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      Man Utd teenage star Willy Kambwala set to join Villarreal for just £8.5m as fans say ‘never saw this coming’

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      MANCHESTER UNITED star Willy Kambwala is set to be sold to Villarreal, according to reports.The 19-year-old had a breakout season in the 2023/24 campaign, playing nine times in the Premier League due to an injury crisis.Willy Kambwala is ready to leave Manchester United for VillarrealCredit: GettyBut the club are now ready to cash in on the centre-back amid an £8.5million bid from Villarreal.Man Utd are reportedly hoping to insert a buy-back clause in the deal.Kambwala has just one year remaining on his contact at Old Trafford.And selling him will help ease Man Utd’s PSR concerns as offloading the teenager will count as pure profit.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe club posted a £71.4m net loss for the third quarter of the financial year.Reports suggest that Kambwala initially wanted his long-term future to be at the Red Devils.But the Frenchman changed his mind after talks with Erik ten Hag revealed he is far down the defensive pecking order.Fans were left shocked by the news, with one saying: “Wow never saw this coming.”Most read in FootballEURO 2024 FREE BETS AND OFFERSAnother added: “Good deal for us but sad to see him go as will be a very good player.”More commented: “Smart move, last year on his contract and a buy-back clause. He needs playing time to develop.”What happened to these five forgotten Manchester United wonderkidsA fourth said: “Willy Kambwala and Eric Bailly partnership at Villarreal will hit hard.”The boss remains in the market for a new centre-back after Raphael Varane departed.Jonny Evans has penned a new one-year deal and the club are keen on Bayern Munich’s Matthijs De Ligt.Ten Hag is also set to land a new striker as Bologna star Joshua Zirkzee landed at Manchester Airport ahead of his medical yesterday.SunSport’s verdict on Man Utd flopsSir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos have a busy summer ahead to get Man Utd’s squad in order for next season. Below SunSport gives its verdict on how they should deal with the Red Devils flops this summer. Andre Onana – STAY: After a dodgy start at Old Trafford Onana has proven to be one of the more reliable members of the squad this season despite being peppered with shots constantly.Altay Bayindir – GO: Reports in February suggested Bayindir was unhappy with his bit part role at Man Utd amid interest from Turkish giants Galatasaray. If profit can be made on a sale then it should be done.Tom Heaton – STAY: Veteran goalkeeper Heaton, 38, is a reliable back-up and is on a relatively small wage at the club. So long as he is happy it makes sense to keep him.Aaron Wan-Bissaka – GO: Wan-Bissaka, 26, has never managed to make the right-back position his own. With his contract up in 2025 it makes sense to cash in now.Diogo Dalot – STAY: Dalot, 26, has been one of Man Utd’s most consistent performers this season.Raphael Varane – GO: If it wasn’t for his injury record there would be a strong shout to keep Varane, but costs need to be cut to allow the squad to be freshened up.Harry Maguire – GO: Maguire has showed he has the right character to be at Man Utd but overall ability and desired profile are another matter, with Maguire too slow to play in a high line defence.Lisandro Martinez – STAY: Martinez, 26, is second to none in terms of build up play. He needs a long-term defensive partner on the right side and to cut out the injuries which have plagued him this season.Jonny Evans – GO: Veteran campaigner Evans could easily be on the stay list if he was only going to be a bit part player. But he has shown his advanced years at times this season.Victor Lindelof – GO:  Lindelof, 29, has been reliable if not unremarkable in his Man Utd career. He has one year left on his contract so should be moved on if a decent transfer fee can be got for him.Willy Kambwala – STAY: He should be given the opportunity to mature for a few years behind a senior CB pairing before stepping into the first team as a starter or being moved on.Luke Shaw – GO: One of the Premier League’s best left-backs when fit, Shaw has been a good servant when available. But alas that has been his Achilles heel once again this season.Tyrell Malacia – STAY: Malacia, 24, was decent enough to earn some merit in his first season at Man Utd before injury ended his season and inadvertently led to his second season being a write off.Sofyan Amrabat – GO: Amrabat, 27, looked like a world beater at the Qatar World Cup with Morocco. But he’s had an underwhelming season in England and his loan spell will almost certainly not be made permanent.Casemiro – GO: An alarming physical decline has seen him turn from key star to burden. If a club is willing to buy the 32-year-old – who has two more years on his contract – then United should snatch their hand off.Christian Eriksen – GO: Eriksen proved a useful asset and Ineos should look to bring in another player with similar traits, but frankly his legs have looked gone towards the end of this season.Kobbie Mainoo – STAY: The first of the so-called untouchables, Mainoo has been a rare glimmer of hope in the Red Devils midfield this season.Mason Mount – STAY: Mount can be given the benefit of the doubt until summer 2025 at least after a debut season riddled with injury.Scott McTominay – STAY: McTominay, 27, has proven himself to be a brilliant plan B off the bench this season, and that is exactly why Ineos should look to keep him.Bruno Fernandes – STAY: Man Utd’s best player since his arrival just over four years ago, Fernandes, 29, remains second-to-none when it comes to creating chances while his tenacity boosts those around him.Antony – GO: There’s a case to argue that Antony may be the worst pound-for-pound signing in Premier League history. Despite some memorable moments he simply isn’t Man Utd quality.Anthony Martial – GO: Ultimately Martial needs to be let go when his deal runs out this summer after an appalling injury record of late.Marcus Rashford – STAY: As easy as it would be to say Rashford should leave the club this summer, it is difficult to look at the market and find many available players capable of scoring 30 goals a season.Alejandro Garnacho – STAY: Another third of the untouchables trio, Garnacho has made the right-wing his own since coming into it. He’s a raw talent but has shown he has the quality to improve.Rasmus Hojlund – STAY: A slow burner in his first Man Utd season, the 21-year-old has often been starved of supply which has led to him being unable to get the goals his movement and unselfish play often merits.Amad Diallo – STAY: In the fleeting moments he has been on the pitch for Man Utd this season, Diallo has looked dangerous and exciting. He should be given a chance to flourish with some proper chances in the first team across a whole season. More

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      Aston Villa re-sign former star on free transfer just a year after selling him for £18m fee

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      CAMERON ARCHER has returned to Aston Villa – one year after Unai Emery sold him to Sheffield United for £18million.It represents a smart bit of business by Villa who have pocketed £3million from the deal, while gaining valuable Premier League experience for Archer.Cameron Archer has rejoined Aston Villa from Sheffield UnitedCredit: GettyThe striker scored four goals in 30 Premier League appearances for the Blades last seasonCredit: GettyThe 22-year-old striker scored four goals in 30 top-flight appearances for the Blades, including a goal at Villa Park in December.However there was a clause in his contract guaranteeing Archer would return to Villa Park in the event of United being relegated.Sheffield United splashed out £18million last summer on the kid striker but only paid a £3million instalment on the fee up front, which has been retained by Villa, effectively as a loan fee.It means the Blades will not have to shell out the remaining £15million for Archer, who has become a Villa player again.READ MORE ASTON VILLA NEWSA statement from the Blades confirmed: “Sheffield United can confirm that Cameron Archer has returned to Aston Villa under terms of the initial transfer agreement. Thanks for your efforts, Cam.”The Blades failed to avoid an immediate return to the Championship last season.Chris Wilder’s side finished bottom of the table, 16 points adrift of 17th place Nottingham Forest.Archer spent three seasons in the Villa first-team prior to moving to Bramall Lane, having come through the club’s academy.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSThe forward scored four goals in 14 appearances alongside loan spells with Solihull Moors, Preston and Middlesbrough.Archer’s return to Villa is the latest addition in what has been a busy summer for the club.SunSport’s Latest Transfer HeadlinesEmery is currently preparing for Champions League football, appearing in Europe’s premier competition for the first time since 1983.Villa have already made five signings this summer ahead of the upcoming season.Samuel Iling-Junior and Enzo Barrenechea both joined from Juventus following Douglas Luiz’s move to the Italian giants.Elsewhere, Ian Maatsen has signed from Chelsea, with Tyler Dobbin and Ross Barkley also coming in. More

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      Ex-Arsenal wonderkid who earned £10,000-a-night playing Fortnite signs for new club after turning down contract offer

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      A FORMER Arsenal star who earned £10,000-a-night playing Fortnite has joined a new club.Reuell Walters turned down a new deal at the Gunners in order to pursue first-team football elsewhere, and has found a new home with nearby Luton.Reuell Walters has joined Luton after turning down a new Arsenal dealCredit: Luton TownWalters, 19, is a versatile defender capable of playing in both central and wide defensive positions.The England Under-20 star joined Arsenal in 2020 from Tottenham before signing a pro deal in 2022.But, after failing to make a first-team appearance, he has now signed a four-year deal with Championship side Luton as they bid to earn promotion back to the Premier League.Speaking to club media, Walters said: “I’m really excited by the challenge ahead. I think I resonate with all the club’s beliefs.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”I like the style of play, I get along with Rob really well and there are a few friendly faces from the past here as well.”Zack Nelson and Axel Piesold were at Tottenham’s academy with me when I was younger. “We’ve known each other from when we were young and have kept in contact the last few years, so some things just come back around.”As well as having skills on the pitch, Walters is also handy with a controller or keyboard and mouse, in particular Fortnite.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSBack in November 2019, the youngster got an email from the game’s creators to say he’d made £16 for his RJW’s BoxPVP map.Dad Raphael said: “He said ‘I just made $20 for my map. People are in my map and when they buy stuff with their V-Bucks, I get a commission, so I made $20.'”Best ten new Premier League kits for next seasonIt’s estimated his map was used 250million times in one week.In a video posted by 101GreatGoals, linking to UnderArmour, Walters added: “Obviously we weren’t allowed to leave our homes so I picked up a different hobby where everyone loves the game.”I think as a teenage boy I was playing Fortnite with my friends and they were talking to me about how they just wanted to play this game mode and how it hadn’t been made before.”So I just decided, you know, I’ll make something for them to play.”The map has proven to be a popular one, with a staggering 250 million people downloading it.And all the downloads led to Walters earning a cool £10,000 a night for a week straight.So I just decided, you know, I’ll make something for them to playReuell Walters 101GreatGoalsRob Edwards also hailed the transfer as Walters became the Hatters second signing of the summer. He said: “Reuell is another person we are delighted to bring into the club. He’s a really exciting signing – a dynamic, quick, talented young player.”He’s had a brilliant upbringing at a couple of top clubs, and we are so pleased to get his move done.”Pathway is very important to him. That is one of the reasons why he is leaving Arsenal. “He had a number of inviting options, but we are so glad that he chose us and sees us as the right step to take on his journey now.”He’s got brilliant support, great family. He’s got loads of ability and high potential.”He can play in a number of positions – right-back, right centre-back, right wing-back – and he’d be able to do the middle as well. He’s got lots of strings to his bow.READ MORE SUN STORIES”He’s a young player, so there is no pressure. But we see him as someone who could potentially make an impact this season and I really hope he does. “We’re looking forward to getting to working with him.”Arsenal have a tricky start to the season More

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      Virgil van Dijk casts doubt on Liverpool future and hints at Netherlands retirement after Euro 2024 exit

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      NETHERLANDS defender Virgil van Dijk has hinted at leaving Liverpool and retiring from international football after refusing to commit to club or country following his Euro 2024 heartache.Dutch captain Van Dijk, 33, cut a distraught figure in Dortmund on Wednesday night after Oli Watkins’ 90th-minute winner sent England to Sunday’s final in Berlin.Virgil van Dijk’s Netherlands were eliminated from Euro 2024 by EnglandCredit: GettyVan Dijk may have played his final international game against EnglandAfter the match, the Liverpool centre-back fumed at referee Felix Zwayer for controversial decisions during the game – namely awarding England a penalty which Harry Kane scored.It remains unclear whether 74-cap Van Dijk will continue with the national team as he prepares to enter his mid-30s.But he has also cast doubt on his Liverpool future in the wake of Netherlands’ Euros disappointment.Van Dijk, whose Anfield contract expires in 2025, said: “I haven’t the slightest idea right now [about his future].READ MORE ON ENGLAND”I will think carefully this summer about what I want at club level and as an international player. Then we’ll go for it again, but first recover from this.”After a season like this, where all kinds of things have happened, it gets emotional at the end because you know it’s over.”Especially in the second half I had the feeling the outcome would fall our way. But [Ollie] Watkins was perhaps given a little too much space and he finished well.”It hurts a lot that we conceded this goal so late in the match and are now empty-handed.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSEngland ratings vs HollandENGLAND stormed into the final against Spain thanks to Ollie Watkins’ last-minute strike in the 2-1 win over Holland.It was a brilliant team performance, but how did each player rate?SunSport’s Tom Barclay ran the rule over Southgate’s boys, and here’s how he rated them.Jordan Pickford: 7Bigger goalkeepers may have got a stronger hand to Xavi Simons’ early stunner – though that was being hypercritical. Solid stop to deny Virgil van Dijk after the hour.Kyle Walker: 7Looked re-energised after some lumbering displays and bombed on at times in the first half, despite his role on the right of a back three. Last-ditch tackle on Cody Gakpo was spot on.John Stones: 7Strong in possession. He looks to have benefited from regular game-time after rarely featuring for Manchester City in the last few months.Marc Guehi: 6Came back into the side after suspension ruled him out of the Switzerland game. Had an unenviable task of making the big man Wout Weghorst after the break.Bukayo Saka: 7Razor-sharp in the first half, winning tackles, making runs and dribbling the ball proficiently. Less of an impact after the break, had a goal ruled out for offside and was booked.Declan Rice: 6Lost possession for Simons’ thunderous opener but grew into the game, mopping up where necessary. Poor pass when Kane was open midway through the second half.Kobbie Mainoo: 8Was England’s youngest-ever player to play in a major-tournament semi-final, aged 19years 82 days, and had a stormer in the first half. Great bursts forward, vital tackles, and his interplay with Foden was a joy.Kieran Trippier: 6We all know by now that he is playing out of position, so again he was limited going forward and reliable defensively. Subbed at half-time for the more natural Shaw.Phil Foden: 7The first 45 minutes was by far and away his best half of the tournament. Thought he’d scored when his shot was cleared off the line by Denzel Dumfries, and cracked the post with a cracker. But was then surprisingly subbed.Jude Bellingham: 5Back at the ground where he made his name but struggled to make much of an impact on his old stomping ground. Fortunate it was not he that was subbed.Harry Kane: 6Won and dispatched the penalty to go joint top-scorer in the tournament with three goals. Had looked more mobile initially but still tired badly after the break and was taken off.SUBSLuke Shaw (for Kieran Trippier, half-time): 6Looked assured for a man who has been out for so long.Ollie Watkins (for Harry Kane, 81): 9 and STAR MAN Surprisingly given the nod over Ivan Toney as striker sub as Southgate looked for more pace in behind. Brilliant finish into the corner to win the game – you could not ask more from him.Cole Palmer (for Phil Foden, 81): 7Had his big chance in the final minutes but shanked it horribly wide – but then fed Watkins for his wonderful winner.Gareth Southgate: 8His switch to a back three against Switzerland helped dig out the win there, and here it had his team finally playing some great football in the first half. The team went into their shells again as the game wore on and you feared the worst – but you have to say his decision to bring on Ollie Watkins was a masterstroke. “You put everything into it, everyone gives everything and if the goal comes like that in the last minute, that just sucks. Yes… sorry.”Van Dijk joined Liverpool from Southampton in January 2018 for £75million, three years after making his Netherlands debut.Watch bizarre moment Virgil van Dijk BEATBOXES while forgotten Premier League star RAPS during Euro 2024 coverageHe has racked up 270 appearances and 23 goals for the Reds.His trophy haul on Merseyside stands at a Premier League title, FA Cup, two Carabao Cups, Champions League, Uefa Super Cup and Club World Cup.Back in January, following the announcement that Jurgen Klopp was leaving Liverpool, fans linked Van Dijk with a Barcelona transfer. More

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      Tottenham monitoring Brazilian wonderkid Marcus Vinnicius, 17, with two Premier League rivals also keen on transfer

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      TOTTENHAM are monitoring the latest Brazilian sensation to come out of Palmeiras.The Sao Paulo-based club have become one of the country’s best producers of talent in recent years.Marcus Vinnicius is wanted by TottenhamCredit: www.palmeiras.comPalmeiras have sold Endrick to Real Madrid in a fee that could rise £50m, Luis Guilherme to West Ham for £25m and Estevao Willian to Chelsea for £47m.And now, 17-year-old left-back Marcus Vinnicius is catching the eye of Spurs.Wolves, Newcastle and Benfica are also interested in the wonderkid.Vinnicius – who can also play as a winger – is set to sign his first professional contract with Palmeiras this summer until June 2026, with an extension until 2029 already on the table.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe sales of Endrick, 17, Guilherme, 18, and Estevao, 17, have banked Palmeiras over £120m, and the club view Vinnicius as another big money-maker.Vinnicius is expected to have an £85m release clause in his contract, but Palmeiras are open to negotiating a deal for any interested party from Europe.Several scouts from the continent were present to watch him in a tournament in Ecuador last month that Palmeiras would go on to win.Vinnicius arrived at Palmeiras in 2022, despite major interest from Flamengo, Internacional and Atletico Mineiro, after impressing in the Goias youth team – a club where former Chelsea, Brazil and Portugal manager Luiz Felipe Scolari made his name.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSTottenham could be close to sign another wonderkidPalmeiras director of youth Joao Paulo Sampaio worked hard to convince the club to bring in the highly-rated Vinnicius, having also found Endrick, Guilherme and Estevao.Spurs’ recruitment drive is currently focusing on young talents.SunSport’s Latest Euro 2024 headlinesThey already brought in 18-year-old midfield duo Archie Gray from Leeds and Lucas Bergvall from Swedish side Djurgarden.Tottenham’s top 10 biggest signings: Hit or miss?1) Tanguy Ndombele – £52.7mNdombele joined from Lyon in 2019 with huge expectations after shattering Tottenham’s transfer record.But he would go on to play just 91 times for the club, scoring 10 goals and is now set to leave one year before the end of his contract.2) Richarlison – £49.3mRicharlison almost broke the £50m mark when he arrived from Everton in 2022 as Harry Kane’s back-up.And while his tally of 12 goals this season was a significant increase on the three from his opening Spurs campaign, he is being linked with a departure this summer.3) Brennan Johnson – £46.8mJohnson was signed by Ange Postecoglou last summer and has impressed in patches during his first season in North London.He scored five goals and 10 assists in 38 games and will look to build on that in the 2024/25 campaign.4) Cristian Romero – £44.2mRomero initially joined on loan from Atalanta in 2021, before his impressive displays saw him secure a permanent deal the following year.He is two games shy of 100 for Spurs and, while he can be reckless with his tackling at times, is beginning to form a promising partnership with Micky van de Ven.5) James Maddison – £39.4mMaddison was handed Kane’s No10 shirt after arriving at Spurs and hit the ground running with three goals and five assists in his opening 11 matches.But after getting injured against Chelsea in October, he failed to return with the same sharpness – managing just five goal contributions in 15 league matches as he missed out on England’s final 26-man squad for the Euros.6) Davinson Sanchez – £35.7mSanchez joined Spurs from Ajax in 2017 and played more than 200 games across a six-year spell.But he was always considered a somewhat erratic defender who did not play more than 20 games in a Premier League season from 2020 onwards.7) Pedro Porro – £34mPorro was another signing who originally arrived on loan in January 2023, before he signed permanently last summer.He has 54 appearances for Spurs under his belt, scoring seven goals and impressing under Postecoglou this season.8) Micky van de Ven – £34mRapid Dutch centre-back Van de Ven was named Spurs Player of the Season in his first campaign at the club.His pace, athleticism, and technical ability on the ball have made him arguably Postecoglou’s best signing to date.9) Moussa Sissoko – £29.8mSissoko came to North London for a substantial fee after being relegated with Newcastle and went on to enjoy five years at Tottenham, playing more than 200 games.Unfortunately for the French midfielder, he is best-known for giving away a controversial penalty for handball in the first minute of Spurs’ 2-0 Champions League final defeat to Liverpool in 2019.10) Giovani Lo Celso – £27.2mLo Celso joined on loan from Real Betis in 2019 – a deal that was made permanent the following season.He has 10 goals and eight assists in 108 games, with some Spurs fans still unsure about the Argentine. More

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      Man Utd transfer targets compared as stats show why Ten Hag may have to break the bank again to get the right defender

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      ERIK TEN HAG may have to break the bank to get the right defender this summer.The Manchester United boss is hoping to land TWO new centre-backs.Man Utd are on the hunt for a new defender, with Jarrad Branthwaite a top targetCredit: ReutersReports claim United have had a bid accepted for Leny YoroCredit: GettyAnd he has no less than four star names on his shortlist.The Red Devils look set to be closing in on a deal for Bayern Munich misfit Matthijs de Ligt.And they have also seen two bids rejected for Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite.Reports claim United have now set their sights on Lille’s Leny Yoro, having a £42million bid accepted despite the teen’s preference to join Real Madrid.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAnd SunSport exclusively revealed yesterday that Ten Hag is also keeping close tabs on England and Crystal Palace sensation Marc Guehi.However, the stats show that £85m-rated Branthwaite boasts the best record of the lot.He made the most appearances of all four men last season, scoring the most goals and winning the most duels.Branthwaite also made the most tackles, interceptions and clearances.Most read in FootballEURO 2024 FREE BETS AND OFFERSAnd he completed the most blocks too, while also winning possession more than anyone else.When squeezed across an average game, Branthwaite reigns supreme there as well.Greenwood back at Man Utd trainingSunSport understands United are interested in Marc GuehiCredit: GettyThe Red Devils hope to strike a deal for Matthijs de LigtCredit: GettyEven with Guehi and De Ligt getting a fairer shot after playing 10 and 13 less games respectively, Branthwaite still has the top ratio in almost all fields.It means if United are solely going after a new centre-back based on stats, the 22-year-old appears to be head and shoulders above the rest, who are much on an equal level with each other.However, Branthwaite did lag behind the rest of the competition in terms of successful passes and passing accuracy.Yet his dominance in aerial duels won makes him a threat at both ends of the pitch.It also means Ten Hag will have to dig deep as Everton rate Branthwaite as one of the best centre-backs in Europe.His age means he is likely to get even better with more minutes.And the Toffees value Branthwaite at £85m after seeing Man City pay £100m for Josko Gvardiol, also 22 years old, last summer.As far as the other stats go, Lille’s 18-year-old sensation Yoro just about has the next-best numbers after also playing around the same matches as Branthwaite.READ MORE SUN STORIESBut when squeezed down to an average across 90 minutes, there’s not much to choose between him, Guehi and De Ligt.And it may end up boiling down to who is available for the best price. More

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      Chelsea set to lose ‘next Musiala’, 15, to Premier League rivals who ‘will break historical wage structure for transfer’

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      CHELSEA are set to lose a talented academy product dubbed “the next Musiala” according to reports.Rio Ngumoha, 15, is set to join Liverpool after they broke their historic wage structure to bring him in.Rio Ngumoha played nine times for Chelsea’s U18sCredit: GettyNgumoha has been compared to two former Chelsea academy products, Musiala and Michael Olise, for his talent at a young age.Chelsea lost Musiala, 21, to Bayern Munich in 2019, and he has gone on to prove himself as one of the world’s finest emerging talents.Olise was also lost by Chelsea to Manchester City’s academy in 2016. He went on to play professionally for Reading and Crystal Palace before completing £49.5million move to Bayern Munich yesterday.According to Fabrizio Romano, Ngumoha is seen as such a special talent that Liverpool are willing to break their academy wage structure which has remained in place for years.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLHe says a deal will be completed for the 15-year-old soon.Under their previous structure, which will be broken with the transfer of Ngumoha, academy players’ earnings were capped at £50,000-a-year.The cap is part of a larger set of rules that will remain in place.Players are also limited to a ‘car clause’ which means they can not own a vehicle over 1.3 litres.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSPlayers at the academy are also required to hand in their phones at 8:30am and are only given them back at the end of the day.Explaining the rules, academy director Alex Inglethorpe told Jamie Carragher for the Telegraph: “It is a safety thing as much as anything.Chelsea’s top summer transfer targetsMeet Pep Guardiola disciple Enzo MarescaENZO MARESCA is considered among the most exciting young coaches on the planet.Born in Italy in 1980, he managed to guide Leicester to the Championship title in his first season as Foxes boss.His management career started at Italian minnows Ascoli before he was snapped up by Man City in 2020 to manage their Elite Development Squad.He guided the youth team to the Premier League 2 title in his one season working for the Citizens – with Cole Palmer in the side.His first senior job was with Parma but he was sacked after just a few months after failing to impress.Despite the team playing in Serie B and Maresca having an impressive squad he was unable to get them on course for promotion.He returned to Man City and worked as one of Pep Guardiola’s assistants for the 2022/23 season as they won the Treble.He took over relegated Leicester last summer and made an immediate impact, with the Foxes winning the Championship title.Maresca showed his dedication to the job by living at the training ground for the first two months after his appointment.He’s considered something of a Pep disciple and has said: “For a coach, it’s important to have the mentality of a chess player.”During his playing career he played under Carlo Ancelotti and Marcello Lippi – and alongside ex-Brighton boss Roberto de Zerbi.”I don’t want boys who have just passed their test with these big chunks of metal, but I was also fed up seeing a car park full of Range Rovers.”If anyone turns up with one of them, they are parking it next door.”We have a pay structure which is fairly old-fashioned. We give them jobs to do. We tell them to hand their phone over at 8.30am and give them back before they go home.”You have been a senior player. You know how it is when a young player comes into the dressing room. You want respect for the pathway.”They have to earn what comes their way first. All the other stuff is fine later. To get there you have to do it on the pitch.”Ngumoha is a talented left winger who made nine appearances for Chelsea’s Under 18s last season, despite only turning 16 later this month.The player has also featured several times for England’s U-16 side.During those appearances, he contributed one goal and one assist.READ MORE SUN STORIESLiverpool have a good track record of bedding academy products into the first-team in recent years.Trent Alexander-Arnold and Curtis Jones are first-team regulars, with Conor Bradley also playing extensively in the first-team last season. More

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      Erik ten Hag does NOT have a new Man Utd contract and Sir Jim Ratcliffe may have already hired his replacement

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      SO LET’S cut through all the you-know-what and get to the nub of the situation.However this appears to have been painted, Erik ten Hag does not have a new Manchester United contract.Sir Jim Ratcliffe with manager Erik ten HagCredit: GettyThere are no new assurances and nothing has changed.Yesterday’s grand announcement left the Dutchman on the same thin ice he was negotiating before winning May’s FA Cup final against rivals City.Ten Hag has effectively agreed to stay and work with the new controllers of football operations who, not long ago, were hunting someone else for the job.All that has happened is that the extra year in his original contract has been triggered to take it to 2026.READ MORE ON MAN UTDIt is not the ringing endorsement of a new four or five-year deal.The 12-month pay-off will stay the same if what seemed inevitable at the end of the last Premier League season is delayed until the next one if things do not start well.Ten Hag said: “I am very pleased to have reached agreement with the club to continue working together.”In other words: “OK, I’ll stay.”Most read in FootballErik ten Hag is no safer now than before FA Cup winBy Neil CustisAfter Manchester United announced Erik ten Hag was staying on, they tried to explain why it has taken over two weeks since the Dutchman paraded the FA Cup at Wembley to actually tell him he still had the job.A thorough review of the season was needed even though Ten Hag said before the Cup final that this had been done.The club said that they had ‘considered all eventualities’.In other words ‘which manager would be best for us, and not necessarily the bloke we have got?’.And the club were also at pains to make it clear how much they admired Ten Hag’s ‘dedication, dignity and professionalism’.In other words he did not publicly flip his lid at the appalling way he was being treated despite asking Ratcliffe for a public vote of confidence months before the end of the season.Let us remember Ratcliffe did not even namecheck Ten Hag in his ‘congratulations message’ after the FA Cup was won, despite the fact it was all down to him and the way he outthought Pep Guardiola on the day.Read the full column from Neil Custis on Manchester United.Elsewhere he claimed: “We have found complete unity in our vision.”Meaning they all want to win trophies — well that is a relief.Man Utd’s top targets for the transfer windowHe added: “We are strongly committed to making that journey together.”How they manage that is another thing because right now the strings are being pulled from different directions, with Ten Hag in danger of being the puppet.After all, the coaching team he put together has been dismantled and replaced, with Go Ahead Eagles boss Rene Hake and club goalscoring legend Ruud van Nistelrooy coming in.Or the future manager and assistant, if you listen to more cynical watchers of what is going on at the club.Striker coach Benni McCarthy has gone and Ten Hag’s former Ajax right-hand man Mitchell van der Gaag looks to be on his way too.Why has Ten Hag agreed to all this? Leaks from inside Old Trafford say it is because Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s word is law.On leaks, a recent email — apparently warning staff to stop leaking what was going on at the club — was LEAKED.Ratcliffe has put people in place in Sir David Brailsford, new sporting director Dan Ashworth, CEO Omar Berrada and technical director Jason Wilcox to do his bidding.Newcastle released Ashworth this week and he said: “Erik has reinforced his record as one of the most consistently successful coaches in Europe.”If that is the case why were talks held with Thomas Tuchel, as the hierarchy admitted to a dismayed Ten Hag?Ashworth added that “the club’s review of last season highlighted areas for improvement”. Cheers, Sherlock.While these words were being penned ahead of yesterday’s 11am release, none of the big names was on show as the devastating news was given to a staff meeting that 250 of 1,100 were out of a job.It is fair to say that morale is not at an all-time high at Old Trafford right now.READ MORE SUN STORIESMeanwhile players who have not been on international duty return to training on Monday.Roll-up, roll-up, the circus is still very much in town. More