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    Man Utd legend Ryan Giggs’ son, 18, making his own way in football after fifth international call-up

    RYAN GIGGS’ son Zach has made a major step in his career after earning his fifth cap for Wales at under-19 level.Zach, 18, featured in Wales’ 3-1 win over Turkey at the Belle Vue in Rhyl during their final Euro Qualifying Elite Round match.Ryan Giggs’ son Zach played five games for Wales’ under-19sZach is following in his father’s footstepsGoals from Plymouth starlet Freddie Issaka, Manchester United striker Gabriele Biancheri and Norwich City’s Elliot Myles were enough to seal victory for the young Dragons.After slumping to defeats at the hands of England and Portugal, Chris Gunter’s under-19s side finished third in Group G, with three wins and three defeats. England, by virtue of winning the group, have booked their place in the finals in Romania in June.Zach, who can play as a centre-back or full-back, was named in the starting XI and received a yellow card just before the final whistle.READ MORE ON MAN UTDHe is also eligible for England, but has so far progressed through the age grades with Wales.Zach didn’t feature in Wales’ 2-0 defeat to England last week, but played the full 90 minutes in their 1-0 loss to Portugal.He is one of several young Welsh stars hoping to follow in their fathers footsteps.Others include, Robbie Savage’s son Charlie and Jason Koumas’ boy Lewis, who have already featured at senior level.Most read in FootballJoin SUN CLUB for the Man Utd Files every Thursday plusin-depth coverage and exclusives from Old TraffordZach has been on the books at Sheffield United since leaving Man Utd’s academy in 2023.His mum is Gigg’s first wife Stacey Cooke, who also has daughter Libby with the former footballer.Ryan Giggs helps with training session for Salford CityDad Ryan previously managed Wales’ senior side but stood down due to off-pitch issues.At the time, Giggs Sr was facing trial for alleged abuse of his ex-girlfriend, but was since cleared of all charges.The Premier League legend always denied assault and controlling or coercive behaviour towards his former partner.Giggs was replaced by his assistant Robert Page for Euro 2020, who has since been sacked for Craig Bellamy.He spent 25 years at Old Trafford and helped the club to win every major trophy, including 13 titles and the Champions League twice.Giggs also set an incredible record of scoring in 23 consecutive campaigns playing in the Premier League.But he has personally lost £100,000 after a trendy restaurant he backed went bust in recent weeks. More

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    Goalkeeper completely forgets where he is as Estonia score World Cup qualifying’s strangest goal

    MOLDOVA goalkeeper Andriy Kozhukhar may have committed the biggest blunder of the season during the international break.The Moldovan national team hosted Estonia in a World Cup qualifier on Tuesday at the Zimbru Stadium.Moldova goalkeeper Andriy Kozhukhar committed a massive blunder against EstoniaEstonia scored from a corner-kick after a header by Rauno SappinenThe ball went straight into Moldova keeper Kozhukhar’s arms, but there was a problemKozhukhar was standing behind his goal line and caused Estonia’s second goalThe hosts trailed 1-0 following Rasmus Peetson’s opener after just 19 minutes.That was after Moldova lost Maxim Cojocaru to a straight red card just five minutes into the match.And things got even worse for Serghei Clescenco’s side on the half-hour mark.Estonia got a corner-kick down the right and Kevor Palumets delivered a pinpoint cross into the box.Read More on FootballPalumets found Rauno Sappinen, whose header caught a tiny deflection off Oleg Reabciuk.The ball went straight into Kozhukhar’s arms, but there was a serious problem.The keeper apparently forgot where he was as he was standing BEHIND his goal line.The linesman quickly noticed the Veres Rivne ace’s unbelievable error and raised his flag.Most read in FootballBest new sign-up offersSunSport exclusivesThe referee also spotted that gaffe and immediately awarded Estonia their second goal of the night.Moldova went on to put up a fight but couldn’t save Kozhukhar’s blushes.Roy Keane leaves Ian Wright laughing after ITV pundit’s joke about Thomas Tuchel following England’s win over Latvia Estonia won the match 3-2 but also lost Palumets to a second yellow card on 48 minutes. More

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    Kylian Mbappe rages as remote control car interrupts crucial France clash before taking matters into his own hands

    KYLIAN MBAPPE was left baffled after a remote control car BROKE DOWN on the pitch before France took on Croatia in the Nations League.Just before the match was about to kick off, the ball was delivered to Mbappe with a small remote control car.Kylian Mbappe was baffled when a remote control car broke down on the pitchThe Frenchman took matters into his own hands by carrying it awayThe forward picked it out of the vehicle and prepared to place it on the centre spot.But as the car attempted to drive off, it stopped after travelling less than a metre.Mbappe then decided to take matters into his own hands – by picking up the remote control car.However, before he could carry it over to the sidelines, the person that was meant to be controlling the car frantically ran over to collect it.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLOnce the brief moment of chaos was over, the match started as normal.France went on to win the match 2-0, making the score 2-2 on aggregate in the Nations League quarter-final.Les Bleus eventually progressed to the next round by winning 5-4 on penalties.They will now face Spain, who progressed by defeating Netherlands on penalties in the last-eight following a 5-5 draw, in the semi-final on June 5.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSIn the other semi-final, Germany face Portugal on June 4.The semi-finals are scheduled to take place just over a week before the Club World Cup is due to start in the United States.They will also take place just four days after the Champions League final.Real Madrid fan BURNS Kylian Mbappe shirt and fumes ‘my hopes and support for him is over’ More

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    Roy Keane delivers verdict on Thomas Tuchel after two games with England and claims he’s been handed ‘easy start’

    ROY KEANE refused to big-up Thomas Tuchel after the new boss won his first two World Cup qualifying games in charge of England.Tuchel became the first Three Lions gaffer since Fabio Capello to win his first two matches at the helm after beating Latvia 3-0 on Monday night.Roy Keane said England’s performance against Latvia was nothing specialThomas Tuchel watched on as England overcame mishaps to beat Latvia 3-0Credit: AFPReece James curled in an unstoppable 25-yard free-kick on his first international start in 18 months. England had been frustrated by Latvia’s low block before Harry Kane scored his 71st goal for his country and Eberechi Eze bagged his first-ever.Tuchel’s men enjoyed 27 shots to Latvia’s three, with eight of those on target, and sit at the top of Group K with six points.But Keane – who was on pundit duties for ITV – wasn’t overly impressed and thought England should’ve put it too bed much earlier.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSThe 53-year-old told ITV: “If this was a school report, you’d give him a would be a C+.”I think there’s a lot more to come from him. I think the two games on paper were very easy.”It’s a great start for the manager, but you knew he was going to get the two victories, just look at the 27 shots tonight.”There’s loads of bits to improve. The end product wasn’t that great but at least the subs came on and had an effect on the game.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS”But I thought it was OK. It was OK.”The former Man Utd captain also laid into Jordan Pickford at half-time for his part in an embarrassing mix-up with Marc Guehi at 0-0.’That was missing’ – Brutally blunt Thomas Tuchel reveals disappointment in Rashford and Foden’s England performancesTuchel, who had kicked off with a 2-0 win over Albania on Friday night, had made four changes to his lineup.James, Guehi, Jarrod Bowen and Morgan Rogers came into the XI, with Tuchel looking at other options.Kyle Walker, Dan Burn, Curtis Jones and Phil Foden all dropped out, with the latter heavily criticised by Keane on Friday.Mark Pougatch quizzed Keane and Ian Wright on rotation and a manager taking the chance to look at others or give stars rest. And Keane’s reponse didn’t disappoint.He said: “I’m a great believer in squad rotation. I believed in that … but once I played!” A laughing Pougatch asked “you didn’t believe it?””No, not in my position,” joked a smirking Keane, who added “You can rotate everybody else!”Look, I see the bigger picture. But, what Ian just said, you do enough that you can’t leave me out. You rotate the others, not me!”It was the first time in 33 years that an England side took to the pitch without a single player from Manchester United, Manchester City or Liverpool.Coincidentally, it was also the first time in 33 years that an England defender scored from a direct free-kick at Wembley since Stuart Pearce against Turkey in 1992.The Ireland legend also couldn’t resist a dig at Arsenal at half-time.READ MORE SUN STORIESHe praised Myles Lewis-Skelly for winning James’ free-kick in the 38th minute.Keane joked: “Lewis-Skelly here…he’s obviously learned that well at Arsenal over the years. It’s a 50-50.” More

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    ‘Mind your business’ – Roy Keane fumes at Jordan Pickford after England nearly suffer ultimate embarrassment

    ROY KEANE blasted Jordan Pickford after the goalkeeper’s mix-up with Marc Guehi left England on the cusp of conceding against Latvia.The Three Lions overcame a frustrating low block to beat the visitors 3-0 in their 2026 World Cup qualifier at Wembley.Roy Keane blasted Jordan Pickford after his mix-up with Marc Guehi at 0-0Pickford came flying out to the edge of his box and distracted GuehiBut with the score at 0-0 in the 18th minute, England almost conceded in embarrassing fashion after a horrendous mix-up.Latvian striker Vladislavs Gutkovskis raced through on goal after a fine run while duelling with Guehi.But Pickford raced out to the edge of his box to intercept him and instead put Guehi off after a miscommunication.The ball ran between the pair of them and Gutkovskis got away with no-one in the England net. READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSBut Gutkovskis missed an open goal after hitting the side netting from an angle after rounding Pickford.When analysing the confusion at half-time, Keane blamed the Everton keeper and had some strong words for his part in the kerfuffle.Speaking on ITV, Keane said: “Poor from England. Goalkeepers get bored sometimes.”But Pickford comes up, and you feel like saying to Pickford ‘mind your own business, let the defender deal with it’, so I’d be looking at Pickford there.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS“He’s obviously had his hand up there at the end saying ‘it’s my fault’, but he doesn’t have to come up that far.”Ian Wright was on the same wavelength and said Pickford should have “trusted” Guehi to deal with it.Here’s what has happened to England’s lost football groundsBut despite Keane’s comments, it was a great night for Pickford who drew level with Joe Hart and David Seaman on 75 caps.As such, only Peter Shilton has more caps for England than the former Sunderland stopper.Elsewhere, Keane said England’s performance was nothing special.The Manchester United legend added: “If this was a school report it would be a C-plus.”It’s a good start for the manager to get two wins on the board. But the end product wasn’t great.”There’s lots more to come from them. It was OK.”The Ireland legend also couldn’t resist a dig at Arsenal at half-time.READ MORE SUN STORIESHe praised Myles Lewis-Skelly for winning the free-kick from which Reece James opened the scoring with.Keane said: “Lewis-Skelly here…he’s obviously learned that well at Arsenal over the years. It’s 50-50.” More

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    Gareth Southgate was close to Man Utd job but now England’s most successful manager in decades looks done with football

    HE was England’s most successful manager in half a century and was only a couple of penalty kicks away from being regarded as the greatest of all time.He has represented the Three Lions, as a player and manager, more often than any other man.Sir Gareth Southgate appears unlikely to return as a manager, nor become a consultant, despite the wishes of the FACredit: GettySouthgate has major interests, such as the challenges facing young men in the social media age, which he addressed in his Dimbleby lectureCredit: BBCHe is a knight of the realm, who is respected in wider society to such a degree that he delivered the prestigious Dimbleby Lecture at the BBC last week.Yet, at the age of 54, Sir Gareth Southgate may be finished with football.The former defender was closer than many would believe to becoming Erik ten Hag’s successor at Manchester United.Dan Ashworth, United’s short-lived sporting director, pushed his candidacy strongly and left the club soon after he failed to persuade United’s ownership.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLMeanwhile, Southgate’s advisor Jimmy Worrall also has close links to Ineos chief Sir Jim Ratcliffe.But the United job was an outlier.If Southgate did look to return to club management, he would be unlikely to land a job at a higher level than his previous club role at Middlesbrough almost two decades ago.Despite leading England to successive Euros finals, as well as a World Cup semi and quarter-final — and despite transforming the once-rotten culture around the national team — Southgate’s stock as a manager has not risen  significantly.Most read in FootballBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKWhile the FA are keen to employ Southgate as a consultant, that doesn’t appeal to the former manager, who believes his presence on the payroll would not be beneficial to Thomas Tuchel nor any future Three Lions boss.The idea of returning to media punditry is regarded similarly.Sir Gareth Southgate fears boys are watching too much porn instead of ‘expressing their emotions’ New England chief Tuchel may have criticised the performance of Southgate’s team at last summer’s Euros — although he only really echoed Southgate’s own public comments during that tournament.But Sir Gareth will not be responding in kind. He is too classy and decent to give it back to Tuchel.There is also a feeling that international management, rather than the club game, suited Southgate perfectly.Most great club managers are single-minded football obsessives.Southgate has a more curious mind and the England role allowed him a wider remit, which he relished. The themes he expressed in his Dimbleby Lecture — on the challenges facing young men in the social media age — are dear to him.He helped many England players greatly, as people as well as footballers.And if Southgate headed back into football management any time soon, he would do so without his hugely-trusted No 2 Steve Holland — who is keen to make it as a manager in his own right and is currently the boss of Japanese club Yokohama F Marinos.Southgate always regarded his England role as a partnership with Holland, believing the pair counteracted each other’s strengths and weaknesses. He may feel isolated in management without Holland’s presence.Southgate’s old sidekick Steve Holland now bosses Yokohama F MarinosCredit: GettyA boardroom job in football isn’t on the agenda either.He may have looked good in a  waistcoat during the 2018 World Cup but, professionally speaking, a tracksuit is more Southgate’s style.So what next, if there is no return  to football?The Dimbleby Lecture — given on  the personal request of BBC director-general Tim Davie — wasn’t his first weighty speech since his exit.Southgate showed during his England reign he is a more effective politician than most politicians. His ‘Dear England’ letter before the Euros in 2021 spoke to the nation better than anyone in the House of Commons could.But there is apparently no chance of a bid for Parliament.Despite being branded as ‘woke’ — an insult which shouldn’t even be an insult — Southgate isn’t party political. He’d probably have more in common with Sir John Major than Jeremy Corbyn.That Dimbleby Lecture championed traditional family values as well as Southgate’s deep respect for the military.He is a quiet patriot, not a raving lefty and not even close friends could tell you which way he votes.As for a  job in business, Southgate is said to be equally uninterested.Unlike many in football he isn’t  an obsessive chaser of the next five-pound note.He doesn’t need to work but equally recognises that even a senior job in industry would only pay a fraction of that on offer in managing a lowly Premier League club. And anyway Southgate is patriotic and old-school enough to have regarded the England job as the pinnacle of his profession.Should his journey of self-discovery lead him away from the game which made him, he would be a great loss to football.Fighting relegation, as he did unsuccessfully at Middlesbrough in 2009, isn’t currently on his wish-list either.Had Southgate landed the United job he wouldn’t have been a popular appointment among supporters — despite doing the kind of transformative job with England that they are crying out for at Old Trafford.And the sad truth is he wouldn’t be welcomed with widespread jubilation at any top-flight club.His image as an overly-cautious manager is overstated but not entirely untrue.He never played for nor managed clubs which expected to win  silverware and never quite shook off that mindset as expectations rose with England.So what next for a man who is significantly younger than most who have just departed England’s ‘impossible job’?Having succeeded the likes of Bill Clinton, Bill Gates and King Charles in giving that Dimbleby Lecture, Sir Gareth is yet to find his calling, post-England.But should his journey of self-discovery lead him away from the game which made him, he would be a great loss to football.Flair’s fair for AngeTHERE was much online merriment when a Tottenham legends team — featuring Dimitar Berbatov, Jermain Defoe, Robbie Keane and Aaron Lennon — hammered  AC Milan’s old boys 6-2.The obvious joke, that the veterans could still beat Ange Postecoglou’s first team, was barely even funny because it is possibly true.Robbie Keane bagged a hat-trick as Spurs legends beat Milan 6-2Credit: GettyYet the flair of some of those Spurs players of the not-too-distant past also showed that Postecoglou’s devil-may-care style was more in tune with the club’s ethos than most of his recent predecessors.The expectation is that Spurs will wilt in a hostile atmosphere against Eintracht Frankfurt in next month’s Europa League quarter-final and that will spell the end for Big Ange.If so, that would be a shame. Spurs might not be very good under Postecoglou but at least they are recognisably Spurs.IT was so sad  to see Scotland relegated from the top tier of the Nations League by virtue of a 3-0 loss at home to Greece.And the poor old  Tartan Army couldn’t even get a drink at Hampden Park.Despite their great national thirst, booze is still banned inside grounds north of the border, as it has been since 1981 — just about the last time the Scots were any good at football.Lennox all HartTHE warm tributes to The Sun’s legendary ‘Voice of Boxing’ Colin Hart — who died on Saturday aged 89 — were rich, poignant and greatly appreciated by his family.Lennox Lewis says he was inspired by Colin Hart’s viewsCredit: News Group Newspapers LtdIt was especially interesting to read the words of Lennox Lewis and  how he felt driven to win over a sceptical Harty on his journey to becoming heavyweight champion of the world.The media landscape has changed hugely since Lewis and Colin enjoyed their verbal sparring en route to an immense mutual respect.READ MORE SUN STORIESThere are now often too many obstructive PR people between elite  athletes and journalists.As Lewis agrees, that is to the detriment of sportsmen and women, as well as to the media and the public. 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    If the World Cup started today Marcus Rashford wouldn’t be in the XI – latest England performance sums up his struggles

    MARCUS RASHFORD was given another chance by Thomas Tuchel — but again failed to shine.If you were to scribble down your starting XI for next year’s World Cup, Rashford would not be included.Marcus Rashford must do better to stay in the England pictureCredit: GettyRashford only had one attempt on goal against LatviaCredit: RexNearly all his touches were out wide in the attacking thirdThe Aston Villa loanee created six chances but lacked a killer passCredit: RexAnd the 27-year-old’s frustrating performance in the 3-0 victory over Latvia summed up his struggles at club level over the past couple of seasons.He created six chances according to the stats — but it did not feel like it.The Manchester United forward, currently on loan at Aston Villa, played with bags of positivity in the first half.He had too much pace for the ­Latvian right-back Roberts Savalnieks.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAnd he also supported his defenders on the rare occasions the visitors attacked.Rashford was certainly acting on the criticism dished out by boss Thomas Tuchel for not being direct enough in the 2-0 win over Albania.Equally, the killer pass was not there. And after switching to the right in the second half, he barely had a kick before being replaced by Curtis Jones.Rashford is not the only player to fail to cause havoc in the final third during two lacklustre England performances.Most read in FootballBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKBut the competition down that left position is nowhere as strong as it has been in the past.Jack Grealish’s career has gone backwards while Phil Foden has under-performed for England and moaned about being played out on the left during Euro 2024.Here’s what has happened to England’s lost football groundsAnthony Gordon, injured for this game, would be your man in that spot if the World Cup started tomorrow.Eberechi Eze also looked decent on the left when he came on and scored a deflected third.But Rashford still has a chance — purely because his international boss seems desperate for him to succeed.Tuchel has started him in back-to-back games, a luxury he has barely been afforded for club or country over the last 18 months, and an indication of just how far Rashford’s star has fallen.He lasted 74 minutes before being replaced against Albania on Friday and was afforded just five more minutes than that at Wembley last night.Tuchel has only signed a short-term contract and although he has thrown Myles Lewis-Skelly into the mix, looks determined to stick with experience.Rashford — who won his 62nd cap — comes into that bracket.And when the German announced his squad for these two games, Tuchel praised Rashford’s workrate for Villa —  something he was often criticised for at United.It is still early days for him under Villa boss Unai Emery. His nine appearances have included just two starts and he is yet to score.The last time Rashford found the net was his brace in United’s 4-0 win over Everton on December 1.When Rashford did find his way past Savalnieks in the first half last night, his final pass was not good enough.After swapping flanks with Jarrod Bowen following the break, he played a small role in the build-up to the second goal scored by Harry Kane — but otherwise was still not involved enough.Maybe fatigue due to his lack of games was a cause.But you would still expect Rashford to remain in the squad for England’s next two games in June — a World Cup qualifier in Andorra and a friendly with Senegal at Nottingham Forest’s City Ground.READ MORE SUN STORIESWhen you consider the rotten time Rashford has endured of late — much of it self-inflicted — he is lucky to be back in the England team.The jury remains out on whether he can make the most of that good fortune.Rashford struggled to create clear-cut opportunities on Monday nightCredit: Rex More

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    Arsenal wonderkid Ethan Nwaneri, 18, takes just 10 minutes to score in first start for England U21s with stunning goal

    ARSENAL superstar Ethan Nwaneri scored just 10 minutes into his full debut for England U21s on Monday.The young forward, who turned 18 just last week, earned his first international call-up to the U21s earlier this month.Ethan Nwaneri scored 10 minutes into his England U21s debutCredit: GettyHe came off the bench for the Young Lions in their 5-3 defeat to France on Friday.And having impressed manager Lee Carsley in training, he earned his first start ahead of Monday’s clash with Portugal.England took an early lead in the friendly, with midfielder Hayden Hackney breaking the deadlock.But the advantage was extended in the 10th minute thanks to Nwaneri.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe Arsenal ace received the ball around 40 yards out from goal before turning, cutting into the middle and curling a shot into the bottom-left corner.Gunners fans were quick to react to his strike on social media, with one person writing: “This boy is special.”Another commented: “That signature goal, you just know it’s HIM.”A third said: “How do you already have a trademark finish at 18??! Its insane.”Most read in FootballJoin SUN CLUB for the Arsenal Files every Friday plusin-depth coverage and exclusives from The EmiratesA fourth wrote: “Special talent.”While a fifth added: “This finish is just too easy for him, such a good player.”Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta heaps praise on ‘calm and composed’ youngster Ethan Nwaneri for Champions League victory Fabio Silva got a goal back for Portugal at the 22nd minute mark.However, Ipswich star Omari Hutchinson restored England’s two-goal advantage late in the match.Additional strikes from Carlos Forbs and Jaden Philogene saw the Three Lions to a 4-2 win.On Nwaneri’s strike, Carsley said: “It’s definitely a finish that he’s got. Everyone knows exactly what’s going to happen but you just cannot stop it. He took his goal so well. But what we have to keep remembering is that he’s 18. Unbelievable, innit?“We just have to encourage these guys. It’s important the rest of the team support him as well, because I’m not sure it’s always going to be as progressive as it is. So it’s important that we’re there when things aren’t so well. But, God, what an impression he’s made.”Carsley, who is desperate to have the 18-year-old in his ranks when they head to Slovakia, added: “It’s important that we look after him and make sure that going to the tournament in the summer, is that the right thing?“Obviously, we’ll speak with Arsenal and make sure that they’re on the same page in terms of that decision making.” More