culpable.
Skipper Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was axed for the Europa League draw with Slavia Prague after the dismal 3-0 thrashing by Liverpool — a match when Arsenal’s tactics were found wanting.
It is believed the treatment of striker Aubameyang has not gone unnoticed among the players, with other top names suffering similar problems.
All accept they have not been consistently playing well enough but at times have found it hard to know exactly what their coach wants from them.
There is a feeling midfielder Thomas Partey is not being allowed to flourish because of the manager’s ideas.
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Lack of team identity, management techniques and tactics in matches have all started to be questioned by some.
And they think the club have allowed the public perception to become one where they are letting their boss down.
Arteta defended Aubameyang ahead of the Gunners’ clash with Sheffield United saying he is confident the Gabonese will not become another Mesut Ozil.
And the Spaniard also urged Partey to prove why the North Londoners paid £45m for him.
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Arsenal boss Arteta looks ahead to Premier League clash against Sheffield Utd More

TROY DEENEY says footballers should continue taking the knee next season.Watford captain and SunSport columnist Deeney is part of a Premier League advisory group discussing the issue.
Troy Deeney hopes footballers continue to take the knee next seasonCredit: AFP
Players have taken the knee to highlight the need for racial equality since football came out of lockdown last June.
And, as black players continue to be targeted on social media, Deeney urged his fellow pros to continue the practice.
He said: “It’s my personal belief that taking a knee has made a real difference — that it has highlighted the issue and provoked conversation.
“I think taking the knee in front of full houses will have even more of an impact.
“There need to be further talks about what happens if some supporters boo or show dissent in other ways.
“But in my view that would only add to the difficult and necessary conversations on racism continuing.
“A lot more discussions are needed between players, clubs and the leagues.
“I would like unity on this and I’d like us to continue reinforcing the key message of civil rights and equality.
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“People of colour simply want the same rights as everyone else.
“We’re not asking for reparation for what has happened in the past — just equality going forward.”
Deeney was one of 20 Premier League captains who agreed to start taking the knee before Project Restart.
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Jose Mourinho stops Tottenham press conference to pay respects to Prince Philip after he dies aged 99 More

AS debate rages over Trent Alexander-Arnold’s England axing, one thing is certain in my mind — Harry Kane will want the Liverpool man at the Euros.Any centre-forward in the world would relish the trademark delivery Alexander-Arnold produced in Liverpool’s 3-0 win at Arsenal last weekend.
Trent Alexander-Arnold is too good in an attacking sense to not earn an England recall for the Euros, says Troy DeeneyCredit: PA
Out-and-out strikers like Harry Kane relish the service from the like of overlapping right-back Trent Alexander-ArnoldCredit: Andy Hooper-The Daily Mail
And any centre-forward would hope for a team-mate with Trent’s dead-ball ability at set-pieces.
When Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate left Trent out of his squad for last month’s World Cup qualifiers there was huge shock about it, especially as that was the last England party before the 23 is named for this summer’s tournament.
Many believe Trent will not be going to the Euros now — but I still think he will make the cut.
It is fair to say his performance at the Emirates last Saturday was at a far higher level than many he has produced this season and the same can be said of many in the Kop team.
But that cross  for Diogo Jota’s opening goal was picture perfect, it was world-class and it was  a forward’s dream.
The 22-year-old  whipped it in at pace,  with absolute accuracy, splitting the two centre-backs and all Jota had to do was guide his header home.
You freeze the action there, and there isn’t a single defender doing anything wrong — every Arsenal player is doing their job.
The goal was almost unstoppable.
Uncapped Aaron Wan-Bissaka is the best defensive right-back available so should be in the England squad to man-mark special talentsCredit: Getty
Southgate has a wealth of options at right-back but there is no other full-back in England — and few in the world ­— who could make that cross.
Of course there are also doubts about Trent’s defensive abilities and he did make a poor error on Tuesday, leading to Real Madrid’s second goal in the Champions League quarter-final.
There are pros and cons about all of England’s right-backs.
Manchester City man Kyle Walker, 30, has rapid pace and is world-class at recovery runs but has also made occasional errors.
Although Southgate has suggested he will name only two right-backs in his Euros squad, I’d take Walker, Alexander-Arnold and Aaron Wan-Bissaka, 23, which would be very harsh on both Kieran Trippier and Reece James.
Wan-Bissaka is our best defensive right-back and I find it staggering that he has never been capped by England.
It’s remarkable that a £50million Manchester United regular can’t get close to the England squad.

But I’d like the option of Wan- Bissaka doing a man-marking job on a top-class winger such Antoine Griezmann or Leroy Sane at the Euros, because he is such a brilliant defender.
It seems as though Southgate is more likely to play a flat back-four as his plan A at the Euros and that he doesn’t fancy the Anfield right-back in that formation.
 If and when he plays a back five, Walker could move to right centre-back and Trent at wing-back.
I like that idea, especially against the better teams and I am convinced Kane will like it too. If Jurgen Klopp’s side finish the season strongly, and Trent plays well, I still think he will make it.
Remember, this is a player who played a pivotal role in Liverpool’s Champions League and Premier League triumphs.
And even if his form has been more bumpy this season, England cannot afford to leave out someone of that quality.
I respect the fact that Southgate makes strong decisions and knows his own mind.
If Liverpool recapture their old momentum, then I believe it will carry Trent to the Euros, where he will lay them on a plate for skipper Kane.
The 50-year-old phased out Wayne Rooney at the start of his England reign and Chris Smalling was completely frozen out a little later on.
But Trent will be back — this one is not an irreversible judgment from the England boss.
Today’s home match against Aston Villa is a fixture Liverpool will have been targeting.
They have lost six in a row at home, but haven’t played at Anfield in more than a month, and facing Villa without Jack Grealish looks a great chance to end that horrible run of form.
The Reds will probably tell you they are not out for ‘revenge’ after their extraordinary 7-2 hammering at Villa Park back in October — but they will be.
There will have been a huge embarrassment — and shock factor — about that result and they will be desperate to make amends.

If Liverpool can score two or three in the first half, Klopp will not ease up, and his team will want to score eight.
When the champions are in full flow, their full-backs — Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson — are always to the fore.
And if they can recapture their old momentum, then I believe it will carry Trent to the Euros, where he will be laying them on a plate for international skipper Kane.
Gabby Agbonlahor doesn’t believe Trent Alexander-Arnold will make the England squad for the Euros More