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    Man Utd star Marcus Rashford trademarks name in America in bid to become global superstar

    MAN United’s Marcus Rashford is planning to become a global superstar by trademarking his name in America.
    The 22-year-old has filed official documents that would allow him to market hundreds of products.

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    Man Utd star Marcus Rashford has trademarked his name in AmericaCredit: PA:Press Association
    They could include goods ranging from deodorants and shaving gel to binoculars, sports bags and computer games.
    It comes after rapper Jay-Z signed the Premier League and England star to his Roc Nation management firm last month.
    The application to the US Patent and Trademark Office has been accepted and will be published in America’s Trademark Official Gazette on ­Tuesday before being approved. Anyone with an objection has 30 days to lodge a complaint.
    A source said: “This is a smart move.

    “It protects his image rights in the US and shows that Jay-Z is keen to make the American audience more aware of Marcus as a sportsman and a socially aware role model.”

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    Rashford pictured taking part in the ‘In the Box’ Christmas charity campaign to help Manchester’s homeless communityCredit: Refer to Caption

    It comes after Marcus got an honorary university doctorate ­following his free school meals campaign victory. Up to now his career has been guided by his brothers Dwaine Maynard, 36, and Dane Rashford, 27, through their sports management firm.
    Jay-Z flew them all to Miami for the Super Bowl in February.
    The brothers will continue to handle Marcus’s football career, while a Roc Nation offshoot will deal with his off-field activities.

    Could Marcus Rashford be honoured with a knighthood after school meals campaign?
    GOT a story? RING The Sun on 0207 782 4104 or WHATSAPP on 07423720250 or EMAIL exclusive@the-sun.co.uk More

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    Bayern Munich failed in last-gasp Jude Bellingham transfer bid to pip rivals Dortmund

     JUDE BELLINGHAM turned down a stunning last- minute bid from   Bayern Munich before sealing  his £30million move to Borussia Dortmund.
    The Birmingham midfielder, 17, will become the world’s most expensive teenager and has also landed a five-year deal worth £60,000-a-week.

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    Jude Bellingham had his pick of Germany’s top clubsCredit: Getty Images – Getty
    Wonderkid Bellingham was in Dortmund yesterday to complete a medical plus sign ahead of an announcement in the next few days.
    SunSport can reveal that Bundesliga giants Bayern were offering to both outbid Dortmund  and beat the wages on offer.
    Dortmund increased their initial offer agreed with Blues but Bayern were  confident of landing the hugely talented England Under-17 star. 
    Bellingham spoke to Bayern in those last-minute talks but felt heading to Dortmund, a club famed for giving youth — such as England winger Jadon Sancho — a chance,  was a much more sensible move.

    All of Europe’s top clubs wanted the kid who became Birmingham’s youngest player at 16 years and 38 days when starting a Carabao Cup first- round match at Portsmouth last August. 
    That broke the record set by Blues legend Trevor  Francis in 1970.
    Manchester United and Chelsea were the two English clubs who were prepared to spend the most money. 

    United rolled out the red carpet when Bellingham and his parents were invited to Carrington in March.
    Even Sir Alex Ferguson was at the training ground to try to persuade the versatile ace to move to Old Trafford. But Bellingham, whose dad, Mark, is a former non-league player, believes that moving to Dortmund — like  Sancho  when he left Manchester City — will now help him flourish.
    His St Andrew’s team-mate Jeremie Bela yesterday posted a  congratulations message to Bellingham on Instagram.

    Forward Bela’s message read: “Congrats baby boy @JudeBellingham.”
    Bellingham flew back to England yesterday — and could still play for struggling  Birmingham in their crucial Championship game at  Preston tomorrow.
    He  joined Brum  as a  seven-year-old and scored on his debut for the club’s Under-23s, aged just 15.
    He only turned 17 last month. 
    But incredibly for a player so young in midfield, he made his 42nd appearance of the season in Wednesday’s 1-1 draw with Charlton.

    Birmingham turned down a £30m offer from Dortmund in January. 
    Until coronavirus struck, leaving clubs across Europe fearing for their finances, Dortmund, United and  Chelsea were all prepared to pay £35m — with a further £15m in add-ons.
    This season, Bellingham has played all across the midfield and even up front, scoring  four goals.
    Tweet @CharlieWyett More

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    Southampton 1 Brighton 1: Danny Ings hits 20 goals for season to earn point as Saints ace chases Golden Boot

    DANNY INGS followed in the footsteps of Le God to become Southampton’s modern idol.
    Only Matt Le Tissier and James Beattie had previously netted 20 Premier League goals in a single season for Saints.

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    Danny Ings continued his hot streak to earn a point for SouthamptonCredit: AP:Associated Press
    But Ings took that tally to three with a typically-cool finish here to chalk off Neal Maupay’s opener.
    It frustrated Graham Potter, who played with Le Tissier during his single season with Saints back in 1996, given his side are still not mathematically safe.
    But their far superior goal difference to Aston Villa and Bournemouth means they effectively are thanks to this point.
    Potter claimed it would be unfair to compare Le Tissier and Ings in his pre-match press conference.

    True, Le Tissier’s talent was one-of-a-kind.
    But the way Ings has carried Saints at times this season does bear a resemblance.
    He was not even Ralph Hasenhuttl’s first-choice striker at the beginning of the season.
    Yet his consistent scoring and relentless pressing have turned him into a player that Hasenhuttl admits Saints would not be able to afford if he was on the market today.

    The build-up to this game had involved a manager love-in with both bosses falling over themselves to pay tribute to the other.
    The pally spirit seemed to extend to the pitch too with some of the defensive gifts the two sides offered each other.
    Southampton were far too hospitable for Maupay’s opener – but the way Solly March was rolled by Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg in the opening five minutes was just as generous.
    The Dane was in and should have made it count, but struck the ball with the outside of his foot straight at Maty Ryan who made a fine save.
    It came to the frustration of Saints’ socially-distanced subs, sitting just in front of the press area and smelling like they had walked off a Paco Rabanne advert. 
    Hojbjerg was starting despite being the subject of a £25million bid from Everton.
    Tottenham are also in the race to sign the ex-Bayern Munich man who is set to be sold this summer after refusing to sign a new contract.
    Albion threatened what was to come as Maupay fired over and the in-form Leandro Trossard had Alex McCarthy scrambling with a header.
    And on 17 minutes, they had their opener.
    Glenn Murray flicked on Tariq Lamptey’s throw-in to Maupay, who somehow had enough room between Saints’ centre-backs to find the near corner with his left foot.
    The strike meant Maupay became just the sixth French player to register 10 or more goals in their maiden Premier League season, after Mssrs Lacazette, Martial, Giroud, Henry and Cantona.
    Maupay, looking a steal at £16million, celebrated by rubbing his eyes in a cry-baby gesture – possibly in reference to his feud with Arsenal bad-boy Matteo Guendouzi.
    Saints were out-of-sorts with even the now ultra-consistent Danny Ings looking unthreatening, though he did have a goal ruled out for offside six minutes before half-time.
    Hasenhuttl, looking and sounding ever more agitated in his dugout, knew he had to shake things up.
    He sent on Kyle Walker-Peters and Che Adams at the break, moving Hojbjerg from right-back into midfield, and the changes improved his side dramatically.
    Young left-back Jake Vokins fizzed a volley just wide of the far post before Ings curled brilliantly against the woodwork.
    The rebound fell to Adams who would have scored were it not for Lewis Dunk’s heroics on the line.
    Seconds later, the Saints pair combined again as Ings flashed a first-time ball across the six-yard area which agonisingly eluded Adams at the far stick.

    The pressure eventually told just before the water break as Nathan Redmond set away Ings, who finished clinically.
    Both sides had chances to win it with Yves Bissouma firing wide from close range and Vestergaard having a Vincent Kompany-esque piledriver turned onto the bar.
    But ultimately it was a draw which should confirm Brighton’s safety – and ensure Ings’ godlike status. More

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    Watford supporters swear the most out of all Premier League football fans – where does your team rank?

    WATFORD supporters are the Premier League’s biggest potty mouths, a study found.
    They get a red card for using foul language about their relegation-threatened team online.

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    A study has found Watford supporters are the Premier League’s biggest potty mouthsCredit: AFP or licensors
    Nearly 525,200 tweets using the hashtags of England’s 20 top-flight football clubs were analysed by researchers.
    They compiled a profanity league table — which the Hornets topped.
    Of the 2,331 tweets sent out by Watford fans regarding their club, 199 included at least one swear word — a rate of 8.5 per cent.
    The Hertfordshire side — whose players include Troy Deeney, Will Hughes and Ben Foster — are famously followed by Sir Elton John and heavyweight boxing champ Anthony Joshua.

    Fans of Crystal Palace came second in the table on 8.2 per cent. Out of 2,784 tweets by Eagles fans, 229 contained swear words.
    Tottenham Hotspur, who are managed by controversial Portuguese boss Jose Mourinho, were third on 7.1 per cent.

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    They had foul language in 169 out of 2,387 fans’ tweets.
    By contrast the least sweary supporters accolade went to Manchester United, on just 0.9 per cent. Just 23 out of 2,501 tweets contained profanities.

    The research for bookie Paddy Power was conducted over a two-week period ending on July 7.
    A spokesman said: “Now the Premier League is back, it’s been a good opportunity to take a seat on our socially-distanced sofas and become the ultimate armchair fan.
    “By doing that, it seems it’s been a sweary time for football fans.”

    Tottenham fans have been cursing despite their side being in the top half of the Premier League.
    The spokesman added: “Jose’s meddling has caused a feeling of resentment among the club’s followers.
    “It’s hardly a surprise that he is causing Spurs fans to dish out expletives — we can only imagine what their blood pressure scores must look like.”

    Frank Lampard gives verdict as Chelsea ease past Watford 3-0 in the Premier League
    GOT a story? RING The Sun on 0207 782 4104 or WHATSAPP on 07423720250 or EMAIL exclusive@the-sun.co.uk More

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    Burnley 1 Wolves 1: Chris Wood denies visitors with controversial last-gasp penalty in huge blow to Nuno’s Europe charge

    CHRIS WOOD snatched the most dramatic of last-gasp levellers to save Burnley – and his own blushes.
    Yet it came in a storm of controversy, with Wolves convinced the Clarets strikers should have been pulled up for a high boot instead of Mike Dean pointing to the spot.

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    Chris Wood kept his cool to slot home a late leveller from the spotCredit: AFP or licensors
    Referee Dean ruled that Phll Bardsley’s 94th minute head back into the box struck a leaping Matt Doherty on the top of the arm – a decision confirmed by video official Kevin Friend.
    But Doherty and Co had just cause for claiming Wood’s boot was just inches from the defender’s face as he tried and failed to connect with an overhead kick.
    To be fair, at least we got a ruling within a minute – not that it came as any consolation to the visitors.
    Certainly not when Wood picked himself up, plonked the ball down…and smashed it into Rui Patricio’s top corner for the equaliser.

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    Raul Jimenez scored a superb volley to put Wolves in frontCredit: AP:Associated Press
    At least it put a smile on the Kiwi striker’s face, just seconds after he had been guilty of one of the worst misses you’ll see all season.
    Keeper Patricio had totally lost the ball and was way out of his ground when Matej Vydra nodded back across an empty goal.
    Wood, though, got his bearings all wrong as he launchd himself to connect, with only a flailing Conor Coady on the line to protect the net, and shanked his header wide.
    It says much for Burnley’s spirit, then, that they had the spirit and character to mount one final attack which proved so vital. It says even more for that of the player himself.

    Mark Halsey’s view

    I felt Burnley’s last minute penalty for handball by Wolves’ Matt Doherty was a harsh decision.

    The ball hit Doherty’s arm but Law 12 – handling the ball – states the act by a defender must be deliberate to award a spot kick
    Referee Mike Dean made a subjective call and you can’t criticise him for his decision but I would ask the question, was it deliberate?
    I don’t think so because Doherty was challenging for the ball as Chris Wood went for an overhead kick. Wolves could argue it should have been a free-kick for dangerous play.
    Doherty used his arm to protect his face but I felt it was not in an unnatural position. You don’t jump with your arms by your side.
    Once the penalty was awarded VAR would not overturn a decision like that because it was a subjective call.

    For until that moment it looked certain that Raul Jimenez’ stunning volley was going to keep Wolves top four dream alive – along with their hopes of a decent summer break after all.
    It also earned the Mexican his own little slice of Molineux history, as the first man in Old Gold to hit 17 in a top-flight season since John Richards in 1975-76.
    But back Wolves’ marathon men, as last night was their 55th game of a campaign that began just nine days shy of a whole calendar year ago, with a Euro qualifier against Crusaders.
    Finish in the Champions League slots and they could actually get a bit of a break before the following one begins.
    Miss out, as now seems likely, and – with this term’s Europa League duties running into August – they could face a qualifier for the NEXT one just a week after their season ends.
    No wonder Santo speaks so proudly of what his players – in only their second year back in the top flight, remember – have done.
    They probably just about deserved to win this one as well, on a bitingly cold Turf Moor night. Or, as they call it in East Lancashire, mid-July.
    Jimenez had sent one header straight at Nick Pope, the giant keeper’s fingertips had stopped Diojo Jota from having a tap-in, while Adama Traore was the predictable fizzing danger.
    And while Daniel Podence looks young enough to travel half fare on the bus, he is certainly up to the task and sent another low strike scudding just wide.
    The closest call, though, came when Romain Saiss leapt in a packed six yard box for a Joao Moutinho corner, but his point blank effort came off the back of his head and went wide.
    If Burnley hadn’t been so well organised at the back would probably have found a way through.
    As it is they did have one fine moment of their own, and how fitting that it fell to Jay Rodriguez.
    The local boy striker chases lost causes as enthusiastically as a spaniel chasing a Frisbee, and nearly got his reward with a great breakaway move that was blocked by the flying Coady.
    And then Burnley themselves were fuming at NOT getting a penalty, when Saiss took a grab at Josh Brownhill before his strike that Ruben Neves deflected behind.

    Admittedly it would have been the harshest of calls, but that didn’t stop Clarets chief Sean Dyche from nearly blowing a gasket on the touchline.
    Not nearly as much as Santo was in danger of doing when he watched the replay of the one that WAS given.
    On such calls can a season fall…and with it any chance of a summer holiday. More

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    Man United star Marcus Rashford says four million extra meals will be provided to vulnerable UK homes

    MARCUS Rashford says four million extra meals will be provided to vulnerable UK homes.
    The Man United and England star, 22, paid tribute to Fareshare UK, tweeting: “From the bottom of my heart, thank you! We couldn’t do it without you.”

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    Marcus Rashford helped provide four million meals to vulnerable UK householdsCredit: Refer to Caption
    Marcus worked alongside the food charity and successfully lobbied ministers to extend the free school meal voucher scheme into the summer holidays.
    The 22-year-old was determined to make vulnerable households get fed and put pressure on the Government to extend the meal voucher scheme into summer holidays.
    Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced a u-turn in response to Rashford’s campaign.
    After increased pressure from Tory MPs and celebrities, the Government revealed it would fund the scheme after all, despite saying it would not carry on over the summer.

    Parents whose children are eligible for free school meals will be able to claim the extra help with meals for their kids.
    A one off six-week voucher will be dished out for families to use in supermarkets.

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    Rashford pressured the Government to extend the meal voucher scheme into the summer holidaysCredit: PA:Press Association

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    Boris Johnson announced a u-turn in response to Rashford’s campaignCredit: Getty – Pool
    Marcus tweeted after the news: “I don’t even know what to say. Just look at what we can do when we come together, THIS is England in 2020.”
    Boris Johnson told the Cabinet the news – which will cost £120million in extra funding.

    The PM’s spokesperson said the Government would run a Covid-19 food fund throughout the summer.
    He said: “The PM welcomed Marcus Rashford’s contribution to the debate around poverty and I said he would be responding as soon as possible.
    “Owing to the coronavirus pandemic, the PM fully understands that children and parents face an entirely unprecedented situation over the summer.
    “To to reflect this, we will be providing a Covid summer food fund.

    “This will provide food vouchers covering the six week holiday period.
    “This was a specific measure to reflect the unique circumstances of the pandemic.
    “The scheme will not continue beyond the summer and those eligible will be those who already qualify for free school meals.”

    Could Marcus Rashford be honoured with a knighthood after school meals campaign?
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    Pep Guardiola adamant he won’t discuss new deal as Man City fret over boss’ long-term future

    PEP GUARDIOLA says talks over his Manchester City future can wait.
    But the Spanish boss admits club chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak is not happy with him over their title defence.

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    Pep Guardiola is ready for the challenge of getting Manchester City back to the topCredit: Reuters
    Guardiola has just one year left on his current deal and there arehopes he might extend his stay now their Champions League ban has been lifted.
    But the former Bayern Munich manager admits he will have to do better next season after his team meekly surrendered their Premier League crown to Liverpool.
    He said: “Now is not the time — we have one incredible month ahead of us, then one year is a long time. We have time to think about that.
    “Internally, when I don’t like something, I say to my chairman. My chairman is not happy with me if we finish 21 or 23 points behind Liverpool.

    “He’s not happy with me, but we discuss internally to try and do better next season.”

    I love this club. I love it because I know the people here and I’m working for a long time
    Pep GuardiolaMan City boss

    Guardiola, 49, has already spent four years at City and was in bullish mood as he defended the club over allegations of financial wrong-doing.
    A huge weight has lifted off the shoulders of Al Mubarak and everyone at City now the Court of Arbitration has cleared them — but Guardiola says he would have seen out his contract anyway.
    He added: “I love this club. I love it because I know the people here and I’m working for a long time.

    We have our history. I don’t know if it’s better or worse, it doesn’t matter, it’s our history.
    “Nothing has changed my opinion, maybe I will be able to stay here longer?
    “I said I would stay and it didn’t matter if we were in the Champions League. Some people suggested we should play in League Two, I’d have stayed.”
    Guardiola claims whenever he goes, he will be leaving behind a first-class opportunity for his successor.

    He said: “This club is incredibly solid with Pep and without Pep. So don’t be troubled.
    “This club had success before my arrival with Roberto Mancini and with Manuel Pellegrini. They won a lot of titles and they played really good football.
    “So without me, when I leave — I don’t know when that will be — the new manager will have an incredible thing because the structure of the club means it wants to grow and to be solid.”

    How Man City could line-up next season with Pep splashing cash including Koulibaly and Havertz but Stones out More

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    Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta begs owners to back him in transfer window to reverse alarming slide

    MIKEL ARTETA has challenged Arsenal’s owners to match his big-time ambitions as the club faces a fourth year without Champions League football.
    The demanding Spaniard fears a summer transfer freeze will make it almost impossible for him to compete at the top end of the table.

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    Mikel Arteta wants cash to spend on his Arsenal squad this summerCredit: Getty Images – Getty

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    Joe Willock and Reiss Nelson battle during a training sessionCredit: Getty Images – Getty
    And he made it clear he is not prepared to accept a situation which will leave Arsenal in danger of dropping even further behind the Premier League’s title contenders.
    The Gunners boss warned: “Every year we are out of the Champions League makes it harder than ever to get back into that competition.
    “If you are not in the Champions League and you say ‘I don’t invest in the team because I don’t have the financial ability to do it’ then the gap becomes bigger to the other clubs that do invest.

    “So at some stage you have to decide whether you take a risk and go for it to close that gap or whether you stay where you are.
    “At the end of the season we need to sit down and agree on the ambitions of the club, what direction we want to take and put a plan together to achieve those targets.
    “The demands will be huge and that’s never going to change because they’re linked to the history and success of this club.
    “But as long as I am sitting in this manager’s chair, I will not stop thinking of Arsenal as a Champions League club.”

    Sunday’s 2-1 defeat at Spurs means Arsenal will end the season with their lowest points total since 1995.
    And it leaves them facing the prospect of not even qualifying for the Europa League after dropping to ninth in the table ahead of tonight’s home game against champs Liverpool.

    You have to decide whether you take a risk and go for it to close that gap
    Mikel Arteta

    That would see the club struggling with an £80million black hole which would severely hamper Arteta’s plans to overhaul his under-performing side.
    Yet he has no doubts Europe’s top players are still keen to move to the Emirates.
    He said: “When I speak to people in the market, a lot of players want to play for Arsenal.
    “Why? Because we have an incredible history, an incredible structure, we’re in a beautiful city and have a style of play that attracts players.”
    Arteta believes Liverpool are the perfect template for Arsenal to copy after watching the way Jurgen Klopp transformed the club during his five years in charge.
    Arteta added: “What they have done is phenomenal. It took them some time to rebuild the squad with a new culture, philosophy and game model but they were really smart in the way they recruited.
    “The moment Liverpool addressed the spine of their team, things changed dramatically.
    “You get one of the best defenders in the world with the best goalkeeper and one of the best holding midfielders and it’s a quick fix.
    “The same thing happened straight away at Manchester City when they signed Aymeric Laporte.”

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    Rob Holding is all smiles during trainingCredit: Getty Images – Getty

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    Arsenal will hope to get Mesut Ozil off the wage billCredit: Getty Images – Getty

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    Aubameyang is in talks to sign a new contract at ArsenalCredit: Getty Images – Getty

    Arteta is likely to rest some players tonight with one eye on Saturday’s FA Cup semi-final against City.
    He complained: “This is our ninth game in a month and we only had the recovery advantage in one, against Spurs.
    “The other teams have had 24, 36 and even 48 hours more time to rest.”

    Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta backs rival Jose Mourinho to turn Tottenham around More